Sheffield Wednesday man George Byers made his full debut for Blackpool on Tuesday night.
Sheffield Wednesday endured a fairly chaotic January transfer window, with an equally chaotic deadline ensuing.
The final 24 hours of the window saw Danny Rohl welcome Ian Poveda and Kristian Pedersen to Hillsborough, whilst Byers sealed a loan exit to League One hopefuls Blackpool.
The Seasiders have promotion ambitions this season and Byers heads to Bloomfield Road looking to secure a second League One promotion in as many seasons.
He made his debut off the bench vs Oxford United last weekend, with Neil Critchley handing him his first start in the game at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night.
But the game ended in a 2-0 win for strugglers Cheltenham.
George Byers struggles on first start for Blackpool
Blackpool conceded either time of half-time against a lowly Cheltenham Town side, on a miserable night for Critchley’s men who are now winless in their last four league games.
And Sheffield Wednesday man Byers earned a 4/10 rating from Blackpool Gazette on the night, with many of his teammates recording the same.
Journalist Amos Wynn added:
“George Byers was handed his first start for the Seasiders, but failed to have too much of an impact.”
As per Sofascore, the 27-year-old Byers recorded 41 touches of the ball, with 22/29 passes making for a pass accuracy of just 76%.
But Byers put in the work in midfield, winning 6/10 duels and winning all 6 of his aerial duels on the night as well.
Byers facing crucial months ahead Sheffield Wednesday expiry
Byers endured a difficult first half of the season at Sheffield Wednesday.
He played a key role in the road to promotion last season and remains a huge favourite among the fans, who know he’s got quality to offer in midfield.
But this season wasn’t his best in a Wednesday shirt, and now it seems like he’s not had the greatest of starts with Blackpool in League One.
With his Sheffield Wednesday contract out at the end of the season, Byers certainly needs to put in some good performances for Blackpool to either earn himself a new Owls deal or to put himself in the shop window ahead of becoming a free agent in the summer.
Rohl and co will no doubt be keeping a close eye on his situation at Bloomfield Road and if the Owls start to look like they’re nailed on for relegation to League One, they might yet try and keep Byers at the club.
Sheffield Wednesday return to action away at Millwall on Saturday.