Sheffield Wednesday have had mixed feedback in their opening two matches of the Championship campaign.
The Owls were tipped for a huge improvement on the relegation battle that engulfed the 2023/24 season and that is still very much expected to happen.
However, Sheffield Wednesday will be desperate for some consistency after two 4-0 scorelines.
Danny Rohl’s side hammered Plymouth Argyle in their opening fixture and were showered with praise, but the same starting line-up were then on the wrong end of a battering by Sunderland a week later.
The Yorkshire outfit’s new signings went from being applauded to being criticised, with Yan Valery being one player who went from 100 to zero very quickly.
The Frenchman was named Sky Sports’ Man of the Match for his display on the opening weekend, but has now been heavily criticised for his performance on Wearside.
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Yan Valery was ‘appalling’ in Sunderland defeat
Speaking on the Second Tier Podcast, Justin Peach said: “It was a really poor display. Like I said, I think Sunderland came out the trips very quickly, and you can’t really blame Wednesday to some extent. But if your manager doesn’t go in down the tunnel straight after half-time, he sat in the dugout with his assistants two minutes into half-time, just ruling the rule over what pretty much went on, then yes, you are in a bit of bother.
“But I also think defensively, I don’t think the full-backs, Max Lowe and Yan Valery, covered themselves in any glory whatsoever. Yan Valery for the fourth goal, genuinely just stopped. He just stopped. It’s really poor. He just stopped, and if you got taken off as well in the second half… but it was just an appalling display at times defensively from Wednesday. A breakdown if you like.”
Will his place in the Sheffield Wednesday line-up be questioned?
Valery had 29 touches, managed only 58% pass accuracy and only seven passes, while he made three tackles, but not a single clearance or interception.
The 25-year-old really impressed due to his attacking threat last week, while he wasn’t really troubled defensively.
Given how much work he had to do in his own half against Sunderland, it will be a concern to Rohl that his defensive capabilities really came into question against a decent winger.
Valery will have to hope he keeps his place in the starting line-up against Leeds United and can impress, because Pol Valentin will be eagerly waiting in the wings to force his way back into the fold.
Valery wasn’t the only player that disappointed though and it doesn’t mean he won’t turn things around. Like a majority of the team, the right-back should be given another chance.