We are now a third of the way into the current Championship season, so now is as good a time as any for pundits to be making their predictions as to where Sheffield Wednesday will finish at the end of the campaign.
So far this year, it’s been a series of ups and downs for Sheffield Wednesday, with Danny Rohl’s side failing to put together a meaningful and consistent run of results.
A number of problems have been cited as holding the club back, from the lack of composure from the Sheffield Wednesday forwards, to Rohl’s side needing to find more discipline in the big games.
After last season’s miraculous surge to safety, Owls fans will be keen to avoid any kind of relegation battle this time round, but can they do it?
Sheffield Wednesday are unpredictable
Discussing the league table so far and how that might change come the end of the season, the folks on the Second Tier podcast commented on how things will play out for Wednesday and what would be deemed as success.
Host Ryan Dilks said: “I’ve gone higher [than 15th]. But, they are the most inconsistent team in the Championship. The barometer of good performances and bad performances is all over.
“The 4-0 win on the opening day and the 4-0 defeat the week after is actually a brilliant microcosm of their season. You never know what you’re going to get.”
It won’t come easy, though, and Wednesday need to work on a few things to ensure they achieve their target of midtable safety. Dilks added: “I’m sure Wednesday will be fine. That’s progress on last season. But it would help if they had a firing striker… If they do that and get more consistent, they could finish top half.”
Midtable finish would be huge for Sheffield Wednesday
While Sheffield Wednesday fans would obviously love to see their side challenging around the top of the Championship table, the Owls are a few years off that kind of push.
They survived by the skin of their teeth last season, and in truth, the Owls probably need a very boring, but very stable midtable finish this year.
It’s all about laying the foundations now, and making sure that Rohl’s very exciting project continues heading in the right direction.
| Top six Championship teams | Sheffield Wednesday result |
|---|---|
| Sunderland | Lost 4-0 (A) |
| Sheffield United | Lost 1-0 (A) |
| Leeds United | Lost 2-0 (H) |
| Burnley | Lost 2-0 (H) |
| West Brom | Won 3-2 (H) |
| Watford | Lost 6-2 (H) |
The club is a genuine sleeping giant, but at this point the squad is not good enough nor deep enough to realistically compete with the big teams in the second tier, and results clearly show how far away the Owls are from that level.
However, if they can get through this season without much fuss, clean out some of the older players in the summer and bring in fresh players who are better suited to Rohl’s style, next season could be an interesting one for Sheffield Wednesday.