Marvin Johnson isn’t injured and Sheffield Wednesday boss Xisco Munoz has explained what he must do to regain his place in the reckoning. The versatile performer was a key part of the promotion to the Championship but hasn’t made the squad for the opening two games.
The 32-year-old penned a new deal to remain at Hillsborough during the summer. That perhaps came as a surprise and with Munoz now replacing Darren Moore, his chances of game time look bleak at the moment.
Reece James operated at left-back in the Carabao Cup game against Stockport; whilst Akin Famewo was a surprise choice for the role against Southampton on the opening day of the campaign.
Johnson was a popular player during the 2022/23 campaign. The 32-year-old made 51 appearances during the campaign playing as either a left-back or in a role more suited for a left wing-back.
Now, it feels unlikely that Johnson will get a chance under Munoz. He has, however, offered a glimmer of hope for the player ahead of this weekend’s trip to Hull.
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He told The Star: “When new players arrive and after maybe I need to make some decisions on which ones. Right now I only put my focus on the player we have. We have to concentrate. It’s not only Marvin, it’s everybody that’s in my head trying to give the best 11.
“He needs to continue working hard every day. Every player has a duel with the players in his position. If you are waiting on the bench, then you need to give everything and work every day.”
Johnson out of Wednesday reckoning but there is hope under Munoz
All the popular player can do right now is work hard. If he does that, then he should have a chance of getting some minutes under his belt this season.
It must have come as a bit of a shock to Johnson. In playing so many games last season he warmed himself to the Wednesday fan base and they’d surely have welcomed him playing this season.
Still, Munoz is striving for the winning formula. He will hope to pick up something at Hull on Saturday and it will be interesting to see whether Johnson makes the trip.