We are now a third of the way through the Championship season, and the pros and cons of Sheffield Wednesday’s campaign are clear to see, including some big mistakes Danny Rohl has made.
Overall, it has been a fairly positive start to the season for Sheffield Wednesday, who find themselves in 15th place in the Championship table with 18 points. They are seven points off the play-off places, but just four away from the relegation zone.
There have been great moments, like the 3-2 win over high-flying West Brom, or important wins against the likes of Portsmouth, Norwich, and Coventry City.
But, Danny Rohl’s side have also suffered disappointing defeats against Millwall, Watford, and most recently in the Steel City derby against Sheffield United.
So, there is room for improvement, then. And these are the five things Rohl has got wrong this season that could be costing the Owls in the long-run.
Sheffield Wednesday needed more defensive depth
Sheffield Wednesday don’t have the biggest squad at the best of times, but when injuries hit, the roster of players available to Danny Rohl looks even more sparse. In particular, the absence of Akin Famewo has been felt, with the defender suffering a long-term injury.
Famewo had made the left-sided centre-back role his own in the back three for Rohl alongside Dominic Iorfa and Di’Shon Bernard, and while Max Lowe has stepped in of late and looked comfortable, the Wednesday backline is now being pushed to the limits.
It’s easy to say this in hindsight, but the fact is, the Sheffield Wednesday fans were crying out for another defensive signing in the summer, and it just didn’t happen. That’s not necessarily Rohl’s fault, as much as it is the board’s, but either way, that area should have been covered this summer.
Bailey Cadamarteri should still be at the club
One of the most egregious moves of the summer, though, is the decision to let young Bailey Cadamarteri depart S6, joining Lincoln City on loan.
The 19-year-old has been in great form for his temporary team, and after a brace against Manchester City’s Under-21s this week, Cadamarteri was described as ‘explosive’ and lauded for his performance.
Again, hindsight is a fine thing, and the idea of letting Cadamarteri gain valuable experience on loan makes sense. But, with Wednesday’s strikers struggling at the moment, the energetic young forward could have been the perfect remedy to Rohl’s attacking issues.
- READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday could unearth their next Bailey Cadamarteri after teen’s international exploits
Danny Rohl needs to leave Ike Ugbo out
Speaking of struggling strikers, the dip in form for Ike Ugbo has been a nightmare for the Owls, and it shows no signs of improving.
The Canadian forward was unstoppable last season, but since his move to Hillsborough was made permanent, the goals have well and truly dried up, and he is a player who looks bereft of confidence now.
While the idea of Rohl trying to get the player back to his best by insisting on starting him, it is becoming glaringly obvious that Ugbo needs to be dropped by Rohl sooner rather than later, or the team will continue to miss golden opportunities and drop points.
Sheffield Wednesday have to be more resilient
Generally speaking, Sheffield Wednesday are beating (or at least getting a point) from the teams they should be doing well against. In the same vein, they are, more often than not, losing to the teams they are expected to lose against.
That’s all well and good, but what is slightly worrying for Wednesday fans is that points have been dropped in a number of games where, actually, the Owls have performed well, dominated the play, and just haven’t been able to either land the killer blow, or hold on to the advantage they have.
This is as much a mentality issue as it is a performance issue. We know Wednesday are struggling in the early stages of the second half of games, and that they’re also conceding a fair few goals in the final ten minutes of games. What that tells us is, Rohl needs to get his players more focused, more determined, and they need to be giving 100% for the full 90 minutes.
Essentially, Sheffield Wednesday need to learn how to grind out a result, which is often the mark of the very best teams.
You look at the draw against QPR, the defeats against Luton and Watford, and even the Steel City derby. They are all games in which Wednesday held relatively strong positions, and let the results slip away, and that kind of complacency needs to stop.
- READ MORE: What Danny Rohl has planned for the Sheffield Wednesday squad during November international break
Josh Windass is playing in the wrong position
This is only a minor gripe, as Josh Windass is actually playing well out on the right-hand side, and has four goals to his name this season, but he is naturally far more effective on the left.
He’s a player who, in the past, has shown what he can do when he’s cutting inside onto his favoured right foot, and at the moment, we’re just not seeing that from the attacker.
Moving Windass out to the left would still allow Marvin Johnson freedom to roam down the channels, while also giving Rohl the opportunity to give Anthony Musaba a run in the side on the other wing. After Musaba’s cameo in the derby, he could be a real threat, and the kind of ball-carrying winger Wednesday have been lacking.