For Sheffield Wednesday star Mallik Wilks, the 2022/23 campaign proved a frustrating time on a personal level. Although the Owls won promotion to the Championship, the forward made just 24 appearances.
Now, Wilks will see the latest developments at Hillsborough as the chance for a clean slate. Indeed, the appointment of Xisco Munoz could be just the change he needed at the club for him to kick-start his Wednesday career.
The tricky wide player signed from Hull City last summer. He was viewed as a stellar signing and one that could light up League One given that he’d done well with Hull in the league above.
That never transpired though, with Wilks asked to play as a centre-forward. Darren Moore often played with wing-backs and that didn’t see him utilise conventional wingers too often.
Wilks played his last game for the 2022/23 campaign during a 3-0 win over Accrington in early April. He missed the rest of the campaign, including the play-off fixtures, with an injury and he will hope for a strong pre-season.
Clearly playing out of position hampered Wilks and his form last season. Many from the outside will look at his return of two goals and five assists as being somewhat underwhelming.
Now, with Munoz at Wednesday, Wilks has to see the appointment as an opportunity. The new man typically played 4-2-3-1 at Watford and there is every reason to suggest he will do the same at Hillsborough.
Wilks could thrive under Munoz at Wednesday
At 24-years-old, Wilks has time on his side. In truth, he’s at a good age to add some energy to the Wednesday team and when utilised properly, he’s a player who can do serious damage.
His boss at Hull City, Grant McCann, knew that all too well. In March 2021 following a game against Rochdale, he called Wilks ‘dangerous’ after he’d made a blistering impact during the clash.
Nothing against Moore but signing a player who plays predominantly on the wing made zero sense. The man who recently departed Wednesday essentially tried to shoehorn Wilks into a position he isn’t overly comfortable in.
Munoz is unlikely to do that at Wednesday and it could help Wilks. The Owls aren’t blessed with loads of wingers and with that in mind, he could get the perfect chance to prove himself to the new manager in his favoured position.
Wilks is lethal when he gets going. He’s proved that he can score goals when he’s on form and under Munoz he has the potential to really show the Wednesday faithful what he’s truly capable of.