The January transfer window is now open and it promises to be a busy, and important month for Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday have been given a fighting chance of survival under Danny Rohl.
Back-to-back wins has the Owls right back on track with the gap to safety now just three points following a 3-1 win over Hull City on New Year’s Day.
But there remains a long way to go this season and with the games coming thick and fast between now and May, Rohl will need to add some depth, and some quality in this month’s window.
One position that many will say needs to be added to is in goal.
Right now, Rohl’s options are AC Milan loan man Devis Vasquez and Cameron Dawson, with the latter having been Rohl’s preferred choice.
But the 28-year-old academy graduate has been coming under continued criticism for his performances; most recently, Dawson’s error led to Cardiff City winning 2-1 at Hillsborough.
Brighton’s young goalkeeper, James Beadle, has been linked with a potential move to Wednesday this month, but Rohl might find a suitable option at one of his former clubs.
Danny Rohl should target Southampton reunion with Alex McCarthy at Sheffield Wednesday
With Vasquez not currently playing under Rohl, AC Milan may well be eyeing up a potential recall, and should that happen then Rohl would have just Dawson as his only experienced first-team goalkeeper.
So whether or not Vasquez leaves, a new shot-stopper could be a priority, and McCarthy would certainly fit the bill.
Previously described as ‘unbelievable’ by former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, the 34-year-old McCarthy has 310 career appearances to his name with 147 of those coming in the Premier League; he has 30 top flight clean sheets to his name as well.
The one-time former England goalkeeper has also played 73 times in the Championship earning 22 clean sheets.
Why a Wednesday move for McCarthy is realistic
There’s a few reasons why McCarthy to Sheffield Wednesday might be a realistic move this month.
The first is that McCarthy is currently out of favour at Southampton; last season he featured just six times in the Premier League whereas this season he’s played just once in the EFL Cup, having been left out of Southampton’s matchday squads for the last nine games now.
And McCarthy is out of contract in the summer as well, potentially meaning that the Saints could view McCarthy as surplus to requirements this month.
And lastly, he and Rohl worked together when the Wednesday boss was Hasenhuttl’s no.2 at Southampton.
So for the Owls, McCarthy looks like a potentially shrewd signing and a very possible one too.
Dawson, whilst he remains an experienced option, has been unreliable at times this season, but McCarthy with his Premier League experience and pedigree would certainly be an upgrade, and a huge boost to Wednesday’s survival chances too.