Sheffield Wednesday saw their early momentum and optimism shot to pieces last weekend.
Sheffield Wednesday went into the game against Sunderland looking strong, and looking like the favourites.
David Prutton predicted a 3-2 win for the Owls, but it was Sunderland who won the game, and in some style.
The Black Cats scored three in the first half and one right after the break, eventually winning the game 4-0.
It comes after a strong start to the 2024/25 Championship season for the Owls after a win vs Plymouth Argyle and a Carabao Cup win vs Hull City.
But the Sunderland defeat highlighted some defensive flaws in Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday first-team.
With the summer transfer window ending on August 30th, Rohl and head of recruitment Kevin Beadell may be keen to add some more steel to their ranks.
Sheffield Wednesday are linked with several defensive midfielders right now and could bolster what feels like a key position before the end of the month.
But Rohl might be ruing one player’s decision to leave the club this summer.
Will Vaulks shining for Oxford United following Sheffield Wednesday exit
Per the club’s retained list, Will Vaulks was offered a new Wednesday deal at the end of last season.
But Vaulks left, feeling that the Owls didn’t make enough of an effort to keep him around, joining Oxford United following their promotion from League One.
Since, Vaulks has shone for Oxford United who’ve made a steady start to the new season with a win vs Norwich City in the Chamiosnihp, followed by a narrow 3-2 defeat away at Coventry City.
Vaulks showed his class in the last outing vs Coventry City, making three tackles and having 85 touches of the ball.
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Sheffield Wednesday desperately need to replace Will Vaulks’ presence
Vaulks was the Owls’ Player of the Season last season, and he’s since become a key player for the U’s.
The Welshman featured 34 times in the Championship last season and topped the players’ stats for tackles-per-game (2.4) and also interceptions-per-game (1.5).
Whenever present and on his game, Vaulks was arguably Sheffield Wednesday’s most influential player last season.
But right now, Danny Rohl doesn’t have a hardened midfielder player who can do the job Vaulks did last season, and it’s showing.
Svante Ingelsson was arguably brought in to ease the loss of Vaulks, but it’s clear that Rohl views Ingelsson as more of a attacking-minded midfielder, albeit a deep-lying one.
Sheffield Wednesday were cut open by Sunderland, on both flanks and down the middle too, and that game has perhaps highlighted what feels like a desperate need for a Vaulks-type player before the end of the summer transfer window.