The early hype around Sheffield Wednesday season has faded.
Sheffield Wednesday were many’s dark horses going into this new 2024/25 season.
But the Owls have lost now lost two of their opening Championship games this season, both without scoring.
Sunderland thumped Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 last weekend with Leeds United winning 2-0 at Hillsborough on Friday night.
The defeat vs Leeds United has highlighted a lot of issues with Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday first-team squad.
Despite a change in formation, with an extra man at the back against Leeds, Rohl still seems to lack an organiser at the back.
And it’s becoming clear that Sheffield Wednesday are missing Will Vaulks, or a player in the engine room that can add that extra later of defence.
But Rohl has also faced criticism on social media.
Some fans are questioning Rohl’s style of play and his stubbornness in trying to implement it, often at the expense of defensive stability.
Whilst there’s blame to throw around, it seems like Rohl is simply lacking one key thing right now, and it’s not new signings.
Danny Rohl lacks a Plan B at Sheffield Wednesday
This current mood among Sheffield Wednesday fans was present in the second half of last season too; frustrated, because we know the Owls can perform better.
Rohl got the team over the line last season. He did so paying the same style of football, albeit with changes to the shape on occasions.
But this season, and following the 4-0 win vs Plymouth Argyle in which all of Wednesday’s attacking play was the same, it seems like teams have quickly figured out Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday.
They attack down the flanks and work the ball into the centre. But when the likes of Anthony Musaba and Djeidi Gassama are contained, so is the team as a whole.
Rohl needs to come up with a way to work around teams who suss out Sheffield Wednesday and their Plan A. But that’ll be easier said than done.
Patience needed with Danny Rohl and Sheffield Wednesday
It’s easily forgotten how young and inexperienced Rohl is.
This remains the 35-year-old’s first job in management. And just a couple of weeks ago, everyone including Wednesday fans and many neutrals were raving about how good he is as a coach.
A couple of poor games doesn’t undo the good work he’s done with the club.
But Rohl definitely needs to broaden his tactical horizons and give Sheffield Wednesday more methods of breaking teams down.
Leeds weren’t spectacular on Friday night, but they broke well and looked dangerous whenever they got forward.
Daniel Farke had a clear plan and it worked effectively. Rohl needs the same kind of flexibility, but that’ll come with time.