Opinion

Neil Warnock’s Sheffield Wednesday verdict ahead of Steel City derby highlights key Danny Rohl issue

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Neil Warnock has been speaking about Sheffield Wednesday ahead of their Steel City derby clash with Sheffield United on Sunday.

Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United meet for the first time in five years this weekend, with the two teams clashing at Bramall Lane for what promises to be a feisty and exciting encounter.

As things stand, 10 points separate the two teams. United sit in 2nd place of the Championship table and Wednesday in 15th, though both teams go into this game on the back of wins.

Sheffield Wednesday beat Norwich City 2-0 in midweek, bouncing back from their 6-2 demolition against Watford at Hillsborough last weekend.

Chris Wilder’s Blades have won their last three meanwhile, whilst Danny Rohl’s Owls have two wins, two defeats, and a draw from their last five games.

Once again, Wednesday are proving inconsistent, and that’s something Neil Warnock has picked up on.

Sheffield United manager of Neil Warnock signals to his players
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Neil Warnock shares verdict on Sheffield Wednesday ahead of Steel City derby

Speaking on Football Heaven, former Sheffield United manager Warnock spoke about the Steel City derby this weekend, and how he thinks the game might pan out.

As most might, Warnock has backed United as the favourites. But he also hailed the Sheffield Wednesday team as one that ‘can beat anybody on their day’.

The 75-year-old said: “I think United will obviously be favourites, and yet, Wednesday can beat anybody on their day.

“I mean, they can lose to anybody on their day as well, but they’ve got players who can beat anybody on their day.

“It promises to be a cracking game, really. Like I say, I think United will be favourites, but anything can happen in a derby.”

Portsmouth FC v Sheffield Wednesday FC - Sky Bet Championship
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Sheffield Wednesday record under Danny Rohl highlights inconsistency

Warnock is exactly right in his assessment of Sheffield Wednesday, and some of their results under Rohl prove it.

Overall, Rohl’s record of 24 wins in 56 games as Sheffield Wednesday manager (42.86%) is extremely impressive compared to his predecessors.

There’s been some big wins too; two wins over West Brom including the 3-0 last season, a win at Sunderland on the last day of last season, 4-0 against Plymouth on the opening day of this season and a win at Coventry City too.

But Rohl has also suffered some heavy defeats, including 4-0s against the likes of Huddersfield Town last season and Sunderland this season, 6-0 at Ipswich Town last season and six shipped in against Watford last weekend, before a win against Norwich City.

In total, Rohl has 22 defeats as Wednesday manager and 10 draws in his 56 games at the helm.

Consistency is a major sticking point for Wednesday under Rohl. Though how they combat it is proving to be a very difficult matter.