Danny Rohl will have to make sure he doesn’t repeat the same mistake involving an attacker as he did last season at Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday have taken their number of arrivals to nine ahead of the new Championship season.
Danny Rohl’s side has been massively bolstered with Premier League experience with the arrivals of Yan Valery, Max Lowe, and most recently Nathaniel Chalobah, who has praised Sheffield Wednesday’s recent signings.
The Owls are building a squad that attacker Josh Windass has suggested could go for promotion after revealing that was his ambition ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season.
Windass recently signed a new contract that would keep him in S6 for the following season, despite interest arising from Championship rivals West Brom.
There was cause for concern over Windass’ injuries last season, which massively affected Sheffield Wednesday, something that Rohl will wan’t to make sure doesn’t affect his squad this campaign.
Danny Rohl will need to target a Josh Windass alternative in case of injury
In the 2023/24 campaign, Windass was crucial for Rohl’s side, especially in the last three games of the season where he netted three consecutive goals to keep the Owls up on the last day of the season.
However, when injuries hit the Hull-born attacker, Rohl seemingly struggled to find a direct replacement that offered the same attacking abilities last season, and the German boss would often have to tweak his formation to one without an attacking-midfielder.
The Owls averaged one point-per-game when Windass was absent, however when the Englishman was in the team they averaged 1.28 points-per-game.
Danny Rohl should keep consistent Sheffield Wednesday formation despite injuries
At times last season, Rohl often found his side up against the cosh, of which was no fault of the German as he had to tinker with his formations in order to work out how to play to his new squad’s strengths.
There were times in which Windass was absent, for example Sheffield Wednesday’s 6-0 loss to Ipswich Town, which saw Rohl opt to go with a back four, which ended disastrously for the German boss.
With nine new arrivals during the summer so far, it can be difficult for them to adapt, especially with so many fresh faces.
Rohl’s signings seem to have gelled well into the side, especially the signings from Europe who Barry Bannan has praised during pre-season.
However, if Rohl ends up tinkering with the formation early on, it could affect the new recruits who have been taught a specific style of play and formation during pre-season.
The role that Windass plays is crucial in the Owls’ side, and his presence is notably absent when not in the squad. Rohl should set about looking for someone who offers a similar style and leadership to Windass, therefore the German boss won’t have to differ his tactics depending on the availability of the attacking-midfielder next season.