The football season is finally here and for Sheffield Wednesday, the Championship could bring about new hope for the future.
Under Danny Rohl, the Owls have moved from strength to strength, avoiding relegation in their first season back in the second tier.
With such a dramatic turnaround, the Sheffield Wednesday boss has received plenty of plaudits but his work may have only just started.
Premier League football is the ultimate aim and after some stabilising, those hopes and dreams may be achievable.
Equally, there’s a danger of slipping back into a scrap at the bottom and facing a fight to avoid a return to League One.
So with the new season just around the corner, here’s a look at how our writers at Sheffield Wednesday News have predicted the upcoming campaign for Sheffield Wednesday.
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Luke Phelps
Sheffield Wednesday could be dark horses in the Championship play-off race this season.
Unlike summers before, there’s definite quality within the quantity of players signed, along with the likes of Di’Shon Bernard and Josh Windass penning new deals after becoming free agents in the summer.
This current Sheffield Wednesday squad looks much more balanced and tailored towards Danny Rohl’s style.
Then with Ike Ugbo returning and Premier League loans likely, this summer’s transfer window could get even better.
Realistically, anything comfortably above the drop zone next season would be an achievement for Sheffield Wednesday.
But that might feel slightly underwhelming. Top ten should be the aim, and a tenth-placed finish seems both achievable and realistic at this moment in time.
We’ll find out whether that’s plausible when the season gets underway this weekend.
Predicted finish: 10th.
Molly Burke
Despite only narrowly missing out on relegation last season, there aren’t many people who will tip Sheffield Wednesday to be near the bottom this time round – or even the bottom half.
They have been very sensible in the transfer window and have bolstered almost every position, while the addition of Ike Ugbo could really push them up the table.
Jamal Lowe, Max Lowe and Nathaniel Chalobah are all really useful signings too.
They probably need to add another midfielder and centre-back and then they will be on for a solid season.
Their transfer window isn’t anything worth shouting about, but it will be Danny Rohl that really makes a difference – if they can keep hold of him.
If they do, then I think they will finish ninth or tenth – but won’t be far off the play-offs.
Predicted finish: 9th.
Luke Thrower
The Championship will be an interesting division to watch this season as across the board it appears to be quite competitive.
Plenty of teams are enduring different phases, while some are having to cut back a bit, others can spend a bit more freely.
It means there’s an opportunity there for Sheffield Wednesday to get themselves around the conversation at the top of the table.
The football played by Danny Rohl has been impressive and with some strong summer additions, that may only consolidate the options available to the Sheffield Wednesday boss.
While it may be slightly too soon to call for a potential play-off push, I believe the Owls will be comfortable in the division and avoid any relegation concerns that were present last season.
Predicted finish: 12th.