Here are three defenders Sheffield Wednesday could look to help combat their poor set piece problem.
Danny Rohl has criticised his team this week for their poor defending from set pieces, having conceded the fourth-most goals from corners and free-kicks in the Championship this term (13).
Similarly, they have only actually scored six goals from set pieces themselves – the third lowest tally in the league behind Blackburn Rovers and Plymouth Argyle.
Danny Rohl has admitted that the problem is costing them vital points in their race to avoid relegation.
“This is for me a big, big part of the last few weeks,” he told The Star.
“At Huddersfield, the first goal, against Ipswich the second goal, with Bristol City for 1-1, against Swansea for 1-1, and today for 1-0. It’s big parts in this game, especially in this league as well.
“I think we can also look at how many set pieces we concede against us as well, and this is also a reason. If you’re more active and push them out and force them more into their half then you won’t have as many set pieces against you.
“It’s an issue, and it’s costing us points – it also breaks a little bit your belief because it’s another conceded goal. But we have to find solutions for this, and that’s our job for the last six games.”
Even if Sheffield Wednesday manage to avoid relegation, they are still going to need to solve this problem before it continues being an issue next term.
Here are three defenders that could help the fix their set piece struggles…
Michal Helik
We have mentioned Michal Helik before, and he seems to be an all-round positive signing for a Championship club.
The Pole stands at 6 ft 3 and has scored nine goals from defence this season – though surprisingly only two of those have been headers.
His towering height should help in both boxes though, while he has also made the third-most clearances in the Championship (185) and the fifth-most shocks blocked (39).
Helik will enter the final 12 months of his contract with Huddersfield Town this summer and could leave if they are relegated.
Danny Batth
Sheffield Wednesday fans will remember Danny Batth’s back-to-back loan spells at the club, where he was voted runner-up in the club’s Player of the Season award in his second stay.
The centre-back has four promotions on his CV, as well as being named Sunderland’s Player of the Year last season.
Batth stands at 6 ft 3 and was often an attacking and ‘dominant’ threat for the Black Cats last term, while their defence has looked much weaker this time round without him.
The 33-year-old has only made four starts for Norwich City this season and is set to leave on a free transfer this summer.
Sonny Bradley
Sonny Bradley was part of the team that won two promotions to the Premier League with Luton Town, before joining Derby County in the summer.
The 6 ft 5 defender has only made 14 starts this term but had been brought back into the starting line-up before he was sent off last month.
Bradley has been part of a backline that has conceded only eight set piece goals all season – more than only Burton Albion (7).
The Rams have enjoyed brilliant seasons from Eiran Cashin and Curtis Nelson and so could potentially look to offload Bradley if they are promoted, with the centre-back entering the final year of his contract.