Sheffield Wednesday have enjoyed a complete makeover of their squad this summer.
Sheffield Wednesday’s starting line-up last season mostly picked itself due to form, lack of squad depth and injuries.
The likes of Barry Bannan and Will Vaulks were constants in the midfield, while the inconsistent pair of Anthony Musaba and Djeidi Gassama had very limited competition standing in their way.
However, there are very few positions that the Owls now need to bolster before they are looking Championship ready.
Danny Rohl will be looking to bring in a new No.9, and whether it’s Ike Ugbo or not, it is likely they will be the first choice up top.
Players like Bannan, James Beadle and Di’Shon Bernard are pretty irreplaceable and will undoubtedly make up the spine of the team.
There are still a few key positions that are up for grabs though, and the Wednesday squad have only one more friendly against Leganes to prove themselves.
Three key positions up for grabs ahead of Plymouth clash
Right-back/right wing-back
Sheffield Wednesday have snapped up a new full-back for either side of their backline this summer, bringing in Max Lowe and Yan Valery.
It seems highly likely that the former will occupy the left side heading into the new season, but Pol Valentin’s strong end to the last campaign could make competition for his spot a little tighter.
Rohl clearly likes Valery from his time at Southampton, however he could be tempted to give Valentin a chance to pick up where he left off before throwing the new boy in.
Central midfielder
It seems extremely likely that Bannan and Nathaniel Chalobah will occupy two of the midfield spots against Plymouth, with the latter currently the Owls’ only defensive option.
However, if Wednesday were to play a midfield three, then the final midfield spot would remain up for grabs.
Josh Windass will be pretty confident he can keep his place as the attacking midfielder, having scored in each of the final three games of the season.
Svante Ingelsson’s arrival also gives Rohl another option, though his recent comments regarding the Swede suggests he could still yet be used as a number 8 or number 6 – so his inclusion could depend on the opposition.
Callum Paterson will also be eager to earn his place after struggling with injuries last term. The 29-year-old has played all over the pitch for the Owls and is likely to fill in where needed.
Wingers
Wednesday didn’t have too much competition for places in the frontline, with Gassama and Musaba mostly starting out wide, with Ian Poveda arriving in January.
The pair will still be eager to solidify their spot this time round, but face a much harder challenge.
The Owls have now signed Olaf Kobacki and Jamal Lowe, and with the club eager to sign Ugbo, it is likely that both new signings will be deployed as wingers.
Lowe may be more of a threat given his experience in the Championship, while Kobacki will have a much harder task to worm his way into the team.
Gassama and Musaba will have to be at their very best though, while it currently seems more likely that the former could be benched.