Sheffield Wednesday host Wayne Rooney and his Plymouth Argyle side in the opening game of the 2024/25 season.
Sheffield Wednesday get their 2024/25 Championship season underway next weekend.
The Owls host Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle in a game that’ll be available to watch live on Sky Sports.
Rooney took charge of the Green Army earlier this summer after his horror tenure at Birmingham City last season.
The former England and Manchester United striker won just two of his 15 games in charge and set the club up for their eventual relegation to League One.
His new Plymouth side finished their pre-season with a 1-0 win vs League Two MK Dons last weekend.
Plymouth have won three of their five pre-season friendlies this summer and will look to improve on their 21st place finish in the Championship last season, finishing just one point above the drop zone.
Sheffield Wednesday finished in 20th after a final day win at Sunderland. And after a positive summer transfer window, the Owls will also hope for a better season this time round.
Wayne Rooney comments suggest Plymouth Argyle uncertainty ahead of Sheffield Wednesday
Speaking after the MK Dons game and after the end of his first pre-season with Argyle, Rooney didn’t speak entirely confidently about his side.
Rooney, at least at Birmingham City anyway, showed that he’s a coach who wants an aggressive and high-pressing team, much like Danny Rohl does at Sheffield Wednesday.
But Rooney didn’t see enough of that against MK Dons. He said after the game: “First half I would like to see a little bit more intensity with that, but second half we were a lot more aggressive, won the ball back high up the pitch and created chances from it.
“We get the goal from pressing higher. So I was really pleased with some things.
“I think we could have created a few more chances had we taken a bit more care and played a bit more in the opposition’s half.”
Rooney also suggested that he doesn’t yet know his strongest XI, adding: “Everyone has got an opportunity to play next week.
“Of course, I have got an idea on the team, but it’s not a given the team today is going to be the starting 11 (at Sheffield Wednesday).”
Danny Rohl and Sheffield Wednesday can capitalise on Rooney uncertainty at Plymouth
Plymouth’s appointment of Rooney certainly raised a lot of eyebrows this summer.
He remains a very inexperienced and unproven coach, who’s also coming off the back of a very dire spell with Birmingham City in the Championship.
Why he might fare any better with Plymouth remains to be seen. He’s had some decent results in pre-season and has managed to keep hold of the club’s best players, despite not making too many standout signings.
Rohl though is a man of organisation and preparation. He’ll have put the Sheffield Wednesday first-team players well and truly through their paces this summer.
And with a new-look side at his disposal, there’s a slight sense that Sheffield Wednesday can challenge in the Championship next season.
Rohl has so far spoken confidently about his side going into the new season, albeit whilst managing expectations, which is more than can be said of Rooney at Plymouth Argyle.
It remains a tough opening test for Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. But the Owls should fancy themselves.