Sheffield Wednesday stuck with the same team that beat Plymouth Argyle as they travelled to Sunderland.
The starting line-up put on an almost perfect performance on the opening day, but were far from that on Wearside this afternoon.
Sheffield Wednesday found themselves 3-0 down at half-time and were quick to make a substitution, with Djeidi Gassama making way for Michael Smith.
Danny Rohl opted to change the formation as the striker was brought on, but he was unable to make a difference as it ended 4-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Smith also made a cameo against Plymouth, while he started the Carabao Cup win over Hull City midweek.
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Michael Smith could now stay at Sheffield Wednesday
The veteran has been heavily linked with a move away this summer, with Wrexham one side who are interested in signing him.
However, journalist Joe Crann believes Smith’s appearance today proves that he is likely to remain at Hillsboroughbeyond deadline day.
He wrote on X: “Think Michael Smith’s play since coming in, and the fact that he was Röhl’s first sub on, is enough evidence that he still has a role to play for #SWFC. Could understand if he didn’t want to be just a squad player, but he offers something so different to anyone else.”
Does Rohl trust him more than his teammates?
Smith really impressed in Wednesday’s opening two fixtures, bagging a goal and an assist.
Despite Charlie McNeill’s brace against Hull, Rohl made the decision to bring Smith on at half-time against Sunderland.
While it didn’t pay off, it shows that the German coach has a lot of trust in him and believes he can add a new dimension in comparison to his other options.
Smith has won six headers in his last two appearances for the Owls and has proven to be a real threat in the box, so much so that he was brought on ahead of Ike Ugbo.
Wednesday haven’t been rumoured to be looking at any other forwards, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Rohl had opted to keep hold of him.
It feels like at this point, if he was to leave, it would be because Smith wanted to pick up regular game-time.