‘Performances Have Been There’ – Sheff Weds’ Story So Far
- Leicester City visit Hillsborough to tackle Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday
- The Owls sit bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table after 17 games
- New manager Danny Röhl took charge of the Yorkshire club in October
- Journalist Ricky Charlesworth assessed his impact on the team’s performances
The Owls face the task of coming up against Sky Bet Championship leaders Leicester City at Hillsborough on Wednesday (7:45pm GMT kick-off), having won just once this term since their promotion from League 1, via the Play-Offs.
The match will be broadcast live in the UK and around the world on Foxes Hub on Wednesday evening.
Given the current gulf separating the teams, Charlesworth believes this game could ignite the squad to go on the run of form which they require to give themselves a fighting chance of remaining in the division.
“The table says it all,” the reporter said. “There’s 36 points between Leicester and Wednesday. Last year, there was two divisions. If Wednesday were to pull off a win, it would be right up there with the shocks of the season.
“There’s not too much difference in terms of stature and the level of support each club gets, but right now they are poles apart. Wednesday have had a dreadful few months ever since that Wembley win against Barnsley. On Wednesday that’ll be six months ago to the day.
“Since then they’ve had more managers than league wins; that says it all heading into this game. That’s not to say they can’t get a result. It’s football, so never say never, but they are right up against it.”
A managerial change was made following a tough start to the campaign, with Xisco Muñoz replaced by Danny Röhl. The Spaniard had himself only taken charge in the summer. Reflecting on Röhl’s impact, there have been signs of improvement, particularly in the performance element, but results are what Wednesday require right now.
“It was a bold appointment,” the reporter admitted. “The Xisco Muñoz era never got going. He was there three months and didn’t win any games. Danny has come in without any experience of being the top man but has been at big clubs and institutions like Bayern Munich, the German national team, Southampton and Red Bull.
“He’s been honed for his first managerial job and he couldn’t have picked a tougher one than what he’s walked into at Wednesday. He started well, winning his first home game against Rotherham and played some really good stuff.
“We wondered whether they could push on and the performances have been there, but it’s results, and the quality isn’t there, from the existing players to the ones brought in by his predecessor. The quality needed for this division against these opponents has been lacking. The top scorer has three and six points from 51 tells you all you need to know.
“He’s had six games and taken six points. It’s not been a massive improvement but aside from getting beat 4-0 by Millwall, in other games they’ve lost by the odd goal. There’s little things that have gone against them but when you’re luck is out, your luck is out.
“I think they just need that one moment of inspiration to get a win and go on a run. There wouldn’t be any better opponents to get it against than Leicester.”
Potentially being without the likes of Josh Windass and Michael Smith for the visit of the Foxes will make the task of taking points an even tougher one. Midfield stalwart and captain Barry Bannan could hold the key to a positive result for the south Yorkshire side, however.
Charlesworth commented: “He’s had a below par season by his standards, but Josh Windass would be the one to flick the switch. Unfortunately, he’s suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card against Birmingham.
“Michael Smith is a big doubt with injury. He’ll be a big miss and Lee Gregory hasn’t played in the last four. They are down to the bare bones in terms of attacking nous. Bailey Cadamarteri is only 18 and made his league debut last month. He’s shown glimpses.
“Ashley Fletcher has flattered to deceive. Malik Wilks did okay on Saturday but it was his first start in seven months. They’ve also got a couple of nippy wingers in [Djeidi] Gassama and [Anthony] Musaba who have both come from French football, but are very young and very raw.
“Barry Bannan is the obvious one. He’s 33 now but he still has that killer pass in him to unlock a defence. He did it at Birmingham on Saturday and on his day he is the danger man. If they all perform the way they can do, and Bannan is on it, then they’ve always got a chance.”
A live stream of the match at Sheffield Wednesday will be available in the UK and around the world on Foxes Hub. Click HERE to get your Game Pass now!