Sheffield Wednesday boss lauds Gabriel Otegbayo growth and explains Liam Cooper and Cole McGhee conditions
Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen has lauded the “big development” of Gabriel Otegabyo - and explained the conditions of Liam Cooper and Cole McGhee.
Still a youngster himself at 21, Otegbayo has been heavily relied upon this season as a member of Wednesday’s stretched squad.
He only penned his first professional contract in March 2024 but has had to mature quickly as senior figures have left Hillsborough.
At the weekend, he made his 26th appearance of the season as Wednesday were beaten 2-1 by Millwall. The centre-back was paired up with Cole McGhee, taking on the role of the senior voice in the heart of the Wednesday defence.
Henrik Pedersen on Gabriel Otegbayo
Pedersen said: “He has done a fantastic job. Before this, he has never played 90 minutes, last season where he had four starts, after [around] 70 minutes, he went out. He has had some good games - he also had Coops by his side.
“Now, he has games without Coops, then he has Liam [Palmer] by his side and he has to manage Cole. He has to manage, on the left, two young guys. But he handled this, he managed the midfield, he organised, pushed up all the time.
“He also starts to be a good defender to protect the goal for crosses and duels. Big, big development and I’m really happy for him.”
Cole McGhee and Liam Cooper conditions
McGhee was withdrawn after 75 minutes, making way for former Leeds United captain Cooper.
It was a substition dictated by the pair’s respective conditions, with McGhee still adapting to senior football as a 20-year-old and Cooper managing his fitness.
Pedersen said: “Coops had not trained the whole week. We could not take any risks. I got the information he could play 15 to 20 minutes without risk. That’s why he came in so late. Coops is a very important part of our team.
“I think Cole did really, really well, as long as he has the power. After 65/70 minutes, he starts to be empty. Coops need to be totally fit again so he can start to train again and be a part of the team, not only for games, but also for training.
“If we go three months back, where was Cole? That he can compete against Millwall, against those strong, good strikers, it’s a massive improvement.”