Comment: Darren Moore has taken a big gamble joining Sheffield Wednesday

Darren Moore has taken a significant gamble swapping Doncaster Rovers for Sheffield Wednesday - and it is not beyond the realms of comprehension that the clubs could exchange places at the end of the season.

Moore, an ambitious man who justifiably sees his natural home to be in the Championship, could have waited until the summer and seen what else was out there.

Regardless of whether Rovers go up or not in 2020-21, his work in propelling a side with a budget which is considerably adrift of a number of former Premier League sides operating at that level into the promotion shake-up for two seasons on the spin is worthy of respect and is the sort of thing that is usually noted in the corridors of power at rival clubs. Especially in financially-challenged times.

It is not inconceivable that other Championship clubs could have registered interest in the close season. Moore's outstanding skills as a coach and strong reputation across football is an added string to his bow.

In fact, it would have been a surprise if he was not considered as an option.

But Moore has jumped early and in the final analysis, he could not resist the lure of joining Wednesday.

This despite the club being six points adrift of Championship safety with 14 games left this season.and increasingly viewed as dysfunctional behind the scenes with owner Dejphon Chansiri receiving a great deal of heat from angry supporters.

Almost exactly two years since leaving a Championship side who were fourth in the table when he was harshly sacked by West Brom, Moore has joined one who are second from bottom and fighting an entirely different battle.

Stay up and Wednesday can hopefully realign with the number of their players who are out of contract stretching into double figures - with a fair number expected to depart and Moore able to build a new side in his image.

Moore has an extensive contact base - especially at academy and under-23 level across the Premier League - and has worked to tight financial parameters at Doncaster and is the sort who would be able to work to a budget going forward and would back himself.

Should Wednesday go down, they have a proven League One operator in Moore, although there would be understandable pressure for him to get results sooner rather than later. Make that pretty quickly.

Moore will look at the Owls squad and think he has enough in the building to stay up. Viewed by many observers over the past two seasons as a Championship manager operating at the third level, his task is to keep a famous footballing name in the second tier.

The starter course is a five-game March featuring derbies against Rotherham United, Huddersfield Town and Barnsley, alongside stiff assignments against Norwich City and Reading. Watford and Cardiff are part of the itinerary in April.

Should Wednesday claw their way to safety by any means possible and he will earn gratitude of Wednesdayites and it will have been worth the gamble.