No thank you's for Danny Rohl with the final Championship step all that counts for Sheffield Wednesday's head coach

BACK in the dark days of mid-autumn, you would have got fairly long odds on Sheffield Wednesday being in the position they find themselves in now.
Leon Wobschall
By Leon Wobschall
Published 12th Apr 2024, 06:00 BST

Granted, the Owls’ season is sitting on a knife-edge and they remain in the relegation zone as they were after Danny Rohl’s first game in charge at Watford on October 21.

That ended in a 1-0 loss with Wednesday propping up the table with just three points from their opening 12 matches - with the club effectively 10 points adrift of safety.

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The Rohl effect has seen Wednesday show top-ten form since. There have been set-backs for sure, but they are in the drop zone now on just goal difference.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, whose side host Championship relegation rivals Stoke City on Saturday.Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, whose side host Championship relegation rivals Stoke City on Saturday.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, whose side host Championship relegation rivals Stoke City on Saturday.

Back in mid-October, most Wednesdayites would have probably expected relegation to have been confirmed by now in truth. That they have a fair chance of survival says everything about the work of Rohl. He is not interested in thanks just yet.

Rohl, whose side can draw level on points with Stoke on Saturday - they were 10 points adrift after that aforesaid game at Vicarage Road - said: “To be honest, our season started on the 13th match-day. It means we have a season with just 34 match-days.

"The other teams have 46 and we needed the same points to stay in this league without 12 games. This is a huge performance, but we have to keep going.

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"At the moment, I will not get the thank you for the performance. Give me the thank you after when we achieve our goals and we are happy for the summer.

"It’s crucial for us now to take the final step. The race is so close at the moment and it’s unbelievable and everyone is fighting for their own life.

"We also have to be strong in our mindset. But I am very convinced with my team and how we have the balance between young players and experienced players to keep each other and it’s important we run for each other."

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Ike Ugbo, Di’Shon Bernard and Marvin Johnson are being assessed ahead of Saturday's game against the Potters.

Rohl remains coy as to whether winger Ian Poveda will feature again during the final weeks of the Owls’ Great Escape’ mission. The Leeds loanee has a muscle injury.

Related topics:Ian PovedaWatfordStoke