Sheffield Wednesday at crossroads of old and new after years of overstretching

Not many teams start a season condemned to a relegation battle before it starts, but that is what the independent commission effectively did by deducting Sheffield Wednesday 12 points for 2020-21.
Over-reaching: Jordan Rhodes cannot get a start despite being the only striker (Picture: Steve Ellis)Over-reaching: Jordan Rhodes cannot get a start despite being the only striker (Picture: Steve Ellis)
Over-reaching: Jordan Rhodes cannot get a start despite being the only striker (Picture: Steve Ellis)

The Owls intend to appeal and with such a messy process for imposing the Football League’s financial fair play rules, with the League regularly appealing decisions by its commissions too, it is hard to say whether they have been harshly, leniently or fairly treated in this unprecedented and complicated case.

Had the punishment been applied earlier, as rival clubs argued, Wednesday would already be in League One but still it is true to say this is a bad summer to be given such a big handicap.

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Having sailed a little too close to the relegation wind for comfort as it was, the contract situations at Hillsborough meant this was always going to be a season of rebuilding. With a month of trading left, Steven Fletcher has not adequately been replaced and the longer the club lingers in minus points, the harder attracting the right men will be. Regardless of the rights and wrongs of selling the club’s historic home to owner Dejphon Chansiri and leasing it back, the fact it was needed showed how badly things had gone wrong.

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Cameron Dawson gets congratulated by Garry Monk (Picture: Steve Ellis)Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Cameron Dawson gets congratulated by Garry Monk (Picture: Steve Ellis)
Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Cameron Dawson gets congratulated by Garry Monk (Picture: Steve Ellis)

The coronavirus pandemic has made a difficult situation worse, and left the Owls no choice but to confront it after too long reaching for the stars and overstretching.

The reset button has been pressed and a host of first-teamers released – some at the club’s behest, some not. Fletcher will be most keenly missed.

The Scot scored 13 in the league last season. His next-most productive team-mates were loanee Jacob Murphy with nine and Atdhe Nuhiu with six. They have both left too. Kadeem Harris, Massimo Luongo, Josh Windass and Jordan Rhodes – all in one false-hope-raising afternoon – were next with three apiece.

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But more than that, Fletcher was a targetman. So were Nuhiu, Sam Winnall and the on-loan Connor Wickham and they have all gone too.

Prospect - Matt Penney (Picture: Steve Ellis)Prospect - Matt Penney (Picture: Steve Ellis)
Prospect - Matt Penney (Picture: Steve Ellis)

The way Garry Monk’s teams play is not suited to “false nines” and the like; an outlet is needed. Most if not all sides, particularly in the rugged Championship at least require the option.

Wednesday kicked off their season with a front two of winger Adam Reach and midfielder Izzy Brown. Like Windass – a welcome addition after a loan encouraging not just for his football but his enthusiasm – and free signing Elias Kachunga, they would be better used off a more traditional No 9, and Monk understands that.

“We’re trying everything,” he said after a goalless draw and penalty shoot-out win over Walsall. “But we have to work in the market we can work in.”

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Rhodes was available, but only selected for the bench. He belongs to the old Wednesday of lavish outlays and disappointing returns. A transfer would be better for all parties but his wages are a millstone. If he could consistently recreate December’s Nottingham Forest hat-trick in the final season of his contract, a short-term solution would present itself, but it is a big if.

Promise - Josh Windass (Picture: Steve Ellis)Promise - Josh Windass (Picture: Steve Ellis)
Promise - Josh Windass (Picture: Steve Ellis)

Further back, some youthful solutions are presenting themselves.

Matt Penney has returned from a loan at St Pauli with his reputation enhanced playing at left-back and left wing-back. He has even been known to play in central midfield.

Teenager Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, signed from Manchester City, and to a lesser extent 23-year-old Brown – another product of Chelsea’s loan business – arrive with talent guaranteed, their ability to impose it on senior football not.

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With Keiren Westwood left in no doubt Monk sees him as Wednesday’s past, the inexperienced Cameron Dawson and Joe Wildsmith will compete to be first-choice goalkeeper. Last season was a mixed bag Osaze Urhoghide can hopefully learn from and, like Alex Hunt, build on its positives.

The youngsters will not be completely alone, the elegant Barry Bannan bridging the gap between old and new Wednesday, whilst summer signing Chey Dunkley has the makings of a cult hero at centre-back.

Amidst all the playing upheaval, the terrace jury is still out on manager Monk, who finally has the backroom staff he wants. Monk could do with an easier first six fixtures than Cardiff City (away), Watford (home), Bristol City (away), Queens Park Rangers (home), Birmingham City (away) and Brentford (home) to get the Owls’ points tally out of the red.

Pull themselves towards safety and this could be an important learning season.

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It is definitely going to be the start of a new chapter, we just wait to see if it will have a happy ending.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson

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