Sheffield Wednesday 2018/19: October Review

So once again it's nearing the end of another month and time to assess the last few weeks. It hasn't been the easiest of months for Wednesday. On a more serious note it has been a very bleak few days for the football world with the firstly the news about Glenn Hoddle and then the tragic events in Leicester on Saturday evening. It's things like that that do make you take a step back and realise that football is really much less important that we all make it out to be.

Matches 

 

West Brom

 

The Owls started the month with a Wednesday night game in front of the Sky cameras as Darren Moore's baggies rolled into town. Before the game I'd have snacked your hand off for a point, they have s squad packed with quality, the bench alone was worth a hefty sum of money and I was fearful of a beating. For 85 minutes however Wednesday were brilliant, outstanding in fact. It was a performance that reminded me a lot of how we set about in 2015/16. Fearless, taking the game to the opposition and ripping them apart. We took the lead through an Adam Reach thunderbolt of a strike. His 2nd in as many games and much deserved based on how Wednesday had started. Another one to add to his growing collection. Fernando Forestieri doubled the lead on 41 minutes and could have had a 2nd and Wednesday's 3rd soon after the break. Ultimately however West Brom showed in 5 minutes why for me they will still finish easily top 6. A cross from the right hand side lead to an unfortunate Joey Pelupessy who had to dive in otherwise Harvey Barnes would have tapped it in anyway. It was Barnes who ultimately secured a point for Albion when he burst through the midfield and defence to slot home for 2-2. A frustrating end but still a lot to be taken from a good performance.

 

Bristol City

Next up was a Sunday trip down to Bristol City. Again it wasn't a game I was particularly confidant for. It just seems to be a ground we struggle at. However football did that funny thing of providing a completely different outcome to what was expected. An interesting team selection but once again Jos proved his doubters wrong as Wednesday came away with a 2-1 win. After a first half which the Robins shaded Wednesday broke the deadlock through 1st half sub Lucas Joao. Joao then added a 2nd late on before a penalty to Bristol City made it a slightly more tense finish than the 2nd half performance merited. It was a pleasing win and a good way to head into the October international break. Also the win had taken us into the top 6 and although still early days it was nice to be in there.

 

 

Middlesbrough

After the break we returned to Hillsborough to face Tony Pulis' Middlesbrough team once again on Sky. Before the start of the season I tipped Boro to win the title and I saw nothing from the game to change that view. They may not be the prettiest team to watch but they are a well drilled, organised and functional side. They came to Hillsborough with a clear plan and exploited it well. As for Wednesday it was for me a nervy performance. Players such as Thorniley and Penney who have been so impressive and so calm and collected looked panicked. Tom Lees made an error which ultimately decided the game, misplaced passes from a number of players. As good as Boro were we made it easy for them. A late fight back and another great goal for Adam Reach. We should have had a penalty for a handball and then a push on Tom Lees, the officiating throughout the game was poor. It was the third of fourth time I've seen Peter Bankes referee at Hillsborough and every time he has made a blatant error. He isn't a brave official and allows himself to be dictated to by big personalities on the pitch. That doesn't however change the fact that it was a disappointing night for Wednesday.

 

 

QPR

The following Tuesday we made the trip down to the capital to take on QPR at Loftus Road. Another ground where history isn't on Wednesday's side. One win since 2000 suggests it's something of a bogey ground for us and while things like that is largely meaningless it doesn't help when you're trying to build a positive pre match feeling. What also doesn't help is we have never beaten a team managed by Steve McClaren who I'll be honest, I can't stand. It was another poor night, despite the fact we started the game fairly well. In control of it for the first half an hour we had a couple of half chances, Bannan and Reach both rushing chances and striking from long range when more time was available. We let our guard down towards the end of the first half and ultimately it took the game away from us. In the 2nd half again we started well, missed a decent chance at 1-0 and with a few minutes were 2-0 down. After that Daniel Pudil gets a horrific kick to the head resulting in a huge gash in below his eye and immediately replaced and no penalty given. I don't think I need to go much further on that disgrace of a decision. The game ended 3-0 and while it flattered QPR I felt it still reflected that something wasn't right. A lot of criticism was thrown at the likes of Atdhe Nuhiu and Lucas Joao, I'm a self confessed fan of both and while I'll accept neither played well it's hard when we don't play to either of their strengths. Not enough balls into the box for either to do anything with. No crosses were going into them, no real service. It's difficult to be too critical of players trying to do their jobs when they don't get the support from the rest of the team.

 

Birmingham

 Following on from a dismal Tuesday night we travelled to the West Midlands to take on a Birmingham side who were unbeaten in 10 under former Owls loanee Garry Monk. Despite all that I was strangely optimistic ahead of the game and it looked like we might have ended our troubles when Steven Fletcher fired home from a Morgan Fox header. It was a deserved goal from a decent start. We could have been 2 or 3 up with two chances from Liam Palmer. I'm not going to criticize him for either miss. The first one he needed more help from his teammates, the 2nd one OK if he was a striker fair enough but he's a right back. It was unfortunate and sadly that combined with Connor Mahoney's goal near the whistle allowed Birmingham back into the contest. A 2nd half where Wednesday dominated many of the stats but the blues dominated the scoreline. It finished 3-1 to Birmingham and once again the doom and gloom descended on the fan base. For me it was another example of a lack of leadership on the pitch. We don't have enough players who will for want of a better phrase give someone a bollocking with the exception of Cam Dawson. There isn't enough bravery to do certain things. Following shots in, throwing yourself in front of things. We badly missed Daniel Pudil at St Andrews because at the very least he actually does put himself on the line for the team.

 

 

Jos In or Jos Out 

So after the last week or so it's fairly inevitable that combined with the general mood around the club for the last 18 months that calls for the manager were going to happen. I said in the summer that for me Jos Luhukay inherited a car crash of a situation. He inherited and injury hit squad that was unbalanced and while talented lacked the direction needed to challenge for the top 6. While I maintain that with everyone fit and at 100% this team could challenge that isn't going to happen (the likes of Hooper and Lee won't be available until at least January for example) so it becomes a consolidation season. Without being 'in the know' all I can do is speculate but I think it's quite clear that the club's plan from here on in is to be more frugal and develop the youth players and concentrate on bringing in value in the market when the window opens. Jos himself has already said that players between 18-23 were who we would look at. That transition from the previous plan of spending big on the ready made players takes time, it's going to have weeks like we've just had. Young players like Penney and Thorniley will have off games. For me Jos had carte blanche to do what he likes this season providing we didn't go down and I maintain that. I'm not saying I agree 100% with everything he does but if you look at the circumstances he's working under it's tough to argue with a lot of it. People moan about changes but quite frankly he's needed to make changes because some players can't play three games in a week. He's needed to rotate some players because they've been awful at times. The idea that a Mick McCarthy or a Steve Bruce would come in and massively change what is going on is a backward view. For the first time in years the club has a philosophy that might actually work long term. Jos has implemented that, whether it was by accident or design is irrelevant. We know some of the big earners will leave in the next 6-8 months and while it's disappointing it's what's needed to properly start to recover from the mess of the P&S situation.

 

 

Keepers and Clean Sheets

The goalkeeping situation at Hillsborough has been a hot topic of debate for a long time now. Straight off the bat I'll say that I don't think any blame can be attached to Cameron Dawson for the lack of clean sheets this season. I think he's been fantastic and especially in the games we have won he has kept us in them at times. He's made the most saves in the division, that to me suggests it's the people in front of him that's the issue not Cam himself. Lets also not forget that if hadn't been for a wonder goal at Villa he'd have kept one, a penalty against Bristol City and a fairly decent strike from the Leeds player Klich he may well have gone one from that game as well. It's unfair the levels of criticism he's getting. While some of the calls to put Wildsmith in are fair I still feel as I did at the end of last season that Dawson was ahead of Joe. He's more commanding and more vocal with his back line. While Joe was excellent when he stepped in last season his performances did drop a level. Not to be too critical of him as a young keeper who had started so well in his time here it was perhaps always going to drop slightly. As for Keiren Westwood I think it's fairly clear that he won't play for Sheffield Wednesday again while Jos Luhukay is the manager. Whether that's Jos' decision or not (personally feel it is) it is the situation. I've no doubt we tried to sell Westwood in the summer, I've no doubt we'll try again in January. It will be best for all concerned in my opinion. Westwood has been a fantastic servant to Wednesday. He could easily have left on numerous occasions before and he's stayed. It's sad that in all likelihood he wont get a proper goodbye. Ultimately however for Keiren himself as much as anyone it'll be best to move on. Dawson and Wildsmith fit the age profile of players we're looking to have at the club and Westwood doesn't. Add to that he'll be one of the club's biggest earners it leaves the club little option.

 

Thanks for reading

 

Tom



Sheffield Wednesday 2018/19: September Review

So here we are again, new month, new post. As Autumn really kicks in and the night's begin the draw in Football rolls on. Here is the review of September for Sheffield Wednesday.

 

The Matches

 

Reading

Wednesday started the month with a trip down to Berkshire to take on a Reading side in need of a win to kick start their own season. It feels a long time ago now but Wednesday came away with three points through a first half Adam Reach strike and a super start to the 2nd half in which Lucas Joao scored after 14 seconds to more or less seal the points. Our record isn't great at the Madejeski so it was pleasing to see it out after a goal from Reading's Liam Moore. A third league win on the bounce and a first away win in the league. We headed into the international break in good form and good mood.

 

Stoke City

Following the international break Wednesday were back at home for a Saturday afternoon meeting with Stoke City. It was the first in a seven game run against teams I personally had in the top half at the start of the season. Stoke arrived with the pressure of their own poor start weighing on their shoulders but with a squad of players more than capable of being a force in this division. The talk before the game was could Wednesday keep up the impressive form against a team that had so much quality and more than likely will click into gear at some point. After 20 minutes Wednesday fans could be forgiven for thinking it was more a case of keeping it respectable as twice former Owl's loanee Benik Afobe punished Wednesday with two goals. In that 20 minutes Stoke were fantastic, although it was against us I couldn't help but admire how well they played in that period. Quick, high tempo, fabulous understanding it was like watching a Premier League team which in fairness is where the likes of Joe Allen, Ryan Woods and Benik Afobe among others should be. After that though Wednesday came alive, a fabulous ball from Barry Bannan which found Steven Fletcher who chested it into the path of Marco Matias and we were back in the game at 1-2 and another Bannan piece of brilliance as he curled a free kick in from close range to level it up at 2-2. I must say at this point that even at 0-2 down the fans stuck with it. Frustrated, yes but not defeated and that was a massive plus for me because that wasn't happening last season. We'd have lost that game last season, probably quite badly so for me a good point. Yes Stoke haven't started well but they still have quality players. They can still bring on Champions League winner Darren Fletcher and former England striker Peter Crouch and have England keeper Jack Butland in goal.

 

 

Nottingham Forest

 

The following Wednesday we made the trip to the City Ground to take on a new look Nottingham Forest. I must admit this game worried me slightly. We've had such a good record against Forest over the last few seasons which the local media seemed keen to point out and it had to come to an end at some point. We made quite a few changes which despite some people not liking it were expected. We didn't play well and we deserved to lose. Forest are another side who've spent big in order to have a crack at getting into the Premier League and they have signed some decent players. But we made it too easy for them, allowing them time on the ball, poor decision making and a lack of pressure high up the pitch. It was a poor night and it raised questions about certain aspects of the tactics within the fan base. My personal take on it was that it was more the application of the tactic that was wrong rather than Jos' setting up. While some of us can say that playing Lucas Joao on the left and Adam Reach in the middle isn't where they are best suited it has worked in other games. Sometimes you don't play well, sometimes you are off it. There was a huge wave of negativity after the game on social media and on BBC Radio Sheffield's Football Heaven, who incidentally secured a deal with the club to return to covering the matches which I think we can all agree is a positive move.

 

I also want to touch quickly on the news that broke after the game regarding Hayley Kalinins, wife of Wednesday's fitness coach Andy Kalinins. I'm sure everyone reading this will be aware of Hayley's battle with Cancer and seen many of the things done to raise money for her treatment. Sadly she lost her battle and the news broke not too long after the Forest game. It made the result and football in general pale into insignificance and I'm sure everyone's thoughts were with Andy and his family. I'd seen Hayley at several games throughout the last few years and she was always smiling. Took what life had thrown at her in her stride, She is to be greatly admired. RIP Hayley.

 

Aston Villa

Following on from Wednesday evening we made another away trip to face Aston Villa. After Wednesday night the mood within the fan base was low. Quite a few people almost moaning about the fact they had bought tickets to go and expecting a thrashing. I have to say I felt quite positive about it, mostly based purely on the fact you can never predict this division and that we had won their the last season. Once again a change in the team and a system change. I was listening to BBC Radio Sheffield and I have to say I thought the pre game analysis was as bad as I've ever heard it. I have a lot of time for Brian Laws but he decided to pull Jos down on just about everything without a great deal of reason. For example he claimed that changing back to a three at the back meant Jos didn't know his best team. Surely a manager who has more than one way of playing is better than one who doesn't? Again I don't want to slate Brian for his opinion, he's entitled to it but it was in my opinion was short of what was actually going on. Michael Hector was given a first start in a back three alongside Daniel Pudil who was in for the injured Jordan Thorniley and Tom Lees. It worked well and allowed us to play with a bit more of that freedom. Ash Baker who had probably his worst game for us against Forest was back to normal. Matt Penney continued his good start to his Wednesday career with another excellent display. Adam Reach was back to his best as well. It was also a good day for the scorers in our 2-1 win as Marco Mattias got another goal and Steven Fletcher who had scored in the week at the City ground capped off a good week for him with a goal from a beautiful ball from Joey Pelupessy. These goals were either side of a thunderous strike from Villa's John McGinn. Now when you concede a goal like that it's very difficult to be critical. For me it's not even one you can be too annoyed about. It was a great goal, no denying it. Fair play to McGinn, I'm sure he'll look back on it in years to come and be delighted with it. We'll take the three points. It was a fabulous result and a good reward for the travelling supporters. A response is always key in this division and it was important to get it given the game we had coming up next.

 

Leeds United

So the last game of September was a Yorkshire derby at home to Leeds United. Leeds have had a very good start but had been beaten by Birmingham the week before. It was one of those games that you would probably have taken a point from it before and that's what we got. Overall I'd say it was a fair result. We edged a tight first half and took the lead through a superb goal from Adam Reach. I've seen a few people saying it was a 'fluke' or 'lucky'. Not a chance. It was a well executed finish, just like Villa away last season or the one at Forest on boxing day. The one thing that impressed me most about the first half was the intensity we played at. This wasn't continued in the 2nd half which in fairness was to be expected and Leeds capitalised on it. While they dominated the 2nd half it wasn't one where I ever felt out of the game and could have nicked it ourselves had it not been for a good save to deny Matt Penney or if Lucas Joao had played his man in instead of shooting late on. Overall a derby game isn't one you can analysis too much. They ebb and flow. We'll take the point and build on it.

 

 

Where do we stand?



It's been an interesting month on and off the pitch, from viewing the fan reaction to most of the games on social media, forums and the radio phone in as well as speaking to people it's mixed, really mixed. For some we're already overachieving and are very pleased with what they are seeing. Others are more disappointed and feel we are underachieving and some are bang in the middle. Please but feel there may be more in the tank. From my point of view i think we are about where we should be. 10 games in 15 points on the board. Not bad, especially given that West Brom sit top on 20 points. It's not like the division is already forming. It's as tight this year than it's ever been and the way the division likes to twist and turn it's difficult to say with any certainty what will happen from week to week. I mentioned at the end of the last post that I think we'd have a good idea of what we were capable of after the Leeds game and personally i think we are a in that play off mix. Not a favourite as such but more than capable of giving it a go. I think those that are more critical are maybe forgetting the season we had last year. We're still recovering from the horrendous injury crisis, we're still a team that maybe lacks confidence when things aren't going so well. We're still a team that can be punished by switching off. The quicker those kind of things are ironed out the better chance we have. This isn't me saying I expect us to finish in the top six but it is me saying we are capable. We as a fan base need to realise we're still in the early days of Jos Luhukay's management here given the situation he had to deal with when he arrived and then the embargo in the summer. I still feel very little of the things we hear about when people complain are down to him.

 

A final point I'd like to make is the discussion about Cameron Dawson, for me he's been fantastic. Given that he's still a young keeper learning his trade I think he's done very well for us this season. The obvious criticism is that we haven't kept a clean sheet yet, however lets bring in the fact that no keeper would have kept out McGinn's strike and not many would keep out Klich's either. He could have had two but it not for those two individually brilliant goals. I hear a lot of this "he doesn't command his area", in my opinion that's untrue and unfair. I do feel a lot of the criticism is people looking for something to blame instead of maybe accepting the fact sometimes there doesn't need to be a scapegoat. The sarcastic cheers against Leeds were unnecessary and to be quite frank a bit embarrassing. I fully understand some of the frustrations and I fully understand the idea of you pay your money so you're entitled to your opinion but for me it's a poor showing of support to basically mock a young lad who is one of our own. Hopefully that clean sheet is just around the corner and will shut a few people up.

 

 

Thanks for reading

 

 

Tom