Sheffield Wednesday did not get the ‘new manager bounce’ that they were hoping for at Watford on Saturday. New boss Danny Rohl came in with a new outlook and made broad sweeping strokes in his first selection, making eight changes.
The manager had a short amount of time to get used to his new squad, and despite the wholesale changes, they could not get anything from Vicarage Road, going down 1-0.
The Owls have still to win a league game this season and are rock bottom of the Championship with just three points, and now nine points from the safety line.
Wholesale Changes
Despite admitting to having difficult choices to make, he felt that the starting lineup was the best he could put out.
Telling Yorkshire Live after the loss, he said. “It was difficult but I spoke with all the coaches. It was my feeling and today I said these are my guys. It’s difficult after just four days to decide what we need. But the first XI and subs showed today they’re ready for this.”
So on a day where there was another loss, Rohl could still take any positives from his first game in charge. With Barry Bannan and Josh Windass back, the former showing flashes of what he can produce when fully fit.
At this stage of the season, the games come fast, and on Wednesday they are back on the road with a long trip to Plymouth Argyle, the team that the bottom three are trying to catch, as they have slipped down the table after no win in the last four.
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Rohl continued to speak to the media after the game, and The Star reported. “I am a little bit disappointed because we did everything on the pitch, we showed good signs. We were nasty against them and it was very hard to beat us. We created good moments also offensively and had good organisation.
“In the end I think it was their first shot in the second half. It’s a pity. In the end it was a good performance but without points you are disappointed.”
With a back four now back in place the Wednesday defence looked solid, restricting Watford to just one shot on target, which produced the only goal of the game. It is also promising in attack where they managed ten shots on goal. Converting those chances will be uppermost in Rohl’s mind as the Owls have only scored five goals in the league so far.
Writer’s View
Sheffield Wednesday are one of the EFL’s biggest mysteries this season. A team that had so much promise after last season, they should’ve been buoyant. The flat start and managerial issues have not helped at all. Danny Rohl is a hot prospect and will be given time. With a quick turnaround over this week, he will have to get the best from his players with solid instructions, or this nightmare start could become far worse.
