Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has piled the praise on striker Bailey Cadamarteri ahead of this weekend’s clash against Bristol City.
The 20-year-old has been tasked with leading the Owls’ front line this season after a successful loan spell with League One outfit Lincoln City. The attacker joined the Imps last summer on a season-long loan, where he scored eight times in 32 appearances across all competitions.
Returning to Hillsborough, he found himself gifted an opportunity following a summer of unrest, which saw many first team players depart in the wake of the ongoing crisis with owner Dejphon Chansiri. Despite the club’s poor start to the season, it is one that he has grasped and he scored his first goal of the campaign in a 2-2 draw with Wrexham last month.
Pedersen Hails Cadamarteri Development
The Yorkshire-based side return to action this weekend following the culmination of the international break. As expected, it’s been a poor start and they have picked up just one point from their opening four fixtures.
They host Bristol City on Saturday hoping to kickstart their season, with Pedersen hoping Cadamarteri can add to his goal tally. Speaking to the media, the Dane admitted that the striker has benefitted from his time at Lincoln, whilst also praising the improvement in his decision making:
“I think it was good for Bailey to go to another club and get regular first-team football. Since he came back I think he reflected a little bit more on life, football and his career than he did before.
“How conscious he is now of a gameplan and for his own development has improved a lot.
“In general his interest in developing as a human has developed a lot and also his interest in his own improvement as a player has improved a lot. And his interest in improving in the game, understanding the game – when do you have to ask for the ball, when do you have to stay away, when you want to run into the box?
“It’s not a good idea if the defender can see you and the ball at the same time so how can you stay at the back of your opponent? When do you run, when do you stay away?
“We see a young guy who improved a lot but has a lot to learn. Like other young guys, he is involved in some action, then he sleeps a little bit and has some action again. The ability to be online for 95 minutes.
“He still has to improve a lot but he’s (going) in a really good direction.”
Writer’s View
Bailey Cadamarteri became a popular figure with supporters during his temporary spell at Lincoln and it’s pleasing to see him given an opportunity at Sheffield Wednesday. Although the circumstances behind that aren’t ideal, he has shown during the early stages of the campaign that he will be a key player this season. He will certainly grow as a player over the next 12 months and should the Owls be relegated to League One, he will become even more pivotal in a league he has already shown he can handle.
