In the third of a series of pre-season reports, HarryfromBath looks at how the Owls have been getting on since losing their Wembley play-off in May by delving into their forums. Reports on Huddersfield Town, Rotherham United and Nottingham Forest will be on the site tomorrow with the rest of the teams in the division covered between now and the start of the season.
"There is a genuine feelgood factor around the club at the moment”, "We have the best squad we have had in over a decade”, "We have a squad capable of fighting for a top-six place as it stands. Yes, we need additional players, especially in defence but there is certainly no need to start panicking.”
Despite losing to a terrific Mo Diame goal against Hull City at Wembley in May, most Owls are approaching the coming season in good spirits after enjoying one of their best campaigns in years. Confronting them now is the issue of strengthening the squad to deliver promotion in a fiercely competitive division.
"The relegated sides have thrown a spanner in the works”, "Looking at the oppositions strength in the coming season, we will probably emulate Ipswich and miss out this time around”, "We need someone of the quality of the bloke who broke our hearts at Wembley, but they cost £10 million at least.”
"I’m by and large very happy with everything Mr Chansiri has brought to the club”, "The investment in the club in the last 12 months has been more than in the previous 12 years. Improvements have happened on and off the field and our improved reputation has allowed us to attract better players.”
"I love the football we play.” Despite ongoing unhappiness about ticket prices and this season’s kit design, Owls appreciate the way the club’s Thai owner has made improvements on the pitch since taking over in January 2015. "We have what we always wanted, a competitive football team.”
"A couple of years ago we had nothing to look forward to but survival”, "We used to worry about our best players being sold for peanuts, being fed rubbish about new signings and staying in business. I am enjoying being an Owl for the first time in 20 years.”
"I’m a bit worried”, "The squad is looking pretty thin”, "If you had told me at the end of last season that we would be entering the third week of July having made only one first XI signing I would have been mortified. We don’t have a left-back and we are very light in the centre of defence.”
After last summer’s hectic transfer activity, the Owls have seen one keeper depart (ex-Blues Lewis Price to Rotherham) and one arrive (Jake Kean from Norwich). However, 29-year-old striker Steven Fletcher has been the only high profile signing, arriving this month from Sunderland on a four-year deal.
The squad has also been hit by the return of five loan signings to their parent clubs. Gone are Daniel Pudil (Watford), Alex Lopez (Celta Vigo), Vincent Sasso (Braga), Joe Bennett (Aston Villa) and Aiden McGeady (Everton). An ankle injury to centre-back Glenn Loovens has added to defensive concerns.
"Midfield reinforcements can wait into August. Defensive reinforcement cannot wait.” Fans are also anxious not to repeat last season’s start to the campaign. "We don’t want to make the slow start to the season which we made last year”, "Last year’s team will not finish in the top six in this league.”
"The left-back has to happen before our opening game against Aston Villa”, "As things stand, get Pudil signed and we’re still all right.” "Have we got an account with Watford, or can we look elsewhere?” The return of the Watford man has been heavily anticipated over the summer.
"Lewis McGugan doesn’t have the work rate to fit into the style Carvalhal wants to play.” The news this the one-time Forest midfielder was free to find himself another club came as no surprise to fans.
"Strength in depth is the issue. We are short on quality in numbers but there is time yet. The first XI this season should be stronger having played together for a year.” The Owls have recorded wins over Chesterfield (2-0) and at home to Benfica (1-0) followed by a 4-0 victory in Portugal against Nacional.
The starting XI (above) in the win over Nacional entirely featured players who were with the Owls last season and the team also played in what was their customary 4-4-2 formation. Seven substitutions were made and the team which completed the game is set out below.
With Jack Hunt and Sam Hutchinson picking up knocks during the match, manager Carlos Carvalhal ended the game with an improvised defence which would have been tested by many Championship sides. "It’s the defence I’m worried about. No centre-back cover and no left-back this late on is odd.”
"It looks like we will be challenging for fourth spot when you compare other teams’ squads at the moment”, "Everyone knows what we need. I hope we keep our nerve and don’t bring in people for the sake of it.” Many Owls feel they lack the depth to make a serious challenge for a top-two place.
"No panic at all.” While some Owls are anxious about the lack of depth, others are more sanguine. "Providing nobody leaves, we have a top-six team already. Two or three adjustments before the end of August and the job is a good one”, "We need additions but this is more about fine tuning.”
"When you are spending decent money, and I hope we are, it takes time”, "We have a squad which can fight for a top-six finish as it stands. Yes, we need additional players, especially at left-back and centre-half and maybe a little bit of pace and strength in midfield, but there is no need to panic.”
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