In the fifth of a series of pre-season reports, HarryFromBath assesses the mood around the Championship clubs by delving into their forums, looking here at how things have progressed at Hillsborough this summer. A report on Rotherham United will follow later today and all of the teams in the division will be covered between now and the start of the season.

“Last season we were hit with a double whammy. Not only were we hit with one of the worst injury crises the Championship has ever seen, we were also suffering from a play-off hangover. It wasn't your typical season”, “We could make the play-offs just as likely as another scrap at the bottom.”

Many Owls see themselves as dark horses in the coming season. Last year’s injury-ravaged campaign ended with a bright run of results and the return to fitness of many first-team regulars. Despite no new arrivals at the time of writing, many believe that a fully-fit squad could be serious contenders.

That said, last season’s experience has meant that nobody is taking anything for granted. “Last season’s poor showing means we are not amongst favourites and this loss of pressure will work to our advantage”, “I would happily stay safe but this is Wednesday and it could all go terribly wrong.”

“I know a lot are hoping for promotion football based on our ticket prices, but for me it’s more about getting our best players fit and performing and developing young players. There should not be any promotion expectations. The players should feel free to express themselves and see what happens.”

Jos Luhukay

“This pre-season sees our squad nearly back to full fitness and our manager seems to have trained them well”, “We now have, what appears to be a more robust manager who has spent pre-season trimming an ageing squad with the intent of injecting youth and pace within the limitations of FFP.”

“Hopefully we have the right guy in charge this time.” Owls have begun to warm to the 55-year-old Dutch former VfB Stuttgart boss who replaced Carlos Carvalhal in January. They have appreciated the way he has nurtured his squad back to fitness while getting the best out a disparate squad.

“The optimism is driven by last season’s fine finish culminating in a 5-1 demolition of Norwich City, the renewed availability of several players who helped take us to two successive play-offs, improved fitness levels and in how he has got the best out of enigmatic but previously unproductive players.”

“Jos inherited an out of form team shot of confidence and an injury list rising into double figures. My caution comes from him still being relatively new to British football, our lack of signings, and the fact that we will rely to some extent on unproven academy players stepping up to the first team.”

A Very Quiet Summer

“We still have so many first teamers coming back from injury. Sam Hutchinson, Keiren Westwood, Steven Fletcher, Joost Van Aken and Marco Matias will all be like new signings. Much may depend on when other key players like Kieran Lee and Gary Hooper also make a full recovery.”

Luke Chambers v Steven Fletcher

Wednesday have extended the contracts of striker Atdhe Nuhiu and defender Daniel Pudil, while five players have departed permanently or on loan. Defender Glenn Loovens switched as a free agent to Celtic, while winger Ross Wallace and keeper Jake Kean are unattached at the time of writing.

Former Town striker Jordan Rhodes has departed to Carrow Road on a season-long loan while right-back Jack Hunt has moved to Bristol City on a three-year contract. Fans would welcome some new additions but many are equally conscious of the club not breaking Financial Fair Play regulations.

“We could add more quality out wide especially if we line up with wing-backs as suggested but I fear we need to let more out before we bring anyone in as we are riding close to FFP. We’re yet to see our academy produce or see any new players. For those reasons we could do anything this season.”

Pre-Season Friendlies

The Owls have kept their pre-season activity to the bare minimum with only three games open to spectators pencilled into the calendar. A 1-0 win at Lincoln last Friday week was followed by a 2-1 loss at Mansfield last night. Villareal’s visit to Hillsborough on Saturday will be their final friendly.

“Six defensive players against Mansfield.” Luhukay has preferred to work with a three-man backline as demonstrated with last night’s starting XI (above). Several likely first team regulars were missing including keeper Keiren Westwood, defender Daniel Pudil and strikers Lucas Joao and Marco Matias

Many Owls had hoped to see some of the players above feature in what turned out to be an error-strewn performance against the Stags. “There's nothing like a good old injury crisis before a ball is even kicked to lower expectations and destroy what lingering hopes there were for the season.”

“It’s as bad as it sounds here. Fox, Palmer, Hutchinson and Reach have done nothing thing to start next week. Fox and Palmer are not good enough, Hutchinson doesn’t look interested and Reach is standing on the byline not running at all. Bannan is pulling strings as usual, the rest of them - 3/10.”

“We’re making hard work of it. Plenty of passing and movement, almost like they've been told to get some minutes into their legs. We are desperate for pace. Reach isn't playing the wing-back role, not dynamic enough up and down the wing for me but it'll come with fitness. Everyone looks a bit meh.”

A Squad Assessment Before Last Night’s Defeat

“On paper we have a top-six squad. Westwood is one of the best keepers outside the top flight. Tom Lees is a centre-half capable of stepping up to the next level with a Burnley without a doubt. Barry Bannan has been one of the league’s top midfielders for three seasons, the heartbeat of any team.”

Keiron Westwood

“Adam Reach is an unbelievable ever-present workhorse while Fernando Forestieri’s role is critical. Carvalhal used him as an out and out striker but he was often bullied out of games. Jos has used him in a wider role and if he continues to do so we may have this season’s Anthony Knockaert.”

“The beast Nuhiu scored nine goals in eight games, and the lightning Joao scored seven in 14 starts last season. Added to Forestieri we are hugely potent in attack. Gary Hooper and Steven Fletcher are returning from injury and will give us unparalleled options at this level.”

A Lot of Ifs…

“We could be a threat this season but there are a lot of 'ifs'. If our playing squad doesn't break down with injuries again, if the others return soon enough from the physio room, if we don't have to lose players to comply with FFP, we should finish in the top half and we might be a surprise package.”

“A fit Sheffield Wednesday squad will be exciting to watch and a force in this league but 15 players in the physio room by Christmas will spell another disaster”, “I would be satisfied to simply see us put the horrors of last season behind us and see evidence that we are making sustainable progress.”

“We could win promotion. I genuinely believe we have players that on their day are a match for anyone. However, last season shows just how fragile this squad are. Our hope is in our finale to last season and the renewed focus on fitness”, “This season is our wild card. God knows how we will do.”

Websites

The busiest Owls message board is the very friendly and knowledgeable OwlsTalk.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:34 - Jul 25 Anyone who performs a "demolition of Norwich" must be ok in my book. Anyway, I've always liked Wednesday - a "traditional" team that rubs no-one (except the Blades, presumably) up the wrong way, and playing in the right colours to boot. This is a great series of reports, Harry: makes very interesting reading each season to see what we are up against - from the rival fans' perspective.

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