3 Sheffield Wednesday players touted as "future of the club" - including Ernie Weaver | OneFootball

FLW's Owls fan pundit assesses the current crop of young stars being thrown in at the deep end at Hillsborough.

Even the most optimistic fans can't look at the situation surrounding Sheffield Wednesday with a particularly positive eye, but something can be said about how young talents are blossoming at a rapid rate at Hillsborough.

A threadbare squad has almost forced Henrik Pedersen to turn to young, inexperienced players at times, especially in their EFL Cup run, which remarkably ended at the third round stage after beating Bolton Wanderers and Leeds United before falling to Grimsby Town respectively.

Against Leeds United in their round two win, the starting XI had a total of 241 combined league starts for the Owls, and 234 of those were taken up by Jamal Lowe.

This emphasises the number of youth players who have played a part in Wednesday's season so far, and that cup run, plus a few league appearances due to senior injuries, has forced some teenagers at the club to be recognised as first-team players.

Regarding the EFL Cup, it probably should have been a foregone conclusion that what was basically Sheffield Wednesday's Under-21s side should have been swept away at the first hurdle.

However, after heroic wins against Bolton Wanderers and Leeds, some teenagers have announced themselves as players who should be considered for Championship action.

Chances have had to be given to youngsters, and Football League World's Owls fan pundit, Patrick McKenna, credits those who have taken those opportunities in what are truly challenging conditions at the club.

Alongside the impressive Pierce Charles in goal, McKenna has singled out three players who could possibly be seen as future faces of the club in the not-so-distant future.

"We've had this situation in the EFL Cup, where a lot of young players have been thrown in and given a chance, and from this, there have been a few players who have caught the eye," McKenna said.

"Obviously, it's an extraordinarily hard circumstance to be playing in, and they are very much overexposed, but if you look at players like Ernie Weaver, he seems to be adapting really well, and there's a real defender there.

"At this stage, I would see him as part of the first-team this season due to his confidence and composure for his age."

Weaver, who only turned 19 on 8 September, made his debut for the club in the EFL Cup first round win against Bolton.

Alongside starts in the following two rounds, the central defender has also started twice in league action ahead of the Owls' clash with Birmingham City on Tuesday night, with his league debut resulting in the side's first clean sheet of the season against Portsmouth.

"One of the standouts as well is Yisa Alao, a 16-year-old who came on as a sub against Grimsby, and he was quite physical," McKenna continued.

"It was a big test coming up against a strong Grimsby team, and he was fearless and getting quite stuck in. If he's taking to games like that, then you feel that there's a player there, too.

"And then, of course, I'll give a notable mention to Reece Johnson."

All three are just examples of the plethora of young stars coming through the ranks at Sheffield Wednesday and are more than holding their own against seasoned professionals.

Sheffield Wednesday talents lauded for performances amid challenges surrounding bedding young stars in this season

Usually, teams would be able to take their time in developing young players, giving them sporadic bench appearances or even loans in lower leagues to help them get used to senior football.

Unfortunately, that hasn't been a luxury afforded to Sheffield Wednesday this season given the turnover of senior players, and the ongoing financial status of the club amid Dejphon Chansiri's continued ownership, but McKenna was quick to praise the several youngsters who have emerged so far.

"With the situation of the club at the moment, it's tough because we haven't been able to bed young players in as we usually do. They're being thrown in with little protection," he said.

"But hopefully a few of these players can progress, and they will be the future of the club."

The youngsters who have made their senior debuts this season have stood up to the challenge of adapting to first-team football in such a short period of time, and they're making Wednesday fans proud in a time of turmoil.

Hopefully, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club can soon begin looking forward to brighter days and a promising future ahead, and if it does, expect these teenage stars to be the faces of it.