Danny Rohl told to make big Michael Smith call for Sheffield Wednesday against Coventry City | OneFootball

Danny Rohl told to make big Michael Smith call for Sheffield Wednesday against Coventry City | OneFootball

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Football League World

·4 October 2024

Danny Rohl told to make big Michael Smith call for Sheffield Wednesday against Coventry City

Article image:Danny Rohl told to make big Michael Smith call for Sheffield Wednesday against Coventry City

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit has given his view on the changes Danny Rohl should make against Coventry City on Saturday.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...


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Sheffield Wednesday take on Coventry City in the Championship at the CBS Arena on Saturday.

After a run of five league games without a win, it has been a positive week for the Owls, and they followed up their impressive 3-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion with a 0-0 draw against Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night.

It was a game largely dominated by the Robins, and Wednesday goalkeeper James Beadle made a number of strong saves to deny Anis Mehmeti, Joe Williams and Mark Sykes, while he also prevented an own goal from Marvin Johnson.

The Owls' best chance came late on when substitute Michael Smith's header was comfortably kept out by Max O'Leary, but while they were unable to find a winner, they did secure their first away point of the season.

Wednesday currently sit 19th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone, and they are level on points with this weekend's opponents Coventry, but the Sky Blues picked up a 3-0 win over previously unbeaten Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night, so they will be full of confidence heading into the game.

Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit on potential Coventry City changes

Article image:Danny Rohl told to make big Michael Smith call for Sheffield Wednesday against Coventry City

When asked what changes he would make for Saturday's game against Coventry, FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Patrick McKenna said that Rohl should switch to a 3-5-2 formation, bringing in Svante Ingelsson and Smith.

"In regards to any changes to the line-up for the weekend, my first thought is that a possible move to a 3-5-2 might solve a few problems currently within the team," Patrick said.

"If we have three in the centre away from home, I think that offers us a bit more solidity and protection because two in the middle away from home hasn't really worked for us and certainly last season against Coventry, they were winning the midfield battles.

"If I'm talking about having three in midfield, I'd be talking about bringing in Svante Ingelsson to play alongside Shea Charles and Barry Bannan.

"I know Ike Ugbo has struggled this season for goals, but he doesn't really revel in the lone striker role, so with the 3-5-2, if he's up front with Michael Smith, then Smith can do some more of the dirty work - winning the headers and doing the hold-up play.

"Ugbo just needs a goal, it's not as though he's been missing loads of chances as well, so if we have Valery and Johnson out wide, if they can get good delivery in, then just that one goal for Ugbo would help to transform his season and get him on a run."

"That would solve a real problem for us because we aren't scoring enough goals this season.

"We've been reliant on goals from midfield from Barry Bannan and that needs to change, so the 3-5-2 could bring those possible benefits."

Michael Smith deserves Sheffield Wednesday start against Coventry City

Article image:Danny Rohl told to make big Michael Smith call for Sheffield Wednesday against Coventry City

It is difficult to disagree with either of the changes that Patrick has proposed for Wednesday's game against Coventry.

While the Sky Blues are currently level on points with the Owls, they have much more quality than their league position suggests, and extra defensive protection will be needed in midfield.

Wednesday have been exposed in the middle of the park away from home this season against the likes of Sunderland and Millwall, so bringing Ingelsson into the team could be a smart move by Rohl, and if he is handed a start, the Swede will hope that he can rediscover his promising early season form.

After making a difference once again following his introduction from the bench on Wednesday night, Smith deserves to start against Coventry, although he could potentially replace Ugbo rather than partnering him given that he has failed to score in the league since returning to the club on a permanent basis from Troyes this summer.

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