Sheffield Wednesday told to avoid re-uniting with ex-Owls player - it would be "the wrong idea" | OneFootball

Marvin Johnson is yet to find a new club after leaving the cash-strapped Owls

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…

Sheffield Wednesday's current woes have been extremely well-documented, with the club set for the bleakest of seasons as a result.

The current atmosphere at Hillsborough is beyond apathetic at this moment in time, with Owls supporters continuing to express their discontent surrounding Dejphon Chansiri's controversial day-to-day running of the club.

After a chaotic pre-season which saw delayed wage payments continue amid a mass exodus of star names and manager Danny Rohl, Henrik Pedersen has been handed next-to-no room to manouvre in the summer transfer window and beyond, with clubs normally able to recruit free agents following the transfer deadline.

However, on top of two embargoes and a transfer fee restriction, such rules don't apply to Wednesday as the EFL's Club Financial Reporting Unit currently remain dissatisfied that Chansiri has the funds and capability to drag the club away from its sorry predicament.

And although many who departed S6 in the off-season have since found new clubs, the same cannot be said for the vastly experienced Marvin Johnson, which has surprised Football League World's Owls fan pundit, Patrick McKenna.

Marvin Johnson still "Championship level" despite recent Sheffield Wednesday exit

Johnson became an important senior figure during his time in South Yorkshire between 2021 and 2025, operating either as a left midfielder or left-back under Darren Moore, Xisco Munoz and Rohl, making 169 appearances and racking up 40 goals and assists, which included 30 starts last season.

As a result, McKenna believes he could still offer plenty to a Championship side, although that currently won't be happening at Wednesday due to the aforementioned restrictions.

"I am surprised that he's still a free agent at this stage," Patrick told FLW.

"I certainly think he can still play at Championship level, albeit for a lower-end club.

"He still has something to offer, he's a very good crosser of the ball. While his defensive abilities can be very mixed, playing as a wing-back these days, attacking ability seems to trump defensive ability, and that's where his strength lies.

"He was able to strike up a good understanding with Bannan, Windass and some of his fellow regular players," McKenna added. "I think that is something he could replicate at another club.

"Unless there's other reasons for that is stopping him getting a club, I think, footballing ability alone, he should be playing Championship football. Although he may have to possibly settle for a top-end League One club.

"As to having him back at Wednesday...no. I think that Marvin has had his time with us," Patrick added.

"He was a good servant for us, but in the summer we released him. Obviously, in an ideal situation we'd replace him with a younger player, somebody new.

"I think it would be showing the wrong idea if we had to resort to bringing somebody back so soon because our season is going badly. We can leave that to our city rivals that we aren't people who bring people back two minutes after letting them go!"

Marvin Johnson may not be enticed by possible Sheffield Wednesday return in his and the club's current situation

McKenna's final comments were, of course, in reference to Sheffield United hiring Chris Wilder for the third time. However, even with the Blades enduring a torrid start on the pitch, they very much have the depth and belief to drag themselves out of the situation.

To their credit, Pedersen's side have remained competitive in a handful of their outings thus far - most notably their 2-2 draw at Wrexham last month.

Regardless though, there is a clear issue when it comes to depth, experience and quality running through the Owls' paper-thin ranks at this moment in time, which Johnson could have provided had he been given an extension.

However, given the club's predicament with wage-related issues and an extremely uncertain, dark cloud hanging over Hillsborough, Johnson is perhaps more likely to be enticed with a move to another side with aims of consolidating in the second-tier or fighting to return to the division, such is his pedigree and ability.