"Would have to be an exceptional season" - Sheffield Wednesday play-off claim made as Danny Rohl gears up for 2024/25 | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit has given his view on what the Owls can achieve this season.

Highlights

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 will be hoping for a much-improved campaign in the Championship this season.

The Owls looked destined to make an immediate return to League One after a disastrous start to last season under Xisco Munoz, but they achieved safety following a remarkable turnaround under Danny Rohl as they finished 20th in the table.

Wednesday received a huge boost as Rohl signed a new long-term contract in May, and the German has wasted no time in getting to work on rebuilding his squad, with nine new signings arriving at Hillsborough so far this summer.

Liam Palmer, Dominic Iorfa, Di'Shon Bernard, Barry Bannan and Josh Windass have all signed new deals, but Cameron Dawson and Will Vaulks have departed after rejecting the offer of an extension, while Ciaran Brennan, Reece James, George Byers, Tyreeq Bakinson, Juan Delgado and Lee Gregory have been released.

The Owls get their season underway when they host Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle at Hillsborough on Sunday, and given the positive mood around the club, some have suggested that a play-off push could be on the cards this campaign.

Even some of the Wednesday squad have spoken about a potential promotion challenge, with Windass claiming that "my mentality and I'm sure all the boys' mentality is to try and get promoted this year" after he signed a new contract.

Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit delivers 2024-25 season verdict

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Callum Maxted does not believe the Owls will be able to reach the play-offs this season, but he believes that a top 10 finish is a realistic target for Rohl's side.

"If I'm honest, I think it's going to be between seventh and 10th," Callum said.

"I can't see us getting to the play-offs, it would have to be an exceptional season for that to happen really, but I can see a top 10 finish.

"Based on what I saw on Saturday, I could see the patterns of play that are coming, and we've got two quick wingers who can run at players and defenders who can defend.

"For me, I can't see anything other than top 10 really, it would have to take a lot for it not to be.

"Obviously it's a very tough league, and I'm not saying it's going to be easy because it's not, but the squad and the manager that we've got is good enough for a top 10 finish."

Wednesday supporters had little expectation going into last season, but the mood at Hillsborough is completely different ahead of the new campaign.

Convincing Rohl to sign a new contract is undoubtedly the Owls' most important piece of business this summer, and the 35-year-old has been backed in the transfer market with some strong additions.

Wednesday were one of the form teams in the Championship in the second half of last season, and with a stronger squad at his disposal this time around, it is possible that Rohl could lead his side to a surprise promotion.

However, the Owls remain light in certain areas of the squad, particularly up front, and it will be tough for them to push for the play-offs unless they bring in at least two strikers before the end of the window.

As Callum says, a top 10 finish is a more likely outcome for Wednesday, and after the turbulent campaign they experienced last season, that would represent excellent progress.