Sunderland’s Aiden McGeady and West Bromwich Albion’s Callum McManaman have both been borrowed by Sheffield Wednesday in recent campaigns.
Carlos Carvalhal has explained why respective Sunderland and West Bromwhich Albion players Aiden McGeady and Callum McManaman struggled at Sheffield Wednesday.
McGeady was loaned to Hillsborough in January 2016 by Everton, with McMamanan following in his footsteps 11 months later.
Neither player was able to make a sustained impact for Carvalhal’s side, however, and were returned to their parent clubs at the end of their deals.
Callum McManaman of Sheffield Wednesday (right)
McGeady, though, went on to impress at Preston North End last season and was subsequently signed by Wednesday’s next opponents Sunderland on a permanent basis.
Discussing his side’s search for reinforcements, Owls head coach Carvalhal told BBC Radio Sheffield: “Some (new signings) have difficulties, and when they play often we know that we chose good players. McGeady’s a good example. When we brought McGeady, we knew that we were bringing a good player, even (though) in that moment people criticised.
“The problem with McGeady and McManaman was the same – they didn’t play before too much. They came here with their competition levels not very high. They need time to play, they need to play often, they need to play 90 minutes. But at the same time we need to win games and the players were not fit, not ready to play 90 minutes.
“So to live with this situation it looks like it’s easy but it’s not, because their level at that minute is not compatible.”
And it would appear that Wednesday are keen to avoid repeating their past mistakes by targeting those who can make an immediate impact instead.
But, as Carvalhal warned, the Owls have other factors to consider, too.
“The situation with the centre-halves is we try to find a good player, and be under the rules of the financial fair play. (But) with the level that we want (it) is not easy,” he said.
Aiden McGeady of the Republic of Ireland
Speaking to Own Goal recently, McGeady revealed he considered quitting football during his spell at Hillsborough.
“It didn’t quite work out really. I felt I didn’t play that much. I got subbed a lot and couldn’t really get any momentum going,” the Sunderland man said. “I was coming off the back of not playing as well, for six months. (I was) probably a bit unfit as well – match fitness – and I didn’t really have much time to get up to speed. I had to hit the ground running.
“Honestly when I was at Sheffield Wednesday there was times where I remember texting my dad – I got taken off at half time three games in a row (it was actually three times in seven games) and I was like: I’m on the verge of quitting football here. I lost the love of football. I was thinking I don’t know if I want to play any more.”
McManaman is in the final year of his contract at West Brom, who will reportedly listen to offers for him this month.
West Brom paid £4.75 million for the 26-year-old in January 2015.
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