Sheffield Wednesday were banned from signing new players this summer but are now just one point off the Championship’s play-off places.
The fact that any Sheffield Wednesday fan could be happy with how things are currently going at Hillsborough rather sums up the decline of one of British football’s fallen giants. That is the opinion of Chris Sutton anyway.
Wednesday’s prolonged exile from the Premier League was so nearly brought to an end during the reign of Carlos Carvalhal. After losing to Hull City in the 2016 play-off final and then finishing fourth the following season, 2017/18 was a massive disappointment with the Owls ended the campaign in 15th.
The Steel City then subsequently failed to complete a single permanent signing over the summer due to a transfer embargo (which was lifted towards the end of August), so you can see why some fans might be content with Wednesday’s current position, just a point off the top six.
But Jos Luhukay’s team are still 12th in the table. And Chris Sutton does not believe their current mid-table standing is any reason for celebration.
“Hang on there, mid-table mediocrity for Sheffield Wednesday and you’re happy?” Sutton said incredulously in conversation with an Owls fan during the BBC Radio 5 Live 606 phone-in (30 September, 5pm).
Sutton then claimed that a lack of funds cannot be used as an excuse, pointing out that Cardiff and Huddersfield Town have been promoted in subsequent seasons on a shoestring budget.
“And that’s what it’s come to?! Look what Neil Warnock did. There are examples, Leicester won the Premier League. It’s not all about money. Look at Cardiff last season, Huddersfield, Stoke had years in the Premier League.”
It has been a mixed start to the season for Wednesday but things do appear to be improving under Luhukay, given that his side have beaten Aston Villa away and drawn against title-chasing Leeds United in the last two games.
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