Sheffield Wednesday are finding life tougher this tome around.
It’s clear that Sheffield Wednesday are finding things a lot tougher this season. Having been something of a surprise package last term, in which they finished sixth and reached the play-off final, teams have ensured they are a lot wiser to the Owls’ style of play.
This has proved particularly problematic at home, where Wednesday have already lost more league games (three) than they did in the entirety of 2015-16.
Tight games such as the last, a 2-1 defeat against Ipswich Town, have highlighted Wednesday’s lack of a Plan B and a different option in attack could soon get them back to winning ways – a bit of pace, perhaps?
Though Fernando Forestieri and Adam Reach may be quicker than most, neither are best known for their pace – the type of which was possessed in abundance by Wednesday attackers of yesteryear, often at the expense of all other attributes. However, signing a league rival’s winger in January could perhaps solve the Owls’ problem.
Reading’s Garath McCleary is not only quick, he’s scored six goals and assisted another four in 14 league outings this season. Out of contract in June, the Jamaican international could be available for a cut price when the transfer window reopens, having admitted earlier this month that talks over a new deal are yet to begin.
With the contracts of Ross Wallace and Modou Sougou expiring in June, Will Buckley’s loan spell also running down and Marco Matias a figment of your imagination, investing in another wide man just about makes sense. And as a left-footed player, with a tinful of tricks and a preference for coming in off the right flank, McCleary is not too dissimilar to Derby County’s Tom Ince, who was reportedly courted by Wednesday in the summer.
Were Wednesday to move for him in January, it would be the second winter running in which a Reading attacker has been targeted by the Owls. And although the last one, Nick Blackman, chose the more established promotion candidate on that occasion (Derby County), last season’s exploits should have improved things in that regard.
Who would you like the Owls to sign in January?
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