Sheffield Wednesday face Reading in the FA Cup on Friday.
Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to build on their early displays under Jos Luhukay when Reading visit Hillsborough in the FA Cup on Friday.
The Owls are unbeaten and yet to concede a goal in any of the Dutchman’s three games as manager at Hillsborough.
However, they have failed to score in two of those, with their only two goals coming against League Two Carlisle United in the competition’s previous round.
After shoring up Wednesday’s porous back line, it is possible that Luhukay could look to implement a more offensive formation than the five-three-two he has employed so far – especially with four-two-three-one now a more viable option after the signing of a specialist defensive midfielder in Joey Pelupessy.
Saturday’s game against Cardiff City came too soon for Pelupessy, but after a full week of training with his new colleagues, the chances of the Dutchman getting a run out against Reading are high.
Jack Hunt may start as he continues his recovery from injury, while Glenn Loovens, George Boyd, Marco Matias and Atdhe Nuhiu could also earn recalls.
Loovens’ form has been somewhat shaky of late, however, and with Pelupessy likely to act as a protective shield anyway, playing three central defenders is not exactly necessary. That said, Wednesday do have the option of repositioning Daniel Pudil to left-back, allowing the captain to take his place in the middle.
Luhukay must make one enforced change, with Jordan Thorniley, Loovens’ replacement against Cardiff, cup-tied, along with recent debutant Sean Clare.
Here’s how HITC Sport suspects Sheffield Wednesday could look against the Royals.
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