Following injuries and suspensions, the Owls are having to deal with a makeshift defence at a crucial period of their season.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Vincent Sasso looks dejected
While Sheffield Wednesday lost 2-0 to Aston Villa in their last Championship outing, the most hurtful part for the Owls will be the state of their defence ahead of a critical period.
After centre back Vincent Sasso got sent off, Carlos Carvalhal’s side finished the game with a back four of Jack Hunt in his natural right back position, Morgan Fox – a left back – at centre back, Jose Semedo – a central midfielder – alongside him, and Adam Reach – a left winger – at left back.
Sasso’s red card is a disaster for Wednesday, and with defenders Tom Lees and Kieran Lee injured, the Owls have barely any available defenders for their next fixture against fellow play-off occupants Reading – a match the Owls simply have to win given Fulham’s rise up the table.
While injuries and suspensions can’t be predicted, you can’t help but feel that Wednesday should have focused on defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window as much as they did attacking ones.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Barry Bannan, Morgan Fox, Steven Fletcher and Adam Reach look dejected after conceding a second goal
Strikers Jordan Rhodes and Sam Winnall arrived at Hillsborough in January, as well as winger Calum McManaman on loan, with Morgan Fox the only defender signed in January.
That decision may prove very costly, as Wednesday’s play-off place is now hanging by a thread with a disjointed defence to protect it.
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