Sheffield Wednesday’s season is in danger of slipping away, and there has been a negative feeling around Hillsborough that the Owls cannot shake off.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal looks dejected
Sheffield Wednesday slipped out of the play-off places after managing to pick up one win in their last seven attempts. At one stage it looked dead set that Carlos Carvalhal’s side were on course for a chance of redemption after narrowly missing out on promotion through the play-offs last season.
There is now a real possibility that the Owls may not finish in the top six. After heavy investment in the playing squad, this could be a disappointing end to a season that promised so much. We take a look at three players who have failed to live up to expectations in a Sheffield Wednesday shirt this season.
Almen Abdi
Abdi has endured a frustrating spell at Hillsborough following his move from Watford in the summer. The midfielder played a key part in helping the Hornets gain promotion to the Premier League.
After playing the majority of games for Watford in their first season back in the top flight, the signing of the Czech Republic international was seen as a major coup. However, Abdi has struggled to gain a regular starting place in Carvalhal’s team.
The 30-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery. He finishes this season with just 16 appearances to his name, 11 of those starts and scoring just one goal.
Almen Abdi has struggled to hold down a regular starting place this season
Will Buckley
Following a long term injury to influential winger Marco Matias, Buckley was signed on a season-long loan from Premier League strugglers Sunderland in the summer.
He had endured a frustrating time at the Stadium of Light and a move back down to the Championship, where he made his name at Brighton, was seen as a smart piece of business. The 27-year-old is versatile and can also be deployed on the left of midfield.
But Buckley has struggled to make an impact for Wednesday and has just one assist to his name in his 10 apperances for the club this season. The loan signing of Callum McManaman in January and recent return of Matias means that Buckley’s chances of rescuing his season are rather slim.
Will Buckley has just one assist for Sheffield Wednesday this season
Steven Fletcher
Fletcher was snapped up quickly by Wednesday when he became a free agent in the summer. He was backed by many to be a major hit for Wednesday in the Championship. The Scottish centre forward had spent the majority of his career playing the Premier League in spells at Burnley, Wolves and Sunderland.
But in truth, the 30-year-old has been hit and miss in front of goal and managed to find the net on just six occasions this season and weighed in with two assists.
Wednesday splashed out big money on Jordan Rhodes and added Sam Winnall to their attack in January. Fletcher has had to settle for a place on the bench since. Fletcher will not be happy with playing a bit part role and Wednesday will not be keen on paying his high wages to do so.
Steven Fletcher of Sheffield Wednesday in action with Kyle Bartley of Leeds United
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