The start of the Championship season has been very hit and miss for Sheffield Wednesday so far. They have shown glimpses of promise, but have often followed that up with a disappointing performance. They certainly have the ability to challenge for promotion and have shown that in parts of their play, but over the next few games, they have to find their consistency.
Two Scotland internationals, Barry Bannan and Steven Fletcher, played an important part in the Sheffield Wednesday playoff run last season and they need to turn up again this season and play another important role. Bannan played in 43 league games last season working hard in the middle of midfield and running the team’s engine room. His play drove Wednesday on and while he has looked okay so far this season, he can play better and the team will be expecting more from him.
The same could be said for Fletcher, who since signing for Wednesday on a free transfer has scored a total of 14 goals. He has two in the Championship so far this season and the Owls will want more from him in front of goal. Fletcher certainly has the potential to be a good goal scorer in the league and 15-20 goals shouldn’t be out of the question for him. However, he has yet to show that up to now, and will be looking to improve.
Looking at the latest Championship betting, Sheffield Wednesday are 11/2 for promotion after their slightly disappointing start to the season. However, that can all change with a good unbeaten run and that is what Wednesday will be aiming for over the coming weeks. They sit just four points off the playoff places right now, so the gap isn’t too big and if they can string together three or four wins then the picture will certainly change.
“Barry Bannan” by Ronnie MacDonald (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The upcoming fixtures look kind for Sheffield Wednesday, giving them a great chance to build a good sequence up straight away. They face Bolton, Derby, Barnsley and Millwall throughout October and all four of those clubs are below Sheffield Wednesday in the table, and don’t look like improving any time soon.
Bolton are yet to win this season and give Wednesday a great opportunity to move onto two wins in a row, before they face Derby, who haven’t won in their last four games. Barnsley have only won one of their last five games and Millwall have won just two out of their last five. The form of all those clubs should give Sheffield Wednesday hope in October and by the time we reach the month of November, the league table could look completely different.
The two Scottish internationals Barry Bannan and Steven Fletcher are likely to be heavily involved in those games, and those two players would love to help their team move up the table. The chance is certainly there for Sheffield Wednesday, they just have to move forward and take advantage of what is in front of them during October.
