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Sheffield Wednesday (h) - 13:00 Sunday - What can we expect?


Davefevs

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Sheffield Wednesday: [Sunday 27th September – 13:00] – What can we expect?

Wednesday travel to Ashton Gate on Sunday having made a decent start to the season with a win at Cardiff and a draw at home to Watford so far.  It leaves them with four points, two clean sheets, but of course they still find themselves in 24th place due to a 12-point deduction for financial irregularities.  For now, it does not appear to be a millstone around their neck.  They progressed in the Carabao Cup with wins at Walsall on penalties and Rochdale but conceded their first goals of the season at Fulham on Wednesday evening as they exited the competition.

Manager:

Wednesday are managed by Garry Monk, the 41 year-old former Southampton and Swansea player who almost joined Bristol City as a player previously.  He arrived in September last year, having previously been at Swansea, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Birmingham, and is therefore very experienced at Championship level.   C98044AE-3068-4B9F-944E-A45ED8368FA2.thumb.jpeg.de471ab44e6116177b674f0215bab1c0.jpeg

Figure 1 – Garry Monk becoming the Owls manager

Last season started well, Monk taking them into the playoff places when beating us 1-0 in November, but then fell off a cliff with only four more wins the rest of the season.  Under Monk they ended up in a very disappointing 16th place and would’ve been relegated had the 12-point penalty been administered immediately.

470389D0-BC95-4108-BDB4-205D9DB8EF6E.jpeg.8900a5233df5f1545d5a0cbe78b0c256.jpeg

Figure 2 - Wednesday under Monk 2019-20 (source: Transfermarkt)

Recruitment:

Wednesday have had a busy summer albeit with limited funds available.  Only two players have come in for fees:

§  Josh Windass – from Wigan (£500k) having been on loan last season

§  Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – from Manchester City (undisc.)

Five more have joined on a free transfer, loan or returned from loan:

§  Chey Dunkley – Wigan

§  Elias Kachunga – Huddersfield

§  Izzy Brown – loan from Chelsea

§  Joost van Aken – returned from Osnabrück (2. Bundesliga)

§  Matt Penny – returned from St. Pauli (2. Bundesliga)

Going out the door is a lot of experience, but importantly a considerable portion of the wage budget too:

§  Atdhe Nuhiu – free

§  Fernando Forestieri – free

§  Sam Winnall – free

§  Steven Fletcher – free

§  Morgan Fox – free

§  Jacob Murphy – end of loan (Newcastle)

§  Connor Whickham – end of loan (Crystal Palace) There is significantly less aerial threat at the club as a result, and City certainly suffered from the triumvirate of Fletcher, Nuhiu and Whickham in recent times.  Wednesday are possibly a bit light in true centre-forward options as a result (Rhodes, Windass and Kachunga).

Formation / System:

Monk has been an advocate of a back four (442 / 4231) over his managerial career, but post-Covid has switched to the en-vogue 352.  His teams are usually well-drilled and based upon a good defensive shape. The rigid 442 he used at Birmingham with Jutkiewicz and Adams up front appears to have evolved at Wednesday.  Switching to a 352 has allowed Bannan to have more support in the centre of the park whilst not being burdened with sole responsibility for creativity.  A problem not unbeknown to City fans who have long questioned a midfield two in their own team selection!

A256B0E7-F63C-4206-8C00-1CD5159C3624.thumb.jpeg.3977d803373dbcce21f1de32c8987d45.jpeg

Figure 3 - Formation against Watford (19th September) – although Luongo (10) typically plays as the deeper midfielder.

It will be interesting to see whether removing Tom Lees as captain and giving it to Bannan will cause any problems in the dressing-room, and whether Bannan gives greater leadership on the pitch.  Some Owls fans believe it will be a masterstroke of man-management.

Build-up play:

Wednesday aren’t a team that build attacks through their goalkeeper and back-three, preferring to go long in the main.  The focus is often through the middle, where the midfield three are positioned for loose balls or the second striker running beyond for a flick on.  Wednesday’s players are expecting the long ball and therefore get into really good positions for whatever happens next.  They will also use the space behind the defence for Rhodes to run onto. 

D6CAAEAC-F7BB-4189-9D36-83102FC6A3C9.thumb.jpeg.21d697a764b3cb8ebb889f133da97f33.jpeg

Figure 4 - long ball from Dawson (GK) to Rhodes with Wednesday in good shape to win the next ball (v Cardiff)

The Press:

That extra man in the middle of the park allows Wednesday to press balls played into the midfield much more effectively than when it was just a two-man midfield.  The trio of Izzy Brown, Massimo Luongo and Barry Bannan can work efficiently to pounce on any mistakes.  They are aided by the energy of Josh Windass and to a lesser extent Jordan Rhodes dropping back from the centre forward positions.  In their two league matches so far, they’ve restricted Cardiff and Watford to very low number of passes before breaking up play.  Without crowds you can clearly hear the coaching staff bellowing – “PRESS, PRESS, PRESS”!

0E13592D-E093-4792-9618-EA94975CDD8C.thumb.jpeg.133ac2ebc32127f3a824560556a90db3.jpeg

Figure 5 - Rhodes presses Cardiff’s Bacuna (no7), Windass closes the passing option(s) and Brown ready to pounce.

6C854801-697E-4E09-BD8A-DA161423B532.thumb.jpeg.11c64726d9a9719bf99df266a70c8008.jpeg

Figure 6 - a sloppy pass (red arrow) into no-man's land by Bacuna, Brown reads it (blue arrow) and intercepts.

40CE56CC-92B8-41EA-8AB8-11DA9E0F86E7.thumb.jpeg.aafb56897e2d88105aa194e884c129e7.jpeg

Figure 7 - Brown wins the loose ball, and feeds Windass with a first-time pass, who is already running forward.

In the example above, Brown’s first-time pass sets Windass free, the Cardiff defenders are caught out, and Windass goes on to score to put the Owls 1-0 up.  Against Watford last Saturday there were several similar examples, with Penney (LWB) tucking-in to condense the space centrally.

Set-Pieces - Corners:

 We all know about the Owls corners from last season’s contests - City were undone for both goals at Ashton Gate post-Covid.  With Pat Mountain now taking responsibility for defensive set-pieces we will see if City have done their homework this time around. 

2487FF17-20D5-429B-A964-A00AFBC59719.jpeg.c378d1b04c82dddf60ff0524e6c2572a.jpeg

Figure 8 - Bannan inswinging corner to the near post, headed away on this occasion

Nothing innovative above, Wednesday will attempt to block City’s defenders to allow a free run to the near post.  Izzy Brown will attempt the same near-post routine from the left side.  

Set-Pieces – Free-Kicks:

Wednesday will also be a threat from free kicks.  With Bannan’s left foot and Brown’s right, they have the ability to change the angle of delivery wherever the ball is placed. 

7362270B-F83C-4017-B882-00E2C67F5063.thumb.jpeg.2bb12dbbc7c16104ec11b1ddf8feab72.jpeg

Figure 9 - Bannan (left foot) reversing the angle for Iorfa to attack – note only 4 players in the penalty area

67F42F3C-1738-48A7-BF7A-E700482A7B18.thumb.jpeg.fd987a701437a9d281fd3f8dd9f8a965.jpeg

Figure 10 - Iorfa wins the first header, Windass the second and Rhodes the third – goal!

In the above example we see Bannan reverse the angle of the cross for Iorfa to attack, and Jordan Rhodes ultimately sniffs out another goal.

From Brown’s right foot, we see the more conventional option (see below), with the cross aimed between the lines of both posts.  

8EEF891D-8276-4609-AF99-D6D634CB72DE.thumb.jpeg.8b84baf541c712969eeb2e60d110adef.jpeg

Figure 11 - Brown away-swinger, Bannan over the ball too to ensure opposition are kept on their toes (versus Watford)

Wednesday overload the penalty area with 4 players between near and far post, with van Aken making a run around the back in case the free kick is overhit.  This drags the defender behind Iorfa away, giving him more space to adjust and attack the ball.  In this example Iorfa heads wide.

Line-up:

GK: Cameron Dawson (25) – originally at rivals United as a youth player, joining the Owls in 2013.  Had loan spells locally at Alfreton and Chesterfield and has started to establish himself as the number one.  

RWB: Kadeem Harris (27) – hardworking winger who looks really at home in the wingback role.  Started at Wycombe before a move to Cardiff, joining Wednesday in the summer of 2019.  Can play on either side and likes to advance with the ball.  Loves a stepover - the “Wednesday Alan Walsh”!

RCB: Dominic Iorfa (25) – a player that really impressed me last season.  Remember seeing him for Wolves where he looked error-prone, but since had loans at Shrewsbury and Ipswich, has now grown physically and looks a really strong Championship centre-back, perhaps the three-man defensive has helped?  Threat in the opposition box too.

CB: Joost van Aken (26) – Dutch born defender formerly at Heerenveen, signed for £2.5m in 2017.  The 6’4” centre-back spent last season in Germany’s 2nd Tier for Osnabrück featuring 22 times before injury curtailed his season.  

LCB: Tom Lees (29) – very physical defender who started at Leeds United.  Signed for Wednesday at the start of the 2014/15 season and has over 200 appearances for the Owls and over 300 at this level.  Recently lost the captaincy to Bannan.

LWB: Matt Penney (22) – Chesterfield born academy product who has started both league games this season.  Also spent last season in 2. Bundesliga - with St. Pauli, starting 13 games.

CM: Massimo Luongo (27) – Aussie international who began his career at Tottenham before signing for Swindon in 2013, having had two loan spells at the Wiltshire club.  Moved to QPR after the failed playoff bid in 2014/15 and was a key player for the hoops until a £1m transfer to Wednesday last summer.  Good all-round midfielder, his graft, coupled with neat and tidy passing allows Bannan and Brown to do their stuff.

CM: Barry Bannan (30) – experienced playmaker with a sweet left foot.  Scottish international who came to prominence at Aston Villa before moves to Leeds and Crystal Palace.  Joined the Owls on a free transfer in August 2015, making over 200 appearances, but only scored 11 goals – plenty of assists though.

AM: Izzy Brown (23) – Chelsea’s perennial loanee, with Wednesday acquiring his services this season. Previous loans at Vitesse (Holland), Rotherham, Huddersfield, Brighton, Leeds and Luton.  Very good at linking up with the forward players and an eye for a pass.  Should suit this Owls midfield nicely as the season progresses.

CF: Josh Windass (26) – son of Dean Windass, the Hull striker who broke our hearts at Wembley in 2007/08.  Started at Huddersfield before breaking through at Accrington, earning a move to Glasgow Rangers.  A £2.5m signing for Wigan in 2018, he moved to Wednesday on loan in January, completing a permanent move this summer.  Busy forward who can drop into the pocket to create space for his strike partner. My DANGERMAN32BC491B-0697-4ADE-8469-FC3522DFB735.thumb.jpeg.da698f9ad41b56968f453ea1a1dbb713.jpeg

Figure 12 - with the family connection there can only be one dangerman - Josh Windass

CF: Jordan Rhodes (30) – vastly experienced goal scorer who has over £30m of transfer fees to his name.  Started at Ipswich before breaking through at Huddersfield in 2009/10 scoring 86 times in 3 seasons.  A £9m move to Blackburn followed where he continued to score heavily (84 in 169 games), prompting Boro to pay £10m for him.  After a year at Boro, Wednesday paid another £10m for him in 2017.  It hasn’t really worked out for him at Hillsborough and he’s had a loan at Norwich in 2018/19 season.  But he looks like his partnership with Josh Windass might bring back his scoring touch.

Other players who may feature:

GK: Joe Wildsmith (24) – come through the academy ranks and has now played over 50 games for the Owls. 

RB: Moses Odubajo (27) – former Brentford full-back who arrived on a free last summer.

CB: Julian Börner (29) – big, powerful German born centre-back who arrived from Armenia Bielefeld last summer. 

LW/RW: Adam Reach (27) – tricky wideman who loves a long-range goal.  A casualty of Monk’s 352 like our own Niclas Eliasson.  Formerly of Middlesbrough, with loans at Preston, Bradford and Shrewsbury.

CF/RW: Elias Kachunga (28) – Championship promotion winner with Huddersfield, having been part of Wagner’s German Revolution in 2016/17.  Signed this month on a free transfer.  Can operate in any of the forward positions.

How do we win?

1.     Deal with set-pieces

I’ve already covered the threat posed by Wednesday from set-pieces and the flexibility they have with delivery from Brown and Bannan, but in open play they can also cause City problems.

2.     How do you solve a problem like Barry Bannan?

Most City fans come away from games against Wednesday with quotes such as “if only we had a Barry Bannan in our side” or “Barry Bannan ran the show today”.  For such a threat I have never seen an obvious plan put in place to stop him, which is hugely surprising seeing as Lee Johnson often told us that he is the best midfielder in the division.  He’s been given free rein to play his own game, and therefore he’s really hurt us in past encounters.  

91E1007E-E728-4136-94D9-E67476DE2718.jpeg.00e3298379f5c9965960f07a54a9a8b4.jpeg

Figure 13 - Bannan (v Cardiff) [source: Wyscout]

485A2FE2-4C39-493C-ABD3-070D0C882359.jpeg.1908cb91773637e421dbfad6a76c5c17.jpeg

Figure 14 - Bannan (v Watford) [source: Wyscout]

60FA66E5-9CE0-4FB4-98FD-3927F2E4B952.jpeg.7b8b59b0257f236c350e30f7ea74653c.jpeg

Figure 15 - Bannan heatmap (2020/21 season) showing how he likes the inside left position [source: Wyscout]

Firstly, City need to try to close off his short passing options and make him go long as much as possible.  Watford did this well and he barely made any passes in his favourite advanced inside left channel, resorting to longer balls and lower success rate.  You can see the difference in his passing map versus Cardiff where he was much more involved in the final third despite the Owls only having 37% possession.  City’s similar three-man midfield set-up might finally be the part of the antidote. 

Secondly, it’s not just a case a case of man-marking him.  He is the master of sucking his marker in nice and tight, and helping the ball “around the corner” first time and then picking up the next pass, taking his marker out of the game in the process. 

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Figure 16 - Bannan sucks his marker onto him (v Barnsley)

In the example above, Bannan receives the ball and takes a good first touch.  He sucks the Barnsley defender towards him and then makes the pass before he is challenged.  Bannan continues his run forward into the space the defender has vacated. 

3.     Exploit the space down the sides of the centre-backs

Not dissimilar to Stoke in that the three Wednesday centre-backs don’t like being dragged into wide positions.  This is an all too common flaw in a system with a back-three and wingbacks. 

BB4405DF-9317-43B6-9C89-70BD5FE54EA3.thumb.jpeg.04a820a7a20f1ec342aba18ee8c22f21.jpeg

Figure 17 - narrow centre-backs, Harris caught by the run in behind him (v Cardiff).

Following a corner, Cardiff work the ball to their left wing, where Harris, Brown and Bannan are guilty of not tracking Hoilett’s run.  Bennett easily slides a pass to Hoilett who can then face up the nearest defender, who on this occasion is Rhodes.  A similar scenario happened on the other side where Penney was caught out by a quick throw-in over his head.   

4.     Deal with a poacher 

The final area of threat is the twin strike-force of Windass and Rhodes.  Rhodes has had a lot of success over the years with a more physical partner alongside him – Lee Novak (Huddersfield) and Rudi Gestede (Blackburn).  However, with Wednesday’s switch to 352 and less reliance on crossing, Windass has given them a different and necessary added dimension with his hard work and his ability to drop into pockets.  This allows Rhodes to focus on his speciality – making sure he gets into the penalty box.  Both of the relatively inexperienced pairing of Taylor Moore and Zak Vyner dealt well with the aerial threat of Vokes and Fletcher last Sunday in the win at Stoke, but they will a different test against a goal-hanger like Rhodes who reacts quicker and more instinctively than most in the box.

Prediction:

Ultimately it will be a tough test against a side with a lot of quality in certain areas, and I see there being chances at both ends.

Bristol City 2:2 Sheffield Wednesday

[Credit: Peter Løhmann (@ploehmann) for his Wednesday player insight]

 

 

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6 minutes ago, Robbored said:

We can expect Barry Bannan to boss the midfield as he usually does against us. Izzy Brown is pretty useful as well.

Be interesting to see what midfielders Deano selects - that’ll be where the game is won or lost.

It’s funny that he doesn’t boss every game (against other teams) isn’t it?  LJ never put a plan in place....it was almost as if he wanted Bannan to dominate to back up his view that he is the best CM in the league.  He isn’t!  He’s good, don’t get me wrong, but when you watch him against other teams that close him down, and frustrate his passing options, he becomes a bit of a passenger....and he’s ill-disciplined without the ball.

Something I will be specifically looking out for tomorrow.  Don’t know for sure (obviously) but perhaps Weimann’s energy to get around him might be one idea / plan.

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Great write up ?

I’m guessing we’ll go unchanged from last Sunday and rightly so. I also always feel more comfortable when teams match up our 3-5-2, as I feel we often get picked apart when facing 4-3-3 or similar. 
 

Holden did mention that we might have a few back and ready for injury so perhaps Dasilva could be ready? Straight swap for Rowe it so. Would love for Kalas to be ready too, but I have a feeling we’ll give him until after the international break just to make sure that the shoulder is strengthened. 

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14 minutes ago, weepywall said:

Do you work for the club Dave ? If you don't you probably should ??

No, just love football....and OTIB is a great platform for discussing / debating it.

I like watching games with an understanding of our opponents, their systems and players.  It helps me understand why we don’t / can’t play perfectly every match or win every match too! ?

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12 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

It’s funny that he doesn’t boss every game (against other teams) isn’t it?  LJ never put a plan in place....it was almost as if he wanted Bannan to dominate to back up his view that he is the best CM in the league.  He isn’t!  He’s good, don’t get me wrong, but when you watch him against other teams that close him down, and frustrate his passing options, he becomes a bit of a passenger....and he’s ill-disciplined without the ball.

Something I will be specifically looking out for tomorrow.  Don’t know for sure (obviously) but perhaps Weimann’s energy to get around him might be one idea / plan.

Tomorrow will be the first Deano will have to decide how to stifle  Bannan - if he does decide to stiffle him. Maybe he doesn’t rate BB as highly as LJ did.........:dunno:. That’s why it’ll be interesting to see what midfielders Deano selects tomorrow.

However if Bannan is allowed free reign at AG he’ll boss the game.

 

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1 minute ago, Robbored said:

Tomorrow will be the first Deano will have to decide how to stifle  Bannan - if he does decide to stiffle him. Maybe he doesn’t rate BB as highly as LJ did.........:dunno:. That’s why it’ll be interesting to see what midfielders Deano selects tomorrow.

However if Bannan is allowed free reign at AG he’ll boss the game.

 

Agree totally.

Remember reading something once about how someone thwarted a really top player, can’t remember who it was, but they worked out that player A (the danger man) received a large portion of passes from player B....and therefore thought it was easier / more effective to man-mark player B instead.

I guess there are several ways to skin a cat.

Its a game where I’d love to be at AG to be able to see the whole pitch and what’s going on.

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2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Agree totally.

Remember reading something once about how someone thwarted a really top player, can’t remember who it was, but they worked out that player A (the danger man) received a large portion of passes from player B....and therefore thought it was easier / more effective to man-mark player B instead.

I guess there are several ways to skin a cat.

Its a game where I’d love to be at AG to be able to see the whole pitch and what’s going on.

Wouldn’t we all!  Bannan is an opposition player I really like to watch. 
 

 

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9 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Agree totally.

Remember reading something once about how someone thwarted a really top player, can’t remember who it was, but they worked out that player A (the danger man) received a large portion of passes from player B....and therefore thought it was easier / more effective to man-mark player B instead.

I guess there are several ways to skin a cat.

Its a game where I’d love to be at AG to be able to see the whole pitch and what’s going on.

I read an article that probably emphasises this perfectly.
Can't remember where/who but basically said everyone can get access to data and analysis , where the real important part comes into play, is how you analyse the data and act on it. Their point was that there was a clamber for the raw data, when in itself it is almost useless unless you can read and understand it. Then of course use it. 

BTW, who's Bannon's player 'B' , asking for a friend ?

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1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

No, just love football....and OTIB is a great platform for discussing / debating it.

I like watching games with an understanding of our opponents, their systems and players.  It helps me understand why we don’t / can’t play perfectly every match or win every match too! ?

Me too

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2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

 

Sheffield Wednesday: [Sunday 27th September – 13:00] – What can we expect?

Wednesday travel to Ashton Gate on Sunday having made a decent start to the season with a win at Cardiff and a draw at home to Watford so far.  It leaves them with four points, two clean sheets, but of course they still find themselves in 24th place due to a 12-point deduction for financial irregularities.  For now, it does not appear to be a millstone around their neck.  They progressed in the Carabao Cup with wins at Walsall on penalties and Rochdale but conceded their first goals of the season at Fulham on Wednesday evening as they exited the competition.

Manager:

Wednesday are managed by Garry Monk, the 41 year-old former Southampton and Swansea player who almost joined Bristol City as a player previously.  He arrived in September last year, having previously been at Swansea, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Birmingham, and is therefore very experienced at Championship level.   C98044AE-3068-4B9F-944E-A45ED8368FA2.thumb.jpeg.de471ab44e6116177b674f0215bab1c0.jpeg

Figure 1 – Garry Monk becoming the Owls manager

Last season started well, Monk taking them into the playoff places when beating us 1-0 in November, but then fell off a cliff with only four more wins the rest of the season.  Under Monk they ended up in a very disappointing 16th place and would’ve been relegated had the 12-point penalty been administered immediately.

470389D0-BC95-4108-BDB4-205D9DB8EF6E.jpeg.8900a5233df5f1545d5a0cbe78b0c256.jpeg

Figure 2 - Wednesday under Monk 2019-20 (source: Transfermarkt)

Recruitment:

Wednesday have had a busy summer albeit with limited funds available.  Only two players have come in for fees:

§  Josh Windass – from Wigan (£500k) having been on loan last season

§  Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – from Manchester City (undisc.)

Five more have joined on a free transfer, loan or returned from loan:

§  Chey Dunkley – Wigan

§  Elias Kachunga – Huddersfield

§  Izzy Brown – loan from Chelsea

§  Joost van Aken – returned from Osnabrück (2. Bundesliga)

§  Matt Penny – returned from St. Pauli (2. Bundesliga)

Going out the door is a lot of experience, but importantly a considerable portion of the wage budget too:

§  Atdhe Nuhiu – free

§  Fernando Forestieri – free

§  Sam Winnall – free

§  Steven Fletcher – free

§  Morgan Fox – free

§  Jacob Murphy – end of loan (Newcastle)

§  Connor Whickham – end of loan (Crystal Palace) There is significantly less aerial threat at the club as a result, and City certainly suffered from the triumvirate of Fletcher, Nuhiu and Whickham in recent times.  Wednesday are possibly a bit light in true centre-forward options as a result (Rhodes, Windass and Kachunga).

Formation / System:

Monk has been an advocate of a back four (442 / 4231) over his managerial career, but post-Covid has switched to the en-vogue 352.  His teams are usually well-drilled and based upon a good defensive shape. The rigid 442 he used at Birmingham with Jutkiewicz and Adams up front appears to have evolved at Wednesday.  Switching to a 352 has allowed Bannan to have more support in the centre of the park whilst not being burdened with sole responsibility for creativity.  A problem not unbeknown to City fans who have long questioned a midfield two in their own team selection!

A256B0E7-F63C-4206-8C00-1CD5159C3624.thumb.jpeg.3977d803373dbcce21f1de32c8987d45.jpeg

Figure 3 - Formation against Watford (19th September) – although Luongo (10) typically plays as the deeper midfielder.

It will be interesting to see whether removing Tom Lees as captain and giving it to Bannan will cause any problems in the dressing-room, and whether Bannan gives greater leadership on the pitch.  Some Owls fans believe it will be a masterstroke of man-management.

Build-up play:

Wednesday aren’t a team that build attacks through their goalkeeper and back-three, preferring to go long in the main.  The focus is often through the middle, where the midfield three are positioned for loose balls or the second striker running beyond for a flick on.  Wednesday’s players are expecting the long ball and therefore get into really good positions for whatever happens next.  They will also use the space behind the defence for Rhodes to run onto. 

D6CAAEAC-F7BB-4189-9D36-83102FC6A3C9.thumb.jpeg.21d697a764b3cb8ebb889f133da97f33.jpeg

Figure 4 - long ball from Dawson (GK) to Rhodes with Wednesday in good shape to win the next ball (v Cardiff)

The Press:

That extra man in the middle of the park allows Wednesday to press balls played into the midfield much more effectively than when it was just a two-man midfield.  The trio of Izzy Brown, Massimo Luongo and Barry Bannan can work efficiently to pounce on any mistakes.  They are aided by the energy of Josh Windass and to a lesser extent Jordan Rhodes dropping back from the centre forward positions.  In their two league matches so far, they’ve restricted Cardiff and Watford to very low number of passes before breaking up play.  Without crowds you can clearly hear the coaching staff bellowing – “PRESS, PRESS, PRESS”!

0E13592D-E093-4792-9618-EA94975CDD8C.thumb.jpeg.133ac2ebc32127f3a824560556a90db3.jpeg

Figure 5 - Rhodes presses Cardiff’s Bacuna (no7), Windass closes the passing option(s) and Brown ready to pounce.

6C854801-697E-4E09-BD8A-DA161423B532.thumb.jpeg.11c64726d9a9719bf99df266a70c8008.jpeg

Figure 6 - a sloppy pass (red arrow) into no-man's land by Bacuna, Brown reads it (blue arrow) and intercepts.

40CE56CC-92B8-41EA-8AB8-11DA9E0F86E7.thumb.jpeg.aafb56897e2d88105aa194e884c129e7.jpeg

Figure 7 - Brown wins the loose ball, and feeds Windass with a first-time pass, who is already running forward.

In the example above, Brown’s first-time pass sets Windass free, the Cardiff defenders are caught out, and Windass goes on to score to put the Owls 1-0 up.  Against Watford last Saturday there were several similar examples, with Penney (LWB) tucking-in to condense the space centrally.

Set-Pieces - Corners:

 We all know about the Owls corners from last season’s contests - City were undone for both goals at Ashton Gate post-Covid.  With Pat Mountain now taking responsibility for defensive set-pieces we will see if City have done their homework this time around. 

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Figure 8 - Bannan inswinging corner to the near post, headed away on this occasion

Nothing innovative above, Wednesday will attempt to block City’s defenders to allow a free run to the near post.  Izzy Brown will attempt the same near-post routine from the left side.  

Set-Pieces – Free-Kicks:

Wednesday will also be a threat from free kicks.  With Bannan’s left foot and Brown’s right, they have the ability to change the angle of delivery wherever the ball is placed. 

7362270B-F83C-4017-B882-00E2C67F5063.thumb.jpeg.2bb12dbbc7c16104ec11b1ddf8feab72.jpeg

Figure 9 - Bannan (left foot) reversing the angle for Iorfa to attack – note only 4 players in the penalty area

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Figure 10 - Iorfa wins the first header, Windass the second and Rhodes the third – goal!

In the above example we see Bannan reverse the angle of the cross for Iorfa to attack, and Jordan Rhodes ultimately sniffs out another goal.

From Brown’s right foot, we see the more conventional option (see below), with the cross aimed between the lines of both posts.  

8EEF891D-8276-4609-AF99-D6D634CB72DE.thumb.jpeg.8b84baf541c712969eeb2e60d110adef.jpeg

Figure 11 - Brown away-swinger, Bannan over the ball too to ensure opposition are kept on their toes (versus Watford)

Wednesday overload the penalty area with 4 players between near and far post, with van Aken making a run around the back in case the free kick is overhit.  This drags the defender behind Iorfa away, giving him more space to adjust and attack the ball.  In this example Iorfa heads wide.

Line-up:

GK: Cameron Dawson (25) – originally at rivals United as a youth player, joining the Owls in 2013.  Had loan spells locally at Alfreton and Chesterfield and has started to establish himself as the number one.  

RWB: Kadeem Harris (27) – hardworking winger who looks really at home in the wingback role.  Started at Wycombe before a move to Cardiff, joining Wednesday in the summer of 2019.  Can play on either side and likes to advance with the ball.  Loves a stepover - the “Wednesday Alan Walsh”!

RCB: Dominic Iorfa (25) – a player that really impressed me last season.  Remember seeing him for Wolves where he looked error-prone, but since had loans at Shrewsbury and Ipswich, has now grown physically and looks a really strong Championship centre-back, perhaps the three-man defensive has helped?  Threat in the opposition box too.

CB: Joost van Aken (26) – Dutch born defender formerly at Heerenveen, signed for £2.5m in 2017.  The 6’4” centre-back spent last season in Germany’s 2nd Tier for Osnabrück featuring 22 times before injury curtailed his season.  

LCB: Tom Lees (29) – very physical defender who started at Leeds United.  Signed for Wednesday at the start of the 2014/15 season and has over 200 appearances for the Owls and over 300 at this level.  Recently lost the captaincy to Bannan.

LWB: Matt Penney (22) – Chesterfield born academy product who has started both league games this season.  Also spent last season in 2. Bundesliga - with St. Pauli, starting 13 games.

CM: Massimo Luongo (27) – Aussie international who began his career at Tottenham before signing for Swindon in 2013, having had two loan spells at the Wiltshire club.  Moved to QPR after the failed playoff bid in 2014/15 and was a key player for the hoops until a £1m transfer to Wednesday last summer.  Good all-round midfielder, his graft, coupled with neat and tidy passing allows Bannan and Brown to do their stuff.

CM: Barry Bannan (30) – experienced playmaker with a sweet left foot.  Scottish international who came to prominence at Aston Villa before moves to Leeds and Crystal Palace.  Joined the Owls on a free transfer in August 2015, making over 200 appearances, but only scored 11 goals – plenty of assists though.

AM: Izzy Brown (23) – Chelsea’s perennial loanee, with Wednesday acquiring his services this season. Previous loans at Vitesse (Holland), Rotherham, Huddersfield, Brighton, Leeds and Luton.  Very good at linking up with the forward players and an eye for a pass.  Should suit this Owls midfield nicely as the season progresses.

CF: Josh Windass (26) – son of Dean Windass, the Hull striker who broke our hearts at Wembley in 2007/08.  Started at Huddersfield before breaking through at Accrington, earning a move to Glasgow Rangers.  A £2.5m signing for Wigan in 2018, he moved to Wednesday on loan in January, completing a permanent move this summer.  Busy forward who can drop into the pocket to create space for his strike partner. My DANGERMAN32BC491B-0697-4ADE-8469-FC3522DFB735.thumb.jpeg.da698f9ad41b56968f453ea1a1dbb713.jpeg

Figure 12 - with the family connection there can only be one dangerman - Josh Windass

CF: Jordan Rhodes (30) – vastly experienced goal scorer who has over £30m of transfer fees to his name.  Started at Ipswich before breaking through at Huddersfield in 2009/10 scoring 86 times in 3 seasons.  A £9m move to Blackburn followed where he continued to score heavily (84 in 169 games), prompting Boro to pay £10m for him.  After a year at Boro, Wednesday paid another £10m for him in 2017.  It hasn’t really worked out for him at Hillsborough and he’s had a loan at Norwich in 2018/19 season.  But he looks like his partnership with Josh Windass might bring back his scoring touch.

Other players who may feature:

GK: Joe Wildsmith (24) – come through the academy ranks and has now played over 50 games for the Owls. 

RB: Moses Odubajo (27) – former Brentford full-back who arrived on a free last summer.

CB: Julian Börner (29) – big, powerful German born centre-back who arrived from Armenia Bielefeld last summer. 

LW/RW: Adam Reach (27) – tricky wideman who loves a long-range goal.  A casualty of Monk’s 352 like our own Niclas Eliasson.  Formerly of Middlesbrough, with loans at Preston, Bradford and Shrewsbury.

CF/RW: Elias Kachunga (28) – Championship promotion winner with Huddersfield, having been part of Wagner’s German Revolution in 2016/17.  Signed this month on a free transfer.  Can operate in any of the forward positions.

How do we win?

1.     Deal with set-pieces

I’ve already covered the threat posed by Wednesday from set-pieces and the flexibility they have with delivery from Brown and Bannan, but in open play they can also cause City problems.

2.     How do you solve a problem like Barry Bannan?

Most City fans come away from games against Wednesday with quotes such as “if only we had a Barry Bannan in our side” or “Barry Bannan ran the show today”.  For such a threat I have never seen an obvious plan put in place to stop him, which is hugely surprising seeing as Lee Johnson often told us that he is the best midfielder in the division.  He’s been given free rein to play his own game, and therefore he’s really hurt us in past encounters.  

91E1007E-E728-4136-94D9-E67476DE2718.jpeg.00e3298379f5c9965960f07a54a9a8b4.jpeg

Figure 13 - Bannan (v Cardiff) [source: Wyscout]

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Figure 14 - Bannan (v Watford) [source: Wyscout]

60FA66E5-9CE0-4FB4-98FD-3927F2E4B952.jpeg.7b8b59b0257f236c350e30f7ea74653c.jpeg

Figure 15 - Bannan heatmap (2020/21 season) showing how he likes the inside left position [source: Wyscout]

Firstly, City need to try to close off his short passing options and make him go long as much as possible.  Watford did this well and he barely made any passes in his favourite advanced inside left channel, resorting to longer balls and lower success rate.  You can see the difference in his passing map versus Cardiff where he was much more involved in the final third despite the Owls only having 37% possession.  City’s similar three-man midfield set-up might finally be the part of the antidote. 

Secondly, it’s not just a case a case of man-marking him.  He is the master of sucking his marker in nice and tight, and helping the ball “around the corner” first time and then picking up the next pass, taking his marker out of the game in the process. 

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Figure 16 - Bannan sucks his marker onto him (v Barnsley)

In the example above, Bannan receives the ball and takes a good first touch.  He sucks the Barnsley defender towards him and then makes the pass before he is challenged.  Bannan continues his run forward into the space the defender has vacated. 

3.     Exploit the space down the sides of the centre-backs

Not dissimilar to Stoke in that the three Wednesday centre-backs don’t like being dragged into wide positions.  This is an all too common flaw in a system with a back-three and wingbacks. 

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Figure 17 - narrow centre-backs, Harris caught by the run in behind him (v Cardiff).

Following a corner, Cardiff work the ball to their left wing, where Harris, Brown and Bannan are guilty of not tracking Hoilett’s run.  Bennett easily slides a pass to Hoilett who can then face up the nearest defender, who on this occasion is Rhodes.  A similar scenario happened on the other side where Penney was caught out by a quick throw-in over his head.   

4.     Deal with a poacher 

The final area of threat is the twin strike-force of Windass and Rhodes.  Rhodes has had a lot of success over the years with a more physical partner alongside him – Lee Novak (Huddersfield) and Rudi Gestede (Blackburn).  However, with Wednesday’s switch to 352 and less reliance on crossing, Windass has given them a different and necessary added dimension with his hard work and his ability to drop into pockets.  This allows Rhodes to focus on his speciality – making sure he gets into the penalty box.  Both of the relatively inexperienced pairing of Taylor Moore and Zak Vyner dealt well with the aerial threat of Vokes and Fletcher last Sunday in the win at Stoke, but they will a different test against a goal-hanger like Rhodes who reacts quicker and more instinctively than most in the box.

Prediction:

Ultimately it will be a tough test against a side with a lot of quality in certain areas, and I see there being chances at both ends.

Bristol City 2:2 Sheffield Wednesday

[Credit: Peter Løhmann (@ploehmann) for his Wednesday player insight]

 

 

Condensed Version 

Sheffield  Wednesday (not a Bank holiday BTW):

Confusing I understand but Wednesday in Bristol will be on Sunday with a Monk leading them. May god go with them.

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