Sheffield Wednesday kicked off their pre-season campaign in style with a convincing 2-0 victory against Alfreton Town. New signings Josh Windass and Malik Wilks made an instant impact, finding the back of the net in their first outing.
The Owls showcased their depth by fielding two different lineups in each half, giving debuts to recent acquisitions Ben Hamer, Yan Valery, Max Lowe, Svante Ingelsson, and Olaf Kobacki. Notable exclusions from the squad included James Beadle, Di’Shon Bernard, and Dominic Iorfa, with reasons varying from recent rejoining to international duties.
Manager Danny Rohl shed light on Iorfa’s absence, emphasizing the importance of managing his workload and training regime to maximize his strengths. As one of the key players retained from the previous season, Iorfa’s contract renewal illustrates the club’s commitment to building a competitive squad.
With defensive improvements already visible under Rohl’s guidance, the addition of Iorfa’s experience and versatility bolsters their backline. However, as the team aims to ascend the Championship ranks, further reinforcements in defense may be necessary to solidify their standing and avoid relegation battles.
Rohl’s strategic signings of Lowe and Valery indicate a proactive approach to strengthening the squad, but notable upgrades in the central defensive positions could be pivotal for Sheffield Wednesday’s ambitions of securing a higher league finish.