Sheffield Wednesday’s nightmare start to the season shows no signs of easing, with matters on and off the pitch piling further pressure on the Hillsborough club.

After being dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town in midweek — a result that even Mariners boss David Artell admitted he felt sympathy over — the Owls’ problems have deepened. A planned fan boycott of the tie failed to gain traction, leaving frustration among supporters still simmering.

Back in Championship action this weekend, Wednesday face the daunting reality of having just a single point to their name. The need for experience is glaring, yet the club’s transfer hands are tied.

Cooper deal blocked by embargo

According to The Star, Wednesday had lined up a potential move for former Leeds United captain Liam Cooper, who left Elland Road last summer after a decade of service before a short-lived spell with CSKA Sofia.

A return to Yorkshire looked on the cards, but the Owls’ double embargo has scuppered the deal. Current EFL restrictions prevent any club under sanction from signing free agents if their squad already includes more than 16 players with three or more senior league starts. That rule leaves Wednesday unable to add the 34-year-old defender to their ranks.

A missed opportunity for leadership

The loss is significant. Cooper’s leadership and Championship know-how could have been invaluable to Henrik Pedersen’s side, especially with injuries already taking a toll — Nathaniel Chalobah picked up a setback on the opening day.

Instead, Wednesday must soldier on with the squad they have, making their trip to high-flying Portsmouth on Saturday even more daunting. With Pompey in excellent form, fears of the Owls’ winless streak continuing are very real.

The collapse of the Cooper move underlines the wider struggles that have dogged the club in recent months — off-field turmoil seeping into on-pitch struggles, and no quick fix in sight.