We spoke to Dom Howson, EFL sports journalist for Reach PLC, ahead of Sunderland’s match against Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light on Sunday to get the lowdown on the opposition.
F1879: Sheffield Wednesday got the better of the Black Cats in this fixture back in May, and in these early moments of the campaign sit atop of the Championship after an impressive display against Plymouth. What is the sense amongst the fan base around Danny Rohl’s side, his style of play and in broad terms where he could take the Owls?
DH: There is a buzz around the place again. The connection between the fan-base and Rohl is so strong. It is an exciting time to be a Wednesday fan. It feels like Rohl is building something special.
He won them over immediately and pulled off the great escape after taking over the reins with Wednesday rock bottom of the table. It was one heck of an achievement to keep them up.
Rohl wants Wednesday to play an aggressive, attack-minded brand of football. He is not afraid to mix up their style of play as he demonstrated on a number of occasions last season. Expect them to play out from the back more but to put opponents under pressure high up the pitch when they are in possession.
Where could Rohl take Wednesday? Anything feels possible. If they can get off to a strong start, a top six push is not out of the question.
F1879: It is understood Rohl preferred his side to have two preseason camps – one in the UK and one in Germany. How did those go and were there any changes noted during pre-season friendlies, such as tweaks to his preferred formation or general tactics? Or was it more building upon what has gone before?
DH: Fitness is a big thing for Rohl and his coaching staff certainly put the players through their paces in the two camps. Rohl is not set on one formation. His team often changes shape in matches.
He used pre-season as an opportunity to bed in his summer signings and play different systems. Wednesday lined up with a back four and a back three as Rohl is keen for them to be tactically adaptable to keep the opposition guessing.
His principles are still the same. Rohl expects Wednesday to be strong with and without the ball.
F1879: Do you think Rohl will likely tinker with this formation or tactics against Sunderland at the weekend or likely deploy the same methods as he did at the Stadium of Light back in May?
DH: It is hard to see Rohl tinkering too much with their set up after their superb opening day win over Plymouth. It was the perfect start. Four goals, a clean sheet and three points.
Wednesday dominated from the off and it would not have flattered them had they won by more. Their strength in depth has gone up a notch following Rohl’s summer recruitment.
F1879: What do you think Sheffield Wednesday’s likely starting XI will be?
DH: New signing Ike Ugbo may have to settle for a place on the bench. Surely Rohl can’t change the starting XI after a comprehensive 4-0 win?!
Wednesday XI (4-2-3-1); Beadle; Valery, Iorfa, Bernard, M Lowe; Bannan, Inglesson; Gassama, Windass, Musaba; J Lowe.
F1879: The season is only one game old but, with the 10 new summer recruits added to the mix, who have been the best players during pre-season and who will be the ones the Black Cats should be concerned about?
DH: Inglesson put in an outstanding performance on debut. He formed a strong partnership in the middle of the park with captain Barry Bannan, creating the opener for Jamal Lowe. It was good for Lowe to get off the mark, having looked sharp in pre-season. Valery also acquitted himself well at right-back.
F1879: Early days into the season but do you think Ike Ugbo will pick up where he left off during the last campaign? He is a striker that Sunderland were also reportedly monitoring. Is there anything you can tell us about that? Do you feel there was anything in any of those links?
DH: I can’t shed any light on how strong Sunderland’s interest was in Ugbo. Rohl and Wednesday always hoped to bring him back. He was a big hit at Hillsborough last season, scoring some crucial goals in their survival mission.
Will Ugbo be the main man? Wednesday have got some good options in attack. They have paid around £2.5m for him. Big things will be expected of Ugbo and it will be interesting to see how he goes on.
F1879: Other than Jack Clarke, which Sunderland player do you think Wednesday will be worried about most when they meet at the weekend?
Jobe Bellingham breaking deep from midfield. Ingelsson and Bannan will need to communicate well to make sure they pick him up when he does go forward to join the attack.
F1879: Which Wednesday player do you think Sunderland should be worried about most?
DH: Probably Barry Bannan. He was exceptional versus Plymouth. A seasoned operator at this level, Bannan is the man that makes Wednesday tick in midfield.
F1879: Where do you think Sunderland and Wednesday will finish in the league?
DH: Top half finish for Wednesday (Rohl has set a target of top 10). Bottom half for Sunderland.
F1879 Score prediction for Sunday?
DH: It should be a good watch. 1-1.
Thanks to Dom. You can follow him on X
