It's been one of the more significant weeks at Hillsborough in some time. Wednesday have a new manager, the coaching staff has been reshaped, and the first match of the Dave Challinor era comes this afternoon with an FA Cup trip to Oldham.
Ten men, one point
The week began with a 1-1 draw against Blackpool last Sunday, and it felt like two points dropped and one earned at the same time. Matt Hamshaw, in his last game as interim boss, brought Liam Palmer, Jaden Heskey and Sil Swinkels into the side. For about 25 minutes it looked like a good call. Davis Keillor-Dunn pounced on a loose pass from Leighton Clarkson in the centre circle, ran at the defence and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from distance. It was a goal that deserved to win a game.
It didn't. Five minutes before half-time Swinkels was sent off for colliding with Tom Bloxham as the last man. That left Wednesday defending for most of an hour, and they did it well. Ernie Weaver's block on Taylor was typical of the effort. But in the 81st minute Albie Morgan's ball over the top found Jerry Yates, and the former Owls loanee squeezed his shot past Ashley Maynard-Brewer. In the last minute of normal time Olly Casey hit the crossbar, so in the end the point felt like it had been earned. Challinor watched from the stands, and he'll have learned plenty about this squad's spirit, and about how thin the margins are.
Enter Challinor
The club confirmed on Sunday that an agreement had been reached. On Tuesday Challinor was officially unveiled on a contract until summer 2030. His record speaks for itself: more than 850 games as a manager, seven promotions, and a Stockport side he took from the National League to the edge of the Championship. Sporting Director Simon Wilson called him the outstanding candidate, and the two have worked together before. With both of them already knowing how the other works, there shouldn't be much time lost settling in.
His first press conference was all about clarity: clear structure, clear roles, and "high challenge, high support." He spoke plainly about the minimum he expects, which is to out-work and out-run the opposition. He also said that people will judge his team on what they see, not on what he says. That's the right line to take with this fanbase, and a refreshing one after recent months.
Backroom shuffle
On Thursday the club confirmed that Pete Shuttleworth has left with immediate effect. He gets a warm send-off, with credit for his role during the administration period. Challinor's staff is now set. Clint Hill and Antony Sweeney arrive as assistants, Matt Hamshaw stays on alongside them, and Daryl Flahavan continues as goalkeeping coach. Andy Holdsworth will focus on individual development for players aged 18 and over, and Giles Coke goes back to the Under-21s. Keeping Hamshaw makes sense: it gives the new staff someone who knows the dressing room.
Jamo's month
Reece James was voted October's Player of the Month, just ahead of September's winner Liam Cooper by 34 per cent to 32. Keillor-Dunn was a distant third on 10. James has made 12 appearances since coming back in the summer, and his consistency at left-back has been one of the quieter positives of the season.
The kids are alright
The Under-18s beat Gateshead 6-0 in the FA Youth Cup first round at Hillsborough on Monday night. Will Grainger and substitute Charlie Robinson both scored twice, and Harry Chadbourne and Roman Cawley added the others. Gateshead had the better of the opening minutes, hitting the woodwork early on, before Luke Morgan's side took over. Cheadle Town away is next.
There was also a lot of loan movement among the young professionals. Kailen Hatfield has gone to Stalybridge Celtic until 28 November. Joel Akpobi and Denny Oliver have joined Pontefract Collieries for a month, and Josh Bayliss has gone to Farnborough in the National League South. All of them are getting senior minutes at the right level.
International call-ups
Kieran Morrison is back with Northern Ireland for Nations League games against Ukraine (14 November) and Hungary (17 November). He set up a goal on his first start against Ukraine last month. After today's cup tie, Sean Fusire joins Zimbabwe and Jordi Liongola joins Burundi for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Liongola has only just returned from injury and was on the bench against Blackpool, so his call-up is good news.
What's next
Today's game at Oldham is sold out, with 2,323 Wednesdayites at Boundary Park. Next Saturday (14 November) Plymouth come to Hillsborough for Challinor's first home league game. Then on Friday 20 November it's Barnsley at Oakwell, live on Sky at 8pm. The full allocation of 4,810 has already gone. If you missed out, David Hirst is hosting a £10 watch party in Hirsty's Social, and the price includes a drink.
Further ahead, Sky Sports+ has moved two fixtures to 12:30pm kick-offs: Doncaster at home on 23 January and Wigan away on 20 February. The club has also launched a £149 Premium Experience Christmas gift package for two, covering festive and new-year home games.
Sources: swfc.co.uk.
Image: swfc.co.uk