If you were unaware of how Sheffield Wednesday have started the season, you may think it’s been a disaster. A series of heavy defeats and a team familiar with each other failing to click again. The reality is we have won two out of our four games, and the two defeats were not awful. They were a close defeat to the current league leaders and a team just relegated from the Premier League. However, it seems some fans are demanding managerial change, writing off new signings and talking about must-win games. I struggle to understand the logic behind this and would argue it isn’t particularly useful.
Pedersen needs time, not artificial deadlines
Henrik Pedersen isn’t getting a free pass this season from the owners, and they will expect a certain level of results. David Storch’s admission that he would be disappointed if we didn’t get promoted in two seasons is interesting. It indicates he understands it may not click straight away, as per all our other stints in the third tier. So, I doubt he is talking about Bromley being a must-win, like some of our fanbase have. It feels like they have seized on the nature of the opponent to create this nonsense deadline.
It doesn’t matter about the size of the opponent; a third league game of a 46-game season can never be declared a must-win. If you are going to try and force such ridiculous deadlines, it takes away from any genuine concerns you have about Pedersen’s managerial performance. It also shows a level of disrespect to Bromley and the amazing work they have done to reach the third tier. They have earned the right to play at the same level as us and will be no pushovers. The idea of playing Bromley when I was growing up was unthinkable, but it’s the current reality.
The club is undergoing a massive rebuild off the field, which has been fantastic to see. However, there seems to be an assumption that things click instantly on the pitch this season. This was never going to be the case, and I think other managers would be given more patience. The squad has seen a lot of new players come in with various levels of experience. This was never going to see a fast start to the season, in all honesty.
But, for instance, against Wolves you could see the two Barrys looking to form a partnership. If this starts to click, then that will start giving us an attacking edge. Kieran Morrison also showed he could potentially be a real asset at this level but will need time to settle. The new signings have suffered injury curses already, which haven’t made it easy. This is due to the fact we need to take risks on players with poor injury records. It would be the case whether Pedersen is in the dugout or not.
I feel there is a challenge ahead for Pedersen, and he will be aware of that. However, all I would ask is that reasonable time and grace are given to him to achieve this. I do get the feeling if he wins on Saturday, then some will give no praise. Because if you have completely closed your mind on him, then you can’t find any positives and will only be happy when he is gone.
We never come out of the blocks in League One, and we are starting a season in our toughest circumstances yet. In the memorable Mind the Gap season, I remember getting stuffed 5-1 by Stevenage.
New signings deserve the same patience
There also seem to be grumblings about new signings before they have got a chance to prove themselves. It is inevitable that not all of them will work out, which isn’t exactly unique in football. The fact we had so many spots to fill in a short period of time while under restrictions is tough. It means we need to take more risks and rule out some preferred options. Ultimately, this does lead to situations like the Onyango injury, but that’s also typical Wednesday yet again.
So, we can’t get bogged down in what they have done before and should hope they can kick on at Hillsborough. The likes of Gray and Morrison will need patience as well due to their young age. We luckily have a chance to integrate younger players in more normal circumstances this season, but it requires the support of the fanbase.
It has been no coincidence that we can recruit loan players from top Premier League clubs under Pedersen. He has clearly earned the respect of these clubs, and they are happy to work with us. Any replacement may not have these same relationships.
Judge this season fairly
This fanbase has really been through so much this century, and we are all human. So, I guess this is me putting an argument that we need to fairly judge managers and players this season. I know promotion is something we all crave because League One is horrible. But it was never guaranteed this season, and even a change of manager won’t make it a certainty.