Source: FOOTYMAD
Megson must make a case for the defence to change Owls fortunes
Defensive disarray is costing Wednesday dear. Gary Megson takes charge of Sheffield Wednesday for the first time on Saturday with a sell-out away following travelling to Rochdale to see if he can make an instant impact on the Owls results. If this is to happen then the priority has to be focussed on improving the defensive displays. Wednesday haven’t had a problem in finding the net recently, having scored in ten of their last twelve league games but at the other end of the field the statistics tell a sorry story. Wednesday have not kept in clean sheet in their last nine League One matches and have shipped no less than twenty-five goals in this spell. To make matters worse the dire defending has been at its worst on the road and the Owls now face a run of five consecutive away matches. The last five away matches have seen the team concede 17 goals with each game ending in defeat. This poor run started in early December and with the defence identified as an area for improvement Wednesday made three additions to their back line in the January transfer window and allowed captain Darren Purse to leave the club. Unfortunately these changes have not had the desired effect so far and Wednesday have failed to settle on a preferred defensive line-up. New signings Reda Johnson, Michael Morrison and Mark Reynolds are yet to find their feet. As individuals Wednesday have some very capable defenders at their disposal at this level however, a complete reshuffle at this stage of the season can be hard to implement as games come thick and fast so there may not be as much time as is desired to work on creating an understanding between the new players. Megson has enjoyed previous managerial successes based upon defensive solidity and if he can get the Owls to do the basics right then promotion may still be a possibility but given the club’ current position this has to happen from the off, starting on Saturday at Rochdale.
