Source: FOOTYMAD
Owls after 9 but where does squad need strengthening most?
Which areas will be Megson's priority in building his side? With the close season now upon us Gary Megson is preparing to build his Sheffield Wednesday side in order to challenge for promotion from League One next season. Having taken over the reigns at Hillsborough in February the former Wednesday player has had time to assess what he currently has available to him and where the squad needs to be strengthened. Megson has identified a shortlist of 9 players that he would like to join the Owls over the course of the summer and as is customary at this time of year the rumours are rife as to just who may be on this wish list but which positions are the priority if Wednesday are to enjoy a successful season next term? There is no getting away from the fact that the Owls were simply not good enough as a defensive unit last season. Things improved towards the end of the campaign thanks to the additions of loan players Danny Batth and Rob Jones and Megson has suggested that some of his targets would be well known to Owls fans. Batth’s availability may depend on whether his parent club Wolves remain in the Premier League. The youngster is highly regarded by them and should they be relegated he may well become more prominent in their immediate plans. Wednesday do have a few defensive options available with the likes of Mark Beevers, Reda Johnson, Michael Morrison and Mark Reynolds however the latter two have failed to impress since joining the club in January and someone like Jones would certainly add some experience to what is generally a young defensive unit. Utility defender Lewis Buxton has been offered a new contract but as yet his intentions are unclear and a full-back if not two may well be on Megson’s shopping list. Midfield is definitely an area where additions are expected. Tommy Miller captained the side under Megson towards the end of last season but has since been released and will need to be replaced. Darren Potter remains on the club’s books and James O’Connor has been offered a new contract but their partnership has not brought much success in the past and more creativity, energy, goal threat and combativeness is required if the Owls are to succeed. Wide areas may also need some work. Jermaine Johnson has been offered a new contract and as Megson has stipulated, he has the ability to be a real success at this level if he can hone certain aspects of his game. Gary Teale got off to a decent start last term but his performances dipped in the 2nd half of the campaign and with Chris Sedgwick seemingly past his best fresh options may well be required in this area. With 20 goals last season Neil Mellor was the stand out performer in the Owls attack and could well be one of the names on Megson’s list. Having spent the season on loan at Hillsborough Mellor has returned to Preston and would demand a fee if Wednesday are to continue their interest, there is also likely to be interest from other clubs for his signature. Gary Madine is set to play a big role next season but Paul Heffernan and Clinton Morrison were largely out of favour under Megson last term and the manager may well be looking to bolster his attacking options. The one position in which Wednesday do look pretty solid is goalkeeper. But for the odd blip Nicky Weaver had a very good campaign on his return to he club and has recently signed a new contract. When Weaver was sidelined with injury in March Richard O’Donnell came in and proved to be an able deputy and with youngster Arron Jameson waiting in the wings it would appear that the outfield area are more in need of attention than this position. Having finished the season in a very disappointing 15th place it is little surprise that Megson has identified as many as 9 additions already in order to turn the Owls into promotion contenders. Time will tell if the club can make good on these targets and if so, whether they will have the desired impact.
