The club was on a high at the close of last season, pulling off one of the most spectacular play-off semi-final comebacks in history and winning the playoff final against Barnsley in extra time at Wembley.
Finally, they escaped the clutches of League One football and returned to the second flight, but it hasn’t been easy.
They’ve only managed three points in 11 games, and none of them have come in win. The current Championship table is shown below.
Their summer recruiting was unimpressive, the team before that was going to need to step up to play well in the Championship, and they lost the manager who got them promoted before the season even started. On Saturday, they faced said manager (Darren Moore), eking out a ‘bore draw’ at home against his new Huddersfield team.
Everyone agrees that fortunes will have to change drastically on Wednesday. They’ll hope that replacing Xisco Munoz would help, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they’re busy in January as well.
With that in mind, FLW looks at five players who the club should be aiming to sign in the winter window to give themselves the greatest chance of remaining in the top flight.
The Peterborough striker is a proven goalscorer in the EFL, and having a consistent, regular goal threat is one of the few surefire ways to remain up.
Through 11 league games, Wednesday has only scored five times. The 29-year-old has nearly as many on his own.
He almost returned to Bristol Rovers late in the summer window for £800,000 plus add-ons, but Rovers failed to complete the proper paperwork in time. The remark by Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri that he will not “inject more money” into the club makes an acquisition less probable. They do, however, require a solid signing at the top of the pitch.
A move like this might be more prudent in terms of money, but it would be more risky on the pitch. He’s seen some action for parent club Crystal Palace this season, but they may be prepared to let him go in exchange for more playing time.
Last season, he scored 15 goals for Charlton Athletic in League One. He can play anywhere along the frontline, giving Wednesday extra options up front.
Hugill might be a target for the Owls if the Premier League loan market is where they aim to shop in January.
The 19-year-old has a great age-group goalscoring record for Manchester United and has been in good form this season.
The Old Trafford club would most certainly want to see him tested at the senior level as well.
When it comes to adaptability, this guy has a lot of it. He plays left-back for Fleetwood Town, but he can also play higher up, on the left flank, or as a central defender, which would be ideal for Wednesday’s style.
Fleetwood have been a disappointment this season, but he has been a great performer, with a 7.04 Sofascore match rating. He can also serve as an offensive threat when necessary.
Earl’s contract expires at the end of the season, thus Town may be more open to a trade offer rather than losing him for free.
The Swedish offensive midfielder is in the top 5% of midfielders in the world’s top 14 men’s leagues for non-penalty xG. He also ranks in the top 5% of midfielders in terms of advanced passes and touches within the 18-yard box.
The Swedish international can play both centrally and on the flanks, giving the Owls additional creative alternatives.
