Hull City - New Year - OMDT

[Lord Snooty]

 

 

 

So another calendar year is about to be consigned to the history books. But in football, the quirk means that the footballing year is still in mid flow and there are plenty of points still up for grabs and many twists and turns still to come in this years tale.

 

What a 12th months it has been. This time last year  we started the new year period sat in second place in League one and opened 2023 with a 5-0 win over Cambridge. All was going well, and a good January window could see us strengthen that position.

 

As it was we didn't do any business, whether it was deemed the squad was strong enough, whether we had deals lined up but couldn't get them over the line, or whether we simply didn't have the budget with the League 1 financial losses will be up for debate.

 

What can't be debated was that our rivals did do business. Ipswich , who sat 3rd did excellent business in not only bolstering their squad but bringing in players of Championship quality.

 

In typical Wednesday fashion, having signed no extras we then picked up two crucially bad injuries to Byers and Windass,(who had just hit a rich vein of scoring form) and Wednesday started falling away, and in the end found themselves limping over the line into the play-offs.

 

Ah yes. The play-offs.

 

We are often told that it's the best way to get promoted, the most dramatic. And it is. But is also the most cruel way to go out. And that certainly looks on the cards when we slumped to our worst performance of the season in the first leg at London Road falling down to a 4-0 defeat.

The fates, it seemed were against us. But what followed was one of the most memorable nights our beautiful old stadium has ever seen, and joins and possibly tops a pantheon of memorable moments. 

 

Coming back from four down was some feat. What remains ever more impressive than that feat itself , for me, was coming back again, when, after the Owls had run their blood to water, Peterborough got an undeserved equaliser which could have crushed the spirit. 

 

Then for Liam Palmer to be the one to level, a boyhood Wednesday fan. It's the dream come true, and moment which we all lived as if it was each one of us down there on the turf in the blue and white.

A moment of sporting joy so pure that only a football supporter could truly understand it.

 

 

And so to Wembley. A damp squib of a final in the end against our six fingered chums from up the road. Windass to the rescue at the Death repeating a feat his father had achieved those years before.

 

 

Back in the Championship.

We all knew it would be hard.  The core was there, but we needed strengthening and the January window and Ipswich's blistering end to the season showed the value of a good window. 

 

Barely a week after Wembley and some of the heros of the season were on their way. Jack Hunt, scorer of the coolest penalty I've ever witnessed in terms of magnitude was released. Along with the ever smiling Adeniran, and the want-away Dele-Bashiru. Experienced stopper Stockdale was given licence to move onto the next stage of his career with York City.

 

We needed bolstering before. WE certainly needed bolstering now.

Not to worry though, just 4 days before pre-season was due to start Darren Moore was on SKY telling an interviewer that he'd got a list of targets, some permanent and some Premier League loan deals already pencilled in and ready to go.

 

 

Days later he was gone. In circumstances that gave Wednesday the sort of press coverage that they haven't had for years. Perhaps sadly, more coverage than the Play-off come back.

 

The ex-manager kept a dignified silence, the owner however couldn't resist a little pop. How much was lost in translation is always up for debate. What cannot be debated in this case though was where he laid the blame. At the door of of Moore who he essentially called a greedy sod. Without actually releasing figures. 

   "He wanted four times more money!" the owner winnied

  Four times what though?

Four times £100k is a different to four times £1m, isn't it?

 

Without knowing the figures in relation to other Championship clubs, there's no barometer, and it comes across as a hatchet job and a convenient excuse to part the ways.

 

Why not a more honest way of doing it? Like Watford "Yes, he's got us up, but we just don't fancy him anymore"

Eventually Moore did have his say, and said it was about "moving transfer budgets".

As ever the truth probably lays somewhere in the middle.

 

Of course, as all this farce played out the dawn of the new season was only just around the corner and Wednesday needed someone to come in and take control of a ship veering off course and staffed only with a skeleton crew.

 

THE NEW MAN - Part 1

Eventually, after what seemed like an age, Wednesday appointed Xisco Munoz. A granite faced Spaniard who looked suitably p*ssed off from the off,  and little wonder as the owner quickly hijacked his revealing press conference to have a pop at former Wednesday midfielder Carlton "Leighton" Palmer in front of the National press in a bizarre and childish rant .

 

 MOST BIZARRE MANAGER UNVEILING IN WEDNESDAY HISTORY

 

Wednesday wasted no time in jetting off to Spain for the seasons preparations. Videos showed the players riding bikes and, it has to be said looking boiled alive. The games themselves left those who saw them worried.  Pre-season, it is often argued, means nothing in the long run, and results wise that is true, but there were already some worrying signs.  Most prominent among them, attacking intent  or lack of it.

 

As you do, you try and convince yourself these are mere teething problems.  "Well, there's no point charging about killing yourself in the heat" I found myself uttering.

 

However, by the time pre-season had finished we looked none the better having only one win - a testimonial at Chesterfield - and infact more worryingly our best player through pre-season was the young lad Phuthi from the youth team.

 

 

 

Never the less 28,558 packed into Hillsborough for Xiscos championship bow with the Owls, despite the game being on the tellybox.  What proceeded was a walk in the park for the away side who dominated the ball for the entire game and barely gave Wednesday a kick of it. Only saves from Cameron Dawson stopped it becoming a cricket score.

 

The fact that Southampton sold £150m pounds worth of this talent the week after this fixture seemed to be typical bad fortune for Wednesday. 

 

However as the defeats started to rack up, there were other worrying factors starting to show through.  The manager became seemingly obsessed with giving the two oldest players in the squad, Bannan and Gregory completely new positions to play.  After a 25 year career as a centre forward Gregory was now being asked to play some odd midfield role. And Bannan, the diminutive Scottish play-making maestro was asked to move into attack, leading to the ridiculous sight of him challenging gargantuan, brutish Championship centre backs for headers. 

 

 

Delgado, a willing Chilean runner was picked to play wherever there was a space to be filled on the day, though seemingly never considered for the position in which he actually made his name as an experienced World Cup  International - right back!

 

As the defeats mounted so did the concern. It wasn't just the number of defeats, though the number of those alone was terrifying -it was the manner of the defeats. There seemed to be no game plan other than to randomly select players , usually out of positions, and then send them onto the pitch with an instruction not to cross the half way line under any circumstances.

 

Xisco started to cut a more waspish figure in the press, giving ever more sarcastic replies when asked about his teams poor play, terrible results and bizarre team selections.

 

All the while that Wednesday struggled to create a chance, never mind to put one away, last seasons second top assist creator, Marvin Johnson,  was training on his own after being bombed out during Pre-season. A clear case of a personality clash being put before the team.  Small man syndrome at it's worst effect.

 

As the team  stumbled from one defeat to another, away from the pitch the Chairman , amongst many missives released during the first half of the season, seemed to be on a one man mission to to blow up the the bridges of connection that Darren Moore had done so well to build between the club and the fans last season.

The owner once more accusing fans  of not helping the club, being needlessly negative about the club, (who sat rock bottom with one point to their name) and further announcing that he was sick of the moaning and wouldn't be putting another penny in.

 

Less than 10 days later he was having to put his hand in his wallet to pay Xisco and his team off. Though from what it seems there was only Xisco and a couple of chums ever involved.

 

A far cry from the man who replaced him...

 

 

THE NEW MAN - Part 2

Enter Röhl

 

With Wednesday sat plum bottom the idea we'd get a top manager seemed way off the mark - Unless the wage and bonus for keeping us up was ridiculous, like Leeds clownishly threw at Allardyce for 5 games. 

 

Besides, the notion of trying to buy your way out of trouble seemed barmy to a club already feeling the financial pinch, and for an owner who's previous 'gambles' have back fire hugely on both the club and himself personally.

 

The usual names were bandied about. The list of has-beens and never will-be's. As people sat doodling the calculations and poring over track records it soon became evident that of all the current managers on the block there was only one who ticked the boxes and had the attributes and track record to rescue clubs in this position.

 The problem was, he was old enemy. One of them. 

 

For as many pointed to Colin being the only one capable of providing a Red Adair style fire dampening to our perilous league position there were as many again who just couldn't get past his past affiliation down the road.

 

 

WARNOCK- CLEARLY THE BEST CV BUT THE LINKS ACROSS THE DIVIDE WERE TOO DEEP FOR MANY TO GET OVER 

 

As it is, it mattered not, as the owner had probably never heard of him anyway...

 

With only Colin with a CV anywhere near what was required, and him being unpalatable to many, Wednesday went down the road of "The untested manager" - A young coach in search of stepping out from the shadows and becoming a number one in his own right.

 

If the owner was looking to save a few pounds by employing a young eager coach making his way in the game however, it didn't happen, as the forthright young German Danny Röhl laid down his plans early in negotiations which delayed his appointment , of he was coming in he wanted things done right and had plans in place and those plans included a large backroom staff brought in from high positions wherever they have been. Red Bull, Manchester United, Tottenham were the previous working environments of the first three back room staff in the door and there were more to follow. The owner had to dig deep in his pockets to get his man. 

 

On the pitch, the rookie manager didn't take long to work out what was what. First he Restored Bannan to midfield. Then brought Johnson back in from the Wilderness.  Most importantly of all though, even more than giving all the players a fresh start - he sent his teams out to have a go.  The difference between Xisco-ball and Danny-Ball is chalk and cheese and there for all to see, despite no up turn in results at first.

 

Is it, at times perhaps,  youthfully naive  to always go for the win?  To always make the positive changes? Well, quite possibly.

 

DANNY BOY - YOUNG, FORWARD THINKING - BUT STILL LEARNING

 

But the truth is, in our positions nothing else will do. It's certainly better , in my opinion, to go down trying to win rather than trying not to lose as it was under the previous incumbent of the gaffers chair.

 

 

 

Wednesday and Röhl face a Herculean task but perhaps for once the Gods are smiling upon us...

 

Maybe the stars have aligned. 

For there are few young coaches would have been given the opportunity in England to get a club the size of Sheffield Wednesday for their first job, unless that club hadn't been in such a terrible position, both on and off the pitch.

 

Equally, would a struggling yo-yo club like Wednesday, who's troubles behind the scenes are well known and documented across the footballing World been able to entice a promising young manager like Röhl to come if it wasn't his first gig?

 

It is a marriage perhaps  forged from circumstance, but if things go right, it might just work and together the future could be very bright. 

 

One of the games brightest young coaches trying to realise his undoubted potential  at one of England's oldest and finest Clubs whose true potential has never quite been unlocked.  

 

It could, due to the fluke of circumstance, end up being a marriage made in heaven.

 

Still, there's a way to go yet.

 

Lets start by getting 3 points against Hull , and then take it from there

                                                                                   

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

 

 

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WEDNESDAY

~V~

HULL CITY

                        

 

Jan 1, 2024

5.15pm
Hillsborough Stadium

 

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WEDNESDAY

Having lost Bambo Diaby to a red card against Coventry City on Boxing Day - the defender will serve the second of a three-game ban this week -  Wednesday also saw George Byers dismissed in confusing circumstances during the win over Preston.

 

Byers was reportedly given his marching orders for an off-the-ball incident with Mads Frokjaer-Jensen after referee Rebecca Welch had initially waved play on from a tackle, leaving Röhl bemused, and he now stands to serve a three-game suspension unless Wednesday succeed with an appeal.

 

In more negative news, Akin Famewo and Will Vaulks sustained hamstring injuries in the first half at Deepdale - but Röhl has affirmed that the club will do everything they can to get the former two fit for Monday.

 

 

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TIGERS

In contrast, Hull came out of their thrilling win over Blackburn with no new injury or suspension concerns, but goalkeeper Ryan Allsop could not contribute due to his back problem and will likely sit out the trip to Sheffield too.

 

Ruben Vinagre (hamstring), Jaden Philogene (knee) and Dogukan Sinik (knee) are also out of contention for the Tigers, who at least had captain Lewie Coyle at their disposal on Friday following an ankle scare for the right-back.

 

 

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Edited January 1 by Lord Snooty

[Basement Jack]

Great summary Snoots

As always thanks for taking the time

 

Who would have thought that just a a few months ago we would have such optimism moving into 2024

 

Danny Röhl has changed the whole dynamic in such a short space of time

 

Röhl on tomorrow Röhl on 2024

[Holmowl]

Amazing.

 

Thanks Snoots for the whole year ️️️️️

[REDOWL]

Spot on summary M'lord and thank you for all your contributions. 

We believe in our Wednesday 

WAWAW 

 

[Pablo Bonvin]

Enjoyed reading that Milord. Sort of.

 

Don't like being reminded about who I consider is the worst manager ever to sit in the cherished S6 dugout.

 

2023 has had more ups and downs than the old Corkscrew at Alton Towers.

 

Anyway I'm more optimistic about 2024 than I thought I might have been back in early October.

 

Good luck to the boys tomorrow.

 

Happy New Year everyone!

 

 

[Fablon Dunlop]

2-0 Wednesday

 

Believe.

 

Windass and Gassama. 

[doubleo]

Thank you m’lord and a Happy New Year to all Wednesday.

Different gravy to the last time we played the pussycats. We can do this. C’mon Wednesday.

[prowl]

Well done Snoots. A cracking round up of a topsy turvey year.

Thanks for all your OMDT efforts this year and we won't mention the ones you missed, everyone needs a day off now and again, although as you only do OMDT posts once or twice a week I would have thought that would be ample.

Keep up the good work. Here's to a great 2024.

[parkfieldowl14]

Just like to wish Lord Snoots and Eveyone on OT ' A HAPPY NEW YEAR'  'and lets hope for better things in 2024. Sneaky feeling that we'll get 3 points tomoorow night. 2-1 Home Win.

[Utah Owl]

Wow, epic OP! You certainly didn't pen that one at the last minute whilst in the Nuns Chuff!

 

Great work as always, fingers crossed for a barnstorming 2024.

[maidstoneowl]

Brilliant read, thank you for your effort Snoots.

[OWLNZ]

Awesome mi lord. Could't fault a word of your summary of our rollercoaster 2023.

Happy New Year to the Owlstalkers.

 

1-0 to Wednesday . (Dawson 90+7)

[Castleford Owl]

https://www.not606.com/threads/sheff-wed-v-hull-city.410455/

 

Lot of hate for us on their forum. Bizarre.

 

Confident of the win.

[alanharper]

26 minutes ago, Utah Owl said:

Wow, epic OP! You certainly didn't pen that one at the last minute whilst in the Nuns Chuff!

 

Great work as always, fingers crossed for a barnstorming 2024.

 

He pre-records it at New Year, then pretends it's going out live. He's like Owlstalk's very own Jools Holland, but with a bit less boogie woogie piano.

[Geedee]

Fabulous OP Lord Snooty.

 

A really difficult match to start 2024. 

 

But the real challenge is the transfer window, we need DC to back DR that will be the real early win for 2024.

 

 

[VictoryBell]

Snoots, you summed it up in exactly the way that I feel it has gone (which is bloody worrying, as I am very rarely correct about anything at all, let alone the mystery of professional football!!).

 

At this moment (fingers crossed along with everything else) we can at the very least say that Danni has united us all in admiration of ,and gratitude towards, him and the great things he has done in such a short time.

 

There are many things wrong with this stinking world and this stinking country - and I am sure worse things and deeper moral abysses yet to come, very soon - but for once, Wednesday are a source of optimism and joy (mad! we're adrift in 25th place!) and another reminder of how important it is to just keep fighting the good fight.

 

God bless Snoots! God bless Danni!

 

C'mon you blue 'n' white wizards!!!

[Southie_Owl]

I’d settle for a draw, be 5 points off safety and then spend 10 days focusing on bringing in new players. 

[Stan Dupowls]

Well done Lord Snooty for raising a smile most weekends with your ramblings! Here’s to a miracle 2024.

HNY All and UTO!

[REDOWL]

[Whitechapel Owl]

UTO