Sheffield Wednesday: Boss Carlos Carvalhal praises versatile Owls player

The Owls head coach has fielded Reach in multiple of positions since capturing the left-sided player from Middlesbrough in August 2016.

Less than two weeks have passed since Reach lined up at full-back against bottom club Bolton Wanderers and was given a torrid time by Sammy Ameobi.

Carvalhal then switched Reach to left wing in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Derby County and the 24-year-old put in a typically hard-working, energetic display.

“I have two or three players who if I move them to another position, they will play at the same level; Reach is one of them,” Carvalhal told The Star.

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“When he plays at left-back he plays at a level, left wing at a level.

“He played one game last season - at Cardiff - as a striker, once inside in midfield, and is a player who can play in different positions at the same level.

“It’s the profile of Reach, very similar to Kieran Lee. He runs 12km, and the quality usually comes from the high intensity.

“He is an athletic player, who can fight and run.”

Wednesday have two recognised left-backs on their books in Daniel Pudil and Morgan Fox.

But Carvalhal argues Reach is equally effective in the position.

He stressed: “I don’t play him out of position; Reach played left-back for a lot of games at Middlesbrough, also at Preston, on the left of three centre-backs.

“It’s not strange to him. When we need to attack more, to put a player deep in attack, do the corridor on the left, he is the best player to do that.

“If we need to play defensively more consistent, maybe we can put Daniel (Pudil) or Morgan (Fox) in.”

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Although the Owls have lost four of their last five matches, Carvalhal is sure the club will come through this sticky patch. His Wednesday side host South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley tomorrow (12.30pm) in the first part of a home double-header.

“We are looking forward to playing at Hillsborough in front of our fans,” said Carvalhal.

“The last time we played there we did very well, a fantastic game in the derby against Leeds. It’s good to be back home again.

“What we must do on Saturday is try to continue what we did in the last game, try to play with 10 (outfield) players, with the same attitude and heart.

“It will not be an easy game, it’s a derby. Barnsley don’t play typical English football, they try to play, so it will be an interesting game.

“They have a young team, organised, fight and run a lot. They change a lot, one year to the next, but still are competitive. We expect a difficult game.

“We are 16th position at this moment, that’s a reality, and we want to change position as soon as possible.”

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