A sudden epiphany on transfers at Sheffield Wednesday that should be welcomed

Things you thought you’d never write - like being almost as impressed with the outs as the ins at Sheffield Wednesday this summer. And surprised. Pleasantly so. It’s as if there’s been an epiphany that transfers are about two way trading and balancing the books where necessary.

Another example, primarily, of Danny Rohl’s transforming influence and maybe, too, the strength of his will. But also apparently - and if so let it be acknowledged - an owner’s willingness to reform.

Results may reflect teething troubles in a new squad right now. But in the long run it’s surely the way to go. And you wonder, with hindsight, how far such a policy might have taken Wednesday in the recent past when it seemed players were hoarded.

No more cutting nose to spite face. If a player isn’t likely to figure for you and needs to play, by all means haggle a bit but then take the best that’s on the table. It’s the way of football that lower league clubs plunder higher-up players on loan when they cannot meet the full amount of their wages. Sometimes it can be regarded as a bit of a steal for them, especially if the player stars while his parent club is still paying him a hefty whack.

But no club can change this practice unilaterally. Besides, the balance makes a lot of sense, helpful to all parties, and points back ultimately to the risk element within the contract initially awarded.

Rohl was clearly frustrated during last season when players - Lee Gregory especially but not exclusively - were not allowed out, for whatever reason. And this after he had told them face to face they would be better going elsewhere.

Compare to this summer. Long-serving keeper Cameron Dawson had his card clearly marked and joined Rotherham, as did Mallik Wilks in leaving on loan. Bambo Diaby has just fetched a decent fee from LaLiga 2, Callum Paterson is in play and, as this is written, Bailey Cadamarteri is poised for a development loan.

There may be others this week, although Wrexham target Michael Smith is offering the Owls a valuable and different attacking option that would justify either keeping or a significant incoming fee.

It’s a really long exodus since last season and some turnaround. Others leaving - Will Vaulks, Tyreeq Bakinson, George Byers, Reece James (another to Rotherham), Ciaran Brennan and, of course, Gregory finally to Mansfield. It’s normal at most clubs but has been less so at Hillsborough under this regime.

Rohl appears to have broken the mould and Wednesday in the future should be the better for it, both on the field and financially. It means more scope for signings, as we are continuing to see. But it also requires a holding of nerve in the meantime because sometimes - much as I expected better in the Sunderland and Leeds games - revised plans do not magically come together.

The wider point for me is a belief that it should be this way under any manager you trust. As you must have done to appoint him in the first place.