In defence of Sheffield Wednesday.. A look at the numbers behind the men at the back

By the time it came to a standstill a couple of months ago, the 2019/20 season was one to forget for Sheffield Wednesday, but which defenders have performed the most admirably?

The Owls backline has been much changed over the course of the campaign up to now, with Dominic Iorfa and Julian Börner the only defenders to have played more than 27 of the 37 games in the Championship to date.

Of the players who have played at least one game in defence this season, there are three players who stand out in terms of key statistics…

Club captain, Tom Lees, has sat on the bench more times this season than at any other point in the last decade, however he leads the way in terms of average clearances (4.9 per game) and blocks (0.66 per game).

Sam Hutchinson, a player who’s absence has been much maligned among members of the fanbase, has been called upon in defence by Monk, and no defensive player in the team averages more tackles (2.5 per game) or interceptions (1.6).

Moses Odubajo, a free transfer at the start of the season, is tied with Hutchinson on the tackle front, but also has the highest percentage of defensive duels won (73%) of all the defensive players.

Another freebie, Börner, is level with Hutchinson in terms of interceptions, and has been a regular in the side through the season, playing 2485 minutes, a tally only beaten by, Kadeem Harris (2647), Iorfa (2714) and Barry Bannan (3041).

Given the fact that he’s been the most present defender, it will come as no surprise that Iorfa has made more successful tackles (70) and clearances (124) in the entire side, and no player has blocked more shots (14) than the 24-year-old.

Another fun Iorfa fact is that Leeds United’s Ben White (21) is the only central defender in the league to have completed more successful dribbles than the Wednesday man, and just four centre backs have made more assists (2). He has, however, had more unsuccessful touches (27) than any other central defender in the division.

In theory, Wednesday are conceding more than they should with their opponent’s 1.19 xG ratio compared to the 1.27 goals actually conceded, but the fact that they go into the final nine games of the season – if it resumes – with minus goal difference is not something that will please their manager.

It remains to be seen when Monk will get the chance to rectify Wednesday’s defensive mistakes and build on the things that they’ve been doing right on the training ground, but with Wednesday’s last game of the season meant to have happened on Saturday afternoon, fans across the city are desperate for a return of the game that they love.

There is said to be a commitment towards finishing the 2019/20 season rather than following in the footsteps of other leagues who are calling it in early, though when things will recommence is still unknown.