The hum of fear: Debates rages over Atdhe Nuhiu's Sheffield Wednesday future

There’s a noise that arrives at the very sight of Atdhe Nuhiu rising from the bench to take the field for Sheffield Wednesday.
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It alters slightly depending on whether the Owls are playing at home or away. At home, it’s the sound of chatter, of passionate terrace debate. Few footballers divide the opinion of a fanbase quite like Nuhiu and those on either side of the debate are usually forceful in their summation of the big man.

Away from home, it’s the sound of fear. ‘Here we go again’ hums the home support that have tasted disappointment at the hands of Nuhiu before – he’s not the sort of football you forget in a hurry – while the changing of defensive plans by an opposition manager are screamed onto the field.

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It’s worth taking a peek at the opposition bench the next time he comes on. Like him or lump him, Atdhe Nuhiu affects change every time he takes his tracksuit off. Not many Wednesday players have that about them.

Atdhe Nuhiu's Sheffield Wednesday future is up in the air. Photo: Steve Ellis.Atdhe Nuhiu's Sheffield Wednesday future is up in the air. Photo: Steve Ellis.
Atdhe Nuhiu's Sheffield Wednesday future is up in the air. Photo: Steve Ellis.

Cynics will say that fear is misplaced and that it’s one brought about only by a hulking six-foot-six frame. His playing ability, they say, is one they’d rather see elsewhere.

After Garry Monk admitted at the weekend that he was still undecided over the Kosovan’s future it posed the question; which side of that terrace debate will win out?

Like so many of the talking points surrounding the club at current, it may well be that it is an issue decided by men in suits.

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If Wednesday are to have a raft of points deducted and line up in League One next season, Nuhiu’s physical presence could be hugely useful in a slightly more physical division. Should they remain in the second tier, it might be that he serves as a unique second-option, an elder statesman in the ‘young, hungry, dynamic’ model Monk has spoken about so often.

Or perhaps not. Perhaps the departure of Nuhiu, seven years an Owl, would serve as a further separation from the past, following the likes of long-serving Sam Hutchinson, Fernando Forestieri and Steven Fletcher out of the door. Keiren Westwood remains out of favour but under contract.

Nuhiu is one of a handful of players that are rarely exposed to media duties and so there is in truth only so much you can tell about his personality, demeanour and what he brings to the club in terms of personality. But we’ve got a reasonable idea.

He’s hugely popular, a central part of the club’s personality. What has been notable in recent weeks is that with more youngsters in the side, it is Nuhiu that spends time with them in the warm ups, speaking to them before, during and after games. It’s a trait Monk will surely consider as he looks towards a new Sheffield Wednesday.

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With 50 Wednesday goals notched and seven this campaign, Atdhe Nuhiu can count himself happy with his contribution to the club he has called home for seven years.

Whether that time is to be extended beyond this week’s clash with Middlesbrough is up to Garry Monk.

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