Joe Crann – Deciding Sheffield Wednesday’s Player of the Season debate

It’s not been a good year for the Owls, that’s for sure. Since the end of December it’s been dire in terms of results, but it’s not been all doom and gloom as a handful of players stood up to be counted over the past 12 months. Yep, that’s how long it’s been. Well, 356 days to be exact.

I thought I’d have a look at the stats behind the season to see if that made it easier in picking one man to follow in the footsteps of players such as Michael Hector, Adam Reach, Kieren Westwood and Fernando Forestieri.

First up though, it’s probably important to point out that nobody escaped this season unscathed. Nobody’s been faultless in what’s ultimately been a disappointing campaign, and there’s (understandably) discontent because of the four wins in 23 games as it came to an end.

There has to be a winner though.

In terms of minutes and appearances, it’ll come as no surprise that Barry Bannan leads the way for the Owls. He’s been almost ever-present this season (he’s missed just four Championship games), and also topped the charts in terms of assists (8), key passes (98) and total passes (2273).

If we’re talking goals, Fletcher obviously wins in that regard. He finished with 13 goals in 27 league appearances (what could’ve been if he’d stayed fit, eh?), and despite playing only slightly more than half of the matches, he still finished with more shots (68) than any other player at the club.

A look at the defence, then.

No Wednesday player made more successful tackles than Dominic Iorfa (89), and he was way ahead of his nearest competitor (Bannan with 63) in that sense. He was also top of the charts in terms of clearances (150) and blocks (65), and was one of only three to play 40+ league games over the course of the campaign.

Meanwhile, regarding total goal contributions, no contracted Wednesday player ended the season with more than on-loan Jacob Murphy, who’s late flourish saw him get nine goals and four assists – winning two scored penalties as well - for the club prior to his deal expiring. He was involved in eight of the 12 goals that Wednesday scored post-lockdown. Only Bannan made more accurate crosses.

There’s also a shout for new signing, Kadeem Harris, who was second in terms of key passes (49), finished with the highest pass success of any player with 15+ appearances (83.1%) and with the most successful dribbles (85). And only two players got more assists (4).

For me, I’d struggle to give a Player of the Season award to somebody who made less than 30 league appearances, so that rules out all but eight of the current group and helps narrow it down.

Based on the above, and the stuff that stats can’t show, I’m going for Dominic Iorfa. And I think he can only get better, too.

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