Sheffield Wednesday back in training - five things we noticed ahead of vital fortnight

The bulk of the club’s first team were back in training at Middlewood Road on Tuesday, as documented by a short video released by the club’s media team.

Let’s take a look at five things we noticed from the footage.

People first

We know Darren Moore is a personable person. It’s the first thing you notice about him and is something several Wednesday players have commented on just a few weeks into his tenure at the club.

And what was captured by the cameras at Sheffield Wednesday was a prime example of that, an effort by the burly Owls manager to address every player present with a fist bump and a quiet word. And then it was down to business.

It hasn’t always been the case of course. Garry Monk is understood to have had a good working relationship with the majority of the squad but it was said by both parties in the unhappy union between Tony Pulis that it never quite clicked. Moore and his staff have taken time to understand the people behind the talent.

Rhodes goals

Training goals aren’t worth a huge amount admittedly, but it was nice to see Jordan Rhodes continue his recent form and knock a couple past Joe Wildsmith.

He seems to be playing and training with a smile on his face, chest puffed out, and a continuation of that form onto the grass at Middlewood Road can only be a good thing.

After their horror run came to an end at Oakwell on Saturday, there was a concern that any momentum kicked up might have been lost somewhere along the line.

It’s day one of full training, but the likes of Rhodes ticking over nicely is a good sign.

Fiz back

It’s not known quite how much of a part he played in the session itself, but it was hugely encouraging to see Wednesday youngster Fisayo Dele-Bashiru back out on the pitches at Middlewood Road.

Injured since that horror ‘professional foul’ at Brentford a month ago, he could well be the dynamic sort of player Moore likes and it will have been the first time the manager will have seen him with his boots on.

Wednesday’s injury list is still a hefty one, but the manager spoke about the importance of the fortnight ahead and the Owls’ hopes of getting some bodies back on the training field.

Still no Dawson

Keiren Westwood pulled up in the warm-up of Saturday’s derby clash and with Joe Wildsmith stepping up into the starting line-up, young Luke Jackson was called onto the bench.

In a small-sided training match it was that pair that pulled the gloves on, with no sign of Cameron Dawson, still struggling with a long-term knee injury.

There’s been little word on Dawson and whether he is one of the players Moore hopes will be closer to involvement remains to be seen.

Youngsters

Ryan Galvin is a face we’ve become accustomed to seeing in first team training in recent weeks, but it was nice to see Liam Waldock doing his thing with the seniors.

Waldock made his Owls debut at the start of the season and impressed down at Fulham. He’s out of contract at the end of the season.

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