Davis Keillor-Dunn has given Sheffield Wednesday a puzzle to try and solve
Davis Keillor-Dunn’s second half performance in Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Huddersfield Town has given Henrik Pedersen a potential selection dilemma.
Following a first half in which Sheffield Wednesday failed to register a single shot, manager Henrik Pedersen had little choice but to make a change at half-time against Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon.
Turning to his bench, the Dane decided to introduce Davis Keillor-Dunn in place of Liverpool loanee Kieran Morrison, who had returned to Hillsborough just a few days earlier after spending time with Northern Ireland during the international break.
Unfortunately, Keillor-Dunn’s introduction was immediately overshadowed by Huddersfield taking the lead within 60 seconds of the restart. Joe Taylor capitalised on a defensive lapse to fire the ball past Joe Lumley, who had denied him with an outstanding save in the first half.
Keillor-Dunn’s introduction at half-time also saw Pedersen oversee a tactical switch, with the former Barnsley man slotting into the No.10 position and Callum Slattery moving to the right flank, albeit in an inverted, tucked-in role.
Keillor-Dunn, who has started three games for the Owls since arriving on loan from Wrexham last month, is, as he declared himself two years ago, at his best when he plays as a No.10, creating chances and linking the midfield with the attack. He completed four key passes in the second half, meaning he produced more than anyone else in yellow across the entire game.
As his heat map demonstrated, Keillor-Dunn, who boasts an impressive goalscoring record in League One, drifted between the No.10 position and the left, occupying pockets of space that meant he caused Huddersfield problems.
Alongside producing four key passes, the 28-year-old also registered five shots and completed 86 per cent of his passes.
Having a clear influence on an improved second-half performance, albeit from a low bar, Keillor-Dunn, who experienced back pain during the international break, did enough to put himself in Pedersen’s thoughts ahead of this weekend’s visit of AFC Wimbledon.
Pedersen responded to supporters’ demands against Huddersfield by starting Harry Gray and Morrison in the wide positions, with the pair operating either side of Slattery, who has started each of the Owls’ opening eight League One matches this season. Jamal Lowe, who rescued a point for the Owls deep into added time, started ahead of the aforementioned trio as the lone striker.
Since arriving at Hillsborough, Keillor-Dunn has started up front once, getting the nod for last month’s 2-1 win over Peterborough United, although that came after just a couple of days’ training. He started out wide against Wigan Athletic the following weekend but struggled to influence proceedings.
He then started in the No.10 role against Salford City in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy and scored his first goal for Wednesday, playing a key role in the Owls coming from behind to win.
Operating in the No.10 role again in the second half on Saturday, the former Mansfield Town man made a positive impact, with much of the pressure Wednesday generated as they attempted to recover from a 2-0 deficit going through him.
His performance highlighted his creative ability and capacity to make things happen in and around the penalty area, leaving Pedersen with the task of finding a way to fit him into the team.
If the No.10 position is deemed to be his best role, it could force Pedersen to sacrifice Slattery or ask him to operate in a deeper position, although that could result in Barry Bannan or Billy Mitchell dropping out of the team. It is a complex puzzle, but one that the Owls boss will be grateful to have.