Sheffield Wednesday: Old boy questions Jos Luhukay pulling power

Jos Luhukay stabilised the Owls in the Championship after replacing Carlos Carvalhal in January, but the Dutchman, who arrived in England as a virtual unknown, has a much lower profile than many other bosses in the second tier.

That could see Wednesday paying the price when it comes to recruitment, claims Curran, a winger at Hillsborough between 1979 and 1982.

“Look at someone like Steven Gerrard going to Rangers,” Curran said. “Him alone will get players in there because he’s a big name.

“Going back a few years, there was Kenny Dalglish going to Blackburn Rovers. He was a big name. Alan Shearer wouldn’t have gone there without Dalglish, who was a big pull.”

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Wednesday were sliding towards relegation trouble last term before a late-season surge as key players returned from injury saw them finish in 15th spot.

The only player signed during the January window by Luhukay, who had a history of promotions in German football before being appointed by Wednesday, was £500,000 defensive midfielder Joey Pelupessy from Dutch club Heracles Almelo.

“It needs somebody who is going to fetch in top, top players,” Curran added. “I look at it and I’m thinking: ‘They should be buying slightly better players.’

“In terms of Jos, I’ve not heard much of him. I’d sooner have a bigger name who will attract slightly better quality names to the club.”

Meanwhile, the Owls, who will discover their fixture schedule this morning when the EFL release its 2018/19 programme, have received a 1,624 ticket allocation for their pre-season friendly at Mansfield Town next month. Tickets are priced at £10 adults, £10 18-21s, £5 65 and overs and £5 Under-18s for the warm-up match which will take place at the The One Call Stadium on Tuesday July 24, kick-off 7:30pm. Tickets go on sale for season ticket holders on Monday followed by general sale on Thursday, June 28.

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