The Dave Challinor era at Sheffield Wednesday will get underway this weekend, kicking off a long-term mission from Oldham Athletic’s Boundary Park in the FA Cup first round.
The new Owls boss has spoken about steady progress towards the ultimate goal of how he wants to go about things at Hillsborough but has suggested there will be things to scope out in terms of changes early doors.
Challinor told The Star this week: “Hopefully, you'll see a change... Everyone will look at it and talk about different shapes. How we do it is different in terms of different parts of the pitch. It's not particularly a 4-4-2 or a 3-5-2.
“We're pretty standard in terms of how we'll build in certain areas. We need to get some excitement into this place (Hillsborough). That comes from being positive, playing forward, being purposeful with our possession, making the other team defend for long periods and getting the supporters off the seats. Hopefully, we can see that immediately.”
With little to go on, we’ve had a crack at selecting a predicted line-up for the match.
5. LCB - Di’Shon Bernard
One of the many injury-dependent listings here, Bernard has featured as a left-sided centre-half previously - though it might not be his favoured position. An ask to get him back in there after a couple of games out. | Steve Ellis
6. LWB - Max Lowe
If - and it is an if - Challinor does prove to favour a wing-back system in these early weeks, the left side will be an interesting one. Reece James is out - could someone like Kieran Morrison give it a go at some stage after his flirtation at Doncaster? We've gone for Lowe, who has played there before to good impact. | Getty Images
7. CM - Barry Bannan
The synonymous figure and a player Challinor has already spoken about glowingly. Has produced some of his best stuff in possession this season but is another senior player who can offer more in the way of consistency. Will be key to these early weeks however they line up. | Getty Images
8. CM - Jaden Heskey
Billy Mitchell's injury status is not absolutely confirmed but it feels unlikely he'll feature. Heskey could well have been preferred regardless with his profile and ability to open the game up. A youngster who is learning the battles of week-on-week involvement. | Steve Ellis