Sheffield Wednesday recruitment has had a joined-up feeling - something they've missed for years
Alan Biggs on what has to be seen as a hugely successful summer transfer window with a huge rebuild needed
Best thing about the window for Sheffield Wednesday? It's been a blessing, staying open so long.
Not to any loud acclaim across most of football but to a club playing the most extreme game of catch-up, an absolute godsend.
Of course, that still wouldn't be any good without delivery and Hillsborough's new professional set up deserves congratulation for a haul of close to 20 signings at the last count (with this written just ahead of the deadline).
Looks like they've recruited quality as well as quantity. Not an easy trick, especially without the limited investment in transfer fees, as per EFL restrictions.
Judgment of the package as a whole comes in the "proof in the pudding" category. All signings are a gamble to a greater or lesser degree. Working to a zero (or even minus) budget reduces the financial risk but doesn't mean a greater percentage will succeed.
The important thing is the depth of profiling conducted by new sporting director Simon Wilson allied to the connections of manager Henrik Pedersen and his reputation for developing young talents. For instance, would Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester City have entrusted him with Kieran Morrison, Harry Gray and Jaden Heskey otherwise?
There has been a joined-up feeling to the whole operation, sadly lacking in the past.
I also like the internal acknowledgment that it could take three windows to knock the squad fully into desired shape. Which in turn should be heeded by anyone who demands promotion this season, much as it's a possibility.
In one respect, it could even prove counter-productive. As things stand under EFL restrictions, Wednesday are limited to what they can pay this season or next.
If the restriction applied to a return to the Championship next term, the club would be severely stretched to maintain the higher status.
You suspect plans are more realistically geared to second tier football in two years time.
But I still wonder whether, with proof of good housekeeping, the limits could be relaxed at an earlier stage.
As some replies have indicated to me on X, it doesn't seem fair that the Owls can't reinvest from fees received, for Pierce Charles, for instance.
This is a condition that seems to have surprised owner David Storch, perhaps blinded - understandably so - by the huge burden of a 15 point handicap being dramatically lifted.
So the Owls would have to keep punching above if they were to go up this season. Not that you could turn it down!