Out of work to key role - How players pulled for return of 'undervalued' Sheffield Wednesday man
Reece James is a Sheffield Wednesday player again - and has performed a key role in their early spurt to the top of the League One table.
It wasn’t long ago that Reece James may have been wondering where he might end up this season.
Out of contract following a clear-the-decks restart at flailing Rotherham United, the 32-year-old former Manchester United youth prospect was approaching the new season out of work. Though a player of his profile was never likely to stay without a contract, time was drawing in.
Having attended the PFA’s free agent camp alongside a host of fellow former Sheffield Wednesday players, his fitness and experience had earned him a trial period with Bradford City partly due to a connection with Bantams sporting director David Sharpe, with whom he’d shared an employer in Wigan Athletic nearly a decade previously.
Alongside another former Owl in Ben Heneghan, the left-back had travelled to Austria on a pre-season training camp with the Bantams and suggestions were that a deal would be struck. He’d featured in friendlies both home and in Europe, with Bradford seeking a flying left-sided wing-back to provide balance over the way from the charge led by Josh Neufville on the right. In friendlies at FC Halifax Town and Accrington Stanley he took on responsibility for taking corners and impressed supporters. The switch never materialised.
Days later his phone rang and not two weeks on from his appearance at Stanley in Bradford colours he was a surprise arrival to the Wham Stadium, this time in the Wednesday squad that had split their for double-dip outings - the other at Oldham Athletic. On a weekend that ushered-in fan concerns over the Owls’ pre-season preparation, James’ performance at Stanley was a brighter talking point.
At first the official party line was that James and Wednesday were helping one another out. But with Max Lowe standing as the only senior left-back, with a deal for Tayo Adaramola stalling fatally and with Reece Johnson’s loan to Eastleigh sanctioned, whispers were that it could be one that could work - moreso than was ever the case with his fellow 2023 miracle merchant Cam Dawson, who ironically ended up at Valley Parade.
Efforts continued to get a left-back in and among others a deal for Liverpool prospect Calum Scanlon was scoped out. The youngster was always set for the Championship and he ultimately signed with Cardiff City. As time moved towards the Owls’ opening day clash at Leyton Orient is became clear that James’ re-signing was more than possible, with outline terms drawn up. He’d eventually sign a few days later and made his debut in a League Cup outing with Wolves.
“We knew we only had Max,” Owls boss Henrik Pedersen told The Star. “We searched the left-back market and then he trained with us. Then he was just so good and stable. He was solid. All the coaches and the players all asked why we're not taking him instead of searching another left-back. Then it ended up with him. We are so happy with Reece.”
So important an addition he has been. Louis Poland has been signed to professional terms following his release be Everton and has been included in Wednesday’s EFL registrations as an under-21 option. The likes of Liam Palmer can deputise there. But with Lowe injured for several weeks after a hamstring issue on the training ground, it is James that has stepped up to play every competitive minute since.
He hasn’t always had the support he’d have liked in front of him; Louie Barry and most recently Kieran Morrison are bright young things with twinkling feet going forward but aren’t necessarily the most defensively-adept young attackers. The same will go for Harry Gray when he returns from concussion protocol. The talented trio are on a voyage of education on that front.
But James has jumped into the task feet-first. No Wednesday player averages more tackles (3.3) or blocks (one) per 90 minutes. He’s in the top five for clearances and interceptions per match and while Wednesday’s balance of attack is leaned more in favour of Yan Valery’s rushes from the right, the 32-year-old has been constantly involved in build-up; he’s behind only Billy Mitchell (51.3) averages more than James’ 45.3 completed passes per match - more even than perennial Owls build-up hub Barry Bannan (44.2).
His outing at Peterborough saw him make over a quarter of Wednesday’s tackles on the day (six out of 22) as he battled back from a difficult start to help shut out Posh livewire Bolu Shofowoke. Not usually seen as an aerial powerhouse, no player on the pitch won more headers than his three and he made six clearances.
“Reece has been amazing,” Pedersen said with a smile in the moments after the final whistle at London Road. “Again today, he's so solid. He's a clever football player. When he plays against one that is stronger in some area, he always finds a way to put his strength in. He's good for us on the ball and it was another very mature performance from him. He is an undervalued player who gives a lot of value to us.”
James wasn’t the flashiest signing of Wednesday’s summer transfer window. He won’t top the goals tally and his name won’t be placed up in lights at the end of the season. But he’s proved himself to have been one of the most important additions in these early stages of the campaign.