Sheffield Wednesday's subtle plot that busts 'defensive' Darren Moore myth - Alan Biggs' Column

Midway in the second half at Hillsborough last Saturday something unusual went virtually unnoticed.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Something unusual not just at this ground but at any across the top four divisions of English football.

Sheffield Wednesday left two players upfield on the halfway line while defending a corner.

Read More
What Sheffield Wednesday stand-in boss Jamie Smith said about injuries to Harlee...
Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore has been accused of being too defensively-mindedSheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore has been accused of being too defensively-minded
Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore has been accused of being too defensively-minded
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It would have been a real talking point had an attempted fast break, heading towards Josh Windass and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, not been stifled.

A minor observation but maybe a telling one. A signal about the way Darren Moore will attack - literally - the rest of the season.

Honestly, I don’t know why more managers don’t apply this rare ploy rather than packing out their penalty area and risking a cleared ball being pinged straight back.

But the reason for mentioning is that, contrary to some claims when results are wanting, I believe Moore is far from a defensive-minded boss.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Actually he did something similar as Wednesday defended a first-half corner in the previous home game with Plymouth.

It’s an example of a desire to be on the front foot and keep on it. Moore’s 3-5-2 - a pattern I’ve said I feel he should stick to - is an attacking version of that adaptable formation.

Draws are the enemy from now until the end of the campaign. It’s now seven games since the last one and three wins from the last four.

But, of course, you need to keep the back door shut and Moore’s recruitment of Harlee Dean (sadly among yet more injuries on Tuesday) and Jordan Storey, admirably supported yet again by Dejphon Chansiri, looks a crucial intervention.

Two home wins and two clean sheets has been the reward.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With striker Tyreece John-Jules also joining, and several on the fringe leaving to help balance the books, it was a very tidy window.

But Wednesday will need every member of a strong squad to combat their wretched run of injuries.