Tony Pulis admits Sheffield Wednesday's Sam Hutchinson hangover and the young player who could fill his shoes

It’s fair to say that had Tony Pulis been in charge of Sheffield Wednesday through the Garry Monk era, the make-up of the squad would look quite different.
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The 62-year-old, who replaced Monk last month as he did at Middlesbrough in 2017, has already spoken at length about the need for a revamp to what he has described as an ‘unbalanced’ squad and speaking ahead of the Owls’ trip to table-topping Norwich this weekend once again stressed the importance of the January transfer window to the club.

Pulis was bold in immediately bringing veteran goalkeeper Keiren Westwood in from the cold of Monk’s 14-month spell after the former Owls boss removed him from his thinking over a year ago.

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And it seems he would have kept on the other high-profile member of last season’s ‘bomb squad’.

Holding midfielder Sam Hutchinson played 154 times for the Owls and became a fan favourite in a six-year spell with the club before moving on to Cypriot side Pafos in the summer.

And Pulis, who has shepherded Wednesday to three draws in their last three matches, admitted the club are missing Hutchinson’s presence but may well have a star of the future in their ranks.

Young Liam Shaw was sent off in their midweek draw with Reading but has shown signs of quality in training, Pulis said, signs that could well see him step into the shoes of Hutchinson in season to come.

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“The club has missed Hutchinson, who sat there with a presence and was a threat for us,” Pulis said. “He was a good player for this football club.

Sam Hutchinson's departure was a mistake by Sheffield Wednesday, according to new Owls boss Tony Pulis.Sam Hutchinson's departure was a mistake by Sheffield Wednesday, according to new Owls boss Tony Pulis.
Sam Hutchinson's departure was a mistake by Sheffield Wednesday, according to new Owls boss Tony Pulis.

“You look at Shaw and you think whether he could be that type in years to come and hopefully he will be.”

The Welshman continued: “Shaw has trained really well and technically he looks a very competent player as well. He’s got great legs, great energy and one day hopefully he will grow into a very, very good player.

“That could be at centre-half or full-back or as a holding midfield player. It’s that experience.”

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Shaw is suspended for this weekend’s Carrow Road trip after his Reading red, as is Massimo Luongo, who has impressed in the role of ‘midfield enforcer’ this season.

Barry Bannan could also miss the match with an ankle injury.

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