Two old heads are unlikely - but deserved - candidates for Sheffield Wednesday award
Who should win Owls accolade?
Not so long ago, you would have got long odds on either Liam Cooper or Reece James winning Sheffield Wednesday’s player of the month award.
Cooper was parachuted into Wednesday’s dire and desperate situation last season in November. He made 14 appearances before suffering an injury in February on the day The Owls were relegated, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign. Many thought that would be the last time they would see him in blue and white. They - harshly and wrongly in our view - hoped that would be the case. They didn’t want the 35-year-old former Leeds United and Chesterfield defender to return. But plenty of others saw his quality and leadership skills and knew he would make his mark in League One. He penned a new one-year deal in June.
His doubters will now be eating their own words. After an initial fitness battle, Cooper has been a rock for Wednesday. His performances have shown why he has had the career he has had and why he has played in the top-flight. The left-sided centre-half has oozed class, particularly in the last two league matches, recording successive clean sheets and collecting back-to-back man of the match awards. He has been dominant in the air, comfortable in possession and led by example. His physicality, grittiness and reading of the game have stood out a mile. He is exactly what you need at this level.
As for James, no one would have expected the 2023 Owls promotion winner to walk back through the door. The left-back was relegated to League Two with Rotherham United last season. After a surprise appearance in a friendly against Accrington Stanley, the 32-year-old has not looked back. He has been so consistent and not put a foot wrong. It is like he has never been away. The thought of Max Lowe missing a chunk of matches would have worried a lot of supporters. As much as everyone wants him back soon, his absence has not been felt as much as people would have expected. And that is a big compliment to James, who was supposed to be a back-up option. But Lowe now has a fight on his hands to regain his spot.
Had Louie Barry not got injured at the start of the month then he could have been in contention for the accolade. Jamal Lowe added two more goals to his tally from the spot. Joe Lumley secured successive clean sheets. Kieran Morrison has had plenty of bright moments. But the two old heads of Cooper and James lead the way for the September accolade.