Dave Challinor is the new Owls manager

New Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Challinor watched from the directors’ box on Sunday as 10-man Sheffield Wednesday were denied a hard-fought win late on against Blackpool.

A club statement on the morning of the game confirmed they had reached an agreement with the former Stockport County boss. And he took up his place in the South Stand before kick-off, shaking hands of fans who noticed him creep in.

His first game will be this Sunday’s FA Cup first round tie at Oldham Athletic. Before then, he will be introduced to the media and take his first training sessions. Let’s take a look at what he might have learned from the draw against the Tangerines...

FORMATION FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In previous interviews, Challinor has said he likes to select a formation based on the players he has got. He is not going to be someone who tries to fit square pegs in round holes just to fit a philosophy. On Sunday, he saw Wednesday start with a three-man defence before being forced to switch to a back four after Sil Swinkels’ red card. Both systems had positives. The 3-4-2-1 in the first-half was fluid and smooth. Wing-backs Yan Valery and Max Lowe played higher, were front-footed and provided more width. And it allowed Callum Slattery and Davis Keillor-Dunn to play centrally in their best positions. Circumstances meant they had to swap to four at the back and they only conceded one big chance before Jerry Yates eventually equalised. Seeing both formations will have given Challinor some food for thought.

INVOLVE THE CROWD

Even though attendances have been above 30,000 this season, the atmosphere at Hillsborough has not reflected that, probably due to the uninspiring style of play for the most part. But on Sunday the stadium was as loud as it has been so far this term. The spicy and feisty nature of it helped, with Wednesdayites feeling aggrieved at the red card decision, as well as some questionable touchline antics from the opposition manager towards Barry Bannan. Against Blackpool, The Owls played forward and ran forward. It got the fans excited and off their seats. I have always thought Wednesday need to play a style that involves the crowd at Hillsborough. That might be something Challinor can capitalise on.

MORE TO COME

I think Challinor’s initial assessment of the squad will be that it is strong, possibly needs a bit more balance, but overall there is lots to work with. Individually, Wednesday have got some of the best players in the division in Barry Bannan. Louie Barry and Davis Keillor-Dunn. Add Liam Cooper, Di’Shon Bernard and Billy Mitchell into the mix when they return from injury and you would imagine there is more to come. Challinor is said to be very demanding so hopefully he can get the best out of them.

NOTHING DRASTIC

Normally when a new manager is appointed by November it is because a team is unexpectedly fighting relegation. But that is not the case here. Wednesday are in an okay position in the table. But performances need to improve and they need to start winning again. Personally, I don’t think Challinor needs to come in and rip everything up. Subtle changes and tweaks here and there over time and I think they are more than capable of going on a good run, which Challinor did regularly in his two title triumphs with Stockport.