Why Sheffield Wednesday should resist this temptation to maintain good start to season
Our Owls reporter Liam Norcliffe has his say on a potential extended international break...
I totally understand the logic behind Sheffield Wednesday needing a break.
The Owls have already played six league games and one cup tie since the new season began exactly one month ago, including two midweek fixtures. It has been a busy start to the campaign and other managers have questioned whether the schedule is too hectic too soon, resulting in injuries.
Wednesday have suffered more than their fair share of injury problems so far and there are a small number of players who are being managed through games. In that regard, an extended international break would be welcome.
It has already been confirmed that the trip to Stevenage on September 26 has been postponed because The Boro have received at least three international call-ups, which is the required number for matches in League One to be called-off. Wednesday are awaiting to see how many of their own players are called up later this week which would put the home game against Cambridge United on October 3 in doubt. Should that happen, after this weekend, The Owls would not play another league match for three weeks.
But would that be a wise decision? As discussed, for injuries, yes. But Wednesday have made a good start to the season, topping the table, and they have some momentum. Would it be a better idea to continue playing while they are winning? A pause in the schedule could put a halt to that. Why not keep ploughing on and try to open up a gap at the top? Also, you don’t want a fixture backlog. Other games later in the year will get postponed because of the weather. And you’re always going to have injuries, aren’t you? When the rearranged matches come around, there will still be players missing.
No offence to Cambridge United, who have got off to a flying start since being promoted, but Wednesday should have enough to beat them without having everyone available. That is why I think they should resist the temptation to take up the opportunity to postpone the fixture should the the expected international call-ups happen. With the Stevenage clash definitely off, Wednesday will not play a league game for two weeks anyway, surely that is long enough to rest up and recover?