Why was Dominic Iorfa played in midfield? Tony Pulis explains after positional shift for Sheffield Wednesday star

Iorfa has played predominantly as a right back or centre back over the course of his career, but Tony Pulis opted to use him in the centre of midfield against Norwich City as he sought to add some more physicality considering the absence of suspended Massimo Luongo.

Iorfa played his part in what was a good Wednesday performance for the most part, but had already left the field by the time any of the goals were scored as Norwich came from behind to win 2-1 with two late goals.

But the Wednesday manager seemed pleased with the shift that the 25-year-old put in prior to being brought off after just under an hour, admitting that he needs minutes in his legs after a bit of an injury layoff.

Speaking after the game, Pulis explained, “I thought he played really well… It’s a position he’s not used to, but we wanted that statue, that presence, there. You’re asking lads to do something they’re not used to, but he went out there and did his damnedest. He needed that hour - he needs match time.”

So was it a case of needs must with Luongo out? Apparently not…

“I wanted to look at him there,” Pulis told The Star. “With the quality and size of the teams in the league, set plays are so important. He’s another person who can defend that area really well, and we needed him today to do that.

“He showed some good signs in there. He breaks forward quickly, he’s got tremendous pace and energy - but he was really tired.

“I was even thinking about taking him off at half time. He hasn’t played for a while because of injury, so we have to protect him as much as we can.”

With Luongo back in contention for Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night after serving his one-game ban, it remains to be seen whether Pulis will switch things up again, but it seems unlikely that this will be the last time that fans see Big Dom in the heart of midfield for the Owls.

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