On Saturday afternoon, Sheffield Wednesday takes on QPR in the Championship.
Sheffield Wednesday would have observed last night’s relegation of their South Yorkshire rivals, Rotherham United.
Rotherham needed to pull a favour for the Owls by taking points away from Plymouth Argyle.
However, the Green Army triumphed 1-0 at the New York Stadium, moving up into 19th place and eliminating the drop zone by four points. Sheffield Wednesday is currently three points out of safety and still in 23rd place.
After eight wins in a row, QPR is now up in 16th place, six points clear of the drop zone.
Following the team’s 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough on Easter Monday, Danny Rohl appeared clearly angry and appeared to be planning to make some changes to the lineup.
Josh Windass and Callum Paterson are also expected to make a comeback from injury, so we may see them play later in the match—or perhaps even right away.
Before the final six games of the season, Rohl will be hoping that both of them can get off to a quick start, as they have been sorely missed in recent weeks.
Di’Shon Bernard appears to be touch-and-go to feature at Loftus Road in other places.
It is unclear what adjustments Rohl will make in contrast to QPR and whether he would alter the shape.
The Owls need to figure out how to be more dangerous on the road, especially when facing strong opposition like QPR at the moment.
However, they could definitely use some fresh energy and pace in the side, which a certain Joey Phuthi may offer.
Phuthi, 19, has enjoyed a breakthrough in the 2023/24 season.
He’s not only made his Sheffield Wednesday debut but he’s also made his international debut with Zimbabwe too.
He’s risen through the ranks at Hillsborough and has featured once in the Championship this season, though his last first-team appearance came in February in the FA Cup.
But Phuthi recently turned heads after a clip of him playing for the development side emerged:
The above video showcases Phuthi’s pace and dribbling skills.
Rohl has players who can do that in Anthony Musaba and Djeidi Gassama, though Musaba in particular has been poor recently.
Phuthi though could be a real impact player for the Owls.
And often times, these younger players can play with freedom even in very difficult situations, so that youthfulness could also give Sheffield Wednesday a lease of life during the run-in.
Phuthi is certainly knocking on the door once again but it seems like he’s being saved more for next season.
Still, a few minutes in the run-in here could be great character-building for the teen, and it could also be very useful for Rohl during a time of difficulty in the first-team.
Kick off against QPR is at 3pm.
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