Sheffield Wednesday have plenty of central midfielders to choose from at the moment but if they are to make progress in 2013/14 do they need a bit more quality.
Last season saw David Prutton and Giles Coke become the preferred midfield partnership for the majority of the second half of the season. Both players spent time out on loan in League One in the early stages of the campaign when it appeared as though their Hillsborough days were numbered. Despite this they came back to prove their worth and help guide the club to a respectable points tally at the end of their first season back in the Championship. Both players are out of contract but have been offered new deals so there is an intent from the club to hold onto them.
Wednesday also have Rhys McCabe and Paul Corry waiting in the wings for a central midfield berth. The young pair were signed last summer as players for the future but circumstances meant that they both – McCabe especially – got a run in the first team during the early stages of the season. Both will be hoping that they can make an impression and get in first team contention again sooner rather than later.
In addition to the above 4 players Dave Jones also currently has Jose Semedo and Chris Lines on the books at Hillsborough. Semedo is one of the most popular players at the club with players and fans alike but his first team opportunities were limited in the latter stages of last season and he may not be a part of the future plans.
Chris Lines spent the 2nd half of the campaign on loan at MK Dons. An injury meant he missed the start of the season and he then struggled to make an impression at Championship level. It may yet be too soon to rule him out of the Owls future yet though as Coke and Prutton have both proved having returned with good effect from lower league loan spells.
6 players for 2 or 3 central positions depending on the formation is a lot of players. Despite this there is a feeling that this is an area in which the Owls could need improvement. Seyi Olofinjana joined on loan towards the end of the last campaign and had a positive impact in the few games that he played. In terms of a more attacking/creative option the club are believed to have high hopes for McCabe and Corry and it may be that they are given a chance to impress in this position and assess their progression in the mid-season transfer window.
With the amount of options that Wednesday have in this area it is entirely feasible that there may be a couple of changes over the summer to freshen things up in this position.