Sheffield Wednesday

Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield reporter

Image source, Rex Features

When Danny Rohl spoke after the final game at Watford, it felt like a goodbye. As he reflected on his time at Sheffield Wednesday a lot of the comments were in the past tense.

If it is the end, it's fitting the final game was at Vicarage Road where he took charge for the first time in October 2023. The truth is, without Rohl this game could have been 24 miles up the road at Stevenage instead.

In predecessor Xisco's final game as Wednesday manager, the Owls were out-shot 17-4 in a defeat to West Brom and had 28% of the ball.

That wasn't a one-off in a pained, winless 10-game spell that had the club staring at an immediate return to League One.

Rohl took a team 24th in the table and 56 games later they are 12th. No threat of relegation. Not back in the third tier like Plymouth, who came up with the Owls two years ago.

The German should be celebrated for that.

How should the Rohl experience be remembered? For me, it was mainly about bringing tactical sophistication to Hillsborough.

I've not seen a boss able to adapt and change a game like he does. Wednesday won 24 points from losing positions this season, more than any other team in the Championship.

They were behind 30 times, second most behind only relegated Plymouth. Yet they won more games from this position than any other team in the second tier, just ahead of Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland.

I recall one victory at Derby where he switched formations four times, coming from behind to win thanks to a last gasp strike from Jamal Lowe, whom he'd introduced as a second-half substitute.

There are other examples. Being 3-0 down at Middlesbrough away on Boxing Day and turning a lost cause into a thrilling 3-3 draw. Enduring a miserable first 45 at Norwich yet finding a way at the break to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win.

Rohl is generous with tactical detail during interviews, helping you to understand his philosophy. We were given an opportunity to watch training sessions at St. George's Park and during a training camp in Germany. This was a manager who had a vision and standards.

He captured the imagination of fans, with his name sung loudly at most games and wins celebrated together.

Sometimes you come across a player or manager and just know they're destined for big things.

I remember thinking that way, as most did, about Morgan Gibbs-White during his loan spell at Sheffield United. You can see it with Shea Charles, a Rohl masterstroke of a loan signing.

When I covered Leeds United's promotion in 2020 it was clear Ben White would play at the highest level and when I worked the Hull City beat Jarrod Bowen was their star man.

You get the same sense with Rohl. He's on a pathway to the top. He's already experienced it with Bayern Munich and Germany alongside Hansi Flick. You wouldn't bet against him reaching similar heights on his own in the future.

If nothing else, Wednesday fans can at least enjoy the fact his managerial journey started at Hillsborough.

The sun may have been shining across England during the week but it's clear life is anything but bright for the teams who will meet at Vicarage Road on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Hosts Watford have lost their past four games to end their play-off hopes as they tumbled into the bottom half of the table.

But things at visitors Sheffield Wednesday, a point ahead of Watford in 12th, could be worse.

Tension between the fans and the ownership have grown over the course of this season with speculation over the future of manager Danny Rohl.

• Watford are unbeaten across their last eight league games against Sheffield Wednesday (W5 D3), since a 1-0 defeat in December 2013.

• Since beating Watford 3-1 in November 2000, Sheffield Wednesday have won just one of their 11 visits to Vicarage Road to face the Hornets (D2 L8).

• Watford have lost each of their last four league games and will be looking to avoid losing five in succession for the first time in the second tier since November 2008.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won each of their last three final games of a league season by a combined scoreline of 7-1. Their only fixture against Watford to finish a season saw the pair draw 1-1 at Vicarage Road in May 2015.

• After defeat in their home league games against Sheffield United in January (2-1), Watford will be looking to avoid losing to both Sheffield clubs in the same season at Vicarage Road for the first time in the EFL.

Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield reporter

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Saturday's protest, organised by the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust, was the biggest in living memory at Hillsborough. For a fan base typically not inclined to speak out, this was noteworthy.

A march began at the site where the club was founded near to the Crucible Theatre.

By the time those involved reached Hillsborough Park across from the stadium, there was quite a scene.

A throng of Wednesday fans all wearing yellow and black, the designated protest colours, made their way to the stadium holding banners and chanting for chairman Dejphon Chansiri to go.

It was a collective effort I can't recall seeing from Wednesday fans in my lifetime. A serious message was sent.

Don't underestimate these actions. It takes a lot to push Owls fans to this.

They were clear in the point they wanted to make. The tagline they're using is 'Enough is enough' and they want a new owner.

It's hard to know where Chansiri goes from here. This was a clear vote of no-confidence in the Wednesday chairman.

There are still no answers as to whether the club will have further cashflow problems in the near future, having failed to pay the wages of players on time in March.

Chansiri has done an interview with the local newspaper, he's released a letter to fans and the minutes of a recent engagement-panel meeting have been released.

I'm still not sure anyone is any wiser as to the sustainability of Sheffield Wednesday.

Given what happened in March, with the club coming dangerously close to a three-transfer-window embargo, and with the future of manager Danny Rohl and various players up in the air, supporters deserve clarity.

Especially, as has been said in the past, they are the ones who backed this club when they were once again asked to buy season tickets at Christmas time or pay prices that are higher than many other clubs.

Speaking to fans it's clear that, for many, patience has run out. They've come to the end of their tether.

However, despite this, it seems pretty clear that Chansiri has little interest in selling.

The only way I can see it happening is if a very attractive buyer comes along enabling him to get a late victory.

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan last week mentioned he'd recommended the club to Turki Al-Sheikh. Who knows whether that's realistic, but that's the kind of potential buyer that would allow Chansiri to exit on a high.

Without that level of interest, it seems likely it will be business as usual. Saturday's protest made it clear that isn't acceptable to many supporters.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl has said he is "proud" of his players' season after his side's 1-1 draw at home to Portsmouth.

Callum Paterson's close range strike was cancelled out by Harvey Blair's effort in the first half with the point moving the Owls up to 12th in the Championship table following 45 games.

"All in all, I think it's been a very long season with a lot of up and downs. I think this game was mirrored a little bit to the second half of the season where we felt the better team," Rohl told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"We created more between both boxes. They had one shot on target. We tried a lot but today there's more focus about what we did in the season.

"I think we should be proud about the moment from taking them from 24th position when I took over, to bring them to 12th. I think this is an achievement."

This is a unique game in the Championship on Saturday (15:00 BST) as both sides know they will definitely be in this division next season.

The Owls' play-off challenge has subsided while Portsmouth guaranteed their safety with a win over Watford on Easter Monday.

• Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten in their past six league games against Portsmouth (W4 D2), having been winless in six against them before this current run (D2 L4).

• Portsmouth have lost just one of their past five away league games against Sheffield Wednesday (W2 D2), going down 4-1 at Hillsborough in April 2022.

• Sheffield Wednesday's 2-1 win over Middlesbrough last time out ended their five-game losing run at home. They last won consecutive matches at Hillsborough in January against Stoke City and Derby County.

• Portsmouth have lost 11 of their past 13 away league games, though did beat Norwich 5-3 in their last match. They last won consecutive second-tier games on the road in February 2011.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won a league-high 24 points from losing positions in the Championship this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl has been critical of his players lately but had nothing but praise for them after their 2-1 against play-off chasing Middlesbrough.

The German says he had watched clips of how to infiltrate Boro's back line, a tactic the side used to full effect to end their winless run of six games.

"Congratulations to my team, to my players; outstanding job, outstanding energy level, a lot of good things they did today," Rohl told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I said this 20 minutes before the end to my coaches, we deserve more than just one point and then the goal was coming. My players should take all the flowers today because they deserved it.

"Today we found a fantastic balance between keeping the ball and attacking the last line. I saw a lot of clips of how we could attack them, especially behind the full-backs and my players did a fantastic job.

"You need this player and also in this division, you need momentum, and I think everybody in the stadium felt today that the momentum could be on our side - and we played really nice football."

Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield reporter

Image source, Rex Features

"Some players showed today that they're not able to play at my level. Maybe it's an (eye) opener for the new season."

These comments and other similar remarks from the Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl created a lot of interest after the Stoke City defeat. But why?

It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who has watched the Owls that more quality is needed to become a serious promotion contender. This isn't a shocking revelation.

Maybe people are just so used to boring soundbites and cliches from managers that when one opens up and tells us it how it is, there's a reaction?

Or maybe it's just indicative of a broader sense of apathy? Here is an ambitious manager putting his cards on the table.

If you want to play a progressive brand of football and succeed, to the extent of being a Championship promotion contender, a big summer is necessary. Typically that kind of reality check resonates. Instead, it has invited criticism.

I just don't think Rohl wants to stand still. Not unfairly he sees a squad with some quality but nowhere near enough to be a legit top-six team.

That is exactly the mindset a club that has been outside of the Premier League for a quarter of a century should have. Sometimes, that means hearing a few home truths.

Even so, nobody can deny results and performances have been disappointing in recent weeks.

It shouldn't be forgotten this has happened with an unhelpful backdrop, to put it mildly, of players and staff not being paid on time. Combined with having nothing to play for, it's difficult.

Rohl apologised for the performance at Stoke, even as he stated the need for more quality.

People have asked why not change the tactics. It's also worth noting the big chances Wednesday have had in their recent games and not taken.

This is not like the Xisco era where they struggled to muster a shot in anger. They create chances and don't score. Again, it's about quality.

Should the manager change the tactics to try and spark a change? It's one suggestion.

With nothing to lose, though, why wouldn't you use the time to try and improve the system you prefer and try and learn who fits into future plans?

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl said some players disappointed him in their 2-0 defeat at Stoke City.

The Owls have now failed to win any of their past six games and have dropped to15th.

"It's tough. We spoke a lot this week about what we want to change and how we want to play, that we have to do our basics right, and how we want to be hungry for the last games. I'm very disappointed from some individual performances today," boss Danny Rohl told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I always help them and try to improve them but some players showed today they are not able to play at my level.

"It starts after three minutes with one situation and from that moment I knew it would be a tough first half. It's not what I want to see.

"It's hard. Two weeks to go but such a finish after 18 months where we were very successful together makes me sad.

"We cannot play at just 80%. This group needs 100% to get something otherwise we have not the quality in every position."

One more win will get Mark Robins' Stoke City to the psychologically important 50 points barrier, which should mean they are safe from relegation.

The Owls have not won in the five games since back-to-back victories at Plymouth and Norwich but Danny Rohl's side are safely tucked in mid-table and can start thinking a little bit about next season.

The Potters need to improve on their record against Wednesday if they are to move closer to ending talk of going down once and for all.

• Stoke have won just two of their past 13 league games against Sheffield Wednesday (D6 L5) and are winless in three against the Owls (D1 L2).

• Sheffield Wednesday are looking for their first league double over Stoke since the 1952-53 top-flight campaign, having won 2-0 earlier this season.

• Stoke have won two of their past four league games on Good Friday (L2), one more than in their previous 23 such games (D7 L15).

• Sheffield Wednesday are winless in their past four league games on Good Friday (D3 L1), having won each of their previous four between 2002 and 2018.

• Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson has prevented the most goals based on Opta's expected goals model in the Championship this season (15), while Sheffield Wednesday's Pierce Charles has the second-best goals prevented rate (1.47 – min. 360 minutes).

Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield reporter

Image source, Rex Features

The protest on Saturday, arranged by the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust, was the most participated in protest I can recall at Hillsborough.

As noted a few times recently, this isn't a fan base with much appetite for protest. You're unlikely to see anything like you're witnessing at Spurs currently or Manchester United.

However, this one apparently struck a chord.

Not everyone took part but a lot of people accepted the call to turn their backs on the pitch in the 10th minute against Oxford, selected to mark 10 years of Dejphon Chansiri's reign as Chairman. Calls for Chansiri to go were heard in the stadium during the minute-long stand.

The plan from the Trust clearly sent a message. Chansiri published a letter to supporters just before the game where he apologised for the recent situation of unpaid players and senior staff. He admitted he would happily leave the club if someone more suitable comes along.

Tellingly though, he also said he had no intention to leave. He also admitted his lack of interest in a NDA with any prospective buyer, which some argue is a roadblock to ever discovering if a stronger alternative is out there or any future sale.

The Supporters Trust read the letter and quickly published a response saying it was still time for Chansiri "to do the honourable thing and step aside once a buyer offering market valuation is found."

All attention now turns to a Tuesday meeting between Chansiri and a supporters engagement panel, which includes the Trust.

What will the chairman say? Will the wider fan base find out what is discussed? Will fans be provided with answers to the significant number of questions they tell us they want asked? Will there be further protests, with Sheffield Wednesday playing two games over the Easter weekend?

We recently requested an opportunity to interview the chairman but were told he isn't doing any audio interviews.

Clarity is required for fans who have been very patient during what has been at times a turbulent period.

They've been asked to pay high ticket prices compared to other clubs and they've been asked to pay for early bird season tickets at Christmas time. They've invested their money and faith into the club and deserve to know what's going on.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl said that he was "disappointed" with his side's display in their 1-0 defeat by Oxford United on Saturday.

The Owls dropped one place to 14th in the Championship table after the defeat, 11 points clear of the relegation zone and nine off the top six with four games remaining.

Rohl's side have now lost five consecutive home league matches.

"I think we wanted to win this game and we tried, but in the end we couldn't come to 100% to do it," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"In the final 20 minutes of the game they really tried and managed to do it, we had our moments but all in all we lost.

"I'm disappointed about us, I don't like that we conceded from set-pieces again, at the moment it is tough to take and a tough time.

"At this stage of the season it is all about results and our results in the second half of the season, especially at home, you can copy and paste results and it is hard."

The Owls are next in action on Friday when they travel to face Stoke City.

Sheffield Wednesday are looking to end a four-game losing run at home to keep alive their slim Championship play-off hopes.

Oxford United are just three points clear of the relegation zone as they search for a second away win of the season.

• After their 3-1 win in December, Sheffield Wednesday could complete only their second league double over Oxford United, after 1985-86.

• Oxford United are unbeaten in their past four away league games at Sheffield Wednesday (W2 D2) since a 6-1 defeat in October 1986.

• Sheffield Wednesday have lost each of their past four home league games in succession, last enduring a longer losing run at Hillsborough in December 2009 (5).

• Oxford have won just one of their 20 away league games this season (D7 L12), scoring more than one goal in just two of those matches.

• Djeidi Gassama has scored seven league goals this season, the most by a player while aged 21 or younger in a campaign for Sheffield Wednesday since Connor Wickham in 2013-14 (8).

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield after his side's 2-2 draw away to Blackburn Rovers.

"Of course it is disappointing when you saw the first half because except from the first chance they had I think we controlled the game with some really good football," he said.

"But two-nil is always dangerous with one moment from the home team. When you take all of this game maybe this was the mirror of all season. Maybe we have this and [then] this. But I must say the attitude was there and the mentality.

"We have made a very solid season. When was the last season with this club that you can say there has been no trouble and we have spent most of the season looking up? These are all positives things that we should take.

"As a group we have good performances but individually everyone could step up. But again we have achieved 53 points and that was achieved on the final match day last season. This season we have still five more games to go so let's try to have a good end of the season."

Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The Sheffield Wednesday players might have been finally paid today but the further reputational damage to the club will linger.

This latest episode, along with controversial fans forums, late HMRC payments and other issues have definitely not gone unnoticed in football.

With Southampton parting with Ivan Juric today, it feels like a matter of when not if they make a move for Owls boss Danny Rohl. They won't be the only interested party. It seems inevitable the club will lose its biggest asset.

How many of the out of contract players will also be minded to move on after this?

Chairman Dejphon Chansiri bears complete responsibility and there are larger than ever calls for him to find a buyer and sell the club.

However, a growing passion for change among Wednesday fans online didn't translate to anger in the stands on Saturday. The reaction was meek, a couple of strangled chants calling for Chansiri to go. It feels clearer than ever that there simply isn't an appetite for protest at Hillsborough.

This isn't a modern thing.

Owls fans, by and large, are not protesters. There was more anger shown by Rotherham fans the week prior at now former boss Steve Evans than we saw at Chansiri at the weekend.

The 1867 Group, which has organised protests over the last 18 months, phoned our show to tell us they were often abused, spat at and one volunteer had a punch aimed in his direction. They say they had no choice but to give up.

We requested an interview with Chansiri but were told by the club he isn't doing any audio interviews.

These are some of the questions that fans want answers to:

The club sold early bird season tickets at Christmas, recently hosted a big crowd for the Steel City Derby and gave hospitality box holders a seven-day deadline to renew and pay to get a cheaper rate. How did the club not have sufficient funds to pay players and staff on time in March?

That has to be explained in more detail. The fans deserve answers because they're the ones being asked to pay for not only early season tickets, but also some of the highest ticket prices around.

If the club is now reliant on money coming into the chairman's other businesses to pay monthly salaries, what are these other businesses exactly? Do fans have a right to know if the sustainability of the club is reliant on them?

How long is it until the next cashflow issue? Is it a matter of time until the next problem? And if so, doesn't the chairman have a duty to look for alternative investors and/or new owners?

Who advises the chairman? We're constantly asked about Amadeu Paixao. What is his role, specifically, and how was he introduced to the chairman?

There are of course many more questions to be asked. This is a historic football club that is not being run properly.