Xisco has named his first away day Sheffield Wednesday XI for this afternoon’s clash at Hull City – with a big decision made between the sticks.
Devis Vasquez keeps his place with the gloves after a stellar midweek debut in the Carabao Cup, with Cameron Dawson dropping to the bench.
There’s still no place for Marvin Johnson in the matchday squad and new signing Momo Diaby has travelled to East Yorkshire – but won’t play a part.
George Byers is on the bench, as is Michael Smith, who recovers from a midweek illness that saw him miss out against Stockport County.
Dominic Iorfa and Akin Famewo look set to pitch up on the flanks of defence with Bambo Diaby and Michael Ihiekwe between them.
Tyreeq Bakinson start alongside Barry Bannan in midfield with Callum Paterson and Juan Delgado expected to take up the wide positions.
Josh Windass starts up top with Lee Gregory.
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2 Sheffield Wednesday tweaks Xisco Munoz may make to the XI v Hull
Xisco Munoz has some big calls to make ahead of this weekend
Wednesday raised the curtains of the 2023/24 Championship campaign at home to newly-relegated Southampton on Friday evening, with the
visitors clinching all three points.
Veteran striker Lee Gregory had restored parity eight minutes into the second half after Southampton raced into an early lead but former Sheffield
United frontman Che Adams appeared from the bench to score late on as Wednesday eventually fell to defeat at Hillsborough.
They were back on home soil again during the midweek first round of Carabao Cup fixtures, welcoming Stockport County across the Pennines to
South Yorkshire.
And the Owls had been on course to succumb to a shock defeat to the League Two outfit, only to be saved by Tyreeq Bakinson’s 97th-minute leveler
that took the fixture to penalties, where they came out on top 4-1.
So, with plenty to consider and analyse from those two affairs, let’s take a look at two changes that Munoz may decide to make when his side travel to
Humberside this weekend.
Devis Vasquez in for Cameron Dawson
This first call would represent a huge vote of faith from the Spaniard, though you could well argue that it is more than warranted.
Vasquez, who is currently on loan from AC Milan, clearly has ability given he’s on the books of the Italian heavyweights, even if he is yet to feature for
them, and has been recruited to bolster Wednesday’s keeping options.
He featured in the match against Stockport and emerged as the hero by saving two penalties in the shootout.
That may just have given Munoz some food for thought and while Dawson will take some displacing given he has been the club’s first-in-command
between the sticks to date, you can only imagine that he will be sweating over his place in the side at this moment in time following the heroics of his
Colombian compatriot.
George Byers in for Tyreeq Bakinson
Meanwhile, Wednesday have been handed a monumental boost through George Byers’ recent clean bill of health.
The midfielder has not played for the Owls since March 11 after being forced off during a win at Portsmouth with a muscle issue but was named on
the bench on Tuesday evening.
While it would be a big leap for him to slot straight back into the side, it has to be something that Munoz will be considering.
Byers was outstanding last season and Wednesday raise their levels as a team. His industry and ability to break up play in the middle coupled with a
significant goal threat that saw him find the back of the net six times from 24 matches makes him a hard player to leave out if available.
He also possesses crucial experience and know-how at this level from his time with Swansea City, only strengthening the 27-year-old’s case.
It can be seen as somewhat harsh on Bakinson after he got on the scoresheet against Stockport, but Byers will inevitably force his way back into the
team sooner rather than later, and Saturday could be the right time for that to happen.
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