Should Wednesday owners keep faith in Pedersen?

Everyone accepts this season has been a nightmare for Sheffield Wednesday. A decimated squad. Youth players thrust into action. Multiple emergency goalkeepers.

Nobody expected anything other than an almighty nine month slog.

However, with one game to go, the Owls have won only one solitary league game.

Is it good enough?

It's a question an increasing number of fans are asking, with a feeling – not confirmed – that the potential new owners will stick with boss Henrik Pedersen.

There's no doubt the players have given their all, and that's to the manager's credit. There were expectations that by November, with the season a lost cause, the hammerings would start. Instead, Wednesday have, at the very least, limited the damage.

However, only one victory is still a thing to be discussed. An argument we often get on BBC Sheffield is how would a League Two club, for example, fair if they played 45 Championship opponents. Would they get at least two wins?

The 2023-24 Rotherham United team finished bottom of the Championship, employing three different managers and a squad completely incapable of competing in the second tier. They still won five games and claimed 27 points.

The 2016-17 Millers previously held the record low points total for a Championship season with 23 points. That was the year that Alan Stubbs replaced Neil Warnock, was promptly sacked, Kenny Jackett then took over, but resigned after just 39 days. It was a mess. They also won five games.

Is it fair for Wednesday fans to wonder, despite everything, whether one solitary win after 45 games is acceptable?

Should they have at least found a way to win one or two more by now?

Being hammered by another relegated team in Oxford United on Saturday puts the question into focus. They lost 4-1, conceded poor goals, were out-shot 20 to 10, and the U's more than doubled Wednesday's xG.

Pedersen's win percentage as a manager before arriving at Hillsborough was only 29.1% in four stints. He's worked in difficult circumstances, but Wednesday now face a big summer of rebuilding.

Start next season badly, and patience will be in short supply. Fans will point to the lack of wins this season and prior spells as a boss. Can Wednesday risk having one man oversee the start of a major project, only to feel pressure to change right away if the results don't come next term?

It's a dilemma that warrants some consideration from the Storch group as they make plans for the future, whilst trying to complete a takeover.

Are they better off having a clean slate? Or would they be right to place their faith in the incumbent manager and staff? There's certainly a case to be made for stability, and they might be impressed with Pedersen's vision for the future.

For more reasons than one though, a win on the final day against West Brom is needed. To reward long-suffering, loyal fans. And to create some faith in Pedersen and his staff.

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