Sheffield Wednesday haven’t been one to give youth an opportunity in recent years.
Only Jos Luhukay has braved such a task and it cost him his job. The pragmatic Dutchman risked it all in order to try and breed through a new generation in south Yorkshire, which was epitomised most by his decision to drop veteran goalkeeper Kieren Westwood to third-choice with Cameron Dawson being handed the number one spot.
Until last weekend at Leeds, the Owls hadn’t used a single player under the age of 23, a theme concurrent with a wider issue facing manager Garry Monk.
Call yourself a Premier League expert? How much did each of these big-money January signings cost?
Per Transfermarkt, the squad currently rank as the second oldest in the Championship with an average age of 27.7, only Cardiff City (28.0) can beat that.
Although in recent weeks, Monk has given a glimpse into changing that by trusting academy prospect Osaze Urhoghide to the extent of handing him a debut in a big FA Cup tie at Premier League opposition.
It has also led to Moses Odubajo being cast off and available for transfer should anyone want to sign him.
The young 19-year-old went viral for his humble post-match interview after the Owls managed to defeat Brighton and Hove Albion and the AMEX Stadium.
He was then thrown into the deep end again against then league leaders Leeds United.
Wednesday kept another clean sheet with Urhoghide at the centre of it all once again – he recorded three tackles and clearances, one interception and even managed three successful dribbles despite being tasked with Jack Harrison and Ezgjan Alioski, per WhoScored.
His rise to Monk’s first-team plans surely leaves question marks over the future of Liam Palmer, who only signed a three-year extension in the summer – one of Steve Bruce’s final decisions before leaving the club for Newcastle.
He played every game bar one in the league under the 59-year-old last season.
The 28-year-old has been at the club for over ten years, but that doesn’t mean he should walk straight back into the side as the young lad is yet to slip up.
If he continues to impress, then the Scotsman will surely find it hard to have much of a future at Hillsborough, although, his ability to play on the left side of defence offers further encouragement even if Morgan Fox is in talks over a new deal.
While in other news, could this Carlos Carvalhal signing also be nearing an exit this month?
