Joe Crann names 3 Sheffield Wednesday players who ‘exceeded expectations’ last season

But there is plenty of praise for the players as well. They were the ones who came out on the field and provided the big moments that ultimately kept the Owls in the championship.

Sheffield Wednesday look set to undergo some pretty drastic changes during this summer’s transfer window, which officially opens on June 14.

But Rohl will certainly be keen to keep the core of the team in tact, with this current generation of players boasting the great character and mentality we saw last season.

The likes of Josh Windass have stepped up in recent weeks when it mattered most. Liam Palmer and Barry Bannan also put in some top performances, with countless others to mention.

Journalist Joe Crann, however, believes that three players all performed “above expectations” for Rohl last season.

Joe Crann welcomes the January transfer window to Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday signed four new players in January, all on loan; James Beadle, Kristian Pedersen, Ian Poveda and Ike Ugbo.

Pedersen only appeared four times in what was a forgettable spell in S6. But Beadle, Poveda and Ugbo all became key players in the second half of the season.

Speaking on Shots!TV’s Sheffield Wednesday: The Great Escape, Crann hailed the arrival and impact of Beadle, Poveda and Ugbo.

Crann said: “James Beadle, he played every game. Ike Ugbo, without his goals, does not stay in the league on Wednesday. And even though Ian Poveda spent time injured, there was a float that came with a player like him, in the games he played, that made people believe again.

“I would say everything has exceeded expectations of what people thought when they first walked in. But I remember finishing transfer deadline day and just thinking, ‘It’s OK, but I think we need more.’

James Beadle, Ian Poveda and Ike Ugbo will return to Sheffield Wednesday

Unsurprisingly, all three are wanted back at Sheffield Wednesday this summer. But all three seem to be in different situations.

Recent reports claim that Brighton would be ready to send Beadle back to Sheffield Wednesday on loan this summer, so it looks like the most advanced deal.

Poveda will officially become a free agent on July 1. He now has interest from Cardiff City, West Brom and others in the Championship but is reportedly open to a return to Hillsborough.

Meanwhile, Ugbo is playing for Canada in the Copa America this summer and any decision on his future with Troyes, who were relegated from Ligue 2 last season, will wait until after Copa America.

But if Rohl gets all three back then it will help keep the core of this Sheffield Wednesday team in tact and if both Poveda and Ugbo returns on permanent deals, both of which could become very valuable assets for the Owls.

A positive summer is certainly in store for Sheffield Wednesday. But they definitely have to work hard.

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