5. The Signings
Dave Jones has told the fans on several occasions not to expect an ageing has been who wants one last hoorah simply to get bums on seats. Instead he seems to be looking more towards youth or players with a point to prove. Chris Maguire from Derby feels he didnt have a fair crack of the whip at Pride Park, and still has many doubters to prove wrong this side of the border. But fine performances in Scotland were what triggered the move to Derby, and he showed in glimpses during a loan spell at Portsmouth what a good player he can be. Joe Mattock fits in to the same spectrum, after not really breaking in to the first team at West Brom he will feel he hasnt lived up to his potential. Kieran Lee is a young full back who was sold from the Manchester United academy to Oldham where he won many awards for his string of fine performances. Untried at this level he will feel he can still progress as a footballer and will want to repay the faith Jones has shown in him. Anthony Gardner and Chris Kirkland provide the experience in the back line to help mould these youngsters and the capture today of Portuguese midfielder Diogo Amado shows that Jones has his finger in many pies, even foreign ones! With these new additions and the contract extensions of Mark Beevers, Jermaine Johnson and Stephen Bywater the Owls have already assembled a promising, hungry team. Theres plenty to shout about at the moment in the blue half of Sheffield, and why shouldnt there be? Finally we can look up the table instead of down and look forward to sustainability instead of financial turmoil. Wherever Wednesday finish next season one thing is for sure, its a good time to be an Owl.