Sheffield Wednesday began the 2016/17 campaign with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Hillsborough, thanks to a second half goal from the influential Fernando Forestieri.
It was back down to earth for the Wednesday faithful in midweek however after League Two Cambridge United sent a rotated Owls line-up crashing out of the EFL Cup.
U’s skipper Luke Berry struck deep into stoppage time to ensure that Carlos Carvalhal’s men will not participate in the competition again this season after a 2-1 reverse.
The Owls will look to continue their quest for promotion this weekend when they face a daunting visit to promotion rivals Norwich City in the Saturday evening game.
The Canaries thumped Blackburn Rovers 4-1 on the opening day and Wednesday will need to be on top form to ensure that they leave East Anglia with a positive result.
Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at a 4-4-2 line-up that has the potential to beat Norwich City this weekend.
GK – Keiren Westwood
Young stopper Joe Wildsmith kept goal for Wednesday in the midweek cup defeat but first choice keeper Westwood will return this weekend.
The Republic of Ireland performer is one of the standout custodians in the Championship and he remains a massive part of the Sheffield Wednesday team.
With Norwich boasting a potent attacking threat from all over the pitch, Westwood will need to be on top form this weekend.
RB – Jack Hunt
The ex-Huddersfield Town man is another regular in the starting line-up for the Owls and he made a steady start to the campaign against Aston Villa last weekend.
Hunt will keep his natural right-back spot and he may be handed the task of keeping the explosive Jacob Murphy at bay this weekend.
CB – Tom Lees
The Wednesday skipper is one of the best central defenders in the Championship on his day and his performances last season have alerted Premier League clubs this summer.
Lees will be tasked with leading the Owls once again at Carrow Road and he will look to guide Wednesday towards a vital three points this weekend.
CB – Sam Hutchinson
Although Hutchinson is not naturally a central defender he coped fairly well with the threat of Jordan Ayew against Villa last weekend, with the likelihood of him starting alongside Lees once again this weekend fairly high.
Hutchinson has a history of poor discipline and he will need to cut this out of his game this weekend against Norwich.
LB – Daniel Pudil
The 30-year-old left-back made the left hand side of the Wednesday defence his own last season and the club’s supporters will be hopeful of a similar level of performance during 2016/17.
Pudil started well in the opening match of the season and he will look to aid Wednesday in their quest for another three points this weekend.
RM – Kieran Lee
Fan favourite Kieran Lee is very much one of the first names on the Wednesday team-sheet these days and he looks set to play a big part once again this season for the Owls.
Lee is a lively performer and his ability to retain possession could be a vital component for Wednesday this weekend.
CM – Almen Abdi
The 29-year put pen-to-paper on a deal from Watford this summer in a signing that has been deemed a coup for a Championship club to pull off.
The Swiss performer knows exactly what it takes to get a club out of the Championship and into the Premier League and Wednesday will be looking for his experience to come in good use this season.
CM – Barry Bannan
The 26-year-old was one of the success stories of Sheffield Wednesday’s campaign in 2015/16 and his career is firmly back on track.
The little magician is a massive player for the Owls and their supporters will be hopeful of a similar campaign this time around.
LM – Ross Wallace
One thing that the Scottish midfielder brings to Sheffield Wednesday is the ability to score out of nothing, which is a quality which should not be underestimated.
Wallace spent last season rolling back the years scoring important goals in the Owls’ play-off matches against Brighton and Hove Albion, which secured the club a place in the Wembley final v Hull City.
ST – Gary Hooper
The ex-Norwich City man will relish the chance to turn out against his former club, after current Canaries boss Alex Neil opted to sell the striker to Wednesday last season.
Hooper was left on the bench last weekend for the season curtain-raiser but a nasty looking head injury to Steven Fletcher could hand him the chance to start this weekend.
ST – Fernando Forestieri
The Sheffield Wednesday talisman got the Owls off to a flyer with his winner last weekend and he will be a vitally important part of the club once again this season.
The Argentinean striker netted 15 times last season and Wednesday will be hopeful that he can produce a similar outlay during the next nine months.
Sheffield Wednesday fans, is this the team you would opt for tomorrow? Who else should be in contention for a starting berth? Let us know in the comments below!!!