What will the next few months hold for three of South Yorkshire's finest, here are a few thoughts on all the sides I cover.
Sheffield Wednesday
February is now upon us and as the business part of the season starts to ramp up we find that the Owls are fighting on two fronts, From my point of view this can only hinder their promotion bid from League One. As exciting as the F.A Cup can be the league has to be the main focus for Gary Megson's men. The cup games will bring in a little extra revenue and some excitement but looking at the injuries that have hindered the squad so far this season, the sooner they are out of that competition the better.
Gary Madine is back after a prolonged spell out injured and if he can pick up where he left off he will in my opinion push Wednesday into the automatic promotion spots. The former Carlisle striker has the ability to play at a higher level, he reminds me of former SWFC player Grant Holt, his size and ability in the air combined with his finishing shows why the Owls have missed him.
Obviously the loss of influential loan star Ben Marshall will be hard to gloss over but in Mike Jones they have signed a more than adequate replacement. The former Bury winger has the ability to deliver a quality ball into the box and create the kind of chances Madine should thrive on. The opposite flank could host the mercurial Jermaine Johnson, a player with lightning pace that seems to only deliver his best performances sporadically. Over the past few weeks he has shown glimpses of a return to form and with the aforementioned Jones could prove the key to getting Madine firing again.
Obviously the loss of influential loan star Ben Marshall will be hard to gloss over but in Mike Jones they have signed a more than adequate replacement. The former Bury winger has the ability to deliver a quality ball into the box and create the kind of chances Madine should thrive on. The opposite flank could host the mercurial Jermaine Johnson, a player with lightning pace that seems to only deliver his best performances sporadically. Over the past few weeks he has shown glimpses of a return to form and with the aforementioned Jones could prove the key to getting Madine firing again.
With no late moves on transfer deadline day I think we will probably see SWFC delve into the loan market once it reopens in a few weeks time, Megson could look to Leicester City winger Lloyd Dyer who is believed to be high on the Hillsborough wanted list.
Sheffield United
Across the city the Blades are on the up, they are unrecognisable from the side I filmed get comprehensively beaten by rivals Huddersfield Town earlier in the season. Danny Wilson despite initially swimming against the tide has turned the club around and in a reformed Ched Evans has found the key to challenging at the top of the table. Not only is the side playing exciting attacking football, they are scoring goals week in week out home or away.
Unlike their local rivals United are out of the F.A Cup and have their sights set solely on promotion.
It's remarkable to see the difference in the style of play that is now on show at Bramall Lane, United who are renowned for playing a direct style of football with the stereotypical big man being the main focal point are now playing a more attractive passing game. The team have adopted Wilsons managerial blueprint, they are encouraged to start at the back and slowly work the ball forward, a style and system which has benefitted players like the eye-catching Harry Maguire and free scoring Ched Evans, the Welshman is finally living up to the hype that surrounded him when he was originally brought to the club back in 2009.
It's remarkable to see the difference in the style of play that is now on show at Bramall Lane, United who are renowned for playing a direct style of football with the stereotypical big man being the main focal point are now playing a more attractive passing game. The team have adopted Wilsons managerial blueprint, they are encouraged to start at the back and slowly work the ball forward, a style and system which has benefitted players like the eye-catching Harry Maguire and free scoring Ched Evans, the Welshman is finally living up to the hype that surrounded him when he was originally brought to the club back in 2009.
On the transfer front Wilson couldn't have been happier to wake up on Feb 1st knowing that he had managed to keep his much sought after young players. Not only did the Blades keep their prized assets they also secured the services of Brighton and Hove Albion striker Will Hoskins, the former Rotherham United striker has joined on loan and will look to kick start his career back in South Yorkshire, a place where he first shot to fame a few years ago.
With the Steel city derby only a few weeks away it really will be 50/50 as to who will be victorious and take the momentum with them for the remainder of the season.
Barnsley
The Reds suffered a double transfer blow in January; Midfielder Danny Drinkwater and top scorer Ricardo Vaz Te both left for pastures new. When Drinkwater was sold to Leicester by parent club Manchester United Keith Hill acted quickly in securing the temporary services of midfield duo Michael Tonge and Korey Smith from premier league sides Stoke City and Norwich City respectively.
It was a different story when Portuguese fan favourite Vaz Te was lured away on transfer deadline day, it left Hill with a matter of hours to find a replacement for the enigmatic front man and with time ticking it proved to be a fruitless task. Barnsley instead concentrated on addressing the balance of the team and Scott Golbourne a pacey left back from Exeter City was signed along with Leyton Orient captain Stephen Dawson, the 26 year old central midfielder will add competition for places in the Tykes engine room.
The former Rochdale boss will undoubtedly look to bring in a striker once the loan window reopens, the hole left by Vaz Te's exit needs filling and I'm sure Hill will already have his targets in mind.
It is nearly impossible to predict the remaining four months of the season, The leagues most inconsistent side once again turned in an eye catching performance against in form Derby County with a 3-2 victory at Oakwell. That win took the Reds to 39 points and has them looking upwards towards the top ten rather than casting a nervous glance at the relegation spots below.
It's so far so good for 'Hillcroft' in their first taste of Championship football, Reds fans must be impressed with not only the points on the board but also the caliber of player on show especially given the budget constraints placed on the club.
It is definitely a team to keep an eye on and should the new arrivals hit the ground running the Reds could still make a late run for a play-off spot and have the Oakwell faithful flocking back to Oakwell.
