Sheffield Wednesday: Rob Staton on why a reality check might be needed

Sometimes pre-season can be deceptive - but other times you can't ignore the warning signs. Sheffield Wednesday losing 4-0 at Oldham on Saturday is one of those occasions.

It's clearly a bad result but many of the fans attending have also commented on the level of the performance.

Despite so many positives happening this summer at Sheffield Wednesday - including much needed infrastructure work, key appointments and multiple signings - the people in charge of the Owls are having to cram a year's worth of work into a few months.

This is particularly challenging when it comes to building a team, especially when you're having to deal with financial restrictions from the EFL after coming out of administration.

The honest truth is Wednesday need more quality in certain areas and really lack overall depth in their squad. But they can only do so much in one summer. They've made some eye-catching signings for League One - but the extent of the work required is now very evident as they try to build a squad virtually from scratch.

It might be useful to have a bit of a reality check now.

Such was the enormous rebuilding job required on and off the pitch, this might take a bit more time than some initially anticipated. If there is something to take out of a pre-season spanking to a League Two team, that perspective might be it.

That said, you still can't be losing 4-0 at Oldham - pre-season or not.

Manager Henrik Pedersen, more than most, will need a fast start when the proper football begins.

Everyone knows how difficult last year was. They won two league games, though - taking a record low points total away from Rotherham United, who won five in 2016-17.

Whether you think it's fair or not, in football you don't get a lot of rope when you win 4% of your games.

The heavy loss at Oldham has ramped up concerns among fans who were not convinced the Dane was the right man for this season.

League One is very different to the Championship. It might sound basic - but it's often not a place for intricate philosophy and technical prowess. It's Burton on a cold November evening, on a bad pitch when it's chucking it down against a team who won't mess about.

Wednesday have got to work this division out and learn to become winners. This isn't a passing-around-at-the-back league. Last year's title winners Lincoln were no mugs on the ball - but their calling card was being the fittest team in the league and they'd run you off the pitch.

Are Wednesday, who are limited in their ability to rapidly improve the squad and are reliant on the loan market, capable of having the kind of start that will keep the pressure off their manager?

He'll clearly get an opportunity to win the doubters' support and considering he's been tasked with leading the team this season, Pedersen deserves to be judged on league games and not pre-season.

The boss is a talking point already though, even before the season officially begins. I've covered Wednesday in League One before. Irrespective of the situation, fans expect to win. You need to win.

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