The Owls head to Charlton for the opening League One fixture of the 2021/22 season on Saturday and here are the talking points from Darren Moore’s pre-match press conference.
On Lee Gregory…
He’s a quality player. He adds competition to the top end of the pitch and we’re looking forward to getting him started. He’s knows the level, his enthusiasm and willingness that he possesses makes him a really good player and we’re glad to have him on board. He gives us that little bit more in terms of attacking options.
On Marvin Johnson…
Marvin has played a lot of his football at the level above and brings us balance to the left side of the team. He brings good experience so to have someone of his ilk is fantastic and he’ll be a good player for us.
Marvin was a free agent and he had lots of opportunities but we put our pitch in and timing is everything. I felt it was the time for him to come here and get into the fabric of the football club and for him to etch his name into the club. He felt the project was right and we’re pleased to have him on board.
On Theo Corbeanu…
Theo is a wonderful payer and I’m excited for him. He’s a top young talent and his style of play is very different. He’s got wonderful balance on his left and right, he’s a wonderful character and got good parts to him as a human being and a top, top talent that I want to make better with the platform here at Sheffield Wednesday. We are very grateful to Wolves.
On transfers…
There’s been some careful planning with the players we have brought in, we have to get them in, get them settled and focus on the team cohesion. I’m pleased with the acquisitions we’ve brought in. I want to thank the supporters because they play a big part in getting the players here. The players want to play in front of them and credit to the supporters because Sheffield Wednesday is in the hearts and minds of people, even if they are not connected to the club. I’ve been able to echo that to the players we’ve brought in, and they have been excited by it.
On young players…
We’re looking at giving the younger players the loan opportunities to go and play football elsewhere. We have a responsibility to get these boys out and get them playing games. The reason to get them on loan is to get them closer to our first team. They need high level performances on a Saturday and build their physicality and robustness towards the game.
On Mide Shodipo…
Mide will miss the game on Saturday with a muscle strain. We’re going to monitor him after the weekend and view him early next week and hopefully he’ll have picked up. But we aren’t going to risk him this weekend.
On Charlton…
When you look at what Nigel did with them last season, they’ve brought some good players in and he’s done a magnificent job. They are well organised and they play some good stuff as a group. It’s an exciting game for the opening day of the season. I will always be respectful to the league and I respect the other 23 clubs. We have to compete and show consistency and as the manager, I have to maintain a professional outlook on the competition.
We’ll see a lot of quality this season because there are some big clubs in there, the level of players in this league is wonderful to see. I don’t think there has ever been as much anticipation for a League One season as there is for this coming campaign.
On living in Sheffield…
From being in petrol stations or walking around the city people have passed on their regards and wished me well. I’ve moved to Sheffield and I’m committed to the club, I want to be here and I’m pleased to be in this wonderful city.
Owls fans travelling to Charlton…
That will be another experience for me, I’m looking forward to the away travel that we will take to get behind the team. I can’t wait to hear their voices and we’re very grateful for the support and their efforts going down there.
It’s a wonderful place and the energy will be there. Both sets of supporters will create a good atmosphere. I’m looking forward to going down there and they are unveiling the new stand, we know the wonderful job that Alan Curbishley did down there and, rightly so, he’s having the stand named after him.
On Florian Kamberi…
He’s had a really good week in training and blown off the cobwebs because he had to isolate when he came into the country. He’s looking more like the player we wanted every day and had a solid week.
