Considering where they were at the start of December, things are threatening to go very well indeed on Saturday, when a point at Sunderland will confirm a remarkable escape from relegation.
It owes everything to Danny Rohl, a first-time manager who only turned 35 at the weekend.
Though it may not be Rohl’s final game at the Stadium of Light, there is a hint of expectation that it will be his last game with the Owls.
Less than a year ago, the team defeated South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley in the last seconds of extra time at Wembley after overturning a 4-0 first-leg deficit to win their League One play-off semi-final against Peterborough United on penalties.
Manager Darren Moore left after only a few weeks due to disagreements with his chairman.
Although Moore was involved in two of this season’s relegations—Huddersfield Town from League One and Port Vale from League One—it still doesn’t look as catastrophic because it required starting over from scratch, which didn’t go well.
With just two points from eleven league games, the team had the worst start in the Championship’s and the club’s histories, which led to Xisco Munoz’s firing.
Before they were on a Rohl, they had six points from 17 games, ten of which came from safety.
It’s incredible to think that the only things that may send them down are a win for Birmingham City or Plymouth Argyle, who play Hull City, and a loss for the Owls against a Sunderland team that has only won two of their previous 14 games.
It makes sense that the Black Cats are expected to be eager to have Rohl lead them in the upcoming campaign. Definitely, the Owls are.
A youthful yet seasoned manager who just added a dash of pragmatism to his high-pressing style of football checks a lot of boxes.
Observing Rohl engage with supporters in the quintessential German manner at the conclusion of games is like watching a man who appears to be in love, but his true colours emerge when you press him.
I asked him about the poor state of the Hillsborough pitch.
“We have to do a lot of things at our club,” was his terse reply
Afterwards he stated: “I enjoy my team, I enjoy the supporters and I enjoy my coaching team.” Perhaps he simply overlooked bringing up his infamous chairman. Perhaps.
Many maladies are cured with wins, but Rohl’s frustrations appear entrenched.
He recently criticised the team for having 19 players whose contracts were expiring in the next few months.
He said he could lead the team in League One in an interview last week, but there was a major if.
“Using this (supporter) power alone is insufficient; we require additional power and guidance,” he stated. “It has to do with the team, the surroundings, the facilities, everything.”
Things that Chansiri has struggled with. It is fully in his hands to establish the trust and circumstances that will motivate Rohl to complete the task he began.
