Sheffield Wednesday, one of the most iconic clubs in English football, is on the brink of making history, but not in the way they would have hoped. With administration weighing heavily on the club, the possibility of relegation as early as February is becoming a distressing reality. If results do not improve, the Owls could become the first team in the history of the English Football League to be relegated in this month, a fate that could be sealed as soon as next Sunday during a clash with their city rivals, Sheffield United.
The nightmare began last season when Dejphon Chansiri’s administration led the club into an unsustainable situation, marked by numerous salary delays. With the departure of key players and manager Danny Rohl, the club entered administration in October, resulting in an 18-point penalty that left the team in a critical position. Currently, the situation is desperate: with a weakened squad and severe restrictions, the team is ill-equipped to compete in the Championship.
The chances of avoiding relegation are slim, but not nonexistent. If Sheffield Wednesday wins all 14 remaining matches of the season, they will finish with 35 points. However, relegation could be confirmed even before the final whistle in Sunday’s derby, depending on the results of other teams. If Blackburn Rovers do not lose against Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion triumphs over Coventry City, the confirmation of relegation will be imminent.
The task of avoiding an unwanted history is monumental. With just one victory so far in the league, achieved in September, and a grueling streak of nine consecutive defeats, the pressure is on the shoulders of Henrik Pedersen and his players. “We will do everything to bring a high-level performance to compete with them,” Pedersen told BBC Radio Sheffield. He added that “nobody understands what this group has been through in recent months,” revealing his players’ determination to fight for the shirt and the fans.
The numbers are relentless: the 18 points deducted from Sheffield Wednesday represent the third-largest penalty in the history of the Football League in a single season. While Derby County struggled to avoid relegation in 2021-22 despite a 21-point deduction, the Owls are at risk of setting new negative records. Currently, they have just 11 points from 32 matches, and to avoid finishing the season with negative points, they need to earn at least seven in their next 14 games.
Moreover, there is the threat of Sheffield Wednesday becoming the first team to finish a season with negative points. The record for the most losses in a single season, currently held by Doncaster Rovers with 34 defeats, is also within reach, given their current tally of 23 losses in 32 matches.
What remains for the Owls? A fierce battle for survival, a burning desire not to fall into the history books as the first club relegated in February. With the determination of their players and the unwavering support of the fans, Sheffield Wednesday still believes it can avoid the impending misfortune. The coming week will be crucial, and with each game, the club’s fate may be decided.
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