Midfield anyone?

Jono Garnett takes a look at Wednesday’s midfield options ready for the 2013-2014 season. With Dave Jones seemingly focusing on youth, where are the missing links in the centre of the park? And who’s going to claim the four starting spots?

OUT WIDE

Jermaine Johnson

The club’s longest serving player has agreed (in principle) to a one-year contract extension, and Wednesdayites couldn’t be happier. JJ has been tearing up the wing at S6 since 2007 and seems to get better with age. At 32 years young, he remains one of the quickest and most exciting impact players in The Championship.

Danny Mayor

Despite a stint out on loan at Paul Sturrock’s Southend United at the end of last season, Danny Mayor is still regarded as one of the most promising young players at Hillsborough by manager Dave Jones. Signed from Preston North End at the end of the 2011/2012 campaign, Mayor has yet to break through into the first team, but this coming campaign could be the making of this tricky and attack-minded winger.

Michail Antonio

Last summer’s big signing was Michail Antonio from Reading. His arrival brought 9 goals before injury during the last campaign and Owls fans will want to see more of the same from one of the most popular players on the current rosta at Hillsborough. He’s certain to be a regular in Dave Jones’ side.

Kieran Lee

Although primarily a full back, Lee was utilised on the right hand side of midfield rather successfully during spells of the last campaign, the most eye-catching was probably away against Hull City.

MIDDLE OF THE PARK

Paul Corry

Another of Dave Jones’ youthful prospects added to the squad last season was 21-year-old Paul Corry who arrived from University College Dublin. His eye for a pass and creative flair in midfield was notable in several short outings during the last campaign, with appearances against the likes of Leeds United the most memorable from the youngster. His loan at Tranmere Rovers will have done him the world of good towards the end of last season and he’ll be keen to push on and stake a regular place in the side.

Liam Palmer

After a successful season-long loan at Tranmere Rovers, Palmer has developed into a creative and box-to-box midfielder and remains one of the brightest young talents at Hillsborough. Palmer has also recently signed an extended contract at S6, which adds a real statement of intent for the coming campaign for the player, who will be looking to become one of the first names on Dave Jones’ team sheet for the next campaign.

Rhys McCabe

A regular at the start of last season, McCabe arrived from Glasgow Rangers billed as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the Scottish side in recent years. Despite this reputation and several good performances, it was Wednesday’s run of back-to-back defeats in September and October that lost him his regular place in the team as DJ looked to shake things up. However, after his first season at this level, he’ll be looking to cement his place in the manager’s plans for the next campaign.

Giles Coke

After being frozen out at Hillsborough in the 2011-12 season, Coke earned a surprise recall to the starting XI against Hull City and managed to keep it for the remainder of the season alongside the likes of David Prutton and loanee, Seyi Olifinjana. He was praised for the way he returned to the side and stuck to working hard in training. Taking his chance again will be a big factor in his future at Hillsborough next season.

David Prutton

Like Coke, Prutton was seemingly at the end of his Wednesday career after being loaned out to League One side Scunthorpe United at the beginning of last season. However, Prutton was handed a re-call by Dave Jones as the manager seeked some experience in the middle of the park. After an impressive run of performances from the veteran midfielder, Prutton kept his place and was a key figure in Wednesday’s survival in The Championship.

Jose Semedo

A fan’s favourite during the promotion winning 2011-2012 season, Semedo was again backed to become a mainstay in the heart of Wednesday’s midfield last season. However, he soon lost his place and was practically frozen out of first team duties by Dave Jones. The writing seems to be on the wall for the Portuguese defensive-midfielder, who is still under contract.

Chris Lines

Semedo’s midfield partner throughout the majority of the 2011-2012 campaign was Chris Lines, who picked up an  unfortunate injury during pre-season. Since then, he never really had a look in, and was soon loaned out to League 1 outfit MK Dons. Lines will be looking to put in a solid pre-season to keep in the mind of Dave Jones ready for next season.

Ayo Obileye

Like Palmer, Obileye is yet another graduate of the academy who has been handed a professional contract with the club and is rated by coach Lee Bullen as a ‘Yaya Toure’ figure in the heart of midfield. Although all early indications point to a loan move for the youngster, who’s to say he won’t make the step up and become a success this season?

Adam Hinchliffe

The second midfielder to graduate from the development squad. Like Obileye, Hincliffe is regarded as a hot prospect in midfield, with an eye for goal to boot.

MY STARTING MIDFIELD

Out of this lot, and before DJ makes any signings this summer, I’d opt for the following starting midfield:

LM – Jermaine Johnson

LCM – Liam Palmer

RCM – David Prutton

RM – Michail Antonio

Thoughts…?