Why Sheffield Wednesday chief Darren Moore must resist temptation to make huge Owls change

It is safe to say Sheffield Wednesday's shopping list for the forthcoming summer transfer window is quite extensive. The Owls are targeting a number of new additions to boost their hopes of mounting a serious automatic promotion push next season.

With Sam Hutchinson, Chey Dunkley and Saido Berahino to leave the club at the end of their contracts and seven loan players having already departed, another manic summer beckons at Hillsborough. More strength in depth and quality is required in every department to turn Wednesday from play-off candidates to top-two contenders.

But one of the big talking points is what formation will the Owls adopt come the big kick-off in a little over two months time. Will Wednesday recruit players to suit multiple systems?

Ex-Sheffield Wednesday captain sends message to Dejphon Chansiri over Owls ace Barry Bannan

It is well-documented that Darren Moore's preferred formation is 4-2-3-1. Several wingers, including Olamide Shodipo, Theo Corbeanu and Marvin Johnson, were recruited to play in that shape last summer.

But after a strong start to the 2021/22 season (the Owls topped the table after four matches), Moore's new-look squad hit a poor run of form. Not only did their results drop off, but injury problems also started to pile up. Moore was heavily criticised for putting square pegs into round holes.

It prompted Moore to ditch his favoured 4-2-3-1 set-up and switch to 3-5-2 at the 10 match mark. It was an eye-catching change in approach and a defining moment in their season. Did it work? You bet.

Wednesday accumulated 70 points from the next 36 matches to finish fourth in the standings and secure a play-off spot. The tweak in system particularly benefited Barry Bannan and enabled the