Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl offers coy response amid Michael Smith to Wrexham rumours
Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl offers coy response amid Michael Smith to Wrexham rumours
As Wrexham continue to be linked with a move for Sheffield Wednesday ace Michael Smith, the fact the striker was left out of the recent matchday squad speaks volumes.
Everybody knows Wrexham are in dire need of some extra firepower, and it would seem their main priority in the January transfer window is to add a new striker to Phil Parkinson’s squad.
Various names have been linked, but Michael Smith has been mooted as a target for the Red Dragons most strongly this month.
And, based on Danny Rohl’s latest team selection, those rumours could have some substance to them. So, will we see Smith join the Wrexham squad soon?
Danny Rohl is the only one who knows why Michael Smith was left out of Owls squad
Smith was not included in Sheffield Wednesday’s squad to face Leeds United on Sunday afternoon, with the Owls losing 3-0 to the Championship pace-setters.
This comes after Smith was on the bench for the previous game against Millwall, picking up just 19 minutes as a substitute.
When asked in his post-match press conference (via Justin Allen on Twitter/X) what the situation with Smith is and whether his exclusion hints at a transfer, Danny Rohl had very little in the way of a conclusive answer.
He said: “Let’s see. The important thing is that Michael and I know the situation, and that will be enough.” Then, when pressed for more and asked if he knows anything about Smith’s future, Rohl simply said, “No.”
Granted, it’s very unlikely Rohl would ever explicitly and openly reveal what is happening with Smith if negotiations are in progress, but his answer does seem to suggest that there is an underlying truth to the rumours at least.
If Smith were merely injured, we’re sure Rohl would just say that. Could Smith be the first confirmed Wrexham transfer of the window? Here’s hoping there is some movement soon.
Michael Smith would be a brilliant short-term signing for Wrexham
Yes, Michael Smith is entering his twilight years, and Wrexham fans are eager to see the club invest in fresher, younger strikers, but there’s no denying the veteran forward is an accomplished goalscorer.
With Wrexham still yet to make a signing as we head into the final stretch of the transfer window, the need for long-term thinking does start to dissipate slightly, and the Red Dragons now simply need to find someone who can get them goals.
| Statistics | Michael Smith (2024/25) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 28 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 6 |
| xG | 3.8 |
| Shots on target % | 41.2 |
Sure, Smith won’t be the kind of player that can serve them for years to come, but can he fire them to promotion? Absolutely.
He has five goals and six assists to his name in 28 appearances this season, and that’s all been achieved in just over 1,000 minutes of football — that’s a goal contribution every 90 minutes. He’s also outperforming his xG rather substantially, and it’s tantalising to think what he could do if he stepped down a division.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Smith would be a bargain for Wrexham this month, and could make the difference in the League One promotion race.
Leave a Reply