"If we could get another" - Former Sheffield Wednesday favourite raised as perfect Danny Rohl fit | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit has named Kieran Lee as the perfect fit for Danny Rohl's current side

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfield stalwart Kieran Lee has been tipped as the perfect profile to thrive in Danny Rohl's system – were he still in his prime.

The midfielder spent eight years with Wednesday between 2012 and 2020, scoring 22 goals from more than 300 appearances and becoming a real fan favourite with the club.

Wednesday, have undertaken significant squad upheaval over recent seasons and only Liam Palmer and skipper Barry Bannan remain from the era in which Lee was in his Hillsborough pomp. Popular german boss Rohl successfully executed an improbable great escape by keeping the side in the Championship on the final day last season, although the Owls have struggled thus far.

After romping to a 4-0 home victory over Plymouth Argyle on the opening weekend, Wednesday have lost their last three league matches by an aggregate score of 9-0. Their poor early-season form has left them in 20th position, with only bottom-placed Cardiff City having conceded more goals after four games.

Ex-Sheffield Wednesday fan favourite Kieran Lee tipped as perfect Danny Rohl

With the club's slow start in mind, Football League World's Owls fan pundit Patrick McKenna has namechecked Lee as the one former player he would love to see back in the side, believing he would be a precise fit under Rohl's approach.

"It seemed a bit obvious to go back to the 90's with the likes of [John] Sheridan, [David] Hirst and [Chris] Waddle, so I've actually gone for one of my favourite post-2000's players in Kieran Lee," Patrick explained to Football League World.

"He would be a player that Rohl would love, I think he would have him as integral to our team. He was an absolutely superb player for us and at the minute, we are lacking a box-to-box midfielder.

"That's a role he could do with abundant energy but as well, his runs were so intelligent, he had a range of passing and seemed to tie everything together, and I think that fluidity in his play would tie in perfectly with what Rohl is trying to drill into our team.

"As well, there are many examples of Lee where he knew how to time that late run into the box, and it would then be accompanied by a wonderful finish.

"There's definitely always been that thought that Lee was never replaced and in a way, he kind of went under the radar as being so integral to the sides that finished sixth and fourth under Carlos [Carvalhal].

"If he didn't have the injuries he did, his career certainly would've went on longer so if this season or next we could get another Kieran Lee, it would make a huge difference to our team."

Danny Rohl may need to address Sheffield Wednesday's midfield options

Opening day aside, Wednesday have appeared largely susceptible in the middle of the park so far. Both Sunderland and Millwall played through them centrally, which must be a source of concern for Rohl given how important control in the midfield engine room is to his style.

They have also recruited heavily there this summer by signing Shea Charles, Nathaniel Chalobah and Svante Ingelsson, the latter of whom has looked the most impressive.

However, new recruits or a change in personnel may be required if they continue to struggle in that area of the pitch and it only further reminds supporters of how good Lee really was.