Alan Biggs at Large: Could this '˜misfit' Sheffield Wednesday striker make an impact on Owls' resurgent season?
Of course, we should not expect an immediate impact from a player nearing a return eight months after major knee surgery. Yet something tells me Winnall could add something significant to Sheffield Wednesday's resurgent season.
Goals, in a word ... but it runs deeper.Â
Winnall proved a misfit after arriving at Hillsborough in January, 2017, following prolific spells at Scunthorpe and Barnsley.
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Hide AdThe suspicion, which I believe to hold much truth, is that he was signed mainly as a lever to land another then Barnsley player, Conor Hourihane, who was Carlos Carvalhal's main target.
This proved a miscalculation. Barnsley dug in on Hourihane, who was sold to Aston Villa instead after a backlash from fans over parting with Winnall to a big brother neighbour.
The 27-year-old was then further compromised by Wednesday landing Jordan Rhodes as their new main man up front in what has proved, so far, to be an ill-fated club record deal.
Winnall subsequently had sporadic run-outs in various roles without really being trusted in any.
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Hide AdHe hit just four goals in 18 appearances and yet his stature as a marksman is undiminished. In total, Winnall has amassed 90 career goals in 237 appearances (52 of those as a substitute).
That is some ratio - including his six in six starts on loan at Derby before his injury.
No wonder Luhukay is keen to involve him. Further, I think the system mainly favoured by the Owls boss this season could suit both men.
Luhukay tends to go for a forward three, with raiders either side of a big target man, Steven Fletcher or Atdhe Nuhiu.
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Hide AdWinnall is not built for the central role and is more of a predator. He plays well wider, showing skill and a turn of speed.
This may not be his preferred position but the game is changing from the days of the orthodox 4-4-2 with a big '˜un and a smaller nippier guy up front.
Winnall has the parts to his game to adjust - and compete with the likes of Fernando Forestieri, Lucas Joao and Marco Matias (when fit) for the off-centre roles.
It's yet another pointer to a healthier outlook at Hillsborough with Wednesday hitting the international break at sixth in the Championship after only one defeat in nine games.
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Hide AdMuch credit again to Luhukay who, after more questioning of his unguessable selection and tactics (including from this writer), came up with a winning formula at Bristol City last weekend.
Winnall's availability will make Luhukay even harder to second-guess - but it also stands to add extra potency.