Sheffield Wednesday suffered a heavy 4-0 pre-season defeat away to League Two side Oldham Athletic, prompting BBC Radio Sheffield reporter Rob Staton to argue that fans may need a reality check given the scale of the rebuild the club faces. Despite positive off-field progress this summer, including infrastructure improvements, new appointments and several signings, Wednesday are having to construct a squad almost from scratch in a matter of months while operating under EFL financial restrictions imposed following the club's exit from administration.

Staton notes that the club still lacks depth and quality in key areas, and manager Henrik Pedersen faces significant pressure given how poor last season was, when Wednesday won only two league games. He argues League One demands a different, more physical approach than the Championship, pointing to fitness-focused promotion winners Lincoln City as an example, and questions whether a squad reliant on loan signings can start well enough to ease scrutiny on Pedersen once the season begins.