A surprising twist of fate has taken control of Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeper selection! It's not a matter of player performance or tactical preference; a little-known EFL rule has made the decision for them. Forget the debate about whether to start Joe Lumley or Ethan Horvath this weekend – the choice is already made. But how did this happen?
The drama began when Horvath received a red card against Charlton Athletic, leaving the Owls without a senior goalkeeper. Enter Joe Lumley, a goalkeeper from Bristol City, who was swiftly brought in on a seven-day emergency loan deal. This meant he was available to play in the midweek match against Middlesbrough and, crucially, will also be registered for Saturday's home game against Oxford United.
Lumley's performance against Middlesbrough, where he made some impressive saves, sparked discussions among fans. Would manager Henrik Pedersen be tempted to keep the 30-year-old in the starting lineup, even with Horvath's return from suspension? Horvath, the USA international, is currently the Owls' number one, filling in for the injured Pierce Charles. He's on loan from Cardiff City until January.
But here's where it gets controversial: The EFL has a rule that dictates emergency goalkeepers must play in the matches they are registered for. This means Lumley will be in goal this weekend, with Horvath likely on the bench.
After the narrow defeat to Middlesbrough, Owls boss Henrik Pedersen shared his thoughts on Lumley: “He came yesterday morning and came into the office to say hello. We had a conversation and he is a good guy. He is a really good mix between being a calm and a powerful man. He played a great, great game today.”
Some fans had even suggested giving a senior debut to a young goalkeeper, like Wales youth international Logan Stretch. However, the club decided the Middlesbrough match, with its boycotting fan base and high-flying opposition, wasn't the right environment for a young player's debut. Instead, the recruitment team acted quickly to secure the experienced Lumley.
Pedersen explained the decision: “We would like to integrate the young guys, but I think in a home game and where things are at now, also against Middlesbrough, I don't think it was the right situation to put them on the pitch when we had the chance to put an experienced goalkeeper in. It was the right solution.”
What do you think about this EFL rule? Does it make sense, or should managers have more freedom in their team selections? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
