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Sheffield Wednesday have been forced to use young players and academy graduates this season, with one emerging as a top talent.
Sheffield Wednesday struggled throughout the summer with the financial crisis overseen by owner Dejphon Chansiri, and their woes have bled into the season.
After Sheffield Wednesday beat Leeds United in the Carabao Cup second round, Henrik Pedersen was set to field a young squad in the following Grimsby clash.
Unfortunately for the Owls boss, the Sheffield Wednesday youngsters failed to get past the League Two outfit, who shockingly beat Manchester United on penalties in the previous round.
A goal from man-of-the-match Jaze Kabia shortly after the interval was enough to send Grimsby through, but one Sheffield Wednesday starlet earned praise despite the defeat.
Sheffield Wednesday starlet Yisa Alao praised after Grimsby defeat
Following an injury to Reece Johnson, Yisa Alao was introduced by Pedersen with the scores still level against Grimsby.
Although Alao and his Sheffield Wednesday teammates failed to see out the victory, the 16-year-old full-back ought to be proud of his performance.
Alao was impressive in possession with seven passes into the final third, and was a force to be reckoned with in the air despite his ripe age by winning five out of six (83%) of his aerial duels against Grimsby.
The youngster was hailed by the local Sheffield Wednesday press for his mature and assured performance in his second senior cameo of the Carabao Cup campaign for the Owls.
Sheffield Wednesday reporter Joe Crann said on X: “Thought Alao did really well after coming on.
“Still got loads of room for growth, both as a player and physically, but there’s so much potential there.”
Reporter Alan Biggs added on X: “Both @mickygray33 & I made a point of highlighting Yisa Alao on talkSPORT.
“Very impressive from #SWFC’s 16-year-old left back. Micky felt the kids could be pleased with their efforts, also taken with young striker George Brown among others.”
What Henrik Pedersen thought of Yisa Alao vs Grimsby Town
In his post-match media duties, Sheffield Wednesday boss Pedersen heaped praise on his young players, including Alao, who fought tirelessly to no avail against Grimsby.
Pedersen told Sheffield Wednesday’s media: “I think it was one more great great experience for our young guys and then a great performance from our young guys.
“We had one training where we trained the game plan for today and how they follow a game plan. It was amazing and how they’re working. It’s amazing and how the young guys are growing.
“So, a lot of positive things also when we have lost the game.”
Pedersen added on Alao: “It (first-half injuries) gave the chance to two new players, and Yisa (Alao) was one of them, and yeah, there was a lot of great performances tonight.
“We saw Yisa (Alao), he’s coming in. Wow, what a player.”
With Wednesday out of the Carabao Cup, their worrying Championship form is placed even further under the microscope, with a trip to Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon.
Pedersen needs all hands on deck to turn around the sinking Owls ship, and the boss will be hoping Sheffield Wednesday’s push to sign free agent Duncan Watmore goes through with EFL approval as soon as possible.