Henrik Pedersen faces key decision vs Stoke City as one Sheffield Wednesday youngster has point to prove

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Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to bounce back from the defeat against Leicester City with their first home game of the season against Stoke City this weekend, and Henrik Pedersen has a selection headache already.

Despite everyone predicting a heavy defeat for Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, the Owls dug deep and came very close to grabbing at least a point at the King Power Stadium.

A young Wednesday side then flourished in midweek with a win over Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup. Indeed, against all the odds, there is a sense of pride and optimism around Hillsborough right now.

Next up is a home clash with Stoke City, and Henrik Pedersen will be hoping his team can pick up their first points of the league campaign. To do so, one key decision could make all the difference.

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Bailey Cadamarteri or Ike Ugbo?

While Sheffield Wednesday fans are plotting a protest for the Stoke game, on the pitch Pedersen will need to make the right decision when it comes to his attacking pairing.

Last weekend, he opted to partner the experienced Jamal Lowe with youngster Bailey Cadamarteri. The latter put in a solid performance and exhibited his strengths leading the line.

In midweek, Ike Ugbo ended his goal drought after being handed the start and the captain’s armband, and is now firmly in contention to start against Stoke.

Ugbo went the whole of last season without scoring in the league, so he’ll be desperate to get the nod here while he’s in some semblance of momentum.

Of course, Pedersen may decide to pick both and leave Lowe on the bench – which might be the best option, actually – but if it comes down to one or the other, we’d argue it is Cadamarteri who deserves to start.

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Bailey Cadamarteri has a point to prove

Cadamarteri spent last season on loan with League One side Lincoln City, and showed real signs of promise, scoring eight goals in 32 games for the Imps.

In hindsight, the decision to ship him out was arguably the wrong one, though. Cadamarteri fell out of favour at Lincoln towards the end of the season, and based on his performance last weekend, he’s a player who is more than ready to compete in the Championship.

For whatever reason, Danny Rohl didn’t agree with that last summer. But now, Pedersen clearly rates the young striker, and there’s every chance Cadamarteri can flourish in the new manager’s system.

He’ll want to get off the mark as soon as possible to really make a statement and to keep hold of his place in the starting XI. If he does get the opportunity against Stoke, he’ll need to grab it with both hands and show that he isn’t just here to make up the numbers at Sheffield Wednesday.