Wednesday 'a club reborn' but face 'messy summer'

[Getty Images] As part of a Q&A session conducted by Sheffield Wednesday on Monday evening, I had the opportunity to ask questions of a panel that included new owners David Storch, Michael Storch and Tom Costin, plus chief executive David Bruce and sporting director Simon Wilson. Wilson's appointment is significant for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the Owls have a huge task on their hands to build a squad for next season. Secondly, it is the kind of role the former owner Dejphon Chansiri consistently resisted hiring. Now, we will get to see the positive impact a sporting director can have at Hillsborough. It feels long overdue and, to his credit, Wilson highlighted the size of the task at hand. "This summer might be a messy summer," he admitted. "Because we're working from a basis where we're not just adding 10% or 20% to an existing strong squad, we've got nearly 100% to do. We've got deadlines to meet, so it won't be perfect. "We want to be talked about. We want to be exciting - a team people want to get behind." There have been rumours aplenty about a return to the club for Barry Bannan. The 36-year-old joined Millwall in January but coming back to Hillsborough feels increasingly like a possibility. Wilson believes a blend of youth and experience will be best as they build their team. "My transfer policy is about balance," he added. "You need young, exciting players. Every club needs its own players coming through an academy and there were some that came through this season, but it's hard for them. "You need really good senior players, aged 26 to 30, that can be the best players in the league. Then you need those at 20 to 24 who are breaking into the team." It was the first time for supporters to hear from Wilson and it followed a detailed presentation from CEO Bruce laying out plans for new premium and hospitality features, which were launched on the club's website. David Hirst, a Wednesday legend being brought back into the fold, will also be a club ambassador. Included in the presentation was the fact he'll be operating 'Hirsty's Social' at Hillsborough, a move that has received a very positive reaction from supporters. The room used on Monday night was the same one used for Chansiri's lengthy fans' forums which were often an opportunity to have an argument with those in attendance and tell everyone how it is. The mood, again, was so strikingly different in this fresh start. No wonder the words 'a club reborn' are being used by the new owners.