SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Michael Smith of Sheffield Wednesday during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United at Hillsborough on October 28, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
After making just one start in the preceding five months, Michael Smith found himself back in the thick of things in the closing stages of the campaign.Top darts players worldwide prepare for the 2024 World Championship
The striker started the next three games after making a comeback to the starting lineup against QPR. He also scored a crucial late equalizer in the 2-2 draw with Norwich City.
Despite being benched for the last three games of the season, Smith seems to have pushed his way back into Danny Rohl’s plans in anticipation of a Championship season.
Smith’s leadership and expertise can be highly helpful to the team, even though he might not be as productive in the second tier.
Smith, who is 32 years old, has the ability to mentor the younger players and has already brought Bailey Cadamarteri’s skill to light.
After Rohl gave the youth a chance in the first squad in November, he scored three goals in his first five starts for the team.
Following his arrival, Ike Ugbo was benched and saw just 16 minutes of action in their final six games.
Nevertheless, Smith maintains that Cadamarteri has a bright future in football and asserts that he possesses one “uncoachable” skill.
A “very good career” is anticipated for Bailey Cadamarteri.
“I’ve watched him walking into the ground and he’s not built like a 17 or 18-year-old and he’s filled out an awful lot and he has got a real chance in that sense as well,” the attacker stated in an interview with The Yorkshire Post.
“As everyone says, he is uncoachable; he can take care of himself, has ability, and the knack of being in the right position at the right moment. Either you understand it or you don’t.
He’s performed incredibly well, exudes calmness, and it’s clear he can draw on both the knowledge of his family and the players in the locker room. I have a good feeling that he will have a successful career.
The 18-year-old should be sent out on loan by Sheffield Wednesday.
Bailey Cadamarteri joined the senior team in the end of 2023, so four goals in 14 starts isn’t too shabby of an accomplishment.
If Sheffield Wednesday had been demoted, the striker might have had a genuine opportunity to contribute, although there might not have been much play in the lower leagues.
Although it’s unclear if the Owls would attempt to sign Ugbo on a permanent basis, they almost certainly will recruit at least one goal scorer with experience to increase their prospects the following season.
Even though Cadamarteri is well regarded at Hillsborough, if he has trouble getting into games, his growth may be hampered.
Sending him out on loan to League One, where he would surely tear it up, might be a smart move if the Owls do sign a few strikers.
The next summer, Cadamarteri might come back a much more certain player, prepared to fight for a regular spot in the starting lineup.
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