DAVID Pleat has an embarrassment of riches as he tries to lead Sheffield Wednesday into the lucrative land of European football, writes PETER WHITE.

The Owls, who visit Ewood tonight in buoyant mood after suffering only two defeats in their last 15 matches, are bang on course for UEFA Cup qualification.

But not everyone at Hillsborough is completely happy with that.

For Pleat's surfeit of attacking midfield talent means some of his signings have had to show an ample measure of patience. The colourfully-named Orlando Trustfull is a perfect example of how, sometimes, one individual can suffer while the team as a whole propspers.

But Trustfull, a £750,000 signing from Feyenoord last summer, has made his point in the best possible way - by scoring twice against Wimbledon on Saturday and daring Pleat to leave him out at Ewood.

He might, for the manager points out: "It's all a matter of balance."

When Rovers visited Hillsborough last October, Trustfull made a big impact. In fact, I felt he was Wednesday's best player as the teams finished level 1-1 in Ray Harford's last Premiership match in charge.

But, true to form, the Dutchman was substituted 12 minutes from time and that has been the story of his season.

He has started AND finished only two matches for the Owls this season and that has caused Trustfull much frustration.

Eight starts and 11 substitute appearances in all have left him apparently pondering his future before he has even completed a full season in English football.

"It has been a frustrating time. Nobody likes being on the bench and I am no exception," he said. "I didn't come over here to play in the reserves and I want to play in the first team.

"That's the only thing that is good for me."

Trustfull, of course, was speaking from a position of strength, having just boosted Wednesday's Euro hopes by stepping off the bench once again and, in less than half an hour, making a big impact against Wimbledon.

He replaced another attacking midfield player in Regi Blinker and that is the hub of the problem.

In players like Blinker, Benito Carbone, Mark Pembridge, Guy Whittingham and Scott Oakes, Trustfull faces serious competition, not only to get in the team but even for a place on the substitutes' bench.

But he can't do any more than score twice as he did on Saturday - taking his goal tally from one to three - to persuade Pleat to hand him the regular place he craves.

If he gets his wish tonight, Rovers will have to ensure that Ewood does not prove Orlando's magic kingdom.

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