This Sheffield Wednesday-linked player put in a very impressive performance in the Championship yesterday.
Sheffield Wednesday went into this January transfer window with one clear priority; signing a new striker.
Danny Rohl said on more than one occasion than bringing in a new striker to give the Owls more cutting edge was key, and he’s since brought in Ike Ugbo on loan from Troyes.
The Canadian spent the first half of the season on loan at Cardiff City where he scored four in 20 Championship outings.
His signing was met with a fairly mixed reaction online though, and with the futures of Michael Smith and Lee Gregory up in the air, we could see Rohl bring in another striker before February 1st.
And one striker previously reported to be on Sheffield Wednesday’s radar is Birmingham City man Scott Hogan.
Scott Hogan drops ‘superb’ 8/10 performance vs Swansea City
Birmingham City went into this first game under new boss Tony Mowbray yesterday.
And the experienced Championship boss surprised many by giving Hogan his first start since October, and Hogan surprised many by putting in perhaps his best performance of the season so far.
Birmingham Live gave the Irishman an 8/10 score in the 2-2 draw vs Swansea City, with journalist Alex Dicken writing:
“The recalled striker was involved in all of Blues’ best moments. His pressing was superb, particularly in the first half, and he combined with his teammates intelligently. Maybe Mowbray can get a tune out of him.”
Hogan wasn’t on the scoresheet, but he put himself about and caused Swansea problems throughout; as per Sofascore, the 31-year-old won 2 out of 9 duels, making 2 key passes despite recording just 7 accurate passes in the 65 minutes he played.
Hogan is just what Sheffield Wednesday need, but move may now be dead
That ‘pressing’ aspect of Hogan’s game is exactly what Rohl needs and wants in a striker.
Hogan does it brilliantly too, but with Mowbray clearly showing faith in Hogan, and Hogan immediately repaying that faith, a January exit for the striker now seems unlikely.
He’s been given a lifeline at St Andrew’s and whilst Sheffield Wednesday may continue to keep tabs on his situation, as anything can happen in the transfer market, it may now be that the Owls start to turn attentions elsewhere.
Another striker still seems necessary unless Smith stays; though given his lack of game time under Rohl and the emerging transfer interest in him, that seems more unlikely than likely.
Someone with Hogan’s experience and traits would be perfect to come in for this second half of the season at least, though with Ugbo on loan, Rohl may fancy adding another permanent striker to his ranks.
And if that’s the case then expect Sheffield Wednesday to target a much younger player than Hogan, but one with similar abilities to the Birmingham City man.