Ian Poveda has reacted to his first Championship start for Sheffield Wednesday on Instagram.
Ian Poveda joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season until deadline day, joining Ike Ugbo, James Beadle and Kristian Pedersen as their January arrivals.
It was two of their new signings who contributed massively to an important 2-0 win over Birmingham City on Friday night.
Ike Ugbo netted his first and second goal for the club, while Poveda provided the assist for the opener.
It was a huge three points for the Owls, who now sit five points from safety after Huddersfield Town’s lead over Southampton escaped them yesterday.
Danny Rohl’s side had really struggled for goals in recent games, but the Colombian winger added another dimension to their attack.
Poveda took to Instagram to celebrate the victory, which happened to land on his 24th birthday.
He wrote: “Some birthday that! MOTM, assist and most importantly 3 points. Dios es grande! #Freedom #MoreLife”.
Poveda’s comments were full of support for former teammates, with Leeds United starlet Wilfried Gnonto writing “Baller”, with the Owls loanee replying with: “If you don’t cook!!!”
The likes of Luke Ayling, Angel Gomes Yannick Bolasie all congratulated Poveda on his first start for the club.
Can Ian Poveda be Sheffield Wednesday’s main man?
While it was Ike Ugbo that bagged the brace, Ian Poveda added so much creativity and quality to a Sheffield Wednesday squad that had really struggled to impress lately.
The attacker completed 82% of his passes, made two key passes and created one big chance.
He had one shot, won eight of his ground duels and made a whopping six tackles.
The Manchester City academy graduate adds another very important option to Sheffield Wednesday’s attack and provides competition for the likes of Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba.
Poveda has definitely done enough to warrant his place in the starting line-up against Leicester City midweek, but it will likely be a much tougher test against the Foxes’ defence.
Enzo Maresca’s side have only conceded 24 goals this term – less than any other club in the Championship and over half of what Sheffield Wednesday have shipped in.
While the likes of Poveda and Ugbo will be eager to take their minimal opportunities to crack open Leicester’s backline, it is more likely to be the Owls’ own defence that will be really tested at the King Power Stadium.
Rohl’s side did manage to claim a huge point against Leicester in the reverse fixture, but the hosts run of four games on the bounce in all competitions will give them their own boost.