One Sheffield Wednesday star has been labelled a new ‘fan favourite’ following their win over Bristol City.
Sheffield Wednesday picked up their third win in four games at Hillsborough this weekend, taking to them within three points of safety.
Ike Ugbo grabbed the headlines as he netted his second brace since joining the Owls in January, but it was another quality team performance that earned them a vital win and their sixth at home this term.
Danny Rohl‘s side have also only conceded three goals in their last four games in the Championship and look to have massively improved in defence, with the five-man backline of Pol Valentin, Liam Palmer, Michael Ihiekwe, Di’Shon Bernard and Marvin Johnson starting back-to-back games.
While each have look significantly better in recent games, one player who has particularly impressed is Pol Valentin.
The Spaniard joined Sheffield Wednesday in the summer but struggled to make an instant impact, making only five starts in his first 20 games at Hillsborough.
However, he has now settled into life in the Championship and has started their last seven league matches.
Playing 84 minutes against the Robins, Valentin received high praise for his contribution to their victory.
In his player ratings for The Star, journalist Alex Miller awarded Valentin an 8 rating and wrote: “A constant buzzing bee down the right. Drifted in, bombed on. He’s settling into life at S6 tremendously well.
“But for a dodgy touch or two he could have easily nabbed his first Owls goal as he kept popping up in the front line. A real threat, fast becoming a fan favourite. Off late.”
Is Pol Valentin now undroppable?
The full-back made 32 touches, 13 passes, one block, two tackles and had one shot on goal.
Valentin has played a key role in the club’s recent success and is one of a number of players who are undroppable at the moment.
Dominic Iorfa made the bench following his injury and could have been expected to take his teammate’s place in previous weeks, however he will have to do a lot now to earn the right-back spot again.
However, Di’Shon Bernard’s red card could see Iorfa handed an opportunity in central defence instead.
Sheffield Wednesday’s defence has been shuffled round plenty of times this term, but it looks like we are finally starting to see a settled backline and one that can actually compete with the Championship’s best attackers.
With a solid defence and the free firing Ike Ugbo, it is looking like a very promising position to be in for the Owls.