Sheffield Wednesday’s new signing Ike Ugbo was absent as the Owls won against Plymouth Argyle.
Sheffield Wednesday have started their Championship season in winning ways after a 4-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle, which saw Jamal Lowe, Josh Windass and Michael Smith pop up with the goals, whilst another came courtesy of an unfortunate own goal.
The Owls easily could’ve scored more as Anthony Musaba missed a handful of chances to open his account for the 2024/25 Championship campaign, whilst Sheffield Wednesday also had a penalty waved away in the opening minutes.
Nonetheless, the game showed many debutants in their best light, such as Svante Ingelsson, who was given ‘tremendous’ reviews from his showing in the centre-of-the-park, whilst Yan Valery also proved to be a brilliant piece of business after the role he played on the right-side.
However, there was one notable absence in new signing Ike Ugbo, who wasn’t even on the bench for Danny Rohl’s side.
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Ike Ugbo absence for Sheffield Wednesday explained
Sheffield Wednesday had decent striker options in the squad, as shown from both Lowe and Smith managing to grab a goal, however new marquee signing Ugbo was absent from the opening day win.
Per Alex Miller on X, the Canadian international has not picked up an injury, and his absence was a result of ‘paperwork’ that wasn’t completed before the deadline that assured that he would be able to play in the opening clash at Hillsborough.
Sheffield Wednesday brought Ugbo in following a month of uncertainty over the striker’s future, however he will now look set to feature in Sheffield Wednesday’s cup fixture against Hull City this Wednesday.
Ike Ugbo may struggle to stake a claim to start after opening day delight
For Sheffield Wednesday, the opening day of the season could not have panned out better, from the clean sheet, to the attacking ranks running rampant.
Most notably, Lowe was able to prove that he has goal scoring ability at this level and if he is able to get his confidence then he could be clinical this season, which on a personal level could affect Ugbo’s playing time.
Whilst Rohl is likely to play just one striker, there is little to suggest that Lowe will get dropped after such an outstanding Sheffield Wednesday debut, and if that continues then Ugbo may have to sit patiently for his turn to shine.
The Canadian international proved to be a hero after his seven goals in the second half of the 2023/24 Championship season whilst on loan, however with competition of a proven striker at this level he may have to up his game even further as a ferocious fight for the striker spot now emerges.