Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl has had his say on Ike Ugbo, amid a wave of criticism aimed at the striker.
Sheffield Wednesday spent big to re-sign Ike Ugbo during the summer transfer window, reportedly spending £2.5million on the Canadian.
Owls fans were desperate to see him return to Hillsborough on a permanent basis. But so far this season, fans have been disappointed with Ugbo’s performances.
The 26-year-old is yet to score in eight Championship appearances for Wednesday this season, having scored seven in 18 whilst on loan in the second half of last season.
Journalist Dom Howson has been critical of Ugbo in recent weeks, whilst Ugbo has also faced criticism from Wednesday fans online.
For the last outing against Coventry City, Danny Rohl dropped Ugbo and started Jamal Lowe instead, with the Owls eventually winning 2-1 as Ugbo came off the bench.
Speaking during this month’s international break, Rohl has now addressed the recent criticism of Ugbo.
Danny Rohl addresses Ike Ugbo critics at Sheffield Wednesday
Speaking to The Star, Rohl revealed that he’s aware of the criticism surrounding Ugbo at Sheffield Wednesday right now.
He said: “His job and his work against the ball in the last games was outstanding. I think this is sometimes what we don’t recognise, we look to the strikers and see ‘Oh no shots or no goals’.
“But he worked very, very hard for the team, he had a lot of good moments, a lot of sprints against the ball and this is an important part. He was a part of the four points from the two games, a big part.”
Rohl continued: “I heard a little bit about the discussion about having a 10 around him, but if you look to our game there is not too much different to last year, some small details, sometimes you have and eight, sometimes more a 10, sometimes wingers in, sometimes wingers right.
“It’s not the case. All in all we have to improve in our attacking stuff, with our attacking players and get a good flow back. We will do this as we improve as a team.”
Ike Ugbo needs first goal of the season to get his spark back
Ugbo has already scored this season, netting in the 5-1 win against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
But he’ll be desperate to get on the scoresheet in the league, and once he does, it could be the catalyst for him to get his spark back.
We saw last season how prolific he can be at Championship level. And like Rohl says, not a lot has changed since last season.
Ugbo has better players around him and now that Wednesday are getting back to their best, there could be more scoring opportunities falling the way of Ugbo.
He still puts in the yards off the ball, like Rohl says, and it seems like only a matter of time before Ugbo starts firing in the Championship.