Ike Ugbo has been compared to one Sheffield Wednesday fan favourite after his brilliant goal record.
Ike Ugbo joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Troyes in the summer, having had his loan spell at Cardiff City cut short.
The striker had a record of 40 goals in 201 senior appearances, though only nine of those had come in England, and his arrival at Hillsborough had appeared to be more of a hit and hope for the club.
While he didn’t score in his first three games for the Owls, Ugbo has so far proved to be an excellent signing after netting five goals in the last four games – including two braces.
Ugbo’s goals alone have earned Sheffield Wednesday six points and his impressive form has pushed them into within touching distance of safety in the Championship table.
The Canadian has received plenty of praise in recent weeks and has now been compared to Kenwyne Jones.
Speaking on the Owls Heaven podcast, journalist Joe Crann said: “He looks really good. He’s got a bit of Kenwyne Jones about him, hasn’t he? Given the scoring rate. Was it seven in seven for Kenwyne Jones?
“If he can reach double figures then it goes down as a really really good January signing, especially considering how pants Wednesday’s January signings have been for quite a long time.
“The thing is he deserves it, it’s not as if he’s been scabbing goals, his positioning is so good, his awareness is so good, and most importantly, the technique he is showing is excellent as well.
“The first goal especially was just a really nice goal to score. I still think there is a lot more to come from him – the way that he’s playing and the way that the players seem to be clicking with how he works. I just think it works really well.”
Two of Sheffield Wednesday’s best loan spells
Kenwyne Jones joined Sheffield Wednesday on a one month loan from Southampton in December 2004, making his debut against Doncaster Rovers. The Owls sat 10th in League One after losing four of their previous eight games.
Jones came with an unexpected bang though, bagging a goal and an assist in his first match, before going onto score in each of the next five games – including a brace against Wrexham.
Sheffield Wednesday won five and drew two of the games that Jones played, before he returned to Southampton and Paul Sturrock’s side went on to win promotion.
The Yorkshire outfit only had the pleasure of having Jones in the team for a month, but Ike Ugbo still has another two months or so at the club to impress.
He is on track to beat Jones’ record and could well be the catalyst to keeping Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship – at which point supporters will surely be calling for a permanent move for the forward.