Ike Ugbo has expressed his relief at netting his first goals for Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.
Ike Ugbo joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan from French club Troyes last month, starting three of their previous five games in all competitions.
The striker was yet to score for the club heading into the all-important clash against Birmingham City, but was handed another opportunity to impress as he started out wide on Friday evening.
The arrival of the creative Ian Poveda definitely helped Ugbo, who took only 15 minutes to get off the mark.
The Canada international went onto double the Owls’ lead close to the hour mark, quickly doubling his tally for his time at the club.
A delighted Ugbo has now admitted he is ‘so relieved’ to have got amongst the goals and to have helped contribute an important three points to Sheffield Wednesday’s bid for survival.
Speaking to The Star, he said: “I’m really relieved.
“As a striker you’re always looking to get that first goal, and I’ve been coming so close in previous games – so I’m happy to get that for myself, and of course for the team after their faith in me.
“Having creative players on the pitch is a big thing for me because I’m in the final third a lot, so all I really need is chances. The players around me, I couldn’t ask for much better… I’d heard about the Kop, I’ve played here before, but it was a really nice feeling to get a goal in front of it.”
What does this mean for Sheffield Wednesday’s frontline?
Bailey Cadamarteri looked guaranteed to start for Sheffield Wednesday on Friday after scoring in the defeat to Coventry City, but it will have been a big relief for Ike Ugbo when he remained in the starting line-up anyway.
The forward was pushed out wide and clearly benefitted from another attacking outlet in Ian Poveda, who bagged an assist for his first.
The brace should do Ugbo’s confidence a world of good, and it can surely only help Sheffield Wednesday that the three attackers in Ugbo, Poveda and Cadamarteri have been on top form in front of goal in recent games.
The likes of Anthony Musaba and Djeidi Gassama will have some competition for their places now, but hopefully that will only make them hungrier and will welcome some even better performances over the next few months.