Sheffield Wednesday boss Xisco Munoz has urged Ashley Fletcher to ‘take a step forward’, after a poor start to his loan spell at Hillsborough.
Fletcher was one of the first names through the door this summer. The Watford man reunited with his former Hornets boss, arriving on loan from Wednesday’s Championship rivals, but failing to make an impact so far.
The 27-year-old has made six Championship appearances so far this season, failing to record a single goal contribution; it comes after a tough spell with Wigan Athletic in the second tier last time round where Fletcher scored twice in 26 games.
And speaking to Yorkshire Live after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat v Ipswich Town, in which Fletcher came on at half-time, Munoz had this to say on the striker:
“He needs to take a step forward. Ashley came here to be an important player in our squad and he knows, because I’ve spoken with him about it.
“We need him more because I believe in him and I know the potential that he has.”
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Will Fletcher come good at Wednesday?
So far, it’s been tough for Fletcher, as Munoz suggests, and tough for Sheffield Wednesday as a whole.
The club has a messy summer and it’s showing so far in the league. And for Fletcher, it’s going to be even more difficult when he’s limited to substitute appearances, and with little creativity behind him, but that’s the challenge that he’s tasked with.
He’s certainly been there and done it before. He’s scored goals in the Championship in the past but right it’s tough for him, with many questioning his arrival in the summer.
The Owls need goals and someone needs to step up and score them. The upcoming game v Middlesbrough is a huge one for both teams and if Fletcher can put in a good performance against his former side, or maybe even score a goal, he’d take a lot of pressure off his and Munoz’s shoulders.