One Sheffield Wednesday star has been compared to a ‘belly dancer’ after his recent performances.
Despite looking destined for League One at various points of the season and also missing out on their main transfer target in the January window, Sheffield Wednesday are now back on track to avoid relegation.
After claiming three wins in their last four games, the Owls sit only three points from safety and could be kept in the bottom three by only goal difference come the weekend.
The Sheffield Wednesday squad have looked completely transformed in recent weeks, with the likes of Ike Ugbo – who has five goals in four games – and Pol Valentin – who is becoming a ‘fan favourite’ – receiving high praise.
One player who certainly can’t go unnoticed is Ian Poveda, who arrived on loan from Leeds United last month.
The winger has struggled to impress since emerging as a promising young talent at Manchester City – netting only four goals in 71 senior appearances during his career so far.
Poveda was counted as exciting signing for the Owls though and he has so far proved to be just that.
The Colombian started his first game under Danny Rohl in the win over Birmingham City, picking up his first assist for Ike Ugbo’s opener.
He has since started every game for Sheffield Wednesday and has been a real creative threat, with the team scoring six goals in the four games he has started. In comparison, they had managed only one goal in the five league games prior.
Poveda has received plenty of applause for his short spell at Hillsborough so far, with journalist Alex Miller comparing him to a belly dancer.
Writing for The Star, Miller said: “Poveda slinks about with the feel of a belly dancer, all winks and jinks and moments so saucy they’re barely suitable for work.
“When Danny Röhl puffed his cheeks and cried out for the sort of player that could open up matches and offer some x-factor back in January, the subtext was that they might not get their man.
“A deadline day deal to race the Colombian international down the M1 from Leeds has proven inspired. He gets the Owls up the pitch and out of positions they were seemingly stuck in not long ago.”
How good is Ian Poveda?
While the likes of Anthony Musaba and Gjeidi Gassama can add quality to the frontline, Ian Poveda is the exact type of player that Sheffield Wednesday were missing to fit it all together.
Of course, Ike Ugbo has played a key part in actually scoring the goals, but those two together have added creativity and a threat that they hadn’t managed before.
Against Bristol City, Poveda completed 23 passes, two key passes, three dribbles, four ground duels and had one shot.
His importance has been made very clear in recent games and to keep him and Ugbo fit over the next few months could play a vital role in staying in the Championship.
Then the club can start considering whether they want to swipe him from Leeds United’s grasp on a permanent basis.