Sheffield Wednesday earned a massive three points in the Championship last night, beating Birmingham City 2-0.
Sheffield Wednesday beat relegation rivals Birmingham City 2-0 under the Hillsborough lights and in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Danny Rohl‘s side now end a six game winless run in all competitions and cut the gap to safety to five points ahead of today’s Championship fixtures.
It was a monumental team effort to beat Birmingham City last night. Though a handful of individuals impressed on the night, including the likes of James Beadle, Barry Bannan, Marvin Johnson, and scorer Ike Ugbo.
But deadline day arrival Ian Poveda was the man who stole the headlines.
Ian Poveda shines in Birmingham City win
Leeds United loan man Poveda made his full Sheffield Wednesday debut last night.
He started the game and played until midway through the second half, having made two substitute appearances in games before last night’s.
And he showed his class throughout; his dribbling and close control set up Ugbo for the first goal on the night, though his all-round work ethic and drive gave the Owls the edge on the night.
And after the game, Sky Sports pundits Clinton Morrison and Troy Deeney hailed the 24-year-old, with Morrison saying:
“He was outstanding… It’s something that Sheffield Wednesday needed. He’s got a bit of X factor. He can take you up the pitch the way he dribbles, neat close control, one and two-touch. I though his all-round game was outstanding.”
Deeney added:
“He’s also bought into it as well. We’ve seen a lot of the good things he did with the ball, but without the ball as well; he had the most duels won in the game, he’s getting after things, he’s not giving up. HE really embodied what Sheffield Wednesday need.”
As per Sofascore, Poveda attempted more duels than anyone on the pitch (20, winning 8), with 14/17 accurate passes, 1 assist, and 2 key passes (joint-most of anyone on the pitch).
Danny Rohl finally has a proper no.10
Before Poveda, Rohl didn’t really have a no.10.
Josh Windass often played in that position, but he’s injury prone, and arguably better as a no.9.
But with Poveda now in the mix and showing last night that he can deliver the goods, it gives Rohl some much-needed reassurance.
Before, Sheffield Wednesday often played 4-2-3-1 but when Windass was unavailable or injured, they had to change shape.
Now though, having Poveda means that the usual and preferable 4-2-3-1 can be donned more often than not, and Poveda simply looks more suited to that no.10 spot than Windass anyway.
Like Morrison and Deeney say, he has that special something that a team in Sheffield Wednesday’s predicament desperately need, and he showed his best attributes last night.
He’s got pace, determination, close control, and cutting edge in the final third, and Rohl will need plenty more of that in the final 15 games of the season.
Up next for Sheffield Wednesday is a trip to Leicester City on Tuesday night.