One Sheffield Wednesday player has been hailed as the Owls’ best ‘redemption’ story of the season so far.
Sheffield Wednesday‘s season has been one of redemption.
Going from certain relegation to League One to, at least mathematically and going off recent form, a potential mid-table finish is a fairytale season in itself.
Danny Rohl is the man on everyone’s lips; he’s made the turnaround possible through sheer tactical nouse and a kindhearted demeanour.
The players and especially the fans have brought into him.
And Rohl has also helped several Sheffield Wednesday players step up their game; perhaps none more so than Michael Ihiekwe.
‘Titanic’ Michael Ihiekwe hailed after Sheffield Wednesday win v Plymouth
Sheffield Wednesday beat Plymouth Argyle 1-0 on Tuesday night.
The Owls have won their last four in the Championship and although they remain in 23rd place of the table, they’re now just two points behind Plymouth in 16th, and only in the drop zone on goal difference.
What’s more is that the Owls have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Championship, with four in their last six.
James Beadle now leads the Championship for clean sheet percentage this season, but he has a few players to thank for that, with one being Ihiekwe.
As per Sofascore, the 31-year-old made 8 defensive actions vs Plymouth (joint-most of any Wednesday player), with 4 blocks and 4 clearances (both stats more than any Wednesday player).
Journalist Alex Miller has this to say on the former Rotherham United man:
Ihiekwe story is symbolic of Sheffield Wednesday turnaround
Ihiekwe has played in just half of Sheffield Wednesday’s Championship games this season.
He’s had spells on the sidelines and spells sitting on the bench, but after the past few weeks, he now seems undroppable.
The Englishman has started the last five now and has been a rock in all of them; playing in the middle of a back-five in particular, Ihiekwe has shown his experience and class with some really solid defending, clearing danger and just overall adding solidity.
With the likes of Di’Shon Bernard and Dominic Iorfa either side of him, Ihiekwe can hang back and be that last line of defence, allowing Bernard and Iorfa to go forward which they did at times last night.
He’s a level-head in the team and despite playing a lot of lower league football to date, with just 41 total league appearances to his name for the Owls, he’s looking like a top-level Championship defender right now.
Ihiekwe certainly has Rohl to thank for his upturn in form, though it’s largely down to the mindset of the player and the natural ability he possesses.
Of course, Ihiekwe is just one of a number of players who’ve rapidly improved in the last few months, but he’s certainly one who’s stood out above the rest.