Sheffield Wednesday remain without a win over Sheffield United for 13 years as the Blades claimed bragging rights at Hillsborough.
Two goals from Tyrese Campbell and a strike by Tom Cannon ensured it was Chris Wilder who was celebrating come the final whistle.
Given that United are 22nd in the Championship – having spent a lot more than Wednesday – the full-time celebrations felt somewhat over the top and largely embarrassing.
Wednesday’s season has been hampered by Dejphon Chansiri, with the club unable to sign any players during the summer, largely down to his stubbornness when it came to selling the club.
Administration has now led to Wednesday being deducted points, and although sympathy lies with the football club, the January transfer window can’t come soon enough.
Sheffield Wednesday have to consider selling Ike Ugbo
Wednesday won’t have much say in how much money they make on Ugbo in January, but after his display against United, the writing looks to be on the wall.
Wednesday will almost certainly lose money on the £2.5 million that was spent on Ugbo, but it will be a case of needs must when it comes to the transfer window.
Choosing to start Ugbo against the Blades was a curious decision, not least because the Canada international hasn’t scored in any competition since August.
Ugbo signed for Wednesday permanently on the back of a solid loan spell during the 2023/24 campaign. In that campaign, he scored seven times as the Owls defied the odds to remain in the Championship.
Last season saw him play 34 games without scoring a Championship goal and with just one goal coming in the Carabao Cup this season, he’s surely facing a fight for his future at the club.
Ugbo proving costly Wednesday mistake
The 27-year-old just isn’t doing the job he’s paid to do at the moment and although sympathy can be given to the situation Wednesday are in, the players have to keep doing their jobs.
Ugbo’s bad form now stretches way back and it appears that the whole situation with him leading the line at the club just isn’t working.
If an offer comes in for Ugbo, he will be on his way, such is the nature of administration, but perhaps the management team should now be actively encouraging the player to look for a new club.
The disaster against United simply can’t be brushed under the carpet. A number of players have been dropping disgraceful performances for weeks and Ugbo is firmly in that bracket.