During the summer transfer window, Sheffield Wednesday reportedly paid a hefty £2.5 million to re-sign Ike Ugbo.
The Owls supporters were eager for him to make a permanent return to Hillsborough. Fans, however, have not been pleased with Ugbo’s performances thus far this season.
The 26-year-old, who scored seven goals in 18 games while on loan in the second part of the previous season, has not scored in his eight Championship appearances for Wednesday this season.
In recent weeks, Wednesday supporters have also criticized Ugbo online, in addition to criticism from journalist Dom Howson.
Ugbo came off the bench as the Owls defeated Coventry City 2-1 after Danny Rohl benched Ugbo and started Jamal Lowe in place of Ugbo.
Speaking during this month’s international break, Rohl has now addressed the recent criticism of Ugbo.
Danny Rohl addresses Ike Ugbo critics at Sheffield Wednesday
Speaking to The Star, Rohl revealed that he’s aware of the criticism surrounding Ugbo at Sheffield Wednesday right now.
He said: “His job and his work against the ball in the last games was outstanding. I think this is sometimes what we don’t recognise, we look to the strikers and see ‘Oh no shots or no goals’.
“But he worked very, very hard for the team, he had a lot of good moments, a lot of sprints against the ball and this is an important part. He was a part of the four points from the two games, a big part.”
Rohl continued: “I heard a little bit about the discussion about having a 10 around him, but if you look to our game there is not too much different to last year, some small details, sometimes you have and eight, sometimes more a 10, sometimes wingers in, sometimes wingers right.
“It’s not the case. All in all we have to improve in our attacking stuff, with our attacking players and get a good flow back. We will do this as we improve as a team.”
Ike Ugbo needs first goal of the season to get his spark back
Ugbo has already scored this season, netting in the 5-1 win against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
But he’ll be desperate to get on the scoresheet in the league, and once he does, it could be the catalyst for him to get his spark back.
We saw last season how prolific he can be at Championship level. And like Rohl says, not a lot has changed since last season.
Ugbo has better players around him and now that Wednesday are getting back to their best, there could be more scoring opportunities falling the way of Ugbo.
He still puts in the yards off the ball, like Rohl says, and it seems like only a matter of time before Ugbo starts firing in the Championship.
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