Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl has addressed growing concerns surrounding striker Ike Ugbo’s form after his side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Burnley.
The loss at Hillsborough continued the Owls’ challenging run in the Championship, leaving fans and pundits questioning the team’s attacking capabilities.
Despite Sheffield Wednesday showing promise against a strong Burnley side, key moments of poor finishing and defensive mistakes cost them dearly. Yan Valery’s error led to Burnley’s first goal, but attention has increasingly turned towards Ugbo’s struggles up front, as the striker remains goalless in the current campaign.
Rohl Defends Ugbo Amid Criticism
Ike Ugbo’s failure to find the net has been a recurring issue this season, prompting speculation about his place in the team. The 25-year-old, who had shown flashes of promise during the latter half of the 2023/24 season while on loan, is yet to replicate that form. As Sheffield Wednesday continues to struggle in front of goal, pressure has mounted on Rohl to address the situation and potentially rotate his attacking options.
In response to questions regarding Ugbo’s performances, Rohl remained defiant, offering support for his striker.
“We know what he can do and we will keep going on this. We know the moment will come and he will score. You know as a striker it is always hard when you don’t score and today he had a big chance – but this is football. I think this is our job, we stay together. We win together, we lose together and we improve together. We will come through and the momentum will come back of course.”
Rohl further emphasised that creating chances remains a priority for the team:
“What we can do is create more and more chances. If we do that, we will have a better chance to score. Today we had a better xG than Burnley, but in the end, the result is what matters, and they won 2-0.”
Writer’s View
While Danny Rohl’s faith in Ike Ugbo is admirable, it’s clear that Sheffield Wednesday’s attack needs a spark. The Owls have been struggling to score throughout the season, and continuing to rely on an out-of-form striker could prove costly. A change in personnel, such as giving Michael Smith a start, might offer a fresh approach. Balancing faith in underperforming players and the need for immediate results is tricky, but Rohl will need to act decisively to prevent the club from sliding further down the table.
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