All Rhodes lead to goal for Owls
ON PAPER, the strikeforce of Jordan Rhodes and Sam Winnall is one of the most dangerous in the Championship – and judging by Friday night, the reality isn’t too shabby either.
Sheffield Wednesday’s newboys both scored their first goals for the club, after joining from Middlesbrough and Barnsley respectively in January, while summer signing Adam Reach also got his first at Hillsborough.
In truth, the 3-0 scoreline was harsh on Birmingham, who hit the woodwork three times, but worryingly for Wednesday’s play-off rivals, boss Carlos Carvalhal is covninced Rhodes and Winnall will only improve.
“They did very well, they showed good signals but they are only starting at Sheffield Wednesday,” said Carvalhal.
“It’s a new dynamic that we have got to work and I believe they will get better and better. I am happy with our options. If one striker drops out, another one comes in, it is important to have that sort of strength.”
Rhodes may only initially be on loan from Boro but with his presence guaranteed until the end of the season – before he joins permanently for £10million – it is hard to back against Wednesday sealing a play-off place come May.
The victory tightened their grip on sixth spot, while effectively ending Birmingham’s top-six challenge, so Carvalhal’s optimism heading into the final third of the season is fully justified.
“We are in a good place,” added the Owls boss. “We have a good win, we are sixth in the table, we have another clean sheet – our 13th of the season – and we scored three goals.
“We are higher in the table with more points, so I am happy. We started and finished this game very well.”
Winnall had already been denied by a fine close-range save from Tomasz Kuszczak when, on nine minutes, Rhodes nodded in Ross Wallace’s pinpoint delivery from a right-wing free-kick.
Falling 1-0 behind seemed to spur Birmingham on, and they were unlucky not to level during the next 70 minutes.
Owls midfielder Sam Hutchinson – who was otherwise impressive – fortunately diverted Craig Gardner’s dangerous cross on to his own post, before Blues right-back Emilio Nsue clattered the other upright with a fierce half-volley shortly after.
The third time the visitors were denied by the woodwork came with less than 15 minutes left as Gardner’s magical effort from distance flew past Keiren Westwood in the Owls goal, but cannoned off the crossbar.
And Wednesday promptly went down the other end to wrap things up with £500,000 man Winnall heading home Jack Hunt’s superb delivery, before Reach burst clear and coolly slotted beyond Kuszczak.
And Blues boss Gianfranco Zola was under no doubt that the scoreline flattered his opponents.
“It is unbelievable to see a team play the way that we played lose the game like we did,” said Zola.
“I don’t pay too much notice to the two late goals. After their goal, I only saw one team.
“We played well, created good chances, played good football but didn’t score and that was the difference between the two teams.
“One team created three chances and scored three, we created five or six and scored none.
“I can’t criticise, this is one of the best games they have played since I have been at the club.”