Sheffield Wednesday have lacked a lot of things this season, with one of them being goals.
Sheffield Wednesday scored 81 goals in League One last season as they earned promotion via the play-offs.
But upon their return to the Championship, the Owls have found the back of the net on just 36 occasions in 43 games so far.
Danny Rohl is getting a tune out of the side in terms of results, but still the side lacks goals and a cutting edge, with the most recent 1-1 draw vs Stoke City an example.
Troyes loan man Ike Ugbo and Anthony Musaba are the Owls’ joint-top scorers in the Championship with six each.
Michael Smith and Bailey Cadamarteri both have four, whilst Marvin Johnson, Djeidi Gassama, and Josh Windass all have three to their name.
Michael Smith’s struggles at Sheffield Wednesday this season
Smith, 32, was Sheffield Wednesday’s top scorer last season, netting 18 goals in total and claiming seven assists as well.
And in the two previous seasons before the last, Smith netted double figures in the league with Rotherham United.
In 536 career appearances, the Englishman has score 148 goals.
But he’s certainly found it difficult this time round having featured just 28 times in the league, with no assists to add to his four goals.
He was largely exiled by Rohl for a large part of the campaign but has recently returned to the fold, starting the last three games and scoring a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw vs Norwich City.
Michael Smith makes honest Sheffield Wednesday admission
And speaking to the press ahead of the weekend clash at Blackburn Rovers, Smith gave an honest insight into his season, admitting that he could’ve been more clinical.
He said:
“I think every striker’s got to have a little bit of self confidence. But I think, with the chances coming a little bit fewer and far between, you’ve got to be more clinical. And I’ll hold my hands up and say there’s been times this season where I haven’t been. But I’ve always been confident that I can score goals.”
Michael Smith treatment may have been unfair
Looking back at how Smith couldn’t even get in the matchday squad under Rohl, to seeing how Smith is now leading the line for the Owls at their most crucial point of the season, Rohl may be ruing his treatment of the striker.
Cadamarteri burst onto the scene and pushed Smith out of the team.
Everybody wanted to see Cadamarteri fly and he’s done well, though he’s not contributed a whole lot in the last few months.
So exiling last season’s top scorer, and someone who has scored goals throughout his career now seems very harsh.
Smith though has kept his head, worked hard and now finds himself back in the side, and being under contract for another season, the club will surely view him as an important player next time round.
And hopefully that’s regardless of what division the club is in.
He’s shown his all-round traits in the last few weeks, with his hold up play and aerial threat bringing a new lease of life with it.
Sheffield Wednesday travel to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.
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