Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl feels his team’s hunger is powering their form and it helped them to beat relegation rivals Rotherham 1-0.
Ike Ugbo netted his sixth goal in five matches to hand Wednesday a valuable win in their relegation battle, taking them three points from safety and leaving Rotherham 19 points adrift at the bottom.
The Owls have now won three games on the bounce and continue to pile the pressure on the teams above them.
Rohl said: “It was a big one. I am very proud of my team at the moment. It is outstanding what they are doing.
“Everybody knows Rotherham are always difficult with the second balls and set-plays.
“At half-time I said it was great what we were doing. But we had to score with the next chance.
“It was a big impact from our subs. A draw was not enough. I had to change the shape and we scored immediately. Then it was about bringing the game home.
“Our defending at the moment is great to see. We are finding a balance between playing nice football and making the right steps.
“Rotherham did not really have a big chance. It was always about us. At the moment we are bringing the games home.
“The performances from my team are outstanding. The mentality we have – everybody is hungry and I am very proud of what we are doing.
“We are the hunter at the moment and we have the momentum.”
Rotherham weathered a storm throughout the first half with Wednesday coming close a number of times.
The visitors thought they had struck when Akin Famewo headed in Will Vaulks’ free-kick but it was ruled out for offside.
Wingers Ian Poveda and Anthony Musaba posed most of the danger themselves and both came close after cutting in off their flanks.
Rotherham threatened properly for the first time early in the second period when Sam Nombe’s effort glided just over the bar.
Wednesday built patiently for their opener and got it in the 66th minute with a flowing team move.
Barry Bannan and Ugbo were both involved before Dominic Iorfa picked out the in-form striker to stroke home.
Bannan was then pivotal at the other end as he got a desperate block on Andy Rinomhota’s effort to prevent a leveller.
It was actually Wednesday looking more likely in stoppage time and substitute Mallik Wilks’ header rattled off the post from Marvin Johnson’s cross.
Rotherham head coach Leam Richardson said: “It was frustrating and I am gutted for the fans really. In a derby you want to give a strong positive result for them.
“The lads got emotionally attached to the game a little bit.
“The second half was evenly balanced but the goal is horrendous from our point of view. They’re all avoidable but it takes the same pattern at the minute where we are competitive to a level but then we are looking for that quality and momentum to go our way.
“We are very fix and mend at the minute with players playing out of position. There is disparity in the squad. We are limited in a lot of areas and we have six players on the bench.
“Whatever we lack in certain areas it’s not a will to win. Our levels seem to drop after 60-70 minutes.”
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