Rhodes scored his first goal of 2018 as Sheffield Wednesday beat Hull City on Saturday.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Joey Pelupessy was surprised to learn how long Jordan Rhodes had gone without scoring before ending his goal drought at Hull City on Saturday.
Pelupessy arrived at Hillsborough from Heracles Almelo in mid-January – but Rhodes’ last goal pre-dates even that, to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.
The £8 million striker has only played 12 times since then – often from the substitutes’ bench – as rivals Lucas Joao and Atdhe Nuhiu took centre stage.
But with the in-form pair ruled out of Wednesday’s trip to the KCOM Stadium, Rhodes seized his opportunity by scoring the game’s only goal 18 minutes in.
When informed of his teammate’s difficult period, Pelupessy told the Yorkshire Post: “I didn’t know that.
“You see in training his finishes are great every time. I’m very happy that he’s made a great header. It was a good cross from Jack Hunt and it was a real striker’s goal.”
Rhodes’ goal – which was only his tenth in 54 Owls appearances – held double significance, as it confirmed the club’s Championship status for another season.
Jos Luhukay’s side have won four of their last six league fixtures, although a top-half finish looks to be out of their reach with only three remaining.
Does Rhodes have a future at Sheffield Wednesday?
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