After Jordan Storey accomplished his transfer to Hillsborough, Preston North Finish boss Ryan Lowe challenged him to show he’s “top-of-the-line defenders” in League One.
It’s truthful to say Storey has taken Lowe’s phrases on board.
The 24-year-old centre-back has been a revelation since becoming a member of Sheffield Wednesday on mortgage. The Yeovil-born participant has barely put a foot improper in his 4 begins, taking part in an instrumental half within the Owls’ large defensive enchancment.
Wednesday supervisor Darren Moore instructed Yorkshire Dwell: “Jordan is an out and out defender; he does what it says on the tin by way of defending.
“He strikes throughout the ground effectively and has come into the facet in a busy interval. It has actually been an excellent begin for him.”
Thus far Storey has handed each problem in a Wednesday shirt with flying colors.
However he faces the largest problem of his Owls profession to this point this weekend. Michael Smith is anticipated to guide the road when Rotherham United go to Hillsborough on Sunday lunchtime.
Smith, described by his supervisor Paul Warne as the most effective centre-forward within the Millers historical past, has plundered 20 targets and chipped in with six assists to assist the Millers open up a nine-point hole on the high of the desk.
A giant sturdy, bodily centre-forward, Smith was topped the League One participant of the month for January. He beat off sturdy competitors from Fleetwood City’s attacking midfielder Paddy Lane, MK Dons defender Dean Lewington and Morecambe hitman Cole Stockton to land the prize.
Smith, who additionally obtained the award in October, scored 4 instances in January.
Warne mentioned: “To win it two instances in a season is vastly spectacular.
“He leads the road fairly effectively – I don’t know if I’ve talked about that! He does rating the odd purpose, which is sort of good as effectively, so I’m actually happy for him.
“He will get the eye that he deserves, however that’s as a result of he’s a part of a very good staff and I do know he’s greater than grateful to his team-mates for that.”
Smith, a free switch recruit from Bury in 2018, has netted within the final two conferences between Wednesday and Rotherham at Hillsborough. After heading in an early opener, Smith was dismissed halfway by the second half after tangling with Owls defender Julian Borner.
However the Millers claimed the native bragging rights after a surprising last-gasp winner from Freddie Ladapo sentenced Wednesday to defeat in Moore’s first match in cost.
