One to Watch - Marcus Tudgay

Sheffield Wednesday forward Marcus Tudgay has been singled out by Vital QPR as the One To Watch on Easter Monday.

The 25-year-old forward from Shoreham-by-sea came up through the ranks at Derby County, making his debut for the Rams in their 1-0 away defeat to Gillingham. Eight further appearances followed but Tudgay remained goalless that year.

Tudgay bagged his first goal the following season against Wimbledon. In November 2003, the 5"11 forward put the Rams infront at Pride Park, who went on to win the game 3-1. This was followed by a consolation goal away at Ipswich in a 2-1 defeat.

Further goals against Sheffield United and rivals Nottingham Forest, along with a brace against Preston North End, saw Tudgay become a permanent figure in the first team set-up.

In 2004/05 the forward bagged a goal in Derby`s 2-0 win over QPR at Loftus Road, going on to score a further nine goals that campaign. Unable to hold down a first team place at County, Tudgay bagged only two further goals the first part of the following season, and was loaned to Sheffield Wednesday with a view to a permanent transfer.

Tudgay left Derby County having made 92 appearances scoring 17 goals, and it didn`t take long for him to find the back of the net for his new side. A goal on his Wednesday debut in a 3-0 win over Crewe Alexandra was enough to convince boss Paul Sturrock of his credentials, and he snapped him up as soon as the January transfer window opened.

Following his signature, the forward had a sizeable goal drought of 11 games, before alleviating his frustrations against Wolverhampton Wanderers with a brace, going on to score two further goals for Wednesday that season.

His first goals of the 2006/07 season came against Rangers in a 3-2 Wednesday win at Hillsborough, nine goals further took his tally to 11 for the season, included in this was his first sending off of his career, following scoring against rivals Leeds United.

Tudgay was then pushed into wide areas, and subsequently bagged only eight goals the following season playing in a draw at Loftus Road, and another Wednesday win at Hillsborough.

So far this season he has bagged 13 goals in 37 appearances as he and Leon Clarke begin to operate as an effective partnership.

His blend of pacey and purposeful running should provide a genuine threat to the Rangers rearguard, wherever he operates.

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