One to Watch - Marcus Tudgay

LeeCookFan takes a look at the One to Watch this weekend - Marcus Tudgay.

Name: Marcus Tudgay
Date of Birth: 3 February 1983 (Shoreham)
Former Clubs: Derby County
Appearances (Goals): 239 (60)

The striker, who can play on the wing, has just provided his 4th assist of the season to help Wednesday grab a draw on halloween. This along with his 6 goals this season, shows the striker is in top form and is one we should worry about for our trip to Hillsborough.

The striker started his carrier with Derby County, and worked his way up the ranks. He made his debut in August 2002, away at Gillingham. In the next 4 years, he made 92 appearances for the Rams scoring 17 goals. The last of which, came at Hillsborough against his future club, Sheffield Wednesday.

In January 2006, Tudgay was sent on loan to Sheffield Wednesday. Tudgay scored a goal on his debut, helping the Owls batter Crewe 3-0. After just the one appearance on loan, Paul Sturrock signed the player for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £250,000. Tudgay was given a 4 year contract to help the Owls survive in the championship and consolidate.

In his first season at the club, Tudgay did his part in helping Wednesday survive the drop from the championship. He scored vital goals against Wolves, Norwich and Derby county. The rest of 2006 however, was spent on the sidelines after he cut his toe at a family barbecue. This bizarre injury not only required surgery but sidelined the striker for 3 months. He returned from the injury to score 6 goals in 5 games and a total of 11 goals for the season; even though he was used as a winger for a majority of the season.

The 07-08 season was a relatively quite one for a striker with Tudgay scoring 8 goals including one at the steel derby. Once again, the striker failed to go through the season injury free, ending the season on the sidelines.

Last season, Tudgay had his first full injury free season at Hillsborough started off well when he scored his first goal in the first minute of the new season and a second in the same game. He showed his versatility by playing well in virtually every midfield and attacking position to cover injured team mates and yet managed to make it his most prolific season, scoring 14.

His performances last season, did not go unnoticed as he earned the PFA fans player of the year award for the championship. He also picked up the Sheffield Wednesday player of the year award. As with any other championship player that does well, the premier league clubs were soon after him, with Burnley reportedly making a bid of £1.75 million. The bid was rejected by Brian Laws even though the player was in the last year of his contract. After media reports suggested he would lodge a transfer request, Tudgay signed a new contract with the Owls, keeping him at Hillsborough until 2013.

Tudgay has done well after signing the new contract scoring 6 alongside 4 assists. Along with his ability to hold the ball up well , links successfully with his fellow attackers and knack to win the ball in the air; he is the one to watch for our game at Hillsborough.

Opposite View:

NicNac: ' For someone who's not that tall, 5' 9' he seems to win every single header he goes for, whether in attack or defending.

'You can guarantee he will be putting in maximum effort, even if the rest of the team aren't.

'Versatile, playing mostly up front this season, but as we know can also be deadly from the right wing.

'Achieved his highest ever goal tally last season (14) and looking to better it this season. 6 goals already this season.'

Aussie2005: 'Tudgay's heart is bigger than the stadium has an excellent vertical leap and is the most unselfish player going around in the division'

Mighty Owl: 'Gives 100% every game, wins most headers even against 6ft plus defenders, always looks to go forward, isn't afraid to shoot from outside the box!'

Nick: 'He's our key attacker, no doubt about it. It looked as though all the transfer speculation had an impact on him at the start of the season as he wasn't up to scratch.

'He's gradually found his form of last season again though, and is playing in his preferred role as a striker rather than out wide and is reaping the rewards. He's our top scorer.'




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