Sheffield Wednesday: Aiden McGeady can be a Hillsborough hero like Hooper and Forestieri, says Carvalhal

Sheffield Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal says Aiden McGeady could become as big a hit at Hillsborough as Gary Hooper and Fernando Forestieri.
Aiden McGeady celebrates his first Owls goalAiden McGeady celebrates his first Owls goal
Aiden McGeady celebrates his first Owls goal

McGeady grabbed his first goal for the club in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest and also turned in arguably his best performance since joining the Owls on loan from Everton in early February.

Carvalhal says the gradual improvement of the Republic of Ireland international is a case of history repeating with Forestieri and Hooper having gone through similar periods following their arrivals at Wednesday.

Gary Hooper and Barry Bannan rush to thank goal provider Fernando Forestieri after the second at the City GroundGary Hooper and Barry Bannan rush to thank goal provider Fernando Forestieri after the second at the City Ground
Gary Hooper and Barry Bannan rush to thank goal provider Fernando Forestieri after the second at the City Ground
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“We are persisting with McGeady,” Carvalhal said. “We know the player, we know the quality he has.

“We are doing what we did with Fernando in the beginning because when he came in it was not good for the first two or three weeks.

“And you remember when Gary Hooper came, for four or five weeks people had some questions about the player. But we persisted with Gary and Fernando because we know the players.

“McGeady is the same. They all had the potential and we create the conditions to show the potential they have. And they have achieved the best they have inside and this is important for us.

Carlos Carvalhal and Lee Bullen with Aiden McGeadyCarlos Carvalhal and Lee Bullen with Aiden McGeady
Carlos Carvalhal and Lee Bullen with Aiden McGeady
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“Coming inside our team is not easy with the way that we play. The requests that we want, physical and mental, it is not easy to understand what we ask for, even for players that are experienced.

“But with time they will because they have quality they do well.

“And McGeady is in the same process as Fernando and Gary. Week by week he will improve.”

Marco Matias celebrates Sheffield Wednesday's third goal against Nottingham ForestMarco Matias celebrates Sheffield Wednesday's third goal against Nottingham Forest
Marco Matias celebrates Sheffield Wednesday's third goal against Nottingham Forest

Carvalhal also predicted a similar pattern of improvement for Marco Matias, who came off the bench to score his first goal since August, following his lengthy injury issues.

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He said: “I can include Marco also. He is like a new player.

“He was out for a very long time and he is in the process of understanding what we want. He will be better and better.

Sam Hutchinson missed Saturday’s impressive win due to illness.