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Sheffield Wednesday: Tudgay targets Premiership spot
In a week when the Owls lost one of their most influential players, another key figure has revealed why he decided to stay.
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And with or without Richard Wood, striker Marcus Tudgay is targeting the Premier League at Sheffield Wednesday in the next four years.
Former captain Wood left Hillsborough for Coventry City this week, the 24-year-old joining the Sky Blues on loan and expected to sign permanent terms in the new year.
And back in the summer it seemed likely to be a similar story for Tudgay, the prolific striker targeted by Premier League new boys Burnley and the forward admitting that he was relishing the prospect of joining the Clarets.
But Owen Coyle's side failed to land their man, Tudgay locked in talks with the Owls over the summer and consequently signing a new four-year deal which will keep him at Hillsborough until the summer of 2013.
Those remaining years look unlikely to be with Wood in tow but while Tudgay can understand the defender's departure, the 26-year-old is adamant that he did the correct thing in the summer by standing by the Owls.
"With Richard Wood, he is his own man and knows what he wants," Tudgay said.
"He wants to play at a good level and if that doesn't lie here, he isn't going to sign for a dog team, so Coventry will be one of the contenders pushing for the Premiership.
"If the clubs and he agree anything then that happens in football. Richard is not going to be a player who is just going to float around.
"He will want to go there and impress and secure a new place, so I wish
him all the best.
"The times that I have played alongside him, I have enjoyed every minute and I have not got a bad word to say about him."
But Tudgay is not going anywhere.
He said: "I am very happy at signing the contract.
"At the beginning of the season it was up and down and Burnley were interested.
"Now that I have signed a new contract, that is all behind me. I want to get goals and I want to help Sheff Wednesday.
"I want to progress and that's why I have signed a four-year contract because I want that to be with Sheffield Wednesday."
Tudgay pulls no punches and readily admits that his eyes lit up following bids from Burnley in the summer.
A 1.75m offer was thrown out by manager Brian Laws who in the end ensured that his key striker was here to stay by offering a new deal plus assurances over the club's ambition and future.
At first glance, Tudgay missed his big move to the Premier League but the front man is highly optimistic that that will be his destination with the Owls.
"I didn't get unsettled but, with Burnley, they showed an interest and were going to the Premiership," said Tudgay.
"I wanted to be a part of it, but after speaking with the manager (Laws) and hearing what he said, I signed for Sheffield Wednesday.
"Every footballer wants to play in the Prem. I want to play at the highest level.
"I have got four years at Sheff Wednesday and if we don't get that in that time, I will feel disappointed at not achieving anything.
"That's what we want to do and hopefully I will not be disappointed."
Tudgay has certainly not been disappointed with his displays this term, the 5ft 9in striker is already well on the goal trail.
August's visit to Plymouth was an early highlight when the target man's brace inspired a 3-1 victory.
The Sussex-born star hopes goals galore are yet to follow and that his team can iron out the inconsistencies that are at present costing them dear.
"I have always said that strikers are judged by goals," said Tudgay.
"I'm pleased. we have had a few international breaks which slows it down but we have had a good week and it has been good to get back involved.
"Now we can get the season going and start enjoying it again.
"As a team, we have blown hot and cold. One week we play well and get a good result but then we let ourselves down a week later.
"If we can eliminate that and turn out the next week with the same mentality from the week before then I think we can do some damage.
"We need to sort that out as we are our own worst enemy.
"We are working on it and we know in our league performances where we are going wrong."
Tudgay is desperate for Wednesday to do just that, the striker hoping to take the Owls, his club of four years now, to the Premiership.
After those four years, the former Derby County ace now calls Hillsborough his home.
"When you go there and it's early days it's hard to settle, but you get to know the lads and that helped me," said Tudgay, who still commutes from Derby along with the likes of Lee Grant and Luke Varney.
"It's one of those clubs where the old ones help the young ones.
"I have another four years now and hopefully it will all go well.
"In the time that I have got here I want to be in the Prem with Sheff Wednesday."
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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