Neil Redfearn has suggested that Ian Poveda now looks a completely different player after the winger once again shone for Leeds United, as the Whites edged their Carabao Cup tie with Shrewsbury on Wednesday.
Redfearn was speaking on BBC Radio Leeds as second-half goals from Joe Gelhardt and Pascal Struijk helped Daniel Farke’s side come from behind to win at Elland Road.
Ian Poveda was one of those who came into the side as Farke made a number of changes. The winger had given a good account of himself in the Championship curtain-raiser against Cardiff City at the weekend.
And he produced another impressive performance on Wednesday. The 23-year-old caused plenty of problems all night and will feel incredibly frustrated that he did not actually score.
Redfearn praises Poveda after Leeds beat Shrewsbury
Nevertheless, Neil Redfearn was really impressed by what he saw from the youngster. And he suggested that he has proved himself to be someone Farke can put his faith in after the first two games of the campaign.
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“Yeah, I think he’s one of these guys that’s grasping the opportunity,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “He sees it as a real opportunity here. He obviously believes in what the manager’s doing and what he’s saying to him. And for me, he looks a different player.
“He looks a little bit stronger, little bit fitter to be honest with you. He’s probably had a good pre-season under his belt. He’s got the benefit of being out at Blackpool on loan, and the rigours of playing in the Championship, the knocks. And it looks like he’s adjusted his game. So he’s a player who’s done himself no harm in these last two games.”
Winger on his way to proving many wrong
In truth, few Leeds fans would have been particularly excited had they been told at the start of the summer that Poveda would be in the fold.
He had some bright moments in our first season in the Premier League. But he struggled to build on those flashes of quality. And his loan moves to the Championship had not exactly forced Leeds supporters to sit up and take notice.
However, he is really proving a point right now. He scored in pre-season against Nottingham Forest. And he has arguably been one of the standouts so far – when you consider what we already expect from the likes of Luis Sinisterra and Crysencio Summerville.
Poveda still has to prove that he can really make a consistent impact for a side that wants to be challenging for promotion. But the early signs are that this could be a massive season for him.