Many Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been praising the efforts of Julian Borner, after the defender helped the Owls keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic.
Garry Monk’s Owls played host to the Latics on Saturday looking to bounce back from losing away to Hull City during the week, and maintain their place on the cusp of the Championship Play-Off places after the Tigers trip left the Hillsborough natives two points behind sixth-placed Preston North End.
A thumping victory at home to Barnsley moved Preston further up the table on Saturday, but a draw between Fulham and Charlton presented Sheffield Wednesday with places to gain, and a goal by Massimo Luongo ensured the Owls grasped the chance given.
The 27-year-old fired home in the 57th minute from a cut back by Adam Reach, with the chance carved out after an instrumental piece of play by Borner to start the goalscoring move by bringing the ball out of defence.
Borner’s partnership with Dominic Iorfa also helped to a clean sheet at the back, with the pair penning five successful aerial duels and three clearances each, per WhoScored data.
Weimar, Germany-born Borner eclipsed his central defensive partner when on the ball, though, as Iorfa misplaced 47% of his balls, whereas Borner found a teammate with 81% of his – no Sheffield Wednesday player held a higher pass accuracy rating at full-time.
Borner recorded one interception, as well, and would earn the rave reviews of corners of the Hillsborough fanbase, who hailed the Steve Bruce signing from Arminia Bielefeld as a free agent as their Man of the Match.
Here are some of the messages shared…
How good is Julian Bőrner? Absolute class
— Daniel Laird (@DanielLairdSWFC) October 5, 2019
What a signing Julian Borner has been. Definitely my man of the match today
— Martin Williams (@MartinW1867) October 5, 2019
Julian Borner is best player we’ve had in a long time along with @KadeemHarris27
— coral (@CoralLilian) October 5, 2019
Borner best defender ever #swfc
— Aaron Swallow (@aaronswallow26) October 5, 2019
Man of the match for me:
Borner#swfc
— Steve Turner (@Majortarantino) October 5, 2019
If there’s any bit of credit I’ll give that snake Steve Bruce, it’s for bringing Julian Borner to the club, what a unit, what a machine, cheers for that cabbage head UTO #swfc
— Ol Myers (@Myers29_) October 5, 2019
Not pretty today but important to get a win. Borner & Iorfa solid defensively and Pelupessy combative in the middle of the park. Solid enough. #swfc
— Scott Wilkes (@scottwilkes88) October 5, 2019
Not a game to stir the soul that, but we will take the win that we deserved on balance. Borner excellent again. Would have taken 8th after 11 games when Bruce walked out. Work for GM to do though #SWFC
— WarOfTheMonsterTruck (@SheffWedWOTMT) October 5, 2019
Not pretty but still a win. Julien Borner MOTM for me, also good from Fletch and great saves from Westwood when we needed him. #UTO #swfc
— Ewan Armstrong (@ewanarm) October 5, 2019
