Jordan Rhodes story may have a twist yet at Sheffield Wednesday

The expression on his face after his priceless and dramatic winning goal for Sheffield Wednesday at Bournemouth on Tuesday night conveyed joy, relief and determination in equal measure and showcased a proud craftsman who still has some tools at his disposal and has not lost the knack three days before his 30th birthday.

It was a classic Rhodes of yesterday-year. Loitering with intent in the penalty area, his sphere of influence and converting from just his sort of range in glorious days of yore at Blackburn and Huddersfield. This time with a lethal header from Kadeem Harris’s expert delivery. You never quite lose it.

His time in South Yorkshire, a move which started out with high hopes of him assuming legendary status - who can forget the expectancy among a big gathering of Wednesdayites when he made his debut at Wigan exactly four years ago today? - has been a colossal disappointment.

Nevertheless, you still remember some moments and wonder...

The goal at Bournemouth, that hat-trick at the City Ground, the winners at Villa Park and the KCOM Stadium, two goals versus Norwich in a coming-of-age game at Hillsborough. Or so people thought.

Games and moments that were too infrequent, but are still lodged in mind’s eye and refuse to go away.

In his fleeting time in the sun at previous club Middlesbrough, Rhodes is hardly revered, but is respected for his input in the club’s promotion in 2015-16. Without it, it probably would not have happened.

It started with a late equaliser at MK Dons in February 2016. A goal in a vital win at QPR followed alongside an unforgettable last-gasp double at Bolton - on an afternoon when Boro supporters started to believe that the fates were with them.

Key goals then arrived at title rivals Burnley and Birmingham. He scored six goals as the Teessiders hobbled over the line to promotion, just about. It was a contribution that should not be forgotten.

For Rhodes, the aims are now different.

Contribute to Wednesday securing their Championship status and he can salvage something meaningful from his fraught and frankly awful time at the club, with his big-money contract expiring in the summer. It would at least be something.

Victories where you are down among the dead men are like gold dust.

Caretaker boss Neil Thompson’s consistent assertion about the Owls not scoring enough goals is bang on the money and points to further important involvement for Rhodes if the interim management team remain at the helm.

After the club failed to add to their numbers ahead of the transfer deadline, they do not have too much else in terms of players able to impact games from the bench in particular.

In truth, Rhodes does not have too much to lose anymore, either, with his Owls footballing obituary having been already penned by many. He has already hit rock bottom.

A few more contributions like at Bournemouth and this particular story may have a twist yet.