MONK: SIX APPEAL IS STILL TOUGH SHEFFIELD WEDS MILLWALL

Points deduction weighs heavily on Owls.. despite being cut in half

Garry Monk says Wednesday still has a mountain to climb

GA R RY M O N K c l a i ms Sheffield Wednesday’s points deduction is still a burden – despite having it halved to six.

We d n e s d a y successfully appealed against their 12-point penalty for breaching the EFL’S financial rules this week and are now just three points below the safety line.

Monk was in charge at Birmingham when they were hit with a 12-point deduction and say s th e O wl s’ p enalty wi l l continue to weigh on his players.

“We’re still bottom of the league and it ’s not easy mentally to deal with a points deduction,” said the Wednesday manager.

“This lessens the burden but we still have a deduction. It hangs over you the whole season.

“I had the same situation at Birmingham, where nobody quite knew what was happening.

We’re still carrying that burden and we have to try and put ourselves as far up the league as we possibly can.”

Despite Monk’s caution, there is a new, positive mood around Hillsborough, and Wednesday’s successful appeal came 24 hours after they beat Bournemouth to record only their second home win in 18 games (Barry Bannan – second right, below – celebrates after scoring against the Cherries).

It means they have gained nine points already this week and Monk wants them to maintain that momentum at home to Millwall today. He said: “This game is going to be as important as any game we play this season. If we can get three points then, potentially, we could move out of the relegation places.

“I t ’s about getting our performance right and knowing what we delivered on Tuesday is exactly what we are capable of. We just need to do it consistently.”

Monk received the backing of owner Dejphon Chansiri this week and he was heartened by his public show of support when many fans want him out.

“It’s always i mportant and, behind the scenes, we’re i n constant communication,” said the ex-swansea and Leeds boss.

“It’s what you’re crying out for as a manager. You want time and tolerance, but you also understand, as a manager, that results are king.

“To have that support from within, it’s good to have an owner who backs you.

“It’s tremendous support. He sees the work that goes i nto it and those improvements from within, but I know, as a manager, you have to produce results in the meantime.”