Cowleys left to survey size of task but Monk shines on first outing
If it is too soon to say the Cowley brothers made the wrong choice, Huddersfield’s new managerial double act could be forgiven for feeling a little buyer’s remorse.
Manager Danny Cowley and his assistant Nicky could have been celebrating a debut victory in charge of Sheffield Wednesday now. Instead, the club they rejected, prospered, and the man Wednesday then appointed, Garry Monk, began his reign with a win.
While Town were the Premier League club last season, there was a gulf in class between the Yorkshire rivals who had both pursued Lincoln’s management team. Steven Fletcher’s third goal in as many games and Sam Winnall’s first since 2017 endorsed Wednesday’s decision to make Monk the belated replacement for Steve Bruce.
“Like every manager, you want to get off to a good start,” said Monk. “I am obviously very pleased.”
But it represented a tough beginning for Cowley. He and his brother were greeted with a standing ovation before kick-off, marking a rise from the Essex Senior League to the Championship, but a sprinkling of boos came in a half-empty stadium at the end. Huddersfield have one point this season, 15 defeats in their last 18 games and just three wins in 52. They already look at risk of a second successive relegation.
“I knew what we were getting into,” said Danny Cowley. “We found a football club and a team that is hurting. I knew how big the challenge was. I like that feeling when your back is against the wall.”
The brothers were animated in the technical area, forever imparting instructions. Monk was much quieter, partly because things were going swimmingly, but he made the decisive switch. His first substitution as manager was to send on Winnall, who scored 12 minutes later. “It doesn’t always work like that,” Monk said. “But for a first attempt, I thought defensively and attackingly, was very pleasing.”
Cowley could not make the same claim. “We were disappointed with both goals,” he said. “We have worked hard to stop crosses.”
Wednesday twice scored from them, Kadeem Harris crossing for Fletcher to head in, before Winnall converted the influential Barry Bannan’s centre.
Huddersfield Town
Subs Booked Sheffield Wednesday
Subs Referee