Why Wednesday chief Monk is adopting bold new approach
Leon Wobschall reports from Hillsborough after getting a glimpe of what the Owls fans can expect to see when they return next season.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY manager Garry Monk has vowed that his players will continue to be brave and avoid risk-averse football for the rest of the season.
Wednesday’s minirevival came to an end in a
3-0 Championship loss to West Bromwich Albion at Hillsborough, although the margin of defeat was somewhat harsh on the Owls, who produced a vibrant first-half performance in particular.
Forced to chase the game after trailing to a 38th-minute penalty, the Owls left some gaps that were exposed by Albion on the restart, but Monk believes that the last three matches have displayed a change in approach and more dynamic outlook going forward from his side.
Wednesdayites may be mindful of being plunged into relegation trouble if the club loses its case with the English Football League over charges of breaching profitability and sustainability rules and is handed a points penalty, yet Monk is preaching boldness on the pitch.
Monk, whose side visit former club Swansea City on Sunday, said: “It was a decision I made in the lockdown. I wanted to be brave with my decisions and I wanted my players to be brave.
“Because of the (previous) results, I could have set the team up to just be hard to beat and try and grind results that way.
“But I want us to be brave and show a little glimpse of what I want us to be moving forward and play attacking football and try and be on that front foot. Over the course of the three games, I think we have seen a lot of it.
“In the short space of time, we have worked on this way of playing and what I want the club to move forward to, I think they have done exceptionally well.
“I have been very pleased with the players in how quickly we have picked things up and how eager they are to try and show that. They have taken it on fantastically well.
“If we keep doing a lot of the things we have been doing, we will be well in games and taking points. The key is to show this is the way forward.
“Over time, if we add to this squad and keep trying to build this way and practicing, I think we will have a team we can be proud of.”
Monk has stressed that there is no issue in his squad regarding reports that the club’s players had not been paid in full in June.
Reports have said that some players have been told that they will get paid their outstanding money, including loyalty bonuses in the next fortnight.
He added: “We did not want to use it as a distraction and it is not. Everyone inside the camp is very happy with the explanation. There’s no issues.
“We are more than happy it will be done in the time that the club have explained.”
Monk is confident that defender Julian Borner will return for the Swans test after missing the West Brom game with a dead leg.
His replacement, Tom Lees, missed out after picking up a hamstring issue in the warm-up.
The Owls chief commented: “This game (West Brom) was a little bit too early in the turnaround, but he will be fine for the weekend. Tom was in to start in the preparation and within the first few minutes, he said he felt his hamstring was a bit tight and we had to do a reshuffle.”
Josh Windass could be in contention next week, with the loanee due to return to training.