MONK: SIX APPEAL IS STILL TOUGH
Points deduction weighs heavily on Owls.. despite being cut in half
Championship: 3pm
G A 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 s u c c e s s f u l l y 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.
Mon k w a s i n c h a r g e a t Birmingham when they were hit with a 12- point deduction and s ay s t h e O wl s’ p e nal t y wi l l continue to weigh on his players.
“We’re still bottom of the l e a g u e a nd i t ’s not e a sy mentally t o deal with a points deduction,” said the Wednesday manager.
“This lessens the burden b u t w e s t i l l h a v e 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 t o t r y 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 thi s week and Monk wants them to maintain t hat momentum at home t o 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 a b o u t g e t t i n g o u r 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 thi s week and he was heartened by his public show of support when many fans want him out.
“It ’s always i mportant and , b e hi nd t h e s c e n e s , 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 t o l e r a n c e , b u t y o u a l s o 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 s e e s t h e work t hat g oe s i nt o i t a nd t hose improvements from within, but I know, as a manager, you have to produce results in the meantime.”