AUSSIE OWL’S GOT HOOT TO THRILL POLICY
by boss Garry Monk following the Owls’ midweek defeat at Hull, Luongo made his mark with what proved to be the winner against Wigan.
Monk (right) said: “Massimo’s goal was excellent, really well-worked.
“He has had to wait for his opportunity but his attitude has been brilliant.
“I brought him and Joey Pelupessy into the team to introduce fresh legs and energy into midfield.
“It was the third game in a week, and that’s what we needed – and it worked. I told the boys to play with more urgency in the second half, and that we needed to compete in the middle of the park to get a foothold.
“That’s what we did and it brought us the goal.”
Victory put Monk’s men back on track for a promotion push.
But it left Wigan with a record of losing to the Owls six times in their last seven league meetings.
Even worse, Paul Cook’s men have clocked up just one win in their last 27 away games.
Luongo was gifted his chance by tricky winger Adam Reach, who trapped a super cross from Kadeem Harris virtually on the deadball line.
Reach then showed great presence of mind to tee up Luongo 12 yards out – and he made no mistake as he hammered past keeper David Marshall.
Yet the Latics should have been ahead in the 15th minute, only for poor finishing to let them down – not once, but three times.
A Josh Windass run down the left saw him put over an inviting low cross in front of goal, with Gavin Massey and Jamal Lowe lurking in good positions.
Massey’s weak shot was kept out by keeper Keiren Westwood, who then blocked the follow-up effort by Lowe.
To cap it all, Massey tried SHEFFWED WIGAN 2 ........ Shots on Target .........3 4 ........Shots off Target .........2 3 ................Corners .................2 15 ................. Fouls....................9 4 ............... Offsides .................2 70.9 .. Passing Success % .. 60.5 406 ...... Total Passes ........304 57.4 .....Possession % ..... 42.6 56.5 .Territorial Adv % .. 43.5 again, only for defender Julian Borner to come to the rescue with a block and clearance.
An early goal would have been the ideal tonic for Cook’s side to ease their travel sickness, but the Wigan boss said: BURNLEY EVERTON 3 ............. Shots on Target ........... 2 4 ............. Shots off Target........... 4 2 ...............Blocked Shots ............ 5 7 .....................Corners................... 9 5 ........................Fouls ....................12 5 .....................Offsides ................... 1 2 .................Yellow Cards ............... 1 0 ...................Red Cards ................. 1 65.9..... Passing Success %....76.1 61 ..................Duels Won ............. 50 55........... Duel Success %.........45 14 .....................Tackles ................... 9 71.4 ......... Tackles Won %...... 88.9 40.7.......... Possession %....... 59.3 53.3....... Territorial Adv %.... 46.7 320 ............Total Passes ......... 464 18 ...............Total Crosses ...........25 147................ Lost Balls ............. 162 63 ................Recoveries............. 66 38.4 ........1st Half Poss %. ...... 61.6 43.2....... 2nd Half Poss %..... 56.8 “It’s not a psychological problem for us. We just have to keep going.
“The margins are fine in this division.
“We had some great chances to score, but Wednesday are a very strong team. Even so, we came here having lost just once in five games – and that’s something.”
Cook brought on ex-Barnsley striker Kieffer Moore, who watched in agony as his effort was tipped onto the bar by Westwood.
At the other end, Steven Fletcher put away what he thought was his sixth goal this season, only for it to be ruled out for offside. I
In addition, schemer Barry Bannan saw a longrange belter whack the woodwork as Wednesday took control.