Alan Biggs' Sheffield Wednesday column: Monk wisely not getting involved in war of words

In 73 days and 12 league matches as Sheffield Wednesday boss, Monk will have faced all four of the previous clubs he’s managed.

For a man aged just 40, this is all the more remarkable.

“You’re telling me I look older then?” he grinned when the subject of his unusual career came up at his unveiling.

Now there is an increasingly serious side to it as Wednesday face the possibility of a points deduction, arising from EFL charges for alleged financial issues, that could leave them fighting relegation rather than pushing for promotion.

Just as well that Monk is experienced in these matters and a good deal cannier and harder to read than you’d expect of a manager of his relatively tender years.

Measured, thoughtful and capable of springing a surprise would be among this column’s descriptions of the bloke ahead of Wednesday visiting leaders West Brom on Saturday and then hosting Birmingham, the fourth and last of his former clubs.

No wonder he’s keeping his thoughts largely to himself with so much knowledge stacked on either side.

And so far he’s unbeaten in these personal tussles, winning 4-1 at Middlesbrough and having the better, in all but the scorelines, of Hillsborough draws with Leeds and Swansea.

Arguably, too, these have been the Owls’ best displays under this manager, whose considerable achievement in keeping Birmingham well afloat against the financial tide last season, despite a nine-point deduction, will have prepared him well for Blues’ visit.

There’s also the edge provided by a troubled relationship with the St. Andrews hierarchy that culminated in allegations over his modus operandi after he was surprisingly and, apparently, very harshly sacked.

Characteristically, Monk has calmly risen above any war of words and you can be sure his focus will only be on the pitch - despite plenty of other media distractions, including continued links with James Beattie, Pep Clotet’s assistant and the coveted coach he hired at Birmingham.

Former Sheffield United striker Beattie previously worked for Monk at Swansea, Leeds and Middlesbrough - so there is a lot of fire under this particular smoke.

It’s another good reason why Monk refuses to rule out more of the formation and tactical variations that have been a feature of his reign so far.

“Sometimes you have to set up tactically to make sure you can effect the other team,” he told me.

"That can be a gamble. He admits he “took a risk against a good footballing team” by parading the Owls in a very attacking 4-4-2 in the 2-2 draw with Swansea.

Is that now the way to go, I asked? Despite going with only one striker on occasions, Monk believes he’s been positive from the start, arguing: “We’ve had a threat centrally and from the flanks - I think we’ve done that all season.

“We have to continue on the path we’re going. The bigger picture (outside of costly defensive errors) is that we’re doing a lot of things right.”

Certainly, you’d expect Wednesday to give the top team a tight game at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

Then, bring on Birmingham.