Former Sheffield Wednesday defender slams players and admits relegation concerns

The seven cap England international, who ended his career at Hillsborough with an injury-torn four-year spell, also admitted he believes the club are now looking over their shoulder, especially given the threat of a points deduction following an EFL misconduct charge.

Wednesday limped to a sorry 5-0 defeat at Griffin Park, a result that left Garry Monk ‘as embarrassed as he’s ever been’ in a 25-year football career.

The Owls boss was honest in his assessment of the changing roo culture at the club, saying the club would ‘never be successful’ unless it changed.

And Hinchcliffe agrees that the players should be shouldering more responsibility.

“It is down to the players now,” he said. “I'm sure from watching the game myself. The players haven't really got a leg to stand on.

“They can't say to Garry Monk 'well, you are wrong, we actually did a lot right and it was just one of those days.'

The former Owl acknowledged pressure from some sections of the support to replace Monk but said it is down to the players to get themselves out of what he believes is now a relegation fight.

He said: “I have said it so many times; coaches can only do so much.

“It is down to the players. They have the ability. You look at that squad but do they really want it? Do they really believe in Garry Monk?

“It really is down to the players now to dig deep, whoever is in charge of the club. Whether Garry Monk stays on at the club or is replaced, it is up to the players now to keep them in the division.

“I just wonder whether the possible points deduction hanging over the club has filtered down and the players are feeling that off the field pressure on the pitch.

“The problem is if the [possible] points deduction kicks in this season they could be in a relegation battle, so they could be relegated to League One after things looked so rosy in November and December.”