Garry Monk makes big Sheffield Wednesday pledge

Wednesday have slipped from third to 10th in the Championship after suffering four defeats from five league outings since Christmas.

Saturday's 5-0 Hillsborough humbling to Blackburn Rovers was their heaviest loss since Monk took charge in September and the damaging result leaves the Owls three points adrift of the play-off positions and 10 off second-placed Leeds United with 18 fixtures remaining.

Describing their embarrassing Blackburn reversal as a "horrible day" and “not acceptable”, Monk apologised to supporters for the team's dismal showing. He felt the opening 10 minutes set the tone, claiming his side made "needless mistakes" in possession.

Monk remains on the look out for attacking reinforcements during the January transfer window as he looks to reignite their stuttering promotion bid.

On the search for new faces, Monk told The Star: "It is not easy. It is the loan market that we are working in and it is competitive.

“We are trying to do that (sign new players) but one thing we will do is stick together, I can tell you that for sure.”

Monk, who questioned referee Jarred Gillett’s contentious decision to send off midfielder Massimo Luongo in the first half, took full responsibility for their Blackburn no-show.

“When you have a score like that, the only thing you can do is apologise,” he said. “The criticism, we deserve that.

“We know what we are capable of we have shown we can do.

"We are in a good position, even though it doesn’t feel right talking about that right now.

"A couple of results together puts you in a good position and has you feeling good again.

"When you have a poor and horrible day like we did against Blackburn, you take the criticism on the chin and you come fighting back.

"It is what I want to see and I have full belief that is what we will do.”

Wednesday return to action on Friday when they travel to Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup fourth round, kick-off 8pm.