Garry Monk's tactical switch fails to pay off as Sheffield Wednesday crash to shambolic defeat at struggling Luton Town

Monk altered their system from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2, adopting a three-man defence for the first time in his rollercoaster five-month Owls reign.

Fernando Forestieri, probably for the first and last time in his career, lined up as a left wing back but was taken off at half-time and replaced by Kadeem Harris as Monk's tactical tweak horribly backfired on a miserable evening.

Luton Town, inspired by versatile forward Izzy Brown, ran Tom Lees, Dominic Iorfa and Julian Borner at the heart of Wednesday's defence ragged. The trio looked uncomfortable and uncertain of their roles.

Lees inexplicably gave away a penalty after 15 seconds, Iorfa gifted James Collins a 23rd minute opener and Borner was anything but his usual solid self on the left hand side of the defence.

While 20 points and 12 places separated the two sides before kick-off, it was the Hatters who you would have thought were the mid-table team.

But they should have been out of sight at half-time after creating a number of gilt-edged opportunities.

Wednesday were comfortably second best and failed to register a shot on target in a dire opening 45 minutes.

Harris's introduction gave Monk's side more attacking intent and pace in the final third but everything appeared muddled and confused from the visitors. There was no balance and a lack of cohesion to their defensive work.

Wednesdayites travelled in their numbers, taking over 1,000 supporters to Kenilworth Road, but their team let them down again with another shambolic, insipid performance.

Their season is in danger of spiralling out of control.

It is now five Championship matches without a win and just five points from the last 27 on offer.

Forget the play-offs. This side could quite easily become embroiled in a relegation scrap if the English Football League overlords clobber them with a hefty points deduction.

These are worrying, worrying times and right now there is little evidence to suggest this squad of players have the stomach for the fight.