Home form will be key to turning around Sheffield Wednesday fortunes, says Owls boss

His side are yet to score at Hillsborough this year and will have gone well over two months without a win there by the time their next home fixture comes against struggling Charlton Athletic on February 26.

And Monk, who enjoyed a run of eight league home matches unbeaten at the outset of his reign, made clear their current woes at S6 are a real cause for concern as he aims to reverse a run of form that has seen them tumble into mid-table.

Asked about his side’s home form, Monk said: “It goes without saying, doesn’t it? Considering before the run we had unbeaten here, it’s simply not good enough. Those things we’re talking about are the difference between winning and losing.

“When you talk about margins, we’re on the wrong end of them. Those stats were that difference. Those are the things that need to change.”

Monk thanked the fans for their attitude towards the team in their 3-0 defeat to Reading on Saturday, claiming the players need to follow their lead.

He said: “I’m going to try to push and guide and help in every way that I possibly can and do everything I can to turn this cycle around.

“If we can just get that win, however it comes, you’ve seen already in this league how quickly things can change.

“But that [home form] needs to change very, very quickly.”