Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk continues to play it cool despite EFL problems overhead

And despite the backdrop of increasingly stormy waters between his employers and the EFL, the 40-year-old reverted to type in his pre-Brentford press conference yesterday, presenting an ocean of calm despite a tsunami of potential punishment brewing noisily over his shoulder.

He’s a cool customer, Monk, and having dealt with many of the questions thrown his way during Birmingham City’s issues last year, he’s perhaps in a better position than most to handle them. As the day-to-day face of the Sheffield Wednesday operation, Monk’s role in this boardroom battle is huge.

Relaxed in demeanour, he reiterated the club’s belief in their innocence and outlined the need for the players to focus on his roles on the field. He said everything you’d expect him to, including the acceptance of the idea that his team will attempt to turn the situation to their advantage and tap into themes of ‘siege mentality’.

There was talk of Cameron Dawson’s contract, Fernando Forestieri’s fitness and Dominic Iorfa’s development. Brentford were of course discussed, too, though football matches have almost felt like an afterthought of late.

But it was his steely-eyed shrugging off of the club’s off-field issues that continues to impress. Monk’s refusal to get involved, his commitment to the idea that he, his players and staff are honed in only on the pursuit of points, has been impressively carried out.

It’s often said that footballers will take the easy option when it comes to being given excuses, but in this squad he has experienced heads that have so far this season refused to take those when offered.

As with his Birmingham charges previously, the feeling is that Monk wouldn’t allow them to.

This EFL issue is not Garry Monk’s battle to fight and while his deadpan approach is one from page one of the media training manual, in front of the cameras at least, he’s doing an impressive job of keeping calm and carrying on.