What Garry Monk said about whether playing in front of an empty stadium would benefit Sheffield Wednesday

As the Government prepares to gears in its handling of the issue, it’s looking more and more likely that large-scale events are to be postponed or played behind closed doors, with football matches very much at the forefront of the nation’s thinking.

And as the realisation dawned on fans of Sheffield Wednesday that Hillsborough admittance may outlawed for the visit of Nottingham Forest on Saturday, thoughts turned to whether it could be a blessing in disguise for the Owls.

Since a long unbeaten run at home ended with defeat to Cardiff on December 29, Wednesday have won just one of eight matches. They’ve collected four of a potential 21 league points.

Would a change in atmosphere be beneficial to the Owls ailing home form? Not according to manager Garry Monk, who said: “You want your fans, regardless of what situation you’re in; how good it is, how bad it is. You need your support.

“It’s a cliche to say it, but football is nothing without the fans. It’s not the same feeling, especially in this country.

“I remember growing up, all your career, as much as you play for yourself, you play for your fans. There’s always been a connection in English football.

“Some countries are a little bit different. But here in England you’ve always played because of the fans, you’ve always thrived off that and it’s what gets you, that adrenaline and buzz.”

At the time of print no decision had been made as to whether the match would be played under these exceptional circumstances, but Monk used it to deliver a rallying call to the supporters.

“We need them as much as ever,” he aid. “We know how frustrated they are, we’re frustrated ourselves, but we need each other. We need to pull together, that’s what you do in good times and bad times.

“We need our fans there on Saturday and we need to be together.”