What Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk expects from his players after 'clear-the-air' talks with squad

The Star understands Owls manager Garry Monk held "clear-the-air" talks with his squad at a team meeting on Monday following their humiliating 5-0 loss to Blackburn.

Monk described their performance against Rovers as "unacceptable" and publicly apologised to fans after a third consecutive HIllsborough reversal.

“A big part of having a good environment is being honest and open with one another,” said Monk.

“We spoke at the very start of the week, I try to encourage an honest and open conversation with the players.

“An understanding of what’s acceptable and what’s not. To give my side of it as manager, how I see it, but also for them to see with each other how they felt.

“What we try and do is come out of that meeting with a clear way of moving forward, after a result like that, which isn’t acceptable.”

Monk and Wednesday’s senior stars aired their views on the team’s dismal Blackburn showing and worrying slump in form at the meeting. The Owls have slipped to 10th in the rankings after losing four out of their last five Championship outings.

He said: “We had a good discussion. The players spoke, I spoke, and then the collective is to come out of that room and make sure you are clear in how you are going to move forward in that week.

“But words are words, actions are what you are judged on.

“It is important to have words, but what is more important is action. That’s what you will always be judged on. That shows whether you meant those words or not.

“I won’t go into exactly what the meeting was about, but it was an honest and open meeting.”

Monk’s side will be looking to make amends when they face Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup on Friday evening, kick-off 8pm.

He said: “One thing for sure is we will stick together. That’s what successful teams do.

“You expect them to all come out fighting, not just this game on Friday, but the remainder of the games this season.”