Why Garry Monk is ‘thinking about everything’ to put Sheffield Wednesday back on track

They say a week is a long time in politics, but it is also very much the case with football.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk with Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk with Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk with Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

For it seems a lot longer than six days ago that Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk was describing to the media how his side’s run since Christmas had been the most difficult period he has faced in his managerial career.

Since then, of course, the Owls have produced a resolute performance in defeat to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City superstars in the FA Cup fifth round.

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Yes, it was another defeat – the ninth since Christmas – but it was a performance which restored some much-needed pride and one which Monk hopes will finally act as a springboard to return to the form which saw Wednesday soar to the heady heights of third place on December 22.

“The consistency was there then and in this period, as I have talked about many times, the consistency hasn’t been there and it proves, as you have seen, to be very costly," said Monk,

At today’s press conference at Middlewood Road, ahead of tomorrow’s trip to promotion-chasing Brentford, Monk was in fine form – a far cry from the frustrating figure he cut on Saturday teatime.

There was no air of dejection, but a sense of optimism – even a touch of excitement when he was talking about the future of youngster Alex Hunt – and was poking fun at reporters.

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“I’ve been thinking about everything – I’ve probably never had to think so much in this period of time about so many things," laughed Monk, when asked about whether Cameron Dawson or Joe Wildsmith will be his first choice keeper.

And even when he was discussing the duel between the two stoppers, you could sense he was genuinely looking forward to seeing the healthy rivalry between Dawson and Wildsmith develop over the coming weeks, months and even years, ultimately for the betterment of the club.

Monk may spend much of his time ‘thinking about everything’ but it’s quite clear he’s a man prepared to roll up his sleeves and work round the clock to put Wednesday back on the right track.

He’s going nowhere . . .