Garry Monk hoping Sheffield Wednesday can produce repeat performance against Nottingham Forest

A first-half hat-trick from Jordan Rhodes saw the Owls cruise to a 4-0 win at the City Ground on December 14.

A 1-0 home win the week after, against Bristol City at Hillsborough, saw the Owls climb to third in the Championship.

What Monk would not give for two similar outcomes against the same opponents in Wednesday’s next two games.

Fifth-placed Forest arrive at Hillsborough on Saturday, with Wednesday languishing 15th in the Championship, having won just two from 14 since Barry Bannan’s goal against the Robins - who the Owls travel to next Tuesday.

Monk is desperate for anything to stop the rot at Hillsborough, and hopes his players can use that City Ground display to give them a mental edge on Saturday.

“I hope the players remember that and take the belief from that game,” said Monk.

“We have already proven this season we can beat very good sides in this division like Nottingham Forest.

“But that game doesn't count for much in terms of what we are facing on Saturday.

“If we can replicate that type of performance, attitude, intensity and quality we showed, we know we will be in a place to get a result.

“But we are not in that situation with confidence and belief levels that we were in then.

“If we can do what we said this week and work on what we need to do, we can hopefully give ourselves a good chance.

“It is a massive game. Words are cheap but the challenge for us is to do something about it this week.”

While the Owls have won just once in 10 Championship games, fifth-placed Forest are experiencing their own blip, just one victory from six, and lost 3-0 at home to Millwall last weekend.

“I think it is typical of the league,” said Monk. “There are ups and downs for every single team.

“But regardless of their form, they are a top quality side.

“They are in a strong position in the league but we are fighting for our own cause.

“We have done periods of where we looked like we were going to come out of it (poor form) and then shot ourselves in the foot.

“We can't dwell on it. We need to make sure we do something about it.”