Points deduction is no issue for Sheffield Wednesday signings, says Garry Monk

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY manager Garry Monk has praised the attitude of his new close-season signings - and insists that they were not put off whatsoever by the prospect of joining a club who were deducted 12 points in the summer ahead of the new 2020-21 campaign.
Garry Monk.Garry Monk.
Garry Monk.

Wednesday, who begin the campaign with a tricky Carabao Cup tie at Walsall on Saturday, start their Championship season with a testing trip to Cardiff in nine days time.

The welcome additions of Elias Kachunga, who has signed a one-year deal and former loanee Josh Windass, who has signed a permanent contract after joining for an undisclosed fee from Wigan Athletic, have provided two valuable options up front.

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Wednesday -docked 12 points at the end of July by an independent disciplinary panel for the 2020-21 season for breaking spending rules - are still keen on bringing in another centre forward, but nothing is imminent, according to Monk.

Defender Chey Dunkley and midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have also joined the Owls.

Monk admits that Wednesday, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, have had to 'cut their cloth' accordingly and are looking in a 'different' market for players, but he has stressed that he is very happy with the recruits he has made so far, with the signings all possessing the right attitude and skills-set ahead of a season which will not be straightforward.

Monk said: "We are looking in a different market than what we might have normally done. But the key is, whatever market you are looking in, you are looking for players that you want to bring here.

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"Once you identify them, you speak to them and see from them whether they really want to be here or not.

"I can honestly say every one of those players with their attitude and the way they have talked about the situation - we talked about the points deduction side of it - wanted to be here and be past of that challenge.

"That is exciting to hear from the players.

"That builds confidence in the players that are already here that we can attract (signings)."

Speaking for the first time about the club's points deduction, which they are appealing against, Monk continued: "I cannot comment too much, it is an ongoing process with the appeal.

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"In terms of the football side of it, when you hear news, there's an initial disappointment.

"But you very quickly focus on what you need to do. Me and staff are looking at how we tackle the challenge and that is what we have set out to do in this pre-season.

"There are no illusions. But the way we are going to approach it is to be positive. It's a big challenge.

"We are confident in the way we are going about it and the positive attitude we have come back in with and worked through these first two and a half weeks.

"The attitude is to look forward to that challenge and that is how we approach it."