Sheffield Wednesday aiming to add to their credit rating against West Bromwich Albion

It remains to be seen if the Owls suffer another potential body-blow in a turbulent year by way of a points deduction which has the potential to plunge the club into a Championship relegation fight if they lose their case with the EFL over charges of breaching profitability and sustainability rules.

That would change the complexion of Wednesday’s season and represent another challenge for the battle-scarred Owls chief.

But for the time being at least, Monk and his charges have emerged in credit for their response upon football’s resumption by way of taking four points out of the last six.

Unquestionably, Wednesday head into this evening’s encounter in a better frame of mind that they might have been – on the pitch at least – with the departure of several senior players failing to deflect their focus in Sunday’s excellent and much-needed win at Bristol City.

By contrast, it has been an indifferent restart for second-placed West Brom, who have taken just one point from two outings, while failing to score in their last four league games.

The sequence prompted Baggies chief Slaven Bilic to call a meeting with his players to discuss the situation, with the Croatian admitting that he and his squad are hurting after an underwhelming run of form.

For his part, Monk is conscious that Wednesday have no time to rest on their laurels, while no doubt being mindful that his side have won just once on home soil since Christmas.

He said: “There will be some difficult moments in these last seven games. It will not all go our way and we have to be ready for that.

“But if we can get the attitude right with our performances in this period, I think our fans will accept and appreciate that.

“Hopefully, we will see what the players are capable of more consistently. The performances in the last two matches is much more what I am looking for and the players know that.”

Alessio Da Cruz, Jacob Murphy, Josh Windass and Connor Wickham will stay with the club for the rest of 2019-20.

Last six games: Sheffield Wednesday WLLLDW; West Brom WLLDDL.

Referee: D Webb (Co Durham).

Last time: Sheffield Wednesday 2 West Brom 2, October 3, 2018; Championship.

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