Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest - Owls need hunger and attitude

Suffering a five-goal defeat ahead of football’s own hiatus provided not just food for thought, but a banquet.

When the Owls players left the pitch at Griffin Park on March 7 after a desperate 5-0 loss, the last thing they would envisaged was not returning to Championship business for 105 days.

Manager Garry Monk, whose side return to action for a league game at Hillsborough today for the first time in 16 weeks, certainly did not.

The extended break has afforded him, his staff and squad ample time to reflect not just on that grim day at Brentford, but on where things have gone badly wrong after a run of two wins in 14 league games since Christmas.

Monk publicly lambasted several of his side’s performances and the opprobrium from supporters has been stinging, with some periodic chants of ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ being particularly damning.

But in his former capacity as a professional for the best part of two decades, the Owls chief believes that the biggest criticism ultimately comes from within.

He said: “For the majority of players I have ever worked with – and even my own mentality – the biggest critic is yourself.

“The biggest need to do well comes from yourself and the pressure you put on yourself and standards and expectations are higher than what anyone can say or criticise.

“The majority of players think that, although there’s some that don’t. When the majority do, often when you have a bad period and don’t perform, you come fighting back and that is what you need.

“That is the biggest thing and then there’s the response for the fans. We know in a few of those results, we let the fans down badly as I said after the games. The players are not robots and feel that as well.

“No player goes out there with the intention to do it, but you must have that hunger and attitude to fight back.

“I am hopeful that the contracted ones especially will show that in these games that are coming and use these nine games to prove that and that is the challenge for the players and myself included.”

For Monk, part of that thought process for players should have also involved casting their minds back to before Christmas where they got a fair bit right.

Wednesday lost just three times in Monk’s first 17 Championship games in charge, a reminder of their capabilities as opposed to what they have got wrong so far in 2020.

It was a time when they were organised, obdurate and hard to beat – and should provide an inkling of tangible hope for the challenges ahead.

“It is much more difficult when you can do a lot of talking to players, but there’s no proof on the football pitch,” added Monk.

“The fact they proved they can do it and how well they can do – and look where it took them – that is in your mind.

“When you are in bad periods and moments, when you can refer back to that, it is a realisation of ‘yes we can.’

“We are not trying to kid them or make it up. Maybe this period has given a few a kick-start.

“I know quite a few have used the period for reflection on their own selves and I have seen a bit of a different focus and attitude.

“It’s about reflection and pride in yourself and performances. I get a good feeling from them and the atmosphere in the squad is good, even though there has been things going on around it.

“The attitude has been good and preparation has been great and they could not have worked any harder and, hopefully, that will stand us in good stead and give them the confidence to go out there and perform.

“But the proof will come in these remaining nine games.”

Fear is likely to have also played its part in any self-analysis among the Owls players and not just among those whose futures are up in the air contractually, according to Monk, yet to truly build a side in his own image after inheriting a big squad of players in September.

He added: “I always try and impart the message that no matter what situation you are in, you are always playing for your future. That is how you should feel.

“Whether you are contracted or not, starting regularly or not, you need to feel you are playing for your future. It is a big response that is needed.

“We have not performed well enough in this last period at all There is no sugar-coating that.”

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