Sheffield Wednesday v QPR - Owls hoping to clean up, on and off the pitch

Sheffield Wednesday welcome Queens Park Rangers this afternoon having created a new “culture” around the club – and Massimo Luongo has emerged as one of its quiet leaders.
Owls' Massimo Luongo.  Picture: Steve EllisOwls' Massimo Luongo.  Picture: Steve Ellis
Owls' Massimo Luongo. Picture: Steve Ellis

The Championship season is only three games old – although the Owls have played three League Cup ties too – but already Luongo says they have moved on from the siege mentality borne of a 12-point deduction for breaching financial rules to focus on an approach which even extends to tidying up.

It has worked to a degree, with only four goals conceded in all competitions, although the flipside is only four scored – something Callum Paterson was signed this week to help address.

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“It’s the whole culture of the club we’re trying to pick up – housekeeping and making sure we’re on top of our personal responsibilities,” says former QPR midfielder Luongo. “At the beginning everything was built around (responding to the deduction) and we still need to remind ourselves of it but we’re just taking one game at a time and making sure that culture and that work ethic is carried on through tidying the changing room, doing what you need to do recovery-wise and to look after yourself.

“If you work hard and you’re a good person, you’re not bringing the changing room down and being negative, that’s what we like.”

A bit-part player in 2019-20, manager Garry Monk says Luongo has been crucial this season.

“I think he’s been one of our best-performing players in terms of consistency,” said Monk. “He’s a quiet leader. I’ve asked more of him vocally and I think we’ve seen in some of the games he’s not afraid to say what he wants to say. He’s definitely growing in that.”

Luongo believes Paterson will fit in seamlessly.

“He can score and he’s got legs on him,” he says.

“He’s a big lad and he’ll be a handful for anyone.

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“When you bring in a player it’s definitely a boost. Besides Rhodesy (Jordan Rhodes) we haven’t got that out-and-out striker. Come December and January the size of a squad does kick in.”

The Owls are now pushing to try to sign another forward, Kenneth Zohore, on loan from West Bromwich Albion but how his wages are shared is making a deal difficult. It suggests Monk still has concerns in front of goal, but Luongo does not.

“It’ll come with confidence,” he argues. “We’ve made chances.”

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