Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk hasn’t held back this week as he launches a major warning to the Owls players that are out of contract this summer.
What’s he said?
The south Yorkshire side have suffered a dismal drop in form since the turn of the year, winning just one of their last eight league outings.
That run was extended at the weekend as they drew 1-1 to local rivals Barnsley at Oakwell, and ahead of this weekend’s double-header, Monk has delivered a word of caution for his underperforming squad.
He said:
“I have said it all along that it is a big job and there are a lot of things that need to be corrected and moved forward.
“But I understand we live in a world where everything has to be now and instant. I understand that and it is my responsibility to take that.
“I have said all along that it is a big job here which needs big change and development. We are trying to fight for that, but, on the way, we need to understand what it is and where we are at and work towards what we need to do.
“The transition has been happening for a long time and needs to happen and in the meantime, every player is fighting for his future. I have felt that for quite a while. It has been a bit too comfortable. I have spoken with the players about fighting for the future and they understand that and it is also about the here and now.”
Garry Monk, Owls boss.
Ominous warning
Count this as a final word of caution to those out of contract this summer as Monk isn’t messing around and clearly wants to stamp his own mark down at Hillsborough.
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There are no fewer than nine first-team players due to leave the club at the end of the season, and while a few have been mooted with the potential of a new deal, others will be far from earning that.
Monk has also shown he’s not afraid to exclude some of the long-serving and veteran members of the squad as the likes of Keiren Westwood and Sam Hutchinson have been absent from the matchday squad for quite some time now.
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The Owls are six points from the playoffs and six points from the bottom seven teams in the division, so their season is quickly heading towards no man’s land. An exit from the FA Cup in a couple of weeks would be one nail in the coffin – unless things change soon – and that is what Monk is trying to achieve with these sudden comments.
But, on the other hand, they hardly provide much encouragement for those out of the starting picture right now.
And in other news, Sheffield Wednesday’s injury situation ahead of their trip to Luton…