da dobrowin： Sheffield Wednesday under the stewardship of Garry Monk are proving to be a worthy playoff contender this season.
da heads bet： Last weekend’s 4-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest saw them extend their unbeaten run to a fifth straight game while moving up into fifth in the Championship standings.
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The Owls also rank as the third-best defence in the division, which can’t be much of a surprise considering the 40-year-old’s playing career as a central defender.
However, his most impressive attribute has been his man-management at the club. He’s granted an opportunity to several players whose future at Hillsborough was certainly wearing thin before his arrival.
Three of which are highlighted below.
Jordan Rhodes
Wednesday’s club-record signing slipped down the pecking order at the club last season, resulting in him being sent out on a season-long loan to Norwich City. He contributed towards their title win by scoring six times in the league.
Though, this was not enough to see caretaker boss Lee Bullen hand him much of an opportunity at the start of this season, being limited to just two substitute appearances.
Jordan Rhodes has now featured in three straight matches, the last of which saw him net a first-half hattrick at the City Ground. He’s surely in line for an increased role under Monk as it moved him to their joint-second top goalscorer for the season.
Cameron Dawson
Another player given a new lease of life is goalkeeper Cameron Dawson. He had been given opportunities here and there in the absence of then first-choice Keiren Westwood, but whenever the veteran returned, the 24-year-old duly dropped back to the bench. But it appears to be different now with him keeping his place at the weekend.
Dawson has kept five clean sheets in ten appearances this campaign, and it appears Monk will continue to trust him between the sticks going forward. His contract is up at the end of the season so he could well be encouraged by this.
This is the first time the shot-stopper has enjoyed a sustained period of time in the starting line up since he was reinstated as third-choice after Jos Luhukay’s sacking – the Dutchman had named him number one at the start of the 2018/19 season.
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Morgan Fox
And finally, there’s Morgan Fox who has totally transformed his Owls career. Fans have always hated his performances since he joined in 2017, as seen here against Wolves.
He’s since been named October’s Player of the Month, an award voted for by supporters, and has become Monk’s first-choice at left-back having started 11 straight league games the role.
The Welshman’s contract also expires at the end of the season, although, Monk will face a battle to keep him after reports linking several rival clubs to his signature next month – that only further shows how far he’s come.
And in other Owls news, Monk must steer clear of adding this five-goal ace to his ranks next month…