This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Sheffield Wednesday are holding their own amongst the Championship playoffs currently as they sit in fifth place, only three points off league leaders West Bromwich Albion.
Garry Monk’s men earned a draw against local rivals Leeds United last time out, which was only a measure of how well they are doing under the 40-year-old – to be precise, they have only lost the one match and have recorded 15 points from a possible 24.
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The Owls will be looking to continue that rich vein of form when they head to Blackburn Rovers this weekend.
Monk is hopeful that Massimo Luongo will be available for selection after missing last Saturday’s stalemate, and if he does indeed pass all injury worries, then there are no doubts about why he should be starting this match.
On the Chalkboard
Right before kickoff, Monk was forced into making another late change as Julian Borner pulled up in the warm-up, which meant Sam Hutchinson dropped into defence with Joey Pelupessy deputising in central midfield.
Fans were left fuming with his performance while the 30-year-old looked right at home in his new role, so there will be no major problems if the German remains absent on Saturday.
Luongo was just beginning to turn a corner in his Wednesday career before picking up an injury during the Stoke City match.
He had to wait until game week 11 to make his first start in the blue and white stripes, and since then, the 27-year-old has scored two goals in three matches – both of which coming in 1-0 victories.
Therefore, it isn’t unfair to suggest that the Owls seriously missed the Australian against Leeds because they just simply couldn’t find the net, even despite registering 11 shots against the division’s best defence.
Monk has been far too reliant on Steven Fletcher for goals, but Luongo was starting to dispel that with his performances trending in the right direction.
The £4.5m-rated (Transfermarkt) man is a must to start against Blackburn on Saturday if deemed fit enough to play. Monk would be foolish if he didn’t play him.
