This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Garry Monk’s reign as Sheffield Wednesday boss extended to a third league game without defeat following their emphatic 4-1 victory over one of his former clubs, Middlesbrough.
The home side actually handed the Owls an early lead through Adam Clayton as his header soared past his own goalkeeper before centre-back Dominic Iorfa towered highest to double the advantage less than a minute later.
Paddy McNair netted one back for Boro, but that wasn’t enough as a goal-laden first half continued on.
Visiting winger Adam Reach fired in from just inside the area before Steven Fletcher picked up his fifth of the season in the 34th minute – surprisingly that would be the last goal of the match but nonetheless, a resounding victory for Monk and his men.
On the Chalkboard
In midweek, the 40-year-old had reverted to a 4-4-2 formation for the first time this season as they welcomed a strong Everton side to Hillsborough in the Carabao Cup.
Now the result might not have been what they wanted as they faced a 2-0 defeat, but they created several chances and even recorded more shots on goal than their Premier League opposition – despite making eight changes too.
Wednesday were far more clinical and ruthless on Saturday, converting all four of their shots on target, with Monk sticking with the formation he often deployed at Birmingham City.
It appears that this system could indeed be the right one to lead the Owls to success this season, they certainly have the strength in depth required to pull it off.
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Atdhe Nuhiu partnered Steven Fletcher at the Riverside, and that resulted in a goal and an assist between them – but against different opposition, he also has Sam Winnall to call upon.
Out wide, Monk has a wealth of options with Adam Reach, Jacob Murphy and Kadeem Harris while in the centre, summer arrival Massimo Luongo and Joey Pelupessy offer healthy competition to stand-in skipper Barry Bannan and Sam Hutchinson.
The brainwave to revert to a 4-4-2 formation at just the right time may have been a blessing in disguise as Wednesday moved to just one point of the playoffs.
