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 return to Championship action this afternoon as they look to continue to mount a serious playoff challenge.
Garry Monk’s side currently sit in eighth position but have recently been dealt a huge blow off the pitch as the club were charged with financial misconduct over the sale of their Hillsborough stadium to owner Dejphon Chansiri.
The Owls are yet to face punishment so for now, it is business as usual.
On the Chalkboard
The 40-year-old chief is able to call upon a fully-fit squad barring third-choice goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, which hands him a major boost as they face a trip to league leaders West Bromwich Albion.
Most notable of all, it means central midfielder Massimo Luongo is available for contention for the first time since the Stoke City victory at the end of October.
His month-long absence has actually highlighted just how crucial he has been to Wednesday’s success under Monk.
The Aussie started his first league game since joining the south Yorkshire club in the summer at the start of that month and went on to feature in three straight before injury.
Luongo looked to finally offer the side a box-to-box threat of sorts, and one that could help lessen the reliance on top goalscorer Steven Fletcher.
In those three matches, the 27-year-old scored two winners in 1-0 victories and per WhoScored, amassed seven tackles, three key passes, and four dribbles.
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Wednesday have failed to win since he picked up an injury, so it is fair to suggest that his presence in the midfield has been sorely missed.
Two points achieved from a possible nine just isn’t good enough for a team that has promotion ambitions, and that’s exactly why they have slipped out of contention by three points.
Meanwhile, this former Owls man is lighting up one Premier League academy with his goalscoring form…
