Sheffield Wednesday gear up for their first Championship game in the post Garry Monk era this weekend following the former Birmingham City manager’s dismissal.
Monk said he had met his pre-season target heading into the November international break, which was to climb off the bottom following their points deduction.
But even without the six-points deduction, the Owls would still be struggling.
After a run of just seven wins in his last 34 games marking a disappointing calendar year, Dejphon Chansiri has made the call to replace Monk with Tony Pulis.
Here we look at three players who may immediately suffer from Monk’s exit.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Moses Odubajo:
Moses Odubajo joined Wednesday on a free transfer in 2019.
The former Hull City man made only 19 Championship starts last term. But, after a change to a back-three system, he began to find a regular place at right wingback.
Odubajo has started six league games from mid-October, and in his last two encounters he helped the Owls keep back-to-back clean sheets against Bournemouth and Millwall.
Pulis, however, may have other plans having largely favoured a back four.
Moreover, the former Stoke City boss likes his defenders to have height. At 5ft 10inch, Odubajo is shorter than Liam Palmer and Dominic Iorfa who could also play right-back.
Joe Wildsmith:
Joe Wildsmith has started Wednesday’s last three games, conceding just once.
The 24-year-old has had to bide his time after starting the season behind Cameron Dawson, but his current reign as Wednesday’s number one could be a short one.
Garry Monk didn’t favour Keiren Westwood. He left the 36-year-old out of Wednesday’s Championship squad with his last appearance coming around a year ago.
But newly-appointed manager Tony Pulis views the Irishman differently.
Pulis told the Yorkshire Live how he views Westwood as one of the best shot-stoppers in the league, and he has since been registered to the 25-man squad once more.
Barry Bannan:
Barry Bannan is a crowd favourite at Hillsborough and rightly so.
The 27-capped Scotland international remains one of the best passers of the ball in the Championship, and he seemingly enjoyed a decent relationship with Monk.
Bannan leaped to Monk’s defence last month, claiming the players must take responsibility.
But the former Aston Villa man hasn’t been so generous towards Pulis in the past.
While commending his honesty, Bannan told Open Goal last year how Pulis was probably the worst manager he has played under for his style of play.
Pulis likes physical players who play the percentages. Bannan is a polar-opposite, and it remains to be seen whether the two can coincide at Hillsborough moving forwards.
Also see: Three Owls players who may immediately benefit from Monk exit, including £5m ace
Also see: Report: Manager with PL top10 finish was in frame for Owls job before Pulis appointment
