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 enjoying life under Garry Monk.
Fifth in the Championship. 15 points from a possible 24. Promotion form.
The 40-year-old was only appointed at the start of September, but under his stewardship, the Owls have lost only one match, and that came in the absence of top goalscorer Steven Fletcher.
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What is more impressive is how Monk has transformed this side, considering it was put together by former boss Steve Bruce and then to some extent caretaker Lee Bullen.
He has also battled adversity with skipper Tom Lees being out injured as well as facing a six-game suspension to Fernando Forestieri and now in Julian Borner’s absence too.
An array of chances have been given to the likes of Massimo Luongo and Morgan Fox, who quite possibly are the two most inform men amongst the squad right now.
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The Australian midfielder has bagged two match-winning goals in his last three appearances while the left-back has been reintroduced in recent matches, playing three successive games for the first time since August.
Fox has always been a marmite figure at Hillsborough, as shown by these fans claiming he has proven people wrong after clinching October’s Player of the Month award.
He very nearly also joined Sunderland in the summer, which would have left Wednesday with a somewhat problematic situation at left-back.
The 26-year-old’s contract is up at the end of the season, and Monk must act soon to extend his time in south Yorkshire as the defender is starting to really cement his place amongst the starting line up.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post about it, Fox said: “Obviously, I have only got until the end of the season and it is out of my hands really. I am happy here and as long as I am in the team playing, I am going to be. But I always give my most, that is all I can do.”
In those three matches, Fox has contributed to two clean sheets, including one against local and promotion rivals Leeds United.
As the only natural left-back in the senior set up, it would make sense to secure him to a new deal so the Owls chief can focus his attention on other positions of need such as upfront as the club needs to lessen the pressure on Fletcher.
Since his return to the XI, Fox has recorded ten clearances, five interceptions, and four tackles, per WhoScored.
He’s a man in a rich vein of form, and if that continues, other clubs may well line him up, knowing his contract is coming to an end very soon.
Monk needs to tie him up as soon as possible, not at least to reward him for his impactful performances in Wednesday’s defence.