da lvbet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
da heads bet： Sheffield Wednesday slumped to a fifth game without a victory earlier this week as they were held by Birmingham City at Hillsborough.
The Owls salvaged a point late on when winger Kadeem Harris somehow found the net underneath an array of opposition players just nine minutes from time. It cancelled out Alvaro Gimenez’s early second-half opener.
Garry Monk has been tasked with a barrage of issues since taking over the reins in September, but given he can only control their fortunes on the pitch, that’s where he should start.
On the Chalkboard
The 40-year-old has either used a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation whilst in charge of the club, but a solution to many of his problems could lie in an entirely new system.
Wednesday currently head into this weekend’s fixture at Charlton Athletic without suspended defensive duo Julian Borner or Liam Palmer, and there could be doubts over the fitness of veteran goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.
So a shuffle in defence seems likely to occur once again, making a 3-5-2 formation seem the best option as it means skipper Tom Lees can return alongside the colossal Dominic Iorfa, who has been one of the Owls’ best players this season.
Sam Hutchinson, the leader in the squad for tackles per game, proved his worth at centre-back against Leeds, and he seems like an absolutely ideal option to play the ‘Conor Coady’ role in this system.
In Palmer’s absence comes Moses Odubajo who started on Wednesday night, a more advanced role could see his season revived while on the other side, Adam Reach would offer more attacking impetus than Morgan Fox given that he’s a winger rather than a defensive full-back.
The 26-year-old is the epitome of being a marmite figure in south Yorkshire, but as a left-footer, he’s often been called upon at full-back – 35 times according to Transfermarkt’s recorded matches.
Reach has played the bulk of his career at left-midfield, so that only strengthens the argument that he would suit a wing-back role.
The change in system would also allow Steven Fletcher a strike partner, and it would make sense to start Fernando Forestieri alongside him after his cameo against Birmingham.
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Fans have long been calling for him to start.
Utilising a three-man midfield of Kieran Lee, Barry Bannan, and Massimo Luongo could bring the perfect mix that an engine room needs with the Australian spearheading it as the attacking option.
A 3-5-2 formation could solve Monk’s selection dilemma in defence, it could solve their problem in playing one up top, and it could lead to their wing-backs supplying a better quality of crosses.
It could well pay off.
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In other news, Wednesday’s season could hinge on one major factor off the field…