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 will be looking to build on their change in fortunes this weekend when they host Brentford at Hillsborough, but it will be no easy test with the west Londoners sitting just one point ahead of them in the table.
The Owls defeated Charlton Athletic 3-1 last time out to end a run of five games without a victory, meanwhile, the Bees thumped Luton Town for seven goals without reply.
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If that wasn’t enough, Thomas Frank’s men are showing no signs of suffering after they lost top goalscorer Neal Maupay in the summer as Ollie Watkins has bagged 12 goals in 19 league games this term.
He’s the clear threat on Saturday afternoon so how should Garry Monk combat that?
On the Chalkboard
The 23-year-old is a left-winger by trade but this season he has stepped up to the mark as an out-and-out striker, playing all but one league game in the role.
However, due to his previous traits, he likes to drift wide and cause havoc on the wings just as much as centrally so the right-back spot will be just as important as the two centre-backs in stopping the 5 foot 11 forward.
Watkins’ role in their win last weekend only goes to show just how much trouble he can cause in and around the penalty box as he scored one, assisted two and picked up his highest rating of the season, per WhoScored.
Moses Odubajo has been playing at right-back in the absence of the suspended Liam Palmer, but after his latest showing against Charlton, it may be wise to put big Dominic Iorfa there instead, just so the Owls are more resolute looking.
The former Brentford man picked up the lowest rating in the Wednesday squad despite winning 3-1 as he failed to record a successful dribble and lost possession 12 times per SofaScore.
While the 6 foot 4 colossus averages 3.7 clearances and 0.4 blocks per game which is higher than Odubajo while Iorfa’s natural position has always been on the right-hand side too having played over 100 times there in his career.
It would also allow a strong centre-back partnership with Julian Borner pairing skipper Tom Lees.
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In other news, Garry Monk should stick with two in attack for one particular reason…