Alan Biggs: Garry Monk has had backing at Sheffield Wednesday – now he must start well

Do I think a line should be drawn under Garry Monk’s early record as Sheffield Wednesday manager? Yes, I do.

Do I think that will apply if the Owls start poorly this season? No, I don’t.

It’s the reality of the situation, whether it’s right or wrong, productive or counter-productive. No words in a column can change that.

Monk himself will be acutely aware that the numbers 14, 11, 19 can only be parked in the past if he and his new backroom team hit the ground running.

That’s wins, draws and losses in his 44 games. More particularly, just three wins in his last 23 league matches.

Much as he and many of us - those who have understood and his struggle and tried to defend it - would like to erase that sequence, we just can’t.

It simply underlines the even bigger than usual importance of a good start. Not just because of the 12 point penalty to overcome but because the manager is playing his own game of catch up.

Commendably, owner Dejphon Chansiri has backed Monk to outrun those who will very quickly be snapping at his heels.

If three wins in 23 goes to 25 or 26, the reminders will be loud from those who have already formed an opinion of this manager and are defying him to change it.

Let me say I can understand that view because last season’s slide cannot be fully explained or defended in any circumstances.

However, I saw it - charitably or not - as the product of a club allowing its squad to stagnate for years and then enduring the chaos of having to change it all at once.

I have also believed, from his record and knowing him a little, that Monk is a capable manager who can develop an excellent career.

But the bigger argument for restraint, even if the start is not the one desired, is that this should be a honeymoon period for the new management team as a whole; embracing the three new coaches brought in by Monk.

They can’t possibly be judged over a short period.

If the top man is toppled, that’s potentially four contracts to pay off and start all over again. Which the owner can certainly ill afford.

So to wish for a change could only be destructive.

There are those who hate that word “stability”, suggesting it can be an acceptance of mediocrity.

But, in a way, Wednesday do have to accept mediocrity in terms of their immediate ambitions. Let’s hope Monk can achieve the stability to lead them out of it.

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