Sheffield Wednesday talisman Adam Reach singles out impact of leading man as he looks ahead to 'vital Christmas period'

Wednesday are five without defeat and head into a congested festive fixture schedule high on confidence after an incredible 4-0 win at fellow play-off pushers Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Monk celebrated his 100th day in the Hillsborough hot seat earlier this week and having picked up a side sat in 11th, they are 11 places and 12 points better off than at this time last season.

Reach, who’s performance at the City Ground was one of his most influential in a stop-start season for the winger, was full of praise for Monk’s methods.

“He has done fantastic,” he said.

“He has worked on the basics that we needed. Defensively we have looked really sound and he has instilled that confidence in the attacking players as well.

“I think we have got a really good balance now of being ruthless on the counter attack and scoring goals.”

Speaking on his side’s impressive performance in Nottinghamshire, Reach expressed his satisfaction but was keen to stress that a run of 10 points in a week is over – the focus now is on Bristol City on Sunday.

He said: “We sat back in the second half and they didn't really trouble us at all.

“It is good to be unbeaten. We were disappointed with the draw at Derby but the good teams bounce back and win the next game and that is what we have done.

“We came through a hard week. We know we are heading into another busy period.

“It is going to be a vital period for us to come away with more points. If we can stay unbeaten over the Christmas period, which will be difficult, we will head into the New Year in a good position.”

Monk told The Star: "It is good when you have got momentum but you have to fight even harder to keep it.

“We have got a bit of momentum with the run of results we have had and it is about trying to extend that.”