Sheffield Wednesday return to more familiar surroundings on Saturday afternoon as they prepare for the visit of Reading at Hillsborough where The Owls will be keen to return to winning ways under manager, Garry Monk.
It’s been a disappointing period for Sheffield Wednesday and Monk as the hosts were seemingly on course for a top six finish in the Championship prior to Christmas as Wednesday had put together an impressive 6-match unbeaten run in the second tier with the play-off pack almost within their grasp.
"I have been a fighter all my life and I will continue to give my all to help this cause.." #swfc— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) February 12, 2020
"I have been a fighter all my life and I will continue to give my all to help this cause.." #swfc
However, a Boxing Day 3-2 defeat away from home at Stoke City wasn’t the Christmas present that Sheffield Wednesday were hoping for and this loss proved to be the start of an alarming slump in form for the Yorkshire outfit.
Indeed, since just before Christmas, Sheffield Wednesday have gained just 1 win from their subsequent 9 matches which came in the shape of a surprising 2-0 win away at Elland Road against Leeds United, but 6 defeats within this worrying 9-match period has left The Owls scratching their heads at what might have been.
Onto the visitors, Reading, and they too seem to have ended their ‘honeymoon period’ under manager, Mark Bowen, as The Royals have managed to register just 1 win since the turn of the year, which was a New Years Day 2-1 win away from home at Fulham.
However, Reading’s euphoria was to be short-lived as the Berkshire side have since failed to win any of their subsequent 7 matches overall in the Championship which includes defeats to Millwall, Bristol City and West Brom, along with 4 draws.
This means that Reading have picked up just 4 points from the possible 21 on offer during this 7-match sequence, but they still hold a commanding 9-point cushion over the bottom three thanks to their 4-match winning streak between Christmas and the New Year.
Reading’s momentum has dropped though, and although they’re safe from the relegation battle below them, this slump in form will nevertheless be a concern for manager and players alike as they look to confirm their Championship survival sooner rather than later.
With both teams struggling to put any sort of positive momentum together in the Championship in recent weeks, this encounter could end up being a dismal draw.