This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk has thrown his weight behind Fernando Forestieri ahead of his return from suspension this week.
What’s he said?
The Owls have been without the Italian forward for six games now after the Football Association handed him a ban for allegedly using racist language during a pre-season friendly last year.
Forestieri is yet to feature under Monk since he was appointed at the start of September with the 29-year-old’s last appearance coming in a 2-1 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers.
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He assisted Wednesday’s only goal of the game by winning a penalty that Steven Fletcher duly dispatched.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, the 40-year-old said:
“From what I have seen of Fernando, his attitude has been good. He has trained really well and worked really hard and he is available. Those are the steps you need to take and that is all you can do at this point.
“If he does get an opportunity on the pitch, it is to take that next step up and show all of us the Fernando that we know can be devastating at this level.
“I am delighted he is available. We all know the quality he has and we want him to step up and show that.”
Monk needs to bring the best out of him
Football FanCast have previously displayed how the enigmatic 29-year-old could be the perfect strike partner to Steven Fletcher as a 4-4-2 system has brought the most favourable results this season.
Take the Middlesbrough game, for instance, Wednesday fired home four goals in under half an hour with Atdhe Nuhiu pairing the 32-year-old in the attack.
But the Kosovan isn’t as technically gifted as the Italian considering his colossal height of 6 foot 6 so this potential duo could garner even better returns.
Monk is also right that the forward can be ‘devastating’ in this league as his first two seasons at Hillsborough showed – Forestieri netted 15 goals in 36 appearances and then 12 goals in 35 matches, per Transfermarkt.
The Owls boss needs to find a way to rediscover that level of form.