After Sheffield Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Reading, some fans took to social media to criticise Garry Monk’s selection of Osaze Urhoghide. The 19-year-old struggled to contain Ovie Ejaria on Saturday and was eventually sent off for two bookable offences.
Some supporters believe Monk should have known Urhoghide wasn’t ready for more Championship football given his poor performances in past appearances. Wednesday were coming into the Reading game off the back of six defeats from their last nine league games, so it was a gamble throwing him in.
This will be unpopular opinion due to his age and lack of games but that young right back is not good enough and neither is Pelupessy. The fact Monk is playing them during this urgent need for wins as well as playing FF at left wing back is indefensible #swfc
— RocketOwl (@RocketOwl1986) February 16, 2020
No brain nice one Urhoghide, not good enough, monk thrown him under the bus #swfc
— J (@J_swfc1867) February 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/Jon_Maris/status/1228716461981655040?s=20
Sad state but the lad is miles off ready for 1st team. 2 appearances at s6. Terrible. And in this team atm it isnt going to help him. Its a big call from monk to pick him over lees!? Decisions like this make me question monk in this current situation
— James Saint (@JamesBSaint) February 15, 2020
Should NEVER have started Alan. He’s not ready. His last home appearance told all 24000 plus that.
— Paul Pashley (@MrPaulPashley) February 15, 2020
Why would Monk put Urhoghide into the side today. Toughest spell of the season, desperately need a win, need some experience in the side. Doesn’t matter that we don’t have any other full backs, it’s not the right time to play him. Felt so sorry for him.#MonkOut #swfc #swfclive
— footballman6358 (@AdamReachisGOAT) February 15, 2020
#SWFC we will improve when Luongo, Reach and Fox return…but Dawson, Pelupessy, Lee, Urhoghide need leaving out…Westwood, Hutchinson, Bannan need to start 1/2…
— Martyn Ware 🦉 (@martynware) February 15, 2020
Against Reading, Urhoghide played for 49 minutes, made 37 touches, won one aerial duel, completed 62.5% of his 16 passes, made two interceptions, gave away two fouls, made two tackles and failed to find a teammate with his two long ball attempts.
The 19-year-old has made four appearances in all competitions for Wednesday, racking up 268 minutes of playing time, but he had been an unused substitute for four league games before starting against Reading.
Urhoghide was dropped after struggling in the Owls’ 5-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers (January 18, 2020), so it was a surprise to see him back weeks later. Being sent off won’t have done him any favours.