GARY MONK BORO MANAGER: " CARDIFF CITY "

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GARY MONK BORO MANAGER: " CARDIFF CITY "

Postby Forever Blue » Thu Oct 19, 2017 11:39 am

Boro manager Garry Monk spoke to the media from Rockliffe Park, as we look ahead to Saturday's match against Cardiff City (3pm).

Thursday 19th October 2017

In quotes

His reaction the draw at Barnsley:

I think overall we've made big improvements. On Saturday, for instance, we were fluid in our attacking movements and we created enough chances to win the game. We need to be more clinical and cut out the mistakes which at the moment we're being punished for.



On Cardiff City: :bluebird:

They've started the season very well and it will be a tough test for us. But again, in our last match at the Riverside there were good points to draw on. It's a good opportunity this weekend to show what we're made of. Knowing Neil [Warnock's] teams they'll be difficult to beat and their start doesn't surprise me. But we have to focus on ourselves.





On his team and fitness:

We're expecting Rudy Gestede back out into training in less than two weeks time. The squad is very competitive, and we have difficult decisions to make every week but that's a good thing.






On Adama Traore, who was not included in the matchday squad last week due to his late arrival for the team bus:

It's all been dealt with in-house, he trained very well this week and showed a good attitude. We've moved on. The rules and code we follow is part of the culture we are trying to make. As long as everyone learns from their mistakes and shows a good attitude we move on very quickly.

Buy tickets for Boro's match against Cardiff at the Riverside this Saturday or pay on the day :thumbright:
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GARY MONK BORO MANAGER: " CARDIFF CITY "

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Re: GARY MONK BORO MANAGER: " CARDIFF CITY "

Postby Forever Blue » Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:41 am

' GARY MONK NEEDS A WIN TO STOP ANY PRESSURE '


By Chris Coleman


Thursday 18th October 2017

Cardiff City are looking to put their woes at Birmingham City behind them by putting a dent into the promotion hopes of Garry Monk's Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday.

Boro were heavily fancied to be among the front-runners for promotion this season, but they have arguably fallen short of expectations in recent weeks, and welcome Neil Warnock's side on the back of a four-game winless run.

That's not to say the Teesiders should be underestimated, as their expensively-assembled squad is still awash with the sort of talented players that could cause the Bluebirds real problems.

Victory for Cardiff would not only represent a welcome return to winning ways, but it would also send out a strong message to the rest of the Championship and the other sides looking to make ground on the league's summit.

It could also put pressure on Boro boss Monk, although Jonathon Taylor , local sports writer at the Middlesbrough Gazette, believes the former Leeds United manager is not under any immediate threat.




However, he admits that could quickly change.

Having spent just over £50 million in the summer window, Boro came into this season as one of the division's biggest spenders, which in turn saw them identified as one of the hot favourites to go up.

But while expectations have surely been heightened in some quarters, Taylor believes that most Boro fans understand that their team is one that is firmly within transition.

"I think most fans accepted that it wasn't going to click straight away," he explains. "The club brought in around 10 new players, a new manager and coaching team, so there was always a feeling it might take time.

"It's a bit of a glass half full, glass half empty situation. Some might say that in the context of the money spent, they should be higher, while others will prefer to look at the fact that they're only three points away from the play-offs.

"Under Monk they like to get the ball down and play it forward, which is something we arguably haven't said about Middlesbrough for some time. Under Aitor Karanka there was more of an emphasis on defensive duties and didn't have a lot going forward. It's the other way around with Monk.

"It's very difficult to discuss formation because Monk chops and changes most weeks, but they like to hit teams on the counter, although they have had difficulty in breaking teams down recently."









Could defensive lapses place Monk under pressure?

From the outside looking in, one might feel that Monk would be feeling the pressure to improve results and haul the Teesiders up the table.

However, Taylor believes that the former Swansea City boss can rest easy knowing his job is safe (for now at least).

As the old cliché goes, football is a results business and Taylor admits that fans may start to get restless if Boro don't swiftly return to winning ways, adding that defensive leaks are becoming an increasing worry.

"I wouldn't say Monk's position is under pressure, but I think with the squad they have, which is probably one of the best in the division, there will have been expected to offer a little bit more than they have so far," he added.

"Defensively there are a few problems. From what I've seen over the last few weeks, Cardiff can expect a chance in the first five minutes. I think Boro have conceded the first goal in more games than any other team playing in the Championship.

"But they will still look to get the ball down on the floor and get the full-backs high.

"There's been a few different combinations at the back. Monk has used three separate centre-back pairings in the last few games, so I don't think he knows yet which combination he really wants and none of them are really playing particularly well.

"But they do look a side that can outscore teams, so that's a big positive."







The key men

Last weekend's 2-2 draw with Barnsley was arguably overshadowed by a bizarre incident involving playmaker Adama Traore, who was left out of the trip to South Yorkshire after missing the bus to the team hotel.

There has been plenty of speculation this week as to whether he will be in line for a return to the side having trained as normal this week, although there is a feeling that he won't be able to simply walk back into Monk's starting XI.

Taylor adds: "Traore's been training as normal this week and he's back in contention, although I'd be surprised if he started as Martin Braithwaite and Stewart Downing are both performing very well at the moment.

"But he might be in two minds over whether to start him, particularly with a cup game coming up.

"Braithwaite in particular is going to be one of the more significant threats, although he's only started three games. He had a slight hamstring injury two games, but he's come back very strongly and he's scored two goals in the last two game.

"His versatility is perhaps his biggest strength as he can play anywhere and is good with his feet."






Great expectations

While there are clearly real questions about Boro's promotion credentials, a return to the Premier League is undoubtedly still the main aim of this squad, which Taylor claims has enough depth to be considered among the best in the division.

"Promotion has to be the aim. People have seen the investment and, looking at the squad there is a feeling that it is still the main aim.

"Most weeks they have a player in Downing that can't get in the starting line-up, and that shows the strength of the squad.

"I think most fans will want automatic promotion too, given our luck in the play-offs."
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