MONK‘S MEN SO FULL OF HUNGER FOR PREM PUSH
Championship: The Den, 3pm GARRY MONK is convinced his Middlesbrough squad have regained their hunger.
The Teessiders beat Ipswich last week, and are back on the tail of the promotion chasers following a couple of defeats.
Monk (above) is now demanding extra focus and says he can cope with criticism Boro’s up and down form brings.
He said: “The frustration from all of us is we have not taken the points in games where we should have done, where the opposition hasn’t really earned it. You can live with it if a decision is out of your hands or if a team was better than us, but we have been guilty of mistakes.
“Last Saturday was a step in the right direction, I felt we had a really good hunger about us.
“I think we made it look comfortable against a team like Ipswich, second-highest scorers in the league, so it is good for us moving forward.”
Monk added: “It’s trusting what you do and knowing that when it is done right what it can give you in terms of results. It is just about having pure belief and trust in the players.”
Lions veteran Steve Morison was handed a one-year contract extension for playing 20 Championship matches this week.
The 34-year-old is yet to score this season and said: “Contrary to what people might say, I think I’ve earned it. I’ve been key to the games we’ve won this season and the results we have got.
“Goals will be my aim for the second part of the season.
‘‘I should have scored some goals and I haven’t.” ROY HODGSON says cool heads will keep Crystal Palace up – but admits his own calm exterior is just a front.
Midweek match-winner James Mcarthur this week claimed the manager’s composure has helped the Palace players keep their nerve after a nightmare start.
After failing to register a single goal or point in the opening seven games, the Eagles travel to Leicester
City on the back of a six-game unbeaten run.
But while boss Hodgson has told his squad to use their heads, not their hearts, in the relegation scrap, he struggles to follow his own advice.
The manager said: “If I was to allow my true personality and my emotions to command the situation or take over, it would be a different kettle of fish.
“I am not by nature, unfortunately, a tranquil, calm person. I am more emotive, always have been, and probably always will be.
“But over the years I have realised that it is not always about venting emotions, it is about doing what the team needs and having the necessary control to say the right thing at the right time.
“We have certainly preached to the players about control, making the right decisions, and not allowing their heart to rule their head, accepting defeats and not getting carried away with victories.
“It is difficult for me, but for some people it is easier, some people hide their emotions quite well.
“But you realise that you can do a lot of damage by saying the wrong thing in an emotive way and it can take a long time to bring it back.”
Palace’s regular penalty taker Luka Milivojevic is suspended but Hodgson insists there is no way Christian Benteke (above) will assume spot-kick duties after his recent miss.
He said: “We’ll make a decision but, if you’re asking if Christian’s No.1, then I can say I don’t think either he or we want that situation. There are other people who can take them.”