Monk: I can see team has fighting spirit to stay up
GARRY Monk says he has looked into his players’ eyes and sees a desire to crawl out of Championship trouble.
Monk, who celebrates his 39th birthday on Tuesday, was unveiled as the fifth Birmingham City manager in 15 months and he had a strong message for the club’s supporters.
Having met his new charges before Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat former club Middlesbrough, he was in upbeat mood.
“You are never quite sure until you actually stand face to face with them and see it in their eyes, but they were very good, very motivated,” said Monk, who has arrived at St Andrew’s on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
“Of course they understand the situation, of course confidence isn’t the highest, naturally that will be dictated by the situation they are in, but I see a very honest group, which is key in these situations.
“The only way we are going to get out of this situation is together, by hard work and commitment. There is no magic wand.
“I think our fans will play a massive part in that as well. It’s a historic club, a massive fanbase.
“I have been to St Andrew’s when it has been rocking and we are going to need that – home and away.
“I have been a fan, when you grow up as a fan you support that club through anything and our fans are more than capable of doing that. I am sure they will come in their thousands, and they need to give these players that support.”
But the main responsibility lies with the players, who have underperformed this season. Monk wants total commitment.
“No.1 right now is that determination, we have to fight, we have to crawl off the pitch in front of our fans, for ourselves and for the club,’’ he said.
“I can see in their eyes, they definitely have that in them and definitely want to do that.”
Monk faced Boro less than three months after being sacked by the club. However, he refused to dwell on his stint at The Riverside.
“I learn lessons every day, throughout your managerial career there are lessons to be learned,” he said.
“It’s my fourth year (in management) but I’ve had a huge experience in those four years. I feel confident my work has been relatively successful in the short time I have been doing it.”
Monk revealed his desire to ‘lay foundations’ at Blues and build the club from the bottom up.
And he insists he’s been given positive vibes from the club’s owners, Trillion Trophy Asia, about what the future holds for both him and Blues.
“Look at the club itself, take this particular situation out of it for now, let’s put that to the side – I came here for the chance to be at a big, historic club,’’ he continued.
“Any manager goes in with the intention of working and putting something good in place.
“Having spoken to these guys and spoken about my plan, what I want to put in place and how I want to be a manager is always the focus.
“Putting that foundation [down] at a big club, a great club, a historic club, I don’t understand why any manager wouldn’t want to do that.
“The opportunity to come to a club like Birmingham is always an appeal and, of course, there’s the challenge of those type of clubs.
“I have always been one with that ambition to take big challenges on.
“I was the same way in my playing career as in my managerial career and that is what I like to do.
“It moved very quickly through the discussions but understanding what Birmingham is and what a huge club it is, the fanbase it has, players that are here – all those ingredients suited the challenge I was looking for and that is the reason why I am here today.
“I am very excited to be here. I was a manager out of work and during those periods you are always looking for what might come next.
“You’re hoping the next opportunity you might get is one which takes your eye.
“Yes, we’re in a difficult moment but there’s also lots of potential going forward at this club.
“I’m the type of person challenges on and this is really looking forward to.
“I’d like to thank Dong me the opportunity.’’
Monk insists he can buck the trend of fallen managers at St Andrew’s. Gary Rowett, Gianfranco Zola, Harry Redknapp and Steve Cotterill have all been in charge since December 2016, but Monk has backed himself to succeed.
He said: “Of course you need to know what’s gone and I have an idea, but I judge it on my own merits. I don’t ring up former managers and players.
“I have done it from the very start, as a player, and judge it as I see fit.
“I wouldn’t come if I didn’t believe we couldn’t get these players and the club where we need to.
“It’s that process, I feel confident in my work, it’s been relatively successful and had ups and downs but that’s management.”
Monk had been on Blues’ managerial shortlist for a number of years.
He refused to deny there was a break clause in his contract should Blues be relegated, although it is understood there is an option.
“I’m only focused on doing a great job with Birmingham. It’s not even in the thought process,” he said. to one take I’m for giving