Fan Monk urges Jota to come out of the shadows

GARRY Monk is hoping technical players, like record signing Jota, can ‘release themselves’ having been given a fresh start under him.

The Blues manager tried to sign the Spaniard last summer when he was in charge at Middlesbrough only for his new club to nip in and take him from Brentford.

But now they are finally together at St Andrew’s and Monk is hoping to help Jota and his team-mates realise their attacking potential as he seeks to improve Blues’ record in front of goal.

“I remember at Leeds he tore us apart in two games, so I was aware of him,” Monk said.

“He was one we were interested in, for sure, I wouldn’t say it got down to the line where it was certain to sign – but he was definitely one we were interested in at that point.

“I don’t think it got as far as what we needed it to be, then the situation changed. We know his quality but he is one of quite a few in the squad that have the quality to do well and score goals and be attacking as a team. That’s going to be a bit of a process, if I am honest with you.”

Monk was pleased with Jota’s con- tribution in Tuesday’s night 1-0 defeat to his former club Middlesbrough at St Andrew’s.

“He’s a talent. We all know what he’s capable of. He is a player that can help us, create and be a catalyst for us,’’ he said.

“He is one of a number of reasons why I came here, I see a lot of capability in the attacking players.

“They are not quite at the level they are capable of, it’s for me to work, we want that in a short space of time. I am sure we will get that.

He’s a very exciting player, a very creative player – that’s what we need all the time.’’ But it’s not all about Jota. Monk was keen to emphasise any player who had not featured much in the past few months now has a new opportunity. “I said to all the players, it’s a fresh start for all of them,” he continued. “I want them to clear their minds and get ready and focused and prepare for what’s coming ahead. “I am sure at some point all of them will be needed, from a playing point of view, from a training point of view, from an everyday point of view. Everyone has a big responsibility for that. “In terms of the teams we select and how we go about that, we will do that for the best interests of the team. “He (Jota) is one player of many that has the talent and quality to really do well in this league – we have seen it from past seasons. “It hasn’t quite worked for him and maybe others this season, so it’s trying to help them release themselves to show what they are capable of – that’s key to it all.”