Monk gets message across in front of fans
GARRY Monk is getting more elaborate with his messages, with the Blues boss keen to nail the finer details in the final stages of pre-season.
Monk put his players through their paces at a well-attended open training session at St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium this week.
The squad took time out from training to meet fans, pose for autographs and sign autographs.
But there was a serious element to proceedings with Monk eager to relay more detailed instructions to his players that can be taken into matches.
“In the short-term it’s been very simple stuff because you don’t want to overload their minds and add pressure,” he said.
“Get on top of the simple stuff, because if they get it right and to a high standard on the training pitch they can do themselves justice when it comes to a match.
“We’re looking to step up now and add a bit more detail and information to the players.”
Monk is having to go with the same playing staff as last season with the club still subject to a transfer embargo.
Danish defender Kristian Pedersen is the only player Monk has signed this summer.
But there remains a degree of doubt as to whether he’ll be eligible to play in the season curtain-raiser against Norwich City on August 4.
Blues are in talks with English Football League officials after authorities ruled they had fallen foul of Financial Fair Play rules.
The EFL hit them with a transfer embargo and refused to register Pedersen following his £2 million transfer from Union Berlin in June. Pedersen, 23, is in limbo. But Blues are working to get the embargo lifted and are understood to be confident about having Pedersen available for their first match of the Championship season.
The transfer window, for permanent deals, closes on Thursday, August 9.
Blues take on Spanish Segunda Division side Las Palmas on Friday before rounding off their preseason against Premier League outfit Brighton at St Andrew’s on Saturday.