Monk's got the bottle
MONK RALLIES TROOPS
LEEDS boss Garry Monk has insists his side have the bottle to win the promotion battle.
Just three weeks ago, Leeds were looking nailed on for a top-six finish.
But following a run of three defeats in their last five games the Whites have slipped out of the play-off places for the first time in five months.
Even so, Monk is backing his troops to rediscover their best form, starting against relegation-threatened Burton today.
Monk said: “I don’t envisage us missing out on the play-offs because the players can cope with the mental pressure.
“In a situation like we are in, you have to release the pressure, it’s as simple as that.
“If you do that, then it can help you live with the fact that it might not happen for you in some games.
Mentality
“I said that to the players after Wolves came here and won 1-0 on Easter Monday, and you will see a response at Burton.
“We are out to make it happen, and it’s crucial we do because we have come on so much and fought so hard all season.
“No one here will be giving up, we don’t have that mentality.
“There’s no reason why we should because we are in a fantastic position and we are going to fight with everything we have in the next three games.
“If we do that, I’m convinced it will be good enough.”
Monk, 38, admits his side’s recent run of poor results has taken him by surprise.
He said: “It wasn’t meant to happen at this stage of the season.
“But I am 100 per cent confident that we’ll bounce back.
“Our first-half performance against Wolves was the worst 45 minutes we’ve had this season, and the group know they can’t afford to let that happen again.
“We shall stick together and give it our very best shot.”