Monk: Boro’s display just not good enough
GARRY Monk apologised to travelling Boro fans after what he deemed an “unacceptable” display at Bristol City.
The manager was scathing about his team’s performance in a 2-1 loss, as two goals in three second-half minutes from Joe Bryan and Jamie Paterson sent them to defeat.
Even a 75th-minute own goal by City defender Hordur Magnusson could not rouse the visitors to earn a point and Monk pulled no punches after the game.
“Our supporters have spent a lot of hard-earned cash to travel a long way and they deserved better,” he said. “I can only apologise to them because that was unacceptable.
“I know we have good players and I expected a lot more of them tonight. For 70 minutes we were not good enough and to show a reaction when you are 2-0 down is all too easy.
“We began to do the things we should have been doing from the start. That isn’t acceptable and it hurts. I take responsibility.
“There were a lot of strong discussions this week after we let ourselves down in the second half against Derby (a 3-0 loss) and I expected a reaction.
“Our supporters have spent a lot of hard-earned cash to travel a long way and they deserved better.”
City went in front on 51 minutes when Bailey Wright’s deep cross from the right was headed in at the far post by Bryan, whose close-range effort gave goalkeeper Darren Randolph no chance.
Before Boro had time to regroup, a slick move out of defence, started by Korey Smith and carried on by Aden Flint, saw the big central defender cross for Jamie Paterson to blast the ball home from ten yards. The visitors were given hope when Icelandic international Magnusson headed an innocuous ball into the box from the right past his own goalkeeper on 75 minutes.
But Lee Johnson’s men held out few alarms, going close again when Josh Brownhill’s late drive brought a diving save from Randolph
Johnson said: “It is still early days as far as league positions are concerned, but I’m delighted to be third and eight points clear of a very good side in Middlesbrough.
“Had we lost, they would have been right on our heels and, with a very good manager in Garry Monk, I expect them to kick on from here. We scored two great goals.
“Aden Flint tells me he wants to change numbers from four to seven because he thinks he’s a winger after his cross for the second.
“We have five players out injured and some others are having to play out of position.
“We had four centre-backs in our back-four.
“There is a long way to go but I couldn’t be happier with the spirit in the squad.”