GARRY: ‘BEST TEAM’ WILL GIVE US FUL TEST
MIDDLESBROUGH BOSS LOOKING FORWARD TO FULHAM TEST
Garry Monk is braced for one of Middlesbrough’s toughest tests so far as they take on the “best team” he’s seen in the Championship.
Boro, in seventh just one point outside the top six, travel to Fulham tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).
The Cottagers are ‘down’ in 15th though they have lost only twice in the league.
Despite seeing them in the lower half of the table, Monk has the highest regard for Fulham and their manager, Slavisa Jokanovic.
“Fulham were the best team in the league for me last year,” he said.
“They were a very difficult side to play against and they play very good football and have an excellent manager.
“He has them set up very well and Craven Cottage is a very hard place to go.
“Another season on and they will have improved so it’s going to be a very difficult test.
“We’re looking forward to it, we’re on a good run, we’ll try to take that confidence and momentum down there with us.
“Nothing means anything in this league at the moment, there is a long way to go and a lot of football to be played.
“They were the best last season and I’m sure they will be there this season, but we’ll just concentrate on ourselves.
“From our perspective, I don’t think we’ve hit our best yet, but I’m sure that will come if we continue with the attitude, commitment and passion the players are showing on a daily basis.”
Boro are unbeaten in four league games and head to the capital buoyed by an excellent 2-0 win at Aston Villa in midweek in the Carabao Cup.
Monk admits it is an acid test, though adds that tomorrow’s result will decide nothing.
“The game is definitely going to test us,” he said. “It will be a marker of where we are at this moment.
“But it is early days, no game defines your season at this stage.
“What is important is that we are on a decent run of form at the moment.
“We are playing with more confidence and we’re trying to keep that going, that is our focus.
Monk looks set to ring the changes tomorrow, having made 10 alterations in midweek, when only Ben Gibson retained his starting berth
Patrick Bamford, despite scoring twice in the third round win, looks set to miss out for Britt Assombalanga.