THE BOSS LIKES THE LUK OF ME

Since Monk arrival Jutkiewicz can’t stop scoring

Jutkiewicz

BIRMINGHAM’S hat-trick hero Lukas Jutkiewicz admitted his relief that manager Garry Monk came to the club and resurrected his career.

Jutkiewicz was struggling under previous bosses Harry Redknapp and Steve Cotterill, scoring just two goals in 28 Championship appearances under them.

The striker is banging the goals in now, though – Saturday’s hat-trick followed his double against Ipswich the previous week.

The 29-year-old played in the Premier League for Burnley before joining Birmingham – and things are looking up for him again. Asked about how Monk has helped him, Jutkiewicz replied: “First and foremost he has played me. I wasn’t playing regularly before. That is massive. You need regular games and the confidence that comes from playing. And the way we set up as a team helps. I am ever so thankful for the manager coming in.”

Jutkiewicz helped Birmingham storm into a 3-0 lead with a header, a poacher’s finish, and then a longrange drive. It meant that the St Andrew’s crowd could finally breath a sigh of relief, having previously endured five successive home games without a win.

Jon Taylor managed a consolation strike for Rotherham but their tired players were shellshocked by then.

Jutkiewicz admitted: “We have played a lot better than that and not won this season – I know which one I would prefer.”

St Andrew’s has not been a happy hunting ground for Millers managers, with Steve Evans and Alan Stubbs being axed after games here.

The rot in this game started after goalkeeper Marek Rodak’s blunder in letting in the first goal.

Rotherham manager Paul Warne said: “It’s disappointing but he has done well for us before. Collectively, there weren’t enough players at their best.”