Re: 'I couldn't care less' Garry Monk on Joe Lolley, loan window and more in full Birmingham City transcript
The Blues boss was pleased with the performance but gutted to throw away a two-goal lead and surrender what would have been the first win of the season.
Here's the full transcript:
"Proud of all the players"
On his overriding emotion after the 2-2 draw
“Once again I sit here completely proud of the players for what they are doing.
“The result have been hard to take for the players. But their performance today was good.
Birmingham City manager Garry Monk
“We’ve dominated the game against a club who are expected to be promoted.
“They have quality but we’ve controlled the game how we wanted to.
“The criticism before was not taking our chances. We’ve done that today, and it’s just a learning process for us now.
“We could have done a bit better with the goals but we were unfortunate again.
“It’s the way the week has gone for us.
“We’ve done everything right but so I can be proud of all the players.
“We’ve been great in all the games except for Middlesbrough.
“If we continue playing like that it will inevitably pick up.
"Very hard to take"
On having just three points and deserving more
“We did the same at Bolton - we made them look like the away team at home.
“Our criticism from the previous games was that we were not taking our chances.
“Today we rectified that. It’s the Championship, it’s difficult.
“I feel strange because I’m so proud of the players - they’ve done everything I’ve asked of them.
“Yet we sit here without the points that we deserve.
“It’s very hard to take. I don’t feel frustrated, I feel for the players.
“They deserve a hell of a lot more than they have got.
“We have to deal with that and take it on the chin.
“We have a big game against QPR before the international break and if we perform like that we will get our rewards.
"We controlled the whole game"
On finally adding a finishing touch at Forest
“Goals win you games, we scored two fantastic goals and had other opportunities too.
“We controlled the whole game. We limited them to nothing.
“The players showed great mentality but they need to back it up with wins and points, we know that.
“We’ll have to move on with a point.
“The players will take confidence from it and they will learn that this is what they can do when they put it at a good level.
“It’s still very early days and we continue to grow.
"We'll fight hard"
On the expectations for Blues after last season's survival battle
“We have to be very realistic. We will fight as hard as we can every single game.
“In the Championship you never know what’s what.
“When you look at quality teams we’ve already played like Forest and Swansea, we have to be realistic.
“We need to give this team room to breathe.
“We have a lot of young players and some new players who need to gel.
“You’ve seen how we’re going about it.
“As long as they’re giving everything for that shirt - like what our fans demand - then we can always be proud.
“We’ve had a difficult summer but we’ll fight hard."
"You get judged on points and wins"
On the spirit and attitude within his squad
“They have shown it from day one, they have shown it all through pre-season and the only game I can be disheartened with was Middlesbrough, where we never started the game right.
“We were better in the second half but every other game has been like this one.
“We have done pretty much everything right to get the win. Unfortunately it’s been one of those weeks where we haven’t got that bit of luck.
“That little bit of whatever you need has gone against us. That has to turn; you can’t continue to play like that and it not to turn.
“From my experience as a player, if you perform like that constantly, that’s all you can ask for as a manager.
“It’s a strange feeling. I’m so proud and happy with them, but ultimately you get judged on points and wins.
“I think everyone can see we’re going in the right direction."
"Play rubbish, score a scrappy goal"
On the need to get the rub of the green
“That’s probably what we need – play rubbish, score a scrappy goal, an own goal, something like that, and win the game.
“But I don’t look at it like that. I look at the performances and what we’re trying to work on and when you see it on the pitch being delivered with real intensity and quality, that’s what you’re looking for as a manager.
“That gives you the best buzz. I have been really proud of them and we have to continue like that.
"When emotions are running high"
On coping with setbacks like the City Ground collapse
“I’m more experienced and I understand how it works now but we have some young players in there and of course we have some experienced ones as well.
“But it’s very hard after a game when emotions are running high. I think you can see our reaction after all the games.
“We have shown we can recover quickly and we have to move on and try to put that mentality into the players.
"But I think they have shown that in their performances this week, that they can overcome disappointment and put in performances.
“What they need is a little bit of Lady Luck.
"They're very honest"
On what it is like to manage these players
“I wouldn’t say it was easy to manage but I have got a really good group. They’re very honest and we’re very honest and very clear with them.
“It’s been a pleasure being here because they just want to get better and better and when you’re working with people like that it’s great.
“Yes we have our limitations and yes, there’s ambition when you’re playing against a club like that it’s clear what their expectations are, and when we play other teams like that as well.
“Our expectations aren’t quite the same but that doesn’t mean we can’t compete and show what we’re about and that’s what we’re trying to do this season.
"Results will come"
On trying to improve his squad of players in training
“Of course, that’s what you try to do. It was a difficult season last season and it’s been quite a difficult few seasons at the club.
“I don’t think anyone should feel downhearted at having three points at this stage.
“I think everyone can be really positive and upbeat because they have been tremendous and the performances have been fantastic at such an early stage and that’s only going to get better and better.
“There will be some tough games and matches where we don’t play as well as that, but you can see in the performances and how we’re trying to play on the pitch with our own identity and what we want to do and we can all be really proud of it.
“If we continue like that, results will come. It’s inevitable.