The Snake (45 replies)
Garry Monk.
Since i was registered on here anyway thought id come give you an honest opinion on our former manager.
Firstly, no matter what has been said since, his season in charge was a highlight for us, a rare one in 15 years of crap, so for that we are grateful. Secondly, he is hard to warm to i found, came across as a bit smug, arrogant, aloof, not a warm character imo, not like Arry i guess who had a charm about him. Finally, its important and good for you that he has Pep back, is it a coincidence that he did well at Leeds and Swansea with Pep, on a small budget, but went to Boro on his own, huge budget, and underachieved, that squad should be up with Wolves, not 9th i think it was when he left.
Beattie did wonders for Chris Wood, who i suppose was a similar sort of striker to Beattie in his prime, which helped, and Lukas Jutkiewicz and Sam Gallagher seem in that type to, big strong lads, so he will probably be able to get the best out of them.
Tactically
For us he stuck with 4-2-3-1, win lose or draw it was 4-2-3-1, that was one of the huge criticisms, he never changed it, he had a plan A, that was your lot. Seems at Boro he changed it a bit, he switched between 4-2-3-1, and a few others but there was an overriding theme, defensive.Our success was built on being solid, organised and well drilled, we had 2 holding midfielders, they sat and protected, we maintained our shape, and relied largely on Pablo Hernandez to create something on the main for Chris Wood or to get Hadi Sacko off on the run. There was a lot of passing for passings sake, between the back 4 and the holding midfielders, it wasnt slick and attacking it was just keeping the ball, effective for the style we played, but not great to watch. As well as being tough to beat we had real heart, totally opposite to this season actually, going behind seemed to spur us on, we would improve and battle, he instilled a real fight in the squad.
Coach
Previously mentioned on Wood, but he improved certain players, he and Pep and Beats, Rob Green came to us a bit of a joke, by the end of the season he had got back to looking a decent goalkeeper, Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson, both not getting much football, came in and formed the base of our team, those 3, Green, Bartley and Jansson were key.The spine of our team, Green, Bartley, Jansson, Vieira, Phillips, Hernandez, Wood, 4 of those were Monk signings, so he knows a bargain.The squad clearly worked hard on the training pitch, everyone knew there job, everyone knew where they had to be, so its clearly a good coaching team.
He did a good job on the whole Garry, the way he left leaves a bitter taste but it was a fun season and im thankful for that.
DOnt expect sparkling football, dont expect to win by lots of goals, dont expect lots of goals at all,dont expect to warm to him, dont expect him to take responsibility if things go wrong.
Do expect certain players to improve, do expect the team to show more fight, do expect to be more organised and solid, do expect the side to seem more together.
Think he is a good appointment, you have a similar squad to us last year, Pacey winger-Sacko-Boga . . Talented playmaker Hernandez-Jota . .Big strong experienced defenders Bartley and Jansson . .Dean and Morrison ,. .experienced goalkeeper . .Rob Green-David Stockdale.
DOnt expect him to stay if something better comes along, but thats just how it is.
Good luck for the rest of the season :)