GARRY MONK: I AM PLEASED TO GET THROUGH

GARRY MONK: I AM PLEASED TO GET THROUGH

Head coach on Cambridge victory.

Leeds United head coach Garry Monk was pleased to avoid an upset in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Uche Ikpeazu’s first half strike had given Cambridge United hope of a shock, however Leeds fought back through goals from Stuart Dallas and Alex Mowatt.

Monk was happy with the way his side turned things around in the second half to get the victory.

“I am pleased to get through and pleased for the players,” said Monk.

“We played against a good side, we knew it was going to be difficult and the pitch made it hard.

“Cambridge started really well, they were very physical as we expected and their striker was a real handful and caused us problems.

“We were trying to play our football, but we weren’t doing it smart enough, we were doing it too much around our 18 yard box and too deep in our half.

“My team talk at half time was very different to the one at Rotherham United, you can see sometimes the team need a rocket and sometimes they just need a talk, we just talked about how we needed to be smarter and credit to the players.

“Cambridge are in great form, you could see their confidence, but once we re-assessed at half time, we looked dangerous and on the front foot and we are into the next round which we are pleased with.

“In the second half we scored two really good goals, we played our football higher up the pitch and controlled the game really well and got the win in the end.

“We have a long way to go, this group is improving all the time and we are trying to come through the different tests being thrown at us.”

 

Pontus Jansson picked up his tenth yellow card of the season in the win, meaning he will miss United’s next two fixtures and Monk was unhappy with the decision.

He said: “I’m disappointed with the referee’s decision to give Pontus a yellow card.

“Initially he waved play on, it was only because the crowd shouted that he stopped the play.

“Watching it back, Pontus has no idea the player is there, he is focused on the ball and you use your arms for leverage, so I thought it was extremely harsh for him to get booked.”

United will now face a trip to either AFC Wimbledon or Sutton United in the fourth round and Monk gave his view on the draw.

“Ideally we would have liked a home tie in the next round, but it hasn’t gone our way,” Monk commented.

“We have plenty of time to deal and prepare for that, but I’m sure it will be a similar match to this one.

“We have come through against Cambridge and we need to make sure we come through the next one, but we will worry about that nearer to the time.”

LUTV subscribers can see the full interview with Garry Monk below:

POST MATCH | GARRY MONK | CAMBRIDGE

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