Middlesbrough v QPR: Sense of injustice gives Monk a greater desire to be successful

Last season when in charge of Leeds United, Monk had to take the disappointment of picking up a two-match touchline ban after an altercation with Huddersfield Town counterpart David Wagner firmly on the chin, even if he will not have particularly liked it.

Monk received more unwelcome news from the Football Association on Thursday, with Middlesbrough’s appeal for Adama Traore’s three-match suspension following his midweek dismissal at former club Aston Villa being overturned, with the decision upheld.

It represented a blow for Boro and Monk, who professed to being ‘hugely disappointed’ at what he felt to be a ‘wrong decision.’

Monk must make do and mend, but at least can be consoled by his side’s stingy and determined home form and rediscovering of their ability to find a way to win at the Riverside.

After just four league wins on home soil last term, Boro are showing signs of turning back the clock to the parsimonious Championship traits and winning tendencies under Aitor Karanka, when the defence was water-tight on Teesside and not too many sides went away with anything.

Monk, whose side have yet to concede a goal in four home outings in all competitions this term, said: “We want it to be a fortress straightaway. We want to win as many games as possible and make sure we pick up points along the way.

“We have had a good start at the Riverside, hopefully we are starting to get our away form on track. Now we need to go back to the Riverside and make sure it is a place where teams come and find it difficult. We need to continue to show that.”

On Rangers, Monk added: I have respect for Ian (Holloway), he is a fantastic manager; he sets up to be versatile and be ready.

“We have to expect something we could not expect. Whenever I have come up against his teams, it has always been a difficult match.

“We will go to the Riverside and try to get the result we really want.”