Planet Swans ArchivesThe Swansea City captain was speaking after Pratley scored the only goal of the game to defeat Reading at the Liberty Stadium on New Year’s Day.
The goal came just four days after a small section of the support booed the player on his introduction mainly over his refusal to sign a new contract at the club.
And Monk says that the midfielder deserves the support of the fans “We’ve had a bit of banter with Prats — we’re booing him in training — but he is a top lad and a great professional and nothing will change that,” Monk told the Evening Post.
“There’s been a lot said about him and everyone is entitled to their opinion. The fans pay their money and they can say what they want.
“But I think it’s wrong that he has been booed in the last few games.
“You look at the service he has given to this club and you can’t knock him — he tries his heart out.
“I am sure he would say himself that he has had a bit of dip in form, but that happens to every player over the course of the season.
“His dip is probably something to do with everything that’s going on, but he was back to his best on Saturday.
“It was a great finish and I think the celebration showed what the club means to him.
“The club had a chance to sign him a long time ago and it didn’t happen for whatever reason — I think both parties are partly to blame,” he added.
“But if we keep doing well, the claims from us and the club for Darren to stay will be even stronger.
“In the meantime I think it’s important for the fans to get behind him, just like they do the rest of the team, and help us to keep pushing on.
“Darren is a strong boy, but he needs a bit of love as well.
“If he wasn’t giving his all maybe then you could boo him, but he is one of the best trainers I have seen at this club and nothing has changed.
“He is a leader in training and he is a leader on the pitch. The work he does can set the rest of the team off.”
