Leeds United head coach felt the last month showed his young squad was probably not quite ready for a promotion push but they must now learn from it and build for next season.
Leeds are now three points behind sixth placed Fulham with just one game remaining with the cottagers having a far superior goal difference.
The whites will miss out on a play-off place despite amassing 74 points already, a total usually good enough to book a play-off place, but a return of just ten points from their last ten games, has proved critical with Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham leapfrogging Leeds in the table.
“I am really disappointed with this period over the last seven or eight games,” Monk told BBC Radio Leeds.
“Today typified what it has been like in the last eight games.
“What is clear is there are so many positives and it is hard for me critical of this group because they have given so much this season.
‘They have all come on and improved and I have connected the club back together again, the fans and the team and given the club something to be proud of.
“I think it is obvious that this type of situation, fighting for a chance of promotion, has probably come too soon.
“There are a lot of young lads that haven`t experienced this type of situation and it is not a criticism of them I just think it`s been clear during this period that we are just not quite ready yet.
“They are the foundations to build upon to give them a better chance going forward in the coming seasons.”
Leeds went into their final home game of the season knowing that only a win would really do if they were to keep their play-off hopes alive but an uncharacteristic performance from the side in the opening 45 minutes saw them trail Norwich City 3-0. Chris Wood scored in first half stoppage time and further goals from Kyle Bartley and Pablo Hernandez set up a grandstand finish but they could not find a winning goal in the closing minutes to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Leeds will now finish their season next weekend at Wigan Athletic, who were relegated on Saturday following their 1-0 defeat at Reading.
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