We are only two weeks into the new season and already rumours are swirling about Garry Monk’s tenure as Leeds United manager.
After a difficult start for the Yorkshire club, with their only win coming in League Cup against Fleetwood, the curse of Leeds managers under Massimo Cellino looks like it about to strike again.
Leeds has had a well-documented difficult time over the last fifteen years, yet in January 2014, when speculation grew that Cellino was about to take over at Elland Road, the Leeds faithful were excited about a new era under the wealthy Italian. 18 months and 6 managers later, the excitement has changed to disdain. Leeds fans talk more about who will be the next manager, rather than where Leeds will finish in the League.
The best thing Massimo Cellino has done since his arrival at Leeds is the signing of Garry Monk as Leeds manager. Garry Monk’s philosophy of attractive, possession-based football is a breath of fresh air in a league not known for attractive football. It will take the players time to adjust to the new philosophy, especially as we have seen ten new signings since the transfer window opened.
Garry Monks’ business in the transfer market has been applaudable; the acquisitions of Pablo Henandez and Hadi Sacko especially deserve recognition.
Against QPR and Birmingham City, Leeds did look poor. However, in the last ten minutes against Fulham, the Garry Monk philosophy started to come out in the Leeds players. They kept the ball well and passed it confidently and got the deserved equaliser through a phenomenal overhead kick by Chris Woods in the 89th minute. The Championship is a marathon and it doesn’t matter how you start, it’s all about where you finish.
I know patience isn’t something Mr Cellino is known for but I do believe, given the time and support, Garry Monk can lead Leeds back to the top flight.
James Mahoney midtablefinish.com @midtablefinish1
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