Alex Mowatt made a key contribution for Leeds United in midweek.
Alex Mowatt celebrates after scoring the third goal for Leeds
Alex Mowatt is still trying to rediscover the golden touch which helped him win Leeds United’s Player of the Year award in 2014/15.
Guided by the management of Neil Redfearn, Mowatt’s contribution saw him pip Lewis Cook to the award, scoring nine goals to finish the season as second highest scorer behind Mirco Antenucci.
Last season his form slipped, due to early struggles under Uwe Rosler, and he was in and out of Steve Evans’ side after a bright start under the Scotsman.
Leeds United’s Alex Mowatt in action with Brentford’s Lasse Vibe
This campaign it has been tricky for Mowatt, with competition for places tougher than it has been since he broke into the team.
Pablo Hernandez blocks his path to the preferred number 10 role, meaning that he faces being shunted out to the wing or a deeper midfield role, where he is ill suited.
Leeds United’s Pablo Hernandez scores the winning penalty in the shootout
Kemar Roofe is also capable of playing in the same central position, and this season Mowatt has made just three league starts, each time beginning out on the left.
He has two assists to his name, with the most crucial coming this week against Blackburn Rovers.
With Leeds desperate for a win versus the league’s bottom side, Mowatt, on as a substitute, stepped up to deliver an inch perfect free-kick for on loan defender Kyle Bartley to head home.
It gave Leeds a 2-1 victory and lifted them out of the relegation zone, but after the game little was said about Mowatt’s crucial contribution.
With Hadi Sacko and Stuart Dallas impressive on the wing, there is at least relief for Mowatt that he is unlikely to be pushed out wide again, and Monk has to choose between Mowatt and Pablo Hernandez.
Hernandez is still adjusting to life at Leeds, and Monk may decide that a run in the team is good for him, but he needs to win now, and Mowatt may be the player capable of making a more immediate impact away to Cardiff City this weekend.
Bringing him into the team will be just reward for his contribution this week, and Mowatt needs to use his game influencing assist as a platform from which to kick on.
Leeds’ Alex Mowatt and Brighton’s Biram Kayal
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