Recent evidence suggests Monk is up against it under Massimo Cellino but the Italian would be hard-pressed to find any criticisms right now.
Stuart Dallas says Garry Monk has told the club’s official website transformed Leeds United by instilling togetherness and commitment in the squad.
Erratic Leeds owner Massimo Cellino has appointed seven different managers since taking control of Leeds in 2014, though early progress suggests Monk will be able to buck the trend set by the likes of David Hockaday and Uwe Rosler at Elland Road.
The highly-rated former Swansea boss guided the Yorkshire giants into the play-off positions for the first time in almost three years earlier in the month, with Leeds’ dramatic 3-2 win away at Norwich a fortnight ago, capped by a brilliant last minute winner by Ronaldo Vieira, demonstrating the new-found spirit within the ranks.
And Dallas, who returned to action for the club’s under-23s against Huddersfield this week, has praised Monk for changing the squad’s mentality since arriving in the summer.
“The head coach has installed a belief in us, there is a real togetherness, every player knows what they are doing, whether they start or come off the bench and that is massive for us,” the Northern Ireland international told the club’s official website.
“Winning games brings confidence and that has shown on the pitch over recent weeks, Garry Monk has built a squad here, there is a lot of competition for places and that brings out the best in players.”
Leeds put in one of their most disappointing displays of the campaign in their home defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday, and have the ideal opportunity to return to form against struggling Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United at the weekend.
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