Leeds United boss addressed his stance on Pontus Jansson once again.
Leeds manager Garry Monk talks to Pontus Jansson
Leeds United head coach Garry Monk took a gamble last month by dropping Pontus Jansson for the crucial fixture against Brighton.
The gamble paid off with Leeds winning 2-0 despite having struggled without the Swede previously.
The reasons behind Jansson being omitted were never established, with Monk playing his cards close to his chest.
During an hour long chat with BBC Radio Leeds last night the topic came up once again, with Monk pressed into giving an answer once more.
Pontus Jansson of Leeds United celebrates after the game
The Leeds boss gave a lengthy response, although was keen not to go into any specifics.
He said: “For everything, number one, I do whats best for the group, I put the group first. Whether that’s tactically or it’s down to principles or I think that it needs to be done, you have to be prepared to do that as a manager.
“For whatever reasons, and its not always bad reasons, which everyone likes to go to first. Its other reasons, sometimes it is bad reasons, but my job is to put the team first.
“Its made very clear from the start how i work, what I expect and how I go about it, and when you make those decisions its clear in the players minds. They don’t have to like those decisions but they have to respect them. Its been clear throughout the season, the best way to do it is to be honest.”
Jansson would miss two consecutive games in all, before Monk’s next decision was made for him by Liam Cooper picking up a harsh six game suspension.
Cooper can return for the final game of the season before the play-offs begin, but it would be a surprise if Monk looked to change the team again at that stage.
His move to do so against Brighton though showed he will not shy away from axing a key player if he feels it is required, despite the magnitude of the encounter. The players have been warned.
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