Leeds United manager Garry Monk has revealed his pre-season conversation with striker Chris Wood.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk has told the Sky Sports EFL Weekly podcast that he gave Chris Wood pre-season advice, urging him to be more aggressive.
Leeds have excelled under Monk this season, and head into the Christmas period sitting fifth in the Championship table, with real hopes of clinching a play-off place this term.
Leeds United’s Chris Wood scores against Norwich City
A host of players have starred this season, including Luke Ayling, Kyle Bartley, Pontus Jansson and Hadi Sacko all starring since signing for Leeds over the summer.
However, one of Leeds’ shining lights has been a player Monk inherited, as striker Chris Wood has already beaten last season’s goal tally of 13.
With 14 goals in 25 games, Wood has starred in the Leeds attack, with the New Zealand star giving Monk a real goal threat in attack – something needed to cement that play-off place.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Wood suffered an injury against Reading earlier this month, and his absence was notable as Leeds struggled to break down Brentford last weekend, and whilst Monk’s men did claim the winner thanks to Bartley’s late goal, Leeds fans will want to see Wood return at Preston on Monday.
Ahead of that game, Monk has spoken to the Sky Sports EFL Weekly podcast, and was asked just what he said to Wood ahead of the season to spark such impressive displays, considering his up-and-down campaign last season.
Monk revealed that he sat down and spoke to Wood as he felt there were one or two things he could improve on, as he wanted him to be more aggressive, using his frame to greater effect, and hopes that all players are improving under his management.
“My job is to assess the players, to analyse all the players, what I felt their strengths were, what I felt their weaknesses were,” said Monk. “I sat down with them all, and we discussed it; what I expect from them and how I think I can help them improve their game along with my staff. There were one or two things that we felt Chris could do better, that he would reap the benefits from as well as the team.”
“Of course, aggression was one of them; he’s a big lad, he’s physically, he’s got good athleticism, so it was about using that a little bit better. We spoke to Chris, spoke to all the players, and step by step, they’re showing it, and it’s helping their game, and that’s obviously helping the team, which is the most important bit,” he added.
Have you been impressed with Wood’s performances this season?
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