Leeds United are currently fifth in the Championship, much to the surprise of many.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Leeds United boss Garry Monk has suggested to BBC Radio Leeds that the difference between the Whites and most of the Championship’s other promotion chasers is that few expected them to be in the mix this term.
Having registered five consecutive bottom half finishes in the second tier, few were expecting Leeds to be fighting towards the summit even after the appointment of Monk as manager, which was definitely considered a coup.
And those doubters looked like they were going to be proved right when the Whites began the campaign incredibly slowly and came within one defeat of falling to the bottom of the table.
However, a brilliant run since then has seen the Yorkshire outfit move up to fifth in the table and recently put pressure on the division’s top two.
But with Leeds losing their last two, their position in the top six has become slightly more precarious and their automatic promotion hopes are looking incredibly slim.
Nevertheless, Monk has suggested that the supporters need to look at the bigger picture and realise just how great their season has been, even with the blip.
“Perspective-wise, they’re in a position that, outside of this group, no-one perceived that they would ever be in,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“So they need to remain focused and balanced and keep enjoying what they’re doing and enjoying the situation they’re in because we’re probably one of the only teams in and around those top places in the league that wasn’t expected to be there and to be there in the way that we’ve done it.”
In fairness to Monk’s men, a large majority of Leeds supporters would have gladly accepted the opportunity to go into the final 15 games of the regular season fifth in the table and with a four point cushion to the chasing pack had they been offered that at the start of the season.
However, you could also understand the fans’ recent frustrations. While the Huddersfield game was always going to be a difficult one, the Cardiff clash was one that should have seen the Whites bag all three points.
And while Monk will urge everyone around the club to use some perspective, the fact is that Leeds are now considered to be promotion contenders so any finish outside of the top six will be difficult for the supporters to accept.
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