Leeds United take on Ipswich Town in the Championship this weekend.
Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy has told the East Anglian Daily Times that he expected ‘doom and gloom’ at Leeds United this season after the exits of Garry Monk and Chris Wood.
The Whites host Ipswich in the Championship this weekend, and will be hoping to use their midweek Carabao Cup win over Burnley to spur them on, having beaten the Clarets on penalties.
In their last league game, Leeds lost their unbeaten record having fallen to a 1-0 loss at Millwall, and must claim a positive result this weekend to realistically keep their spot at the top of the table.
Despite the defeat to Millwall, it has largely been a positive start for manager Thomas Christiansen, who was the surprise choice to replace Garry Monk as Leeds boss earlier this summer.
Monk surprisingly left Leeds at the end of last season after missing out on a play-off place in the Championship, and he quickly moved on to become Middlesbrough manager.
Leeds also lost a number of players who were key figures last season, having seen Robert Green, Charlie Taylor, Liam Bridcutt and Chris Wood all move on to new clubs, but they have more than replaced them.
The likes of Felix Wiedwald, Ezgjan Alioski, Samu Saiz and Pierre-Michel Lasogga have all arrived over the summer and impressed fans at Elland Road, helping Leeds take top spot.
Now, Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy has told the East Anglian Daily Times that he thought there would be doom and gloom around Elland Road after losing Monk and top goalscorer Wood, but he has been impressed with how Christiansen has fared so far.
McCarthy has added that he grew up supporting Leeds and subsequently wants the Whites to do well, but not at the expense of his Ipswich side this weekend.
“I would imagine that there would have been a bit of doom and gloom there, having lost Garry Monk and losing Chris Wood,” said McCarthy. “It just goes to show you that change is not always bad for clubs. Thomas Christiansen, I don’t know much about him, but he’s certainly made them a very, very organised unit. They were flying and then, typically in this league, they go to Millwall, and Millwall beat them last week.”
“I want to go there and beat them on Saturday, but for all other intents and purposes, I’d love to see them doing well. Everybody knows I supported them as a kid, and as a Yorkshire club, I think it’s a fantastic club, and I’d like them to do well – but at my expense,” he added.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
