Monk asked if Leeds’ squad has quality to achieve his aims; responds

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The Whites head coach is under increasing pressure at Elland Road.

Garry Monk has told BBC Radio Leeds he is happy with his Leeds United squad, but conceded it will need further cosmetic work to achieve its ultimate goal: promotion to the Premier League.

Appointed as Whites head coach in June, Monk has brought 11 new players to Elland Road.

However, the West Yorkshire side currently resides in the Championship’s bottom three, having won only one of its opening six matches.

Before the season started, the club made a promise to season-ticket holders that they will be due sizeable refunds if a top-six finish is not achieved in this term.

When asked if his squad has enough quality to deliver his long-term aim, Monk told BBC Radio Leeds: “No, I think… look, the squad will always develop when you work to a long-term plan.

“If you look at all the success of teams that have been promoted, or have been in and about the promotion places in this league – I remember myself being involved in promotion teams from this league and that squad changed over a period of time.

“But I think what we do have is huge potential between these guys. You try and add players that can help in the short-term and there will always be players available in the future to help improve – I think that’s how all clubs work.

“But this group… I’m very happy with the squad. I see them on a daily basis, I see what they’re capable of, but like I said it’s transferring what we see out here every single day – and in some of the periods that we’ve had in the games – and putting that into a more consistent and more high-level performance and that’s what we’re going to be working on.”

With the window for emergency loans now scrapped in this country, Monk, like every other Football League boss, is restricted to free agents only if he is to add to his squad before January.

The 37-year-old has previously admitted a desire to add another striker to his ranks, while he is a central defender light following the decision to terminate Sol Bamba’s contract a day after the summer window closed.