Leeds United head coach Garry Monk had had a stellar season, but not without it’s mistakes.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk before the match
Leeds United fans are desperately waiting for news Garry Monk will be re-appointed as head coach next season and beyond.
Monk has been the club’s best manager in years, giving the fanbase real belief the team could win promotion.
Ultimately the side fell just short, but Leeds showed enough under his guidance to have everybody convinced that the good times are on their way back.
Monk has overseen some superb signings, helped put together a mean defence, and spent time bringing through young players.
It hasn’t all been perfect though, and there are lessons to be learned for next season.
Here are three mistakes Monk made in 2015/16…
Failing to settle on a midfield partnership
Leeds’ Eunan O’Kane in action with Nottingham Forest’s Michael Mancienne
In the first half of the season Leeds were without Liam Bridcutt due to injury, and actually looked a more consistent side without him.
Ronaldo Vieira, Eunan O’Kane and Kalvin Phillips all played crucial roles and Bridcutt did well upon his return, but there was too much chopping and changing in 2017.
The busy Championship schedule dictates that there needs to be sensible squad management, but the lack of consistency in midfield hurt Leeds, with O’Kane regularly missing out despite having a good win-loss record when he played.
Not enough faith in Antonsson
Marcus Antonsson of Leeds United in action
Chris Wood scored 27 Championship goals to finish as the golden boot winner, exceeding expectations.
Summer signing Marcus Antonsson did not live up to his billing, scoring only one Championship goal.
Yet this wasn’t only his fault. Monk did not put faith in him and his last league start came back in early September.
His one league goal was a key one against Sheffield Wednesday, and with more opportunities he could have delivered more.
Too complacent in January
There were no permanent January signings at Elland Road
Garry Monk is not the only man responsible for Leeds transfer failure in January, with the board shouldering most of the blame.
Yet if Monk had been more vocal and forceful about the club’s need for reinforcements, he might just have got some proper additions, instead of loanees unproven at Championship level.
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