Brian McDermott was at the helm when Leeds last put four past an opponent on their travels – before the impressive victory over Preston this week that is.
Leeds United fans are entitled to feel a little excited with Garry Monk at the helm. Not only are they in with a reasonable, realistic chance of reaching the play offs for the first time in over a decade, they are watching a side with heart, hunger and togetherness. Ask any Leeds fan and they’ll tell you those particular attributes have been severely lacking for the most part since the turn of the century.
After the 4-1 thrashing of Preston at Deepdale on Boxing Day, Leeds have now won eight of their last ten league fixtures, a feat almost unheard of at Elland Road at least in the ever-unstable era of Massimo Cellino. After all, the last time The Whites celebrated four on their travels, Paddy Kenny was minding the net while Ross McCormack scored prolifically in the other.
In fact, the Scotland international thumped home all four in that 4-2 win away at Charlton in November 2013. And, just a reminder of how quickly times have changed in Yorkshire, only one Leeds player remains from that six goal thriller; central midfielder Luke Murphy who, for the record, has not played a single minute of league football all season.
Just two months before Cellino rocked up at Elland Road with his grand ideas and silly superstitions, Brian McDermott was leading The Whites towards a safe yet monotonous mid-table finish with Dexter Blackstock, Danny Pugh, Michael Brown and co living up to their reputation as average, second tier footballers.
Yes, Charlton may have found Leeds a little too hot to handle but that Valley parade kick-started a run of just three wins in 11 fixtures.
You’d get long odds on this solid, meticulous Leeds United suffering a similar collapse in the winter months.
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