Only one man can better Garry Monk’s win ratio at Leeds United

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If one thing epitomises Monk’s revitalisation of Leeds, it’s this remarkable statistic.

Eunan O’Kane, Chris Wood and Luke Ayling may not shiver the neckhairs quite like the immortalised names of Billy Bremner, Eddie Gray and Norman Hunter but, if he carries on at this rate, Garry Monk could one day find a place at the right hand of legendary Leeds United gaffer Don Revie.

Revie inspired Leeds to two First Division titles in an unrivalled 13-year reign between 1961 and 1974; the most successful period in the club’s proud history.

Now, Monk may be some way off out-thinking Pep Guardiola and leading Leeds to the top of the English game but one of the brightest young minds in domestic football is kicking awake this sleeping giant. Guiding Leeds into the Championship play-off positions for the first time since late-2013, there’s a growing feeling of positivity around a club that has suffered enough negativity to last a lifetime since the turn of the century.

It certainly seems a long time since successive defeats in his first two games in charge, against QPR and Birmingham, had fans fearing that erratic owner Massimo Cellino was once again sharpening his trusty old axe.

Monk is the sixth permanent manager to step into the breach since the Italian took control in January 2014 but he is by far the best, instilling a commitment, togetherness and astute tactical plan than none of his many predecessors, from the tracksuit wearing Dave Hockaday to rent-a-quote Steve Evans, managed to muster.

Leeds have won 11 games out of 22 this season; astute signings such as Luke Ayling and Pontus Jansson complementing the latest crop of exciting young stars to emerge from the Elland Road conveyor belt.

As such, Monk’s 50 per cent win record is by far and away the best of the Cellino era. It’s better even than David O’Leary, Simon Grayson or title-winning Howard Wilkinson.

In fact, only Gary McAllister, winning precisely half of his games during an 11 month spell in 2008, can match Monk’s tally. Since records begin, only a certain Mr Revie can beat it.

Monk has not achieved anything yet, promotion to the Premier League remains an increasingly vivid pipe dream, but he’s certainly made a good start. He may not be Don, but he’s the don of Elland Road right now.