Leeds United are becoming less reliant on a few key players and that only bodes well for the future.
In Leeds United’s last match before the international break, their manager Garry Monk sprang a surprise by dropping Pontus Jansson to the bench, while the Whites were already without the suspended Luke Ayling.
The decision paid off, with Leeds running out 2-0 winners against second-placed Brighton and Hove Albion, but can they do the same again when they face promotion chasers Reading on this weekend?
Ayling serves the second of his two-match suspension on Saturday, while Monk has a decision to make regarding Jansson.
In truth most Leeds fans are expecting the big Swede to return to the starting line-up, but it is telling that it is no longer a certainty after their outstanding showing against the Seagulls.
Leeds won that match without the two players widely regarded as among the club’s best this season.
Top-scorer Chris Wood aside, it would be a toss-up between Ayling and Jansson for the acclaim with both defenders impressing week in, week out.
The twist is Leeds defeated one of the Championship’s best clubs without either man, and that more than anything else shows how far they have come under Monk.
No longer reliant on one talisman alone, Leeds are heading back to the big time sooner rather than later, and if they are without Wood on Saturday and win without him, too, their impressive squad should be hailed more than ever.
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