Three reasons why Leeds won’t clinch promotion this season
COMMENT by Amir Mir
After 12 years in the wilderness and many years of suffering, Leeds are finally showing signs that the good times are coming back to Elland Road.
They have a manager in Garry Monk, who has changed the fortunes around at the Yorkshire giants, despite the difficulties others before him have had to work under.
Furthermore, it has been a successful first half of the campaign for the Whites, but Monk will need more time to revive this sleeping giants in their aim to reach the promise land.
Monk’s side currently occupy a play-off spot, however, come the end of the season the story maybe very different as the Elland Road outfit could find themselves outside of the top six and here is why:
Monk just at the start of rebuilding the club
Former Swansea manager Monk has been given a huge task to change the fortunes around at Leeds. The Elland Road faithful have not tasted top-flight football in over 12 years and that will not change over the course of this season.
First and foremost this club requires stability and that can only be done, if Monk is able to implement his plans over a number of years. That will also allow the former Premier League manager to get the best out of his young squad.
Judging by the difficulty of gaining promotion in such as a competitive environment, Leeds will most likely fall behind the likes of Newcastle, Brighton, Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and Derby – either they have just come down from the Premier League or they have tasted finishing in the top six before.
Key players should be signed up to permanent deals
The club’s centre-back pairing, Pontus Jansson and Kyle Barley are both on-loan from Torino and Swansea respectively. They have been key figures at the heart of defence for Monk this season and they must be signed up to permanent contracts in either January or the summer.
This will enable the club to build from the back and ensure the long-term future of the club looks bright. If this season does not pan out the way Leeds supporters want it to, then the club must then ensure they are ready and prepared to go again next term. This can only be achieved by keeping hold of your best players.
Young squad needs time
Ronaldo Vieira, Kemar Roofe, Hadi Sacko, Kalvin Phillips and Charlie Taylor – either summer signings or products of the academy, these youngsters need time to develop and showcase the club’s promotion ambitions.
They must not be sold, regardless of the club’s outcome this term, because one thing is for sure, they need time to show their full potential. Along with Monk’s management and Pep Clotet’s tutoring, these players will guide the club to the top-tier in the future.
In other Leeds news, Pontus Jansson posts this rally cry on Twitter after the Whites defeat to Brighton.