'Pressure Is Helping To Make Me Grow'

A MONTH ago, many wondered whether Leeds hadn’t got the sweet end of the deal when Garry Monk spurned a new contract and defected to Middlesbrough.

- Chris Dunlavy

Six wins from nine, top of the Championship, expansive and attacking, the Whites were flying under new gaffer Thomas Christiansen.

Boro, meanwhile, had spent big but fallen flat. Results – and excitement – were scarce and a limp defeat to Cardiff in mid-October left the Teessiders outside the top half.

How that complexion has altered. Three straight victories have powered Monk’s men into the play-off scrap.

Leeds have lost six of the last seven and plummeted to ninth. Christiansen, for the first time since leaving Cypriot champions Apoel in June, is under real pressure.

“It makes me feel alive,” the Dane insisted this week. “I like these challenges, honestly. Of course, when things are going wrong, it isn’t nice. But it is when you grow as a coach.”

How long will Christiansen be allowed to grow?

Managing director Angus Kinnear offered firm public backing on Thursday, insisting Leeds aren’t far off what the board expects.

But his statement was riddled with caveats, while whispers around Elland Road suggest the manager’s position will be reassessed after this week’s trips to Wolves and Barnsley.