In the second of a series of pre-season reports, HarryfromBath looks at how things have progressed at Elland Road this summer under new manager Garry Monk by delving into their forums. A report on Sheffield Wednesday will follow later today with the rest of the teams in the division covered between now and the start of the season.

“I am keeping the faith”, “Half full, it looks to me like our first XI has improved. We just need to bolster the squad some more”, “It’s feeling pretty positive so far. There are plenty of steps to be taken in the right direction but everything this summer has been positive and constructive.”

Whites have taken heart from a quiet, productive summer. Former Swansea boss Monk replaced Steve Evans at the start of June. Monk’s assistant manager at the Liberty Stadium, Pep Clotet, has teamed up with him again and former Accrington manager James Beattie is first-team coach.

“[Owner] Massimo Cellino has generally kept his mouth shut over the summer which has been a big plus. I would rather he got on with things behind the scenes”, “As long as the mad Italian keeps his head on the running of the club and lets the playing staff do their job, I’m very optimistic.”

Garry Monk

“Who else thinks Monk will be good for us? I am cautiously optimistic”, “I think we’re lucky to have a young manager in Garry, who hopefully can build a strong defence and give freedom to the young lads”, “We actually have a manager I believe in.” Fans have welcomed the arrival of the 37-year-old.

“I really like the guy. I just hope he is allowed to do the job. What’s the point in finally making a decent appointment if you don’t support him with the tools, time and space to get on with it?”, “I’m cautiously optimistic if Cellino backs him and does not interfere. It’s as simple as that really.”

Many hope he will be given time to build for the longer term. “My big hope for Monk is that he can find some consistency. We were a match for most teams last season but for every good game we had at least a couple of abject performances. I’ll take winning ugly every time.”

Departures

Two of United’s Italian imports have returned home this summer, striker Mirco Antenucci (to Ferrara based SPAL) and defender Giuseppe Bellusci (to Empoli). Denmark international midfielder Casper Sloth has likewise departed to Aalborg. Defender Scott Wootton is currently unattached.

“Of the leavers, I will only miss Lewis Cook, a rose among thorns. To see him slaloming up the pitch and gliding past players was worth the price of admission. He was truly gifted.”

The departure of the highly-rated 19-year-old midfielder to Bournemouth came as no surprise to many United supporters.

“It was sad that we lost Cook but I feel it was inevitable.” Having lost one promising youngster, fans are anxious to see 22-year-old left-back Charlie Taylor remain at Elland Road for the coming season. “I can’t see us going further without a replacement left-back for Taylor if he were to leave.”

Arrivals

“It’s apparent that we have more attacking options which can only benefit striker Chris Wood”, “I am looking forward to seeing our new strikers and am hopeful we have signed and will use some pace”, “If we can get a quality centre-back and experienced central midfielder, we can finish in the top six.”

Three forwards have arrived at Elland Road this summer, Swedish 25-year-old Marcus Antonsson from Kalmar, 22-year-old former France U20 international Hadi Sacko on a season long loan from Sporting Lisbon with a view to a permanent move and 23-year-old Kemar Roofe from Oxford United.

There is no doubt as to who has captured imaginations. “Kemar Roofe is an exceptional signing. This one does genuinely excite me as he could be out new Jermaine Beckford. He has similar attributes and can get similar cult hero status in years to come”, “He is the best signing so far this season.”

Two former Swans have teamed up again with Garry Monk. Matt Grimes, a 20-year-old midfielder, and centre-back Kyle Bartley, 25, have arrived on season-long loans. Former England keeper Rob Green has also arrived on a one-year deal, with the 36-year-old having been released by QPR.

Pre-Season Line-Ups

Leeds have enjoyed mixed fortunes after a successful pre-season trip to Dublin which saw them beat Shamrock Rovers 3-0 and match our 2-1 victory at Shelbourne. Non-league Guiseley gave them a serious fright with the Whites turning around a three-goal deficit to snatch a 4-3 victory.

The starting XI for United’s 2-1 loss at Peterborough (above) contained a number of fringe and youth players. After taking a first-half lead through Alex Mowatt, they conceded twice after the break from Shaq Coulthirst 20-yard strikes. Fans criticised the time and space the Posh striker was allowed.

“Both goals were from long range with no one closing down, new coach but same old problems”, “It was depressing to see one cross into our box causing the usual mayhem”, “We seem to have more to go at with Roofe, Sacko and Antonsson making forward runs. This will suit Mowatt in midfield.”

Leeds are expected to field a strong starting XI in their next friendly against Atalanta. One popular suggested line-up (above) uses Monk’s favoured 4-2-3-1 system with Luke Murphy an alternative to for Kalvin Phillips in midfield, while Wood is paired with Antonsson when a 4-4-2 is discussed.

Prospects for the Season

“I really hope we have a decent season but I honestly don’t know where we will finish”, “Garry will need all the help he can muster.” With 40 per cent of fans in one poll predicting a seventh to tenth place finish, most fans expect this season to be one of steady rather than spectacular progress.

“There is no way I’m falling into the trap of high expectations again. The last five seasons have just about finished me off after 53 years of support. We will just have to see how things so and hope we have progressed this time”, “Until we have a better defence it is going to be a rough ride.”

“Massimo is here and extremely volatile”, “If he leaves Monk along, and he has been pleasingly quiet all summer, then we have a chance”, “Cellino’s crystal ball seems to have a crack in it. If we don’t hit the ground running, things could turn ugly quickly. I hope I’m wrong but it’s the nature of the beast.”

Websites

There are a number of busy Leeds websites. LUFCTalk has some interesting discussions as does the quieter Marching on Together. ToEllandBack has some very good opinion pieces and match reports.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

Radlett_blue added 15:17 - Jul 27 Good decision to get this one in before Monk is inevitably sacked.
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cats_whiskers added 15:56 - Jul 27 Monk won't get sacked He can rely on The Abbots and Nuns prayers
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12th_Man added 16:30 - Jul 27 Are we going to get report of every club rather you did them on the Friday before the game
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HarryfromBath added 16:47 - Jul 27 Cheers 12th Man. These are short previews which are very much in addition to the weekly match reports. They are designed to give everyone an idea of what the other clubs in the division have been up to over the summer. The plan is also to run the pre-match previews on Fridays, much the same as we did last season.
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OwainG1992 added 21:36 - Jul 27 Fair play to Leeds got some interesting signings in. Wonder how Kemar will do, like the comparison to Beckford. Leeds would love his type of impact. Also i'm enjoying seeing these previews as i've hated the last few weeks with sod all to see on here been so bored! Actually had to do some work....it's horrid.
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