Phil Hay: Opponents in quandary over Leeds United's new identity
Garry Monk, as any scrutinised manager would, batted the subject of identity aside but mention of it touched a nerve. Back then it was not quite clear what Leeds were supposed to be or how Monk wanted them to function. Monk privately blamed himself for the lack of clarity. From there, and in quick time, he drove the ambiguity away. Formation, players, tactics, mindset; you know now what his team are and how they intend to play.
Given that, it is fascinating to see so many clubs in the Championship struggling to work Leeds out. Steve McClaren has a natural appetite for performance analysis, a coach who was using Prozone’s numbers statistics long before Prozone saturated the market, but last month Derby County were either oblivious to Monk’s thinking or powerless to stop it playing them off the pitch.
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