Leeds United: Elland Road crowd giving us a lift says Monk

Garry Monkis determined to end Leeds United’s 2016 at Elland Road on a suitable high today, admitting his Whites “feel a connection with the crowd” that continues to grow.

Leeds welcome 14th-placed Championship visitors Brentford for their final home game of the year today with United having now taken 19 points out of a possible last 24 at Elland Road.

Combined with three away wins from their last four league games, that form has elevated Leeds into the Championship’s play-offs – and Monk says United’s fans have played a vital part.

Another home win today could potentially take United third with just two points separating sixth-placed Leeds and Reading, who are currently third.

“It’s a massive role that the fans play and the players are thriving off it,” beamed Monk.

“They feel a connection with the crowd and that’s important.

“I have been at clubs and been at teams where when you have that connection it puts that extra percentage of responsibility and motivation to make sure you do them proud.

“I think the crowd are seeing the team give 100 per cent – they are fighting for that shirt and that relationship grows and grows and then performances tend to get that little bit better because of that relationship.

“We have to continue in that way.”

Asked if he felt Elland Road was finally becoming a fortress again, Monk reasoned: “I hope so. That’s our mind-set when we go into the game.

“I think the crowd understand that mind-set now and they play their role massively.

“And all that relationship and everything that we are doing - we want to make Elland Road a tough place to come and we want to make it an intimidating place for the opposition.

“We’ve talked a lot about this and I think everyone is playing their role and we need to continue in that way.

“This is our last home game before the end of the year and we want to make sure we finish what has been a good year so far at Elland Road on a high.”