Leeds United: Monk keen to take patient approach with Denton

GARRY Monk is keen to take a patient approach with overnight sensation Tyler Denton whom the head coach is confident will remain grounded at the early stage of his career.
Tyler Denton.Tyler Denton.
Tyler Denton.

Left back Denton burst on to the scene by scoring a stunning first-half winner on his Whites debut in Tuesday night’s second round EFL Cup clash at Luton Town.

Charlie Taylor – Denton’s main competition for the left back role – looks destined to leave Leeds having handed in a transfer request last month, but Monk has dropped clear hints that Taylor will be back in the side for this Saturday’s Championship trip to Nottingham Forest.

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The Whites head coach has hailed 20-year-old Denton as a “very good prospect” but is determined to avoid creating overblown hype for the full back, knowing all too well the dangers of young footballers experiencing too much too soon.

“It’s one game,” said Monk, assessing Denton’s lasting impression on Tuesday evening

“Tyler is a very good prospect, like some of the others, and he had a fantastic debut.

“We were very pleased for him, everyone was because he has worked very hard through pre-season as well. He got his opportunity and he deserved that opportunity and he took it.

“But he has got a long road to go.

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“It’s like every player when they are starting out in their careers and making their way - you have to stay grounded and you have to stay level headed and do the work.

“But Tyler is that type of lad so we have no worries with that.

“It’s one game and he has a long, long, long way to go but I am sure that he is the type of lad that will relish the challenge.”

Monk added: “Football comes around and bites you very quickly. I know that.

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“I’ve seen it. I’ve definitely seen it. A lot of young players get too much too soon when they haven’t truly earned it. That’s a problem, it’s a big problem for football. But I don’t think it’s a problem here. It’s a young group we have here but they seem very grounded.

“You have to manage them at all times but they’re a level headed group. We realise how hard we have to work to be what we want to be.”

Asked if Denton was in contention to overhaul Taylor for a start at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Monk replied: “I pick the team that I want and think can win the game. I’ll maintain that same way - it’s worked well in the past and it’s working well now. Every player knows where he stands.”