Leeds chief wants to avoid an upset at Kenilworth Road

Leeds United boss Garry Monk is looking to avoid an upset at Kenilworth Road in the EFL Cup this evening.
Leeds boss Garry MonkLeeds boss Garry Monk
Leeds boss Garry Monk

The former Swansea City manager who took over at Elland Road in the summer has already seen a number of Championship clubs exit the competition, including Aston Villa at the hands of Luton Town in the last round.

Speaking to the Whites official website, Monk, who won the tournament with Swansea back in 2013, said: “We know how difficult it’s going to be – we’ve already had a very difficult tie against Fleetwood and we have to expect the same, if not harder, on Tuesday.

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“We saw in the last round how many Championship teams were knocked out and how difficult it can be in a midweek cup game. We have to be ready.

“We won’t underestimate them – they’re a very good side and they’re at home. It’s a difficult situation when you go away from home to play a team from a lower league in a cup tie.

“They have the motivation – like they showed against Aston Villa – with a good crowd behind them. We have to be ready for that.

“We showed it against Fleetwood and we came through a very difficult test. We have to be even more prepared and ready.

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“But we’ve been showing improvements – it’s the responsibility of myself and the team that plays on Tuesday night to keep improving and trying to keep the momentum going. We’ll go there looking to try and put our best football on the pitch.”

Monk didn’t drop any hints as to what kind of side he would select for the tie, adding: “You have to pick a team that you feel can contribute and win the game. You have to bear in mind all the factors – physically, mentally, tactically, technically – that you feel can do well in the game.

“It’s for me to judge – we have another training session on Monday morning – but we want to go down there and win the game.

“We’ll approach it to try and keep the momentum going that we have right now. We want to keep improving – whichever team we choose will have the responsibility of doing that.”