In Focus: Leeds United star accepts Monk’s decision; more to this than meets the eye

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

According to Swedish media outlet Fotboll Skanalen, via the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson says he has accepted Garry Monk’s decision to drop him to the substitutes’ bench for the clash against Brighton on Saturday.

What’s the word, then?

Well, despite the Torino loanee being one of the club’s standout performers this season having formed a strong partnership with Kyle Bartley at the heart of the Whites defence, Garry Monk surprisingly named the Swede on the bench against the Seagulls.

The former Swansea manager instead opted to play Liam Cooper, and it was a decision that seemed to pay off as United kept a clean sheet and kept their automatic promotion hopes alive.

What did Jansson say?

Britain Football Soccer – Norwich City v Leeds United – Sky Bet Championship – Carrow Road – 5/11/16 Leeds’ Pontus Jansson celebrates scoring their first goal Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Alan Walter Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representa

After linking up with Sweden this week, he told Fotboll Skanalen: “It was the coach’s decision. I accept it. I’m just happy that we won and took another step towards the Premier League.

“I respect it fully and we won the game so we cannot blame him for that. He stands behind his decision.”

Is there more to this than meets the eye?

Possibly, yes.

The real reason why he was dropped isn’t likely to come into the public domain, but it certainly would have been a shock for the player and the supporters, for whom he has quickly become a fans’ favourite.

The 26-year-old, who was named in the Championship Team of the Year on Monday, is set to join the club permanently on a three-year deal this summer, but the decision at the weekend suggests something went wrong in the lead up to the clash against Brighton.

What happens next?

Britain Football Soccer – Leeds United v Derby County – Sky Bet Championship – Elland Road – 13/1/17 Leeds United manager Garry Monk Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason Cairnduff Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further detai

Well, Monk has given himself a bit of a conundrum because with Jansson performing so well this term and Cooper impressing on Saturday, he has a big decision to make ahead of their next Championship fixture away at Reading next month.