In a season which started off on a topsy-turvy note, Leeds United have managed to hit the ground up and running after finding their feet under the tutelage of Garry Monk. Slowly but surely, the Whites started to go strength to strength, notched up decent results and kept the momentum ticking in their favour more often than not.
Leeds United’s latest goalless stalemate against Queens Park Rangers might have been discarded as a forgettable one, but make no mistake, this was a side which loitered around the mid-table spots last season in the Championship. The credit for their remarkable turnaround can, of course, be attributed to their players’ sensational outings and also to the gaffer’s precise tactical setup and nous.
Leeds United are undoubtedly a promotion hopeful but somewhere in the process, Monk has overlooked a certain Eunan O’Kane. The 26-year-old midfielder has been handed 20 appearances in which he could muster 2 assists and create 11 chances for the Peacocks which definitely doesn’t do justice to the calibre he possesses and speaking in an unabashed manner, Monk has failed to derive the most out of him.
O’Kane joined from Premier League outfit, Bournemouth, in the summer of 2016 after having made a name for himself on English soil. The former Swansea City manager has been an advocate of the 4-2-3-1 formation and O’Kane plies his trade as one of the two holding midfielders.
When he is stationed in the middle of the park, not only the back four is cushioned but he also gives the license to the wingers to thunder forward and do the damage, thus allowing them to flourish without thinking much about coming back to defend.
In the concluding stages of the season as well as next season (irrespective of Leeds United’s promotion), Monk would need the services of a quality player in the shape of O’Kane, for he has always shown eagerness to toil throughout the pitch, has experience at the club level and the international level with Republic of Ireland and is an engine in the middle of the park. For a side like Leeds United, he is tailor-made and it would really make sense if they give him more chances on the pitch.
It is one of the best chances for the West Yorkshire based outfit to earn a ticket back to the Premier League and how Monk manages his men would play a pivotal role in ensuring it. A promotion has been long overdue with Leeds United having played in the top tier way back in 2003-04 season and going into the business end of the season (where the scenario tends to get really tight and players appear to be bereft of confidence and vitality) O’Kane can very well be given a vote of confidence from the manager to aid them in their pursuit.
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
