Birmingham City v Leeds United: Garry Monk's impact on Whites impresses Eunan O'Kane

After a bittersweet managerial baptism at Swansea City, Monk – despite a testing start to his time in charge in West Yorkshire – has rebuilt his reputation in outstanding fashion with Leeds enjoying their strongest season since returning to the Championship in 2010.

Victory in tonight’s televised game at Birmingham City would lift fourth-placed Leeds to within a point of near-neighbours Huddersfield Town.

Experienced midfielder O’Kane is effusive about the impact made by Monk, touted as a Championship manager of the year candidate by the likes of Mick McCarthy and Neil Warnock.

The former Bournemouth player believes that the achievements of Monk, who will serve a one-match touchline ban tonight following fractious scenes at the end of the derby at Huddersfield, are all the more laudable given the fact that he has virtually put together a new side.

On the impact made by head coach Monk – whose assistant Pep Clotet and first-team coach James Beattie will occupy the technical area this evening –O’Kane said: “His impact speaks for itself. He is the one that has the reins and makes the tough decisions. He is the person who has got us to the position we are in.

“He takes a lot of responsibility himself, but he also gives a lot to the players. He wants them to manage themselves. I find him very easy to talk to.

“Usually, it is his way in the end, but he does listen. The togetherness in our squad is largely down to him and largely why we are achieving what we are.”

Leeds’s current points tally, with 12 matches still to go, has only been surpassed once since the club returned to the Championship for the 2010-11 season, but despite many believing that a play-off place is a foregone conclusion come early May, O’Kane is refusing to get complacent.

Admittedly, United’s current position is a healthy one, with an eight-point buffer over seventh-placed Fulham, but O’Kane is acutely aware that twists and turns may occur in the run-in, with Tuesday’s trip to Craven Cottage particularly serving as a reminder that their work is far from done.

O’Kane, promoted to the Premier League with Bournemouth in 2014-15, added: “There are 12 games left and that is 36 points, so anything can happen.

“We have a few tough games coming up now, against teams who are trying to catch us as well as teams who are in and around us, so we have to keep our heads down.

“Once you start taking things for granted in football, that is when it usually starts going wrong.

“From our point of view, it is a case of keep winning, keep putting points on the board and see where we are in May.”

If United need a further reminder of the fact that little can be taken as read in the Championship, it arrived early last month when back-to-back defeats to Huddersfield and Cardiff provided a reality check after a run of nine wins in 12 matches.

Monk maintained a semblance of calm, while senior players such as O’Kane provided further perspective to younger squad members.

This same mindset should also be useful should Leeds ultimately fail in their quest for promotion, according to O’Kane, although he is understandably keen for that not to transpire.

The Northern Irishman added: “When we lost the two games recently, there was a little bit of tension around the place.

“Some of the more experienced heads in the dressing room got around the lads and put it into reality – we were 21st at one stage early in the season, so if anyone had given us the opportunity to be where we are now everyone would have taken their arm off.

“There was a little bit of tension, but when things are put into perspective, the heads are back on and there is a very relaxed atmosphere now. That is good for everyone.

“I appreciate that Leeds are a huge club but, correct me if I am wrong, there were 12 players signed in the summer. There is (also) a manager who has only been here for seven or eight months and success does not happen overnight.

“There would be disappointment (if Leeds do not go up). Personally I would be very disappointed and I am sure the fans and anyone who has any association to the club would.

“But again, when you put things into perspective about where we have come from, it would be a hell of an improvement.”

Leeds’s Easter trip to Newcastle United has been rescheduled for TV, and will now be played on Good Friday (April 14, kick-off 7:45pm).

Last six games: Birmingham LWLLLW Leeds WLLWDW.

Referee: C Kavanagh (Lancashire).

Last time: Birmingham 1 Leeds 2; April 12, 2016; Championship.