Leeds United v QPR: The here and now is the only concern for Garry Monk

DO not expect Garry Monk to spend the final two months of the season poring over the Championship fixture list trying to work out various scenarios in the promotion race.
Leeds United boss Garry Monk applauds the fans at full time. after the 1-1 draw at Fulham on Tuesday night.Leeds United boss Garry Monk applauds the fans at full time. after the 1-1 draw at Fulham on Tuesday night.
Leeds United boss Garry Monk applauds the fans at full time. after the 1-1 draw at Fulham on Tuesday night.

Instead, the Leeds United head coach is adamant his only focus is on maintaining the recent form that has yielded 11 points from the last five games to strengthen the Yorkshire club’s grip on a place in the play-offs.

“I have not looked at any of that,” said Monk when asked about whether he would be keeping a close eye on United’s rivals in the race for the Premier League. “I concentrate on us, our next game is the most important thing and that means QPR.

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“We are fully focused. Once Fulham was finished and we were on the trip back home, everyone was starting to prepare for this game.

“We can’t control or worry about anyone else, just ourselves. That is what we have been doing very, very well this season.

“The only pressure we have is to maintain our performance levels. Let everything else fall into place.”

Kyle Bartley and Luke Ayling have been walking a disciplinary tightrope in recent weeks due to being just one booking away from a possible two-game ban. However, should the pair get through today’s game against QPR without another yellow card then that threat will be lifted due to the cut-off point for 10 bookings expiring early next week.

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Asked if he planned to leave either defender out to avoid the possibility of a ban, Monk replied: “We are here to win games and perform. My job is to select the team to win this game, what matters is now and not what might happen in four or five weeks.”

As for the run-in, Monk added: “What this stage of the season brings is a heightened importance with each game. Each team is fighting for different reasons.”