I’d swap manager of month nod for three points from Brentford - Leeds boss Redfearn

Improving Leeds United have been rewarded for a resurgent January by having head coach Redfearn nominated for January’s Championship manager of the month award.

In-form midfielder Luke Murphy is also nominated for January’s player’s accolade.

But while Redfearn is proud of both nominations, the head coach has hailed a “team effort” that he hopes will lead to United’s third consecutive victory this weekend, as the Whites look to extend the five point gap between themselves and the dropzone.

Sixth-bottom Leeds sit 14 places and 17 points behind fifth-placed Brentford but it is an unbeaten run of four games that has left Redfearn in the running to be named January manager of the month.

Redfearn said of the nomination: “It’s been a team effort, a big team effort and it’s about everybody at the club pulling in the right direction.

“I think we’ve definitely seen a shift in this last month in the right direction.

“For me it’s nice to have that - it’s a sign we’re getting it right - but I’d swap it for three points on Saturday.

“It’s become very tight now the league table and I think there’s six points between us and tenth which is two wins.

“Brentford is going to be a tough game and I rate Brentford really highly. I think they’re a good side.

“They’re a good football side and I think they can mix it. I think if it’s tough they are tough.

“They’ve got that ‘lower division’ about them and I don’t mean that in a disrespecting way as they can fight and they play at a high tempo.

“They’ve got good players in wide positions and they’ve got pace and energy.

“But we’re on a good run now and we want to keep it going. If we don’t get three points then don’t get beat.”