JANSSON BOOSTS WHITES AHEAD OF DERBY
GARRY Monk used Leeds’ official twitter account to praise today’s opponents, saying Huddersfield will be the “toughest game” of the season. “I was at Huddersfield’s game against Brighton and they were very impressive,” said the Whites manager. “After that performance, they will be favourites.” Amateur psychology? Gamesmanship? Either way, he’d better not tell Pontus Jansson, the giant Swede whose performances at centre-back have formed the bedrock of Leeds’ unexpected promotion push. “I don’t care who we are playing, I expect us to win,” said the 25-year-old. “Even if we are losing or not playing that good, I expect us to win. It is just how I am.” Jansson has endeared himself to the Elland Road faithful. His frankness, passionate celebrations, bone-crunching tackles – often followed by theatrical fist pumps – have earned a cult status not bestowed on a defender since Lucas Radebe hung up his boots. For all the headlines generated by deadline day signings Mo Barrow and Alfonso Pedraza, the news that Jansson is turning his season-long loan from Torino into a permanent three-year deal in the summer was greeted with far greater jubilation among fans. “The relationship with the supporters has been great,” he said on Friday. “I’m very emotional on the pitch, not always able to control it. “Maybe the fans see something of themselves in me!” Jansson will need to be at his best today to thwart a red-hot Terriers side. Yet the Whites are also in form and Jansson says he did not ditch Serie A to play in the Championship. “My goal is to take Leeds back to the Premier League We are not close but we are on the right track.”