Many Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media to recent comments made by Ezgjan Alioski previewing Saturday’s clash with Garry Monk’s Sheffield Wednesday.
The Whites left-back has predicted a difficult afternoon for the Owls, as long as Marcelo Bielsa’s West Yorkshire outfit are able to replicate the intensity they displayed against Preston North End during the week.
Monk’s Hillsborough natives will host United unbeaten in their last three games and just one point behind their Yorkshire rivals in the Championship standings, but Alioski is unconcerned as form can be deceiving.
“I think Sheffield know what it will be like and it will not be easy for them,” Alioski said, via quotes by the Yorkshire Evening Post. “If we play like this [against Preston], how we play always with this high level, it’s only if we score the first two chances, then I think for Sheffield it will be difficult.
“We know they have had a good start but that’s not it all, so also Sheffield need to know who is Leeds United.”
Some Whites supporters are concerned that Alioski’s comments could inspire Monk’s team talk on Saturday, though, as the 32-cap North Macedonia international added that it will be all about what Bielsa and his team can produce.
“To be honest I don’t know who is Garry Monk and I don’t watch the coach and what he is doing and what start he has had,” he said.
“I know what a team we are, I know what a coach we have and how important he is for this team and he will prepare us like every game, so I will have a lot of information about Sheffield from my staff that I have here and it doesn’t matter what Garry Monk will prepare against us. I will have a lot of information from Bielsa so I will prepare good for this Yorkshire derby.”
One fan reacted to Alioski’s comment by suggesting the 27-year-old has given Sheffield Wednesday a possible ‘right laugh’ if United fail to win at the weekend, while another proposed that the Owls should be given more respect than they appeared to be.
Since Monk was appointed at Hillsborough (BBC), the Owls have taken the joint-most points of any Championship side with 14 from a possible 21, and have conceded the fewest goals with just four shipped. Leeds, meanwhile, would be tenth in the standings if the season began on September 6.
Here are some of the messages shared…
Its the sort of thing that might motivate former Leeds boss Garry Monk even more for a result. But it’s how GA rolls. Though not sure how this happened as I thought we had agreed that GA should at all times, be supervised by an adult. #lufc #MOT
— Marc F ?? (@billywigwam13) October 23, 2019
Just done Monk’s teamtalk for him there. Wednesday are every bit as good as us at present, it will be no walkover. Especially if they score first.
— Batesy (@batesylufc2) October 23, 2019
Why dont these players shut up, there’s team talk done for monk
— Colin McGrath (@colin17_colin) October 23, 2019
Well this will be a right laugh for them if we don’t beat them Saturday
— O?? (@ollielufc0) October 23, 2019
Alioski’s comment that he doesn’t know who Monk is was a particularly note that struck a chord with some Leeds fans, as while the defender arrived at Elland Road a little over a month after the Owls chief departed Wes Yorkshire, they have met on previous occasions.
While Monk was in charge of Middlesbrough between July and December 2017, Leeds faced his Boro side on one occasion and won 2-1 with Alioski and Pablo Hernandez both on the score sheet.
The Whites faced Monk’s later Birmingham squad twice, as well, but failed to beat the St Andrew’s natives on either occasion last season, with the Blues recording a 2-1 win at Elland Road in September and a 1-0 win at home the following April.
He’s the only guy we lost to twice last season, Gjanni..
— Gregg Irwin (@greggleeds) October 23, 2019
Havent we lost to Monks teams a lot since he’s been here?
— Peter Nørgaard (@noergaard83) October 23, 2019
He should know. His team beat us twice last season.
— thestraw (@gjengland) October 23, 2019
But while many Leeds fans were annoyed with Alioski’s comments and felt he should have known better than deliver the Owls’ potential team speech, there were some Whites supporters who loved his claims.
The 27-year-old has been known for his unusual antics, and left some fans questioning what he was doing when he shouted ‘Peppa Pig’ in the tunnel at Charlton Athletic back in September (via The Sun).
He also appeared to react angrily when former teammate Pontus Jansson kissed him in celebration against Sheffield Wednesday in April, after Jack Harrison scored the winning goal.
I don’t know who he is… ?
— Adam Haywood (@DonVito_84) October 23, 2019
??? Gjanni!
— Garry Pierrepont (@Weysider) October 23, 2019
Straight up Alioski mood….??? pic.twitter.com/vzjXILR2In
— Wok Wheaton ?? (@Wokisan) October 23, 2019
This really needs to be a new @TheSquareBall t-shirt/slogan.
— Gary Williams (@Gary_Player) October 23, 2019