Gary Monk is in no doubt about the size of the task his Leeds United side face on Sunday.
There may just be 11 league points between Leeds and Newcastle but the Elland Road boss believes that there is much more than the points difference between the two clubs.
Monk took charge of Leeds during the summer and has steered them into a play off position but things rarely run to plan at the Yorkshire club.
While Newcastle fans feel that they’ve had their troubles in recent times the task facing Rafa Benitez this season is relatively straightforward compared to the multitude of problems that Monk has inherited.
Despite three back-to-back Championship wins Monk said: “On paper this will be the toughest test of the season, they are top of the league, which means they have been the best team so far.
“They have high calibre players and a high calibre manager, they have the most expensive team in the league, so you would expect them to be where they are.
“Our approach is no different, our job is to give 100% and try and put our best football on the pitch and we know that when we do that we can fight for a result.
“We have a capacity crowd ready to support the team, we want to send people home happy and we are going out there determined to win the game.”
Sunday’s match will feature a special tribute to Gary Speed with both sets of fans breaking into applause in the 11th minute in recognition of the former midfielder’s shirt number.
Members of the Speed family will be guests of Leeds United on Sunday.
