" For the first time in Ten Years Leeds United are "

The story behind the role reversal that sees Leeds United FC ahead of Cardiff City for the first time in a decade





By Chris Wathan

Friday 10th February 2017


The two sides meet on Saturday, and for the first time in 10 years it's Leeds who are on top


Even the most optimistic of Cardiff City fans would concede the Bluebirds' can't catch this weekends opponents - fifth placed Leeds United - by the end of the season.

An 18 point gap with just 16 matches remaining is too much even for this much-improved Cardiff side.

And it means Leeds' excellent form under Garry Monk leaves them set to finish above Cardiff in the league for the first time since the 2005/6 season.

It'll be a tough swallow for the Bluebirds who have developed a rivalry since that FA Cup clash between the sides at Ninian Park in 2002, a game Cardiff fans like to think was the starting point of the Yorkshire club's struggles on the field as they slipped from the top of the Premier League to the third tier.





The match which ignited the rivalry

It was only last season that Leeds finally managed to win a game between the two after a run of 14 games since 2002 without victory, having been paired in the same division in 2004 after relegation from the Premier League.

A season later, Leeds finished fifth under the leadership of Kevin Blackwell while Dave Jones guided Cardiff to 11th place during his first season in charge at Ninian Park.



Since then, Cardiff have finished above their Yorkshire rivals in each of the last 10 seasons. There is little love lost between both sets of fans, and it has been a point of great pride for Bluebirds' that their side has been in the ascendancy for some time.

So what's changed this season to see such a dramatic turnaround in the two sides fortunes?







We take a look...



Cardiff's struggle

Although Leeds have improved beyond recognition this season, it would be remiss not to mention Cardiff's poor season. There is no denying that Neil Warnock has significantly improved the side since he took over in October, however Cardiff's start to the campaign was so woeful their sights have been set no higher than simply surviving for the remainder of this year.



Cardiff City manager Paul Trollope

Paul Trollope won just two of his 11 league matches in charge of Cardiff at the start of this season
The Bluebirds haven't finished outside the top half of the Championship table since the 2006/7 season, and barring a strong finish in the next few months that's exactly where they'll end up this season.

Since Warnock has taken over the Bluebirds have shown the form of play-off hopefuls, but the damage was done in a run of just two wins from their first 11 matches.

Monk at Leeds

The most obvious change at Leeds this season has been the new man in the dugout.






" Leeds United boss Garry Monk "

Former Swansea City boss Garry Monk raised eyebrows back in June when he took on the job at Elland Road. Four defeats in his opening six league matches, and with an owner not renowned for his patience, it looked as though Monk was going to be yet another manager who was unable to restore Leeds to promotion contenders - a list that includes current Cardiff boss Neil Warnock.

However, Monk steadied the ship and went on a run that saw Leeds lose just four of their next 20 matches and announced the side as real promotion contenders.

Monk has spoken frankly about the difficulties at the club since he was been there, and Leeds fans have responded well to his forthright comments and obvious desire to see the club do well.

He has also spoken of how he wants to see the club developing in future years, insisting this is just the beginning.






" Clever signings "

The best two signings that Monk has made at Elland Road haven't cost the club a penny... yet.

Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson are undoubtedly the best centre-back pairing that Leeds have been able to field since their relegation from the top flight in 2004.


Kyle Bartley has been exceptional for Leeds this season

Bartley is a player well known to Monk from his time with Swansea, and the defender has flourished at Elland Road as he's benefited from regular playing time. The 25-year-old was even named as stand-in captain while regular skipper Liam Bridcutt was sidelined.

Jansson meanwhile has become a new cult hero for the Elland Road faithful with his no nonsense defending and eye for goal. Leeds' best business in January was snapping the Swedish international up on a permanent deal, with Torino set to receive £3.5m in the summer when his loan expires.

Cardiff City's last 11 seasons Premier League & Championship (Division 1 & Division 2)


2015/16 9th

2014/15 11th

2013/14 20th (Premier League)

2012/13 1st

2011/12 6th

2010/11 4th

2009/10 4th

2008/09 7th

2007/08 12th

2006/07 13th

2005/6 11th

Leeds United's last 11 seasons in Championship & Division 1 (2nd & 3rd Division)

2015/16 13th

2014/15 15th

2013/14 15th

2012/13 13th

2011/12 14th

2010/11 7th

2009/10 2nd (League One)

2008/09 4th (League One)

2007/08 5th (League One)

2006/07 24th

2005/6 5th

whatever you say bout leeds lads you have to admit we've had a rough past 10 yrs not many teams would get back to where we are at the mo other than us and you know what saved us?the fans even in our -15 yr the fans turned up in the 25 thou plus games and that is what saved us..even every team in the full divisions voted for us to get -15 put on us ffs everyone wanted us to fold die call it what you want but the leeds fans gelled stuck together and by fcuk we showed em it took time though as you know so yes if and it's a big if we do go up back up I might add it's gonna be a big party up in leeds and here in merthyr and every other welsh town cos there's leeds fans everywhere ..MOT..

whatever you say bout leeds lads you have to admit we've had a rough past 10 yrs not many teams would get back to where we are at the mo other than us and you know what saved us?the fans even in our -15 yr the fans turned up in the 25 thou plus games and that is what saved us..even every team in the full divisions voted for us to get -15 put on us ffs everyone wanted us to fold die call it what you want but the leeds fans gelled stuck together and by fcuk we showed em it took time though as you know so yes if and it's a big if we do go up back up I might add it's gonna be a big party up in leeds and here in merthyr and every other welsh town cos there's leeds fans everywhere ..MOT..

Cardiff were in the bottom two divisions for nearly 20 years and we made it to the Prem. You've had just as much hardship as any other football fan.

nahh the first yr we went down we had to sell every player bar one gary Kelly we had no team no manager and others hoped no chance that is struggling m8 I wouldn't wish it on anyone..

nahh the first yr we went down we had to sell every player bar one gary Kelly we had no team no manager and others hoped no chance that is struggling m8 I wouldn't wish it on anyone..

We were in the bottom division, you're comparing a mid table finish in the Champ to that? We've had Hammam, Ridsdale, PMG and Tan as owners, granted you've had some shite ones too. You wouldn't know struggling if it bit you on the arse though. Try being in the bottom division in front of 2k crowds, with absolutely no hope.

nahh the first yr we went down we had to sell every player bar one gary Kelly we had no team no manager and others hoped no chance that is struggling m8 I wouldn't wish it on anyone..

I've always out Leeds in the top 10 due to their support and it does make me wonder how such a club can spend a few seasons in the lower leagues. Only thing I see responsible is the ownership. I look at the likes of Man City and Sheff Utd who are big clubs who spent time in league 1 lately, Sheff utd still there but do look like they have turned the corner. Both big clubs and the common factor was the ownership of their demise.

Regarding Leeds I'm still not 100% sure you have the right ownership.

nahh the first yr we went down we had to sell every player bar one gary Kelly we had no team no manager and others hoped no chance that is struggling m8 I wouldn't wish it on anyone..

I've always out Leeds in the top 10 due to their support and it does make me wonder how such a club can spend a few seasons in the lower leagues. Only thing I see responsible is the ownership. I look at the likes of Man City and Sheff Utd who are big clubs who spent time in league 1 lately, Sheff utd still there but do look like they have turned the corner. Both big clubs and the common factor was the ownership of their demise.

Regarding Leeds I'm still not 100% sure you have the right ownership.

Ian, There are many on here who just won't admit, Leeds have a massive/loyal fan base especially away from home and I prefer to admit this,even though I don't like them

Where were they in the 80s then??? 83/4 they had 12323 against us. 84/5 11796. Not many when you consider then as now they are one of the most famous clubs in the world?