Ex-Albion ace knows why this Withdean champion is a hit at Leeds

Now, six days after Albion were held in Cardiff, he returns to Brighton aiming to hand them a defeat which, to a considerable degree, could be stamped ‘Made in Wales’.

The Leeds manager has got his present club on a high as they prepare for Friday’s televised showdown at the Amex.

Monk was the Swansea skipper when they celebrated the League One title at Albion’s temporary home at the end of the 2007-08 season.

The tactical puzzle he will pose the present day Seagulls will owe a lot to lessons learnt at the Liberty Stadium according to a man who knows him better than most.

Former Albion midfielder Andrea Orlandi was team-mate and room-mate to Monk during five years as playing colleagues with the Swans.

Brendan Rodgers was a big influence on Garry Monk and Andrea Orlandi

Orlandi recalls the studious nature – as well as some sharp dance moves – of the defender from Bedford who went on to take charge of the club in the Premier League.

Still only 37, Monk has ridden a rocky period at Elland Road to send belief soaring sky high of a return to the top flight.

While he will be hoping to see his former club win on Friday, Orlandi is delighted to see his old mate back on the up.

And, based on those five years in West Glamorgan, he is not surprised.

Orlandi told The Argus: “He was a great captain, very respected in the dressing room. You could see he was very keen to learn from our managers at the time.

Andrea Orlandi

“I think he took most of his coaching skills from Brendan Rodgers.

“When he took over as manager at Swansea, Brendan was inspirational for most of us.

“I also started at that time to think I wanted to coach after my playing career.

“Garry was a joker as well – great banter. And he had some decent dance moves.

“We had a great relationship and we still have it now so I’m very happy to see him doing well.”

Monk was part of the Swans defence, along with would-be Albion left-back Marcos Painter, who won League One in 2007-08.

They only received the silverware after their 1-0 win at Withdean on the final day in a ceremony delayed by Leeds’ appeal against a 15-point deduction.

Roberto Martinez was in charge then and his insistence on crisp, passing football has been replicated by some of the stuff Monk likes his sides to play.

Orlandi added: “Tactically, Garry followed what Martinez and Paulo Sousa had done but he took it to the next level.

“His man-management was excellent and the training was top class.

“I’ve heard Garry has his own style but what he experienced at Swansea has made him the manager he is now, I’m sure.”

Orlandi joked about one day taking over at Albion along with best mate Inigo Calderon, with whom he was enjoying lunch in Cyprus, as he spoke to The Argus.

The pair will be following the game tonight and might be well advised to stay tuned right until the end if it is not getting too late in their part of the world.

That is because another aspect of Monk’s work which impressed those who follow Leeds closely was the way he structured pre-season.

He spoke at that stage about not over-loading players physically as it could come back to haunt them around this time of year.

A late clincher in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday appeared to bear him out on that score.

Leeds have scored 11 goals on or after the 80-minute mark.

Monk said: “That’s going to be vital because there will be games where you’re not at your best. In those games you need to make sure you’re competing.

“If anything we grew stronger (against Villa) as the game wore on.”