Leeds United's Three Potential “Men of the Match” on Saturday against Brentford

These are exciting times for Leeds United.

A belief is in the air that this team will be the one to keep the pace to the promotion playoffs. Garry Monk has his team playing like a well-oiled machine despite some obvious weaknesses in the side.

One of those weaknesses? Goal-scoring threats.

That weakness will truly be put to the test against Brentford with Chris Wood, a source of 11 goals so far this Championship campaign, out for the match with hamstring issues. Monk will have to get creative and develop an attacking plan without his Golden Kiwi.

A missing Wood will mean this Leeds unit will truly have to step-up to continue their winning ways. Here are your three potential MOTM candidates.

1. Souleymane Doukara

The big man up front will most-likely be tasked with filling in the shoes of Chris Wood. He should be feeling confident after getting on the score sheet against Reading with an extra-time penalty and plenty of playing time in the last few fixtures.

The question is: will Doukara be able to handle Brentford defender Maxime Colin? Colin comes into the match leading Brentford in successful tackles with 38 so far.

Doukara will have to show composure and use his physical ability along with some pace to cause problems for Colin and the rest of the Brentford defense. More of this, please:

2. Ronaldo Vieira

Life cannot be easy with the name "Ronaldo," not to mention the last name of “Vieira.”

This Vieira has played well enough in Liam Bridcutt’s absence to earn starts in seven of the last eight, and his defensive skills earned some nods for Player of the Match last Tuesday against Reading.

But this Ronaldo has yet to have a real impact on the offensive side. While Leeds fans do not expect the youngster to put away 50 goals a season like a certain someone in Madrid, we must expect some kind of positive attacking contribution from his midfield role.

Remember, he is capable of this.

Vieira has an average pass accuracy of 81%, but he has only created four chances all season. We simply need more.

On the opposing end will be another youngster by the name of Romaine Sawyers. Constantly a threat, he has created 37 chances for Brentford while also contributing a goal and four assists.

Which youngster will shine on Friday?

With a name like Ronaldo Vieira, you really can't put your money anywhere else.

3. Pontus Jansson

The Torino loanee (hopefully not for long) is becoming a living legend at Elland Road.

After putting in a MOTM performance against Reading, which included a goal-line clearance in the dying moments, he will be tasked with keeping an even more prolific scorer than Chris Wood quiet. That man is Scott Hogan; he comes into the match with 13 goals to his name.

Will Pontus keep the Brentford man off the score sheet?

After that showing against Reading, you can feel confident he will. Plus this is a man who is loving his football. Nothing is more dangerous than a player who is in the midst of a career renaissance.

So will Leeds stay on their Reading-high and bring another dominant performance?

Or will it be back down to Earth for the Whites?

Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter.

All of us here at TIAT will be watching with anticipation as Monk crafts another tactical masterpiece to keep us on the path to promotion. MOT.