Neil Redfearn insists that Alex Mowatt cannot be judged at Leeds United until he has had a run in the team in his proper position.
The attack-minded midfielder has regularly been used out wide at Elland Road, with the trend continuing this season under new head coach Garry Monk.
Mowatt was the club's Player of the Year under Redfearn in the 2014/15 campaign and was linked with Premier League clubs on the back of his performances for the Whites.
He has struggled to kick on since though and as such has seen Leeds fans question his place in the team and even whether he should be kept on past the expiry of his contract next summer.
Redfearn though feels such talk is harsh on Mowatt, who has regularly been played out of position.
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"The only time you can judge him is when he gets a run of games in his position", the former Leeds United head coach said on Radio Yorkshire.
"So what you're doing is you're judging him out of position in a side that's not really doing well going forward."
Leeds boss Monk played Mowatt on the left flank in the Whites' defeat at Derby County last weekend and then dropped him to the bench for Tuesday night's home draw with Wigan Athletic.
