A Quiet Exit or Two?
Less than a week to go to the big kick-off at Scunthorpe and the pre-season friendlies are out of the way, concluding with a good win at Elland Road on Saturday and some very promising performances.
I can’t help but feel that there is another striker to walk through the door this week given that the club appear to be keen to sign Jay Bothroyd, though I suspect if that falls through there might still be strengthening in this area after the season starts and before the window closes at the end of the month. It appears that the door to bringing back Dougie Freedman on a permanent deal remains ajar. Whatever happens I would imagine that McAllister would like to have the squad fully assembled before Saturday. There is also the possible signing of Paul Telfer who McAllister seems keen on, though how consistent his role would be through the season only time will tell, should he join.
What is more interesting is the continued absence of two players who were prominent players in the side at the start of last season; Tresor Kandol and Jonathan Douglas. My thoughts on these two have been made clear already but it is difficult to ignore the fact that they appear, slowly but surely, to be moving closer to the exit. Comments coming from the official site before the Barnet game suggested that Kandol was unfit to face his old side pre-season but then turned out for the reserves (who were turned over) that very night at Harrogate. Given that the striker list runs to Beckford, Becchio, Showumni and Snodgrass, with the possibility of another coming in, not to mention Tom Elliot in reserve and Andy Robinson’s goal-scoring prowess, you are left with the feeling that there is just no room left at the table.
Douglas has featured more than Kandol pre-season but the signs have been there. Rumours have been circulated suggesting a move to Sheffield United to work with Kevin Blackwell again but so far nothing has materialised. However, considering the fact that Douglas captained the side from his return from injury through the build-up to the play-off final and at Wembley itself, it is interesting that McAllister has experimented with different captains pre-season, limiting Douglas’ performances throughout and on Saturday he was introduced on the hour mark as part of a replacement of the entire starting midfield with what looked very much like a reserve midfield. It will be interesting to see what materialises, but I think the starting XI on Saturday (minus Kilkenny in Beijing) will be a telling sign of whether or not Douglas has a future with Leeds.
Marching on Together
I can’t help but feel that there is another striker to walk through the door this week given that the club appear to be keen to sign Jay Bothroyd, though I suspect if that falls through there might still be strengthening in this area after the season starts and before the window closes at the end of the month. It appears that the door to bringing back Dougie Freedman on a permanent deal remains ajar. Whatever happens I would imagine that McAllister would like to have the squad fully assembled before Saturday. There is also the possible signing of Paul Telfer who McAllister seems keen on, though how consistent his role would be through the season only time will tell, should he join.
What is more interesting is the continued absence of two players who were prominent players in the side at the start of last season; Tresor Kandol and Jonathan Douglas. My thoughts on these two have been made clear already but it is difficult to ignore the fact that they appear, slowly but surely, to be moving closer to the exit. Comments coming from the official site before the Barnet game suggested that Kandol was unfit to face his old side pre-season but then turned out for the reserves (who were turned over) that very night at Harrogate. Given that the striker list runs to Beckford, Becchio, Showumni and Snodgrass, with the possibility of another coming in, not to mention Tom Elliot in reserve and Andy Robinson’s goal-scoring prowess, you are left with the feeling that there is just no room left at the table.
Douglas has featured more than Kandol pre-season but the signs have been there. Rumours have been circulated suggesting a move to Sheffield United to work with Kevin Blackwell again but so far nothing has materialised. However, considering the fact that Douglas captained the side from his return from injury through the build-up to the play-off final and at Wembley itself, it is interesting that McAllister has experimented with different captains pre-season, limiting Douglas’ performances throughout and on Saturday he was introduced on the hour mark as part of a replacement of the entire starting midfield with what looked very much like a reserve midfield. It will be interesting to see what materialises, but I think the starting XI on Saturday (minus Kilkenny in Beijing) will be a telling sign of whether or not Douglas has a future with Leeds.
Marching on Together
Comments
Interesting comments re Douglas. I agree that he must be on his way and quite frankly, I am not bothered. Howson is a must start, which leaves one spot for Kilkenny, Prutton, Johnson (potentially) or, after Saturday's cameo, Delph, who looks incredibly gifted. I also thought Prutton was superb in centre mid.
Douglas is sluggish, has poor distribution and lacks energy.
As for strikers, I was shocked to read the YEP online praising the performance of Showaddy Waddy. What a pile of pants and a proper ow my ankle. Can't shoot and can't win anything in the air. He must be a squad player at best, with Beccio to play with Beckford or Freedman or another signing. Personally I would have Robbo off Beckford and then Johnson, Howson, Kilkenny/Delph and Prutton behind.
Also, Fraser out PLEASE. Utter rubbish, 2 mistakes in their goal and another howler in the first half. Telfer would be a more reliable option or Scott Garder or Rob Bayly, who looked alright.
Come on you whites!
Stoney