last night was Leeds United’s third pre-season friendly of the summer and after beating Forest Green 2-1 and drawing 1-1 to York City, the Whites again ended in stalemate with a 1-1 draw against Southend United. Phil Hay of the Yorkshire Evening Post gave his verdict on the game and it seems like even the most well-educated insiders of the club agree that they need to make some signings.
Report from Southend 1 Leeds 1 – two weeks to go until the football becomes real, and difficult to think that Leeds United look ready:https://t.co/1PurrCyp4t
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 23, 2018
This summer has seen Marcelo Bielsa appointed as the new boss at Elland Road and the fans were understandably buzzing with the appointment, however, what’s come in the weeks following his appointment have failed to get the fans off their seats. Loan deals for both Lewis Baker and Jamal Blackman from Chelsea have been the club’s only incomings whilst Bielsa has seen around a dozen players leave the club either on loan or permanently.
When Bielsa came into the club he claimed that the club needed to lighten the squad by about 15 players and bring in around five to bolster. At the moment, it looks like he’s much closer to filling his quota of players departed as opposed to the one for players coming in. The fans are desperate to see a new striker come in and a man to deputise at centre-back would also be a nice addition, however, the fans are almost past the point of calling for signings as they edge nearer to the start of yet another long Championship campaign.
You can read the Whites’ verdict here:
https://twitter.com/AllLoveLeeds/status/1021313553528250368
https://twitter.com/rosandpaul_paul/status/1021339772315480065
You can tell from pre season that balls into the box will be an issue for us this season. Yes having Jansson back will help matters but why on earth did we not sign Kyle Bartley?! He was available… and presumably wanted to sign… crazy. #LUFC
— Rhys Wyn (@RhysWyn19) 23 July 2018
Getting frustrated with lack of players coming in. Hoping this is not going to turn into another farcical season.
— Paul (@PaulsBulmer3) July 23, 2018
Also concerned at deafening silence from our owner & board and worries me that Bielsa does not appear to have done any post match interviews. Hope he's not about to do another Lazio! #lufc
— Chris Wheeler (@ChrisHWheeler) July 23, 2018
Phil it’s poor isn’t it. Another summer of signing promises and up to now 2 cast off loan signings who are no better than what we already have. Surely waiting until the last 2 weeks of the window drives prices up so all we can expect is more cast off loans. Would you agree??
— Tony Jones (@TonyJones1967) July 23, 2018
As you can see the fans are from pleased with this summer so far and will be dreading the start of the season.
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