Leeds United in 2013: the triumphs and the tragedies

It has been an enthralling 12 months for British football, with fans across the country mesmerised by the emerging talents of Bale, Barkley and Townsend, captivated by off-field implosions at Cardiff City and stunned by the dramatic end to Fergie time. With the calendar year coming to a close, Leeds players have kicked their last ball for 2013. As a result, this week at @LUFC_Calypso we reminisce about the past year at Elland Road and take stock of our own miracles and miseries; we’ve compiled a list of our best and worst moments in the last year and take a look at what lies in store for LUFC in 2014.

The highs

#BATESOUT

In the summer of 2013, Leeds fans were treated to a headline they had been dreaming about for months: Ken Bates was gone and he was never coming back. The bitter taste left by Bates’ inclusion as Club President after GFH Capital’s takeover was washed away by his unceremonious sacking in July; chants, banners and hashtags were finally vindicated and a new sense of optimism spread throughout the club. Clever initiatives were implemented by GFH to restore a community feel and raise attendances and, with the 7 figure signing of Luke Murphy, it seems the ambitions of the ownership finally mirror those of the fans.

FA and Capital One Cup excitement

League form was patchy and morale was low, but stunning performances in the domestic Cups conjured nostalgic memories of what it was like to compete with the best. Epic victories against Premier League opposition returned Leeds United to the back pages and, just for a moment, we were all able to forget reality and imagine our heroic return to the summit of English football.

Youthful exuberance

2013 saw a long-overdue return to the Academy as we start our attempts to phase out the has-beens and hatchet-men. Sam Byram was the star of the show in the 2012-2013, collecting the Player of the Year award and attracting the interest of Premier League clubs before injuries have stalled his progress this term. Alex Mowatt has also broken though and has all the skills to dominate the LUFC midfield for years to come.

The lows

Stagnation under Warnock

Neil Warnock’s reputation for promotion was dented by his time at Leeds and fans grew tired of his outdated methods, short-sighted signings and reluctance to buy into the ethos of the club. The team played ugly football without the caveat of winning, stuttering to a 13^th place finish. Crucially, Warnock’s players and tactics have installed an unwanted blueprint on the dressing room that is taking time to rewrite.

The deadwood remains

Warnock’s greatest crime in signing a raft of elder statesmen was not just their dwindling talent but the length of time they remain connected to the club. Performances this season have shown that Brown, Norris, Green and others simply cannot perform adequately at this level and until their contracts have run down they tie up wages that could be better spent elsewhere.

Derby day disasters

‘Derby day disasters’ could easily refer to a horrific ongoing run of defeats at the hands of Derby County, but in fact we have been left lamenting our performances against our local rivals. In the 7 derby games since 29/12/12, we have only managed one win (against Sheffield Wednesday) and racked up four losses (including back-to-back defeats against Huddersfield). Yorkshire bragging rights will only become irrelevant if we are able to leave them all behind in the Championship come May 2014.

What was your LUFC highlight of 2013? What would you like to see change in the New Year? As always, we welcome your comments and feedback – let us know your thoughts by tweeting us at @LUFC_Calypso!

The January transfer window: LUFC old boys or fresh blood?

Amidst the endless transfer speculation brought about by impending re-launch of the transfer window, prospective targets are thrown about more often than a Michael Brown two-footed tackle. The transfer merry-go-round that takes place on social media at this time of year generates a  plethora of names, both fresh faces and United alumni alike, leading to every ITK under the sun claiming they can reveal the identity of the next new, or in some cases not so new, face to join our club. With this in mind, we at @LUFC_Calypso have taken it upon ourselves to analyse the values of two ex-players that have been the subject of intense speculation regarding their return to LUFC; Max Gradel and Luciano Becchio. Both have been strongly linked with a return to Elland Rd, yet many feel that their current ability is less than when they first left our promotion chasing squad. We also consider other frequently-linked transfer targets, in particular Nahki Wells and Gary Mackay-Steven. Can our LUFC old boys can fire us to the top, or does the future of the football club lie in a new crop of young and ambitious players? We take a closer look...

Max Gradel is the name on many United fans’ lips after reams of gossip column inches suggesting that a reunion is imminent. With McDermott alluding to our apparent interest in the press last week, the relationship

between Gradel and the club is stronger than ever, with both fans and Max making their feelings on a potential return more than clear. Scoring 18 goals in the 2010/11 season, Gradel was a hugely influential player in our failed promotion push. Providing us with some much needed width and pace, Gradel would more than likely be a success should he return. However, with chronic knee injuries since his departure, and a well-documented fiery temperament, many consider him to be a potential liability both physically and mentally. This unpredictability does not seem to be compatible with McDermott’s search for consistency.

Looking further afield, Gary Mackay-Steven is a player at the peak of his ability. At 24, the Dundee United winger is realising his potential further with every game, and with 7 goals this season, Mackay-Steven seems to combine genuine wing play with an eye for goal. Mackay-Steven is certainly a player that we would love to see in white come the closing of the January window, yet his availability remains far from clear. Nevertheless, Mackay Steven looks every inch a Premier League player, and the Dundee flyer’s signature would represent a mouth-watering statement of ambition.

As we mentioned in a previous article, Becchio has the credentials that may prove appealing for Brian

McDermott. A proven record and a clear affinity with the club, many consider it to be a match made in heaven. However, Nakhi Wells offers qualities that are simply not at McDermott’s disposal in the current squad. Scoring 15 goals in 19 appearances so far this season, Wells’ sheer pace only adds impetus to the claim that League One is significantly below his capabilities. With 42 goals in 63 appearances since signing for local rivals Bradford, the Bermudan is rightly considered one of the Football League’s hot properties, and although questions may be asked about whether he is within our price range, he is certainly a talent that should not be overlooked given our need for versatility and pace in equal measure.

Having said this, pigeon-holing Wells as a mere speed merchant is doing him a disservice, and he has consistently shown finishing qualities that will stand up when he is inevitably tested at a higher level. Comparing Wells with former fan favourite Becchio like-for-like is simply not possible, with both players offering directly opposite skill sets. For McDermott, it is a simple case of comparing the value of a proven goal scoring record against an unproven prodigy. Becchio clearly knows how to score at this level, something which cannot be underestimated. However, with Matt Smith offering some similar qualities to Becchio, Wells would be the obvious choice. Whether swooping for the 23 year old is viable, we shall see.

By signing Wells and Mackay Steven as opposed to Gradel and Becchio, McDermott would be setting a precedent of buying players in the prime with the future in mind, a precedent that in our opinion would be welcomed with open arms. As always, we welcome your comments and feedback – let us know your thoughts by tweeting us at @LUFC_Calypso!

Matt Smith: huge improvements from our gentle giant

Before the season started, the majority of Leeds fans were fearful that we simply did not have enough firepower up front to mount a serious challenge for the top 6. Undoubtedly, McCormack’s incredible form following his jittery start has helped to allay these fears and, as well as our star man topping the individual goal scoring table, Leeds sit in joint second for goals scored with 32. A huge amount of credit is due to McCormack and to the team for creating the chances for him, but here at @LUFC_Calypso we feel there is another striker who is quietly improving game by game. There were many, including us, who saw the signing of Matt Smith from Oldham on a free as a ‘Batesian’ attempt to save money but, thanks to his hard work and selfless attitude towards forward play, Matt Smith has developed into a worthy Championship number 9. We take a closer look at the contributing factors to Smith’s progress...

The Player

Matt Smith burst onto the scene last season with eye-catching displays in the FA Cup against Liverpool and Everton. These moments, already part of FA Cup history, gave the football world a glimpse of his talent and potential. However, closer inspection of the man many described as “the new Peter Crouch” showed that this potential remained largely unfulfilled, and Oldham narrowly avoided relegation with Smith scoring just 6 goals in the league all season. Since his move to Leeds, Smith has turned a mental corner and his efforts now go far beyond an attempt to stick his head on the ball at the back post. Smith has become a tenacious and selfless strike companion for McCormack, and while there are still improvements to be made, he has greatly enhanced his ability to hold up the ball and flick it on to midfield runners. Credit must be given to a player that works hard in training and, once given his opportunity in the team, does everything in his power to secure his name on the team sheet more regularly - he has already matched his 6 League One goals last term with 6 in the Championship so far this season.

The Manager

Most Leeds fans know that prior to his stint as Reading manager, McDermott worked for 9 years as their Chief Scout. This experience helped McDermott to spot the potential worth of Smith to the squad, and his time as an U19s coach has also been invaluable experience for nurturing this young talent and moulding his style of play to best suit our team. McDermott saw the prospective benefits of the giant Smith next to our diminutive Scot, and McDermott’s decision to take a risk on Smith when others wouldn’t has been vindicated by his goals and his link up play with McCormack.

The Fans

As a fan base we have the ability to create club legends as well as pressurise players to the point of total isolation. In recent seasons, our fans have been extremely vociferous against those they feel should not be linked with the club. Many players, and notably Bates and Warnock off the field, have received sustained negative chanting and there was a danger that Smith would receive similar treatment. Unimpressed by his signing, the fans could have used Smith’s signature as a vehicle for voicing their dismay at the lack of investment in the squad. Thankfully, the fans have given Smith the time to work on his game and this patience has allowed him to develop his talent and flourish in front of fans who all want to see him succeed. Smith’s clear love for the club, aided in no small way by the support he gets from fans, will only help him become a more and more destructive force up front for LUFC.

Do you think Smith has what it takes to get us promoted? Do you think there are other strikers out there within our budget that could do a better job? As always, let us know your feedback, thoughts and comments at @LUFC_Calypso!

Will the festive period make or break our promotion push?

After a lacklustre defeat at the hands of Blackburn, an impressive midweek victory against Wigan and an inspiring comeback against Watford on Saturday, the words ‘mixed bag’ spring to mind. Having navigated our way through a week of difficult fixtures with a reasonable return, we at @LUFC_Calypso turn our attentions to the demanding Christmas fixture list that awaits, and how the period that so usually contributes to our downfall could be so important come the end of the season.

Back to back Yorkshire derbies, the first against Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium followed by a home match against Barnsley are games from which an in-form Leeds United must surely be looking to secure maximum points. If our promotion ambitions are to be realised, these are the potential banana skin fixtures that must be negotiated without dropping points. Following this, difficult fixtures against Blackpool and Forest on the 26^th and 29^th of December respectively will provide us with a real test of our progression so far this season, with both teams proving to be promotion rivals. Finally, with the return fixture against Blackburn, a chance to avenge the aforementioned loss, takes place on New Year’s Day and, following that, our busy festive period reverts to a more normal structure. We feel that yielding 10 points from these games would be a reasonable return. As the biggest test on a developing squad, a quick succession of difficult matches will be the ones that will give us a real insight into whether our so-called ‘purple patch’ is exactly that or simply a sign that we’ve turned a corner this season. For the first time in several seasons, many consider us to be genuine promotion contenders, and the hard work of the first 19 games would all be in vein should the heavy workload of the festive period get on top of us. Sitting in 8^th and only 1 point off a promotion spot, we’re in a great position in the prolonged run-up to the business end of the season. With a decent goal difference and good momentum behind us, the importance of the next 10 games cannot be over-emphasized.

Although it is critical that we do not get ahead of ourselves, it is worth noting that several teams around us are just starting to show signs of a dip in form. QPR seem to struggle killing off games with the all-important second goal at times, highlighted by their 0-0 draw at home this weekend. With Burnley winning their first game this weekend since late October, their reign as a seemingly unbeatable force also looks to be coming to an end. Leicester’s back-to-back defeats this week have seem them knocked off top spot, and Derby, Reading and Blackpool have all endured inconsistent seasons at times. This league is crying out for a team to take a hold of it as Cardiff did so effectively for much of their victorious campaign last season, and as it stands, not one team seems to want to take on the mantle as the one to beat. Peaking at just the right time could be the difference between a good season and an unforgettable one. For now, let’s just keep ourselves in the hunt, starting with our Christmas fixture list.

A Gary Speed Tribute – 2 years on

As I’m sure most of you are aware, this week marked the 2 year anniversary of the tragic death of Leeds United legend Gary Speed. With this in mind, we wanted to pay our respects to a true great in the history of our club.

Almost unanimously considered to be one of the most talented players ever to pull on the white shirt, Speedo was influential in the development of our club during his years in Yorkshire. Earning his first senior contract in 1988, he instantly became a fan favourite. Making his first appearance in 1989 vs Oldham at Elland Rd, Speedo quickly became a key cog in the Leeds United engine. Scoring 57 goals in his 312 appearances for the club, he epitomised the term ‘ all-round midfielder’, contributing to his side winning the 1992 Football League First Division title. His efforts did not go unnoticed, and Speed was selected for the PFA Team of the Year for the 1992-93 season, alongside fellow Welshman Ryan Giggs and Premier League legends Alan Shearer and Roy Keane. Not only this, former manager Howard Wilkinson granted him the accolade of Player of the Season in 1992. Gary went on to become a United hero and helped to form one of the best midfield partnerships in the modern era alongside Batty, Strachan and McAllister. This, in part, contributed to his impressive record in his time at United, only losing 46 of the 143 games he played in (34%). Moving on from his tenure in United colours, Speed was the proverbial bridesmaid, reaching 3 major finals without finishing on the winning side on any occasion (1 of which for Leeds, losing to Villa in the 1996 League Cup). This unfortunate record does not detract from his other career achievements;  he was the first player ever to gain 500 premier league appearances.

The high regard in which Speedo is held by Leeds fans has never been more evident than during the poignant remembrance applause that takes place on the 11th minute at games. This is also the case at St James’ Park, and it is no surprise that arguably 2 of the most vociferous and fanatical set of supporters in English football provide such a fitting tribute to a man who left such a mark on fans, ex-players and football enthusiasts alike. Just days after his passing, an inspired United systematically took apart a Nottingham Forest side, proving just how much of an inspiration Gary proved to be even for players who weren’t fortunate enough to play alongside him.  Gone but not forgotten, Speedo will always live on in the memories of any Leeds United fan, and long may that continue.

We have gathered a list below of some of your glowing tributes to the man. Marching on Together.

@lufcstats: The moment Snoddy scored at forest....After 11 minutes of Gary Speed will live with me for ever and a day

@haighdavid: RIP Gary Speed, your legend lives on forever!#speedo #lufc

@Jordan_Armo: Such a waste of talent taken from us way too early #lufc and the rest of the football world still in mourning after this tragic loss he may be gone but his legacy lives on#RIPSPEEDO OH GARY GARY GARY GARY GARYSPEED #MOT

@weareleeds_: As a kid when the training ground used to be on the car park round back of ER, there was a training session on & got invited to do a bit of ball work from the doorman who used to work at ER, I was so nervous & excited, seeing the likes of Speed, McAllister Strachan, it was a dream come true, got pictures with them, they were all very nice. Like Speed, he was a player that every kid wanted to be. I will never forget that day, it was the 1st thing I thought of that tragic morning 2 years ago.

@mattjpsmith: RIP Gary Speed. Legend.

@LeedsUtdPics: I never saw him play for Leeds, but was there when we beat Forest 4-0 with the eleven minutes forGary speed, my favourite moment in football when Snodgrass scored a couple of seconds after we finished the eleven minutes! You couldn't write it, no one could believe it!

@LeedsUnitedLiam: Nottingham Forrest away when we beat them 4-0, unbelievable game, all for Gary Speed!

@waynesnodin: To me personally he was part of a fantastic midfield, Speed, Batty, Strachan & Mcallister. He had everything including looks. One of the best headers of the ball I’ve ever seen. Always remember the commentator v Sheffield Utd when Speed out through by Camara “Go on Gary get one yourself son & he did. LEGEND

@craigstewart79: I met him the once, it was 1990 vs spurs & he'd just signed loads of autographs. He was halfway back down the tunnel & I shouted 'Gary' he came all the way back up & signed my programme. I remember a big smile on his face too. He was my childhood hero & someone who I wanted to be like. I felt like a part of my childhood was taken away 2 years ago RIP

Finally, thanks again to @LUFCDATA for his help with a stats package.

How far can Leeds United go this season? The mid season review

Sitting in a play-off spot for the first time since our away victory at Ipswich, and sitting 3^rd in the form table, it’s all smiles at Elland Road this weekend.  With 3 straight wins and a striker who can’t stop scoring, the misery of September’s baron spell seems an awfully long time ago. As we approach the mid-season mark, and the all-important Christmas run in, we at @LUFC_Calypso thought we’d analyse just how far this Leeds United squad can go, and whether our push for promotion is as genuine as it may appear. In the spirit our friend @PositiveLufcFan, we think our promotion aspirations are far from dead.

Saturday’s result against Middlesbrough, albeit thanks to Boro ‘keeper Jason Steele , saw us continue in our rich vein of form, and if this momentum is continued into our run of slightly more challenging fixtures, Leeds United will see themselves approaching the dizzy heights of an established play-off spot. On top of this, some of the players seemed to have turned a corner. The once ‘pantomime villain’ Danny Pugh seems to be putting the performances in to warrant selection and challenge Stephen Warnock outright for the left back spot. Jason ‘50p head’  Pearce has finally scored a goal, something that even the most optimistic of Leeds fans didn’t seen happening,  and Ross McCormack can’t miss at the moment, scoring 7 in 3 games and soaring to the peak of the Sky Bet Championship top goalscorer’s list – happy days. Competition for places in the starting XI has never been better, with many considering gentle giant Matt Smith unlucky to be taking his place amongst the substitutes given the impact he’s made having been given his chance, and the arrival of Marius Zaliukas has proven to be both an excellent bit of business and a much required option in the centre back role.  Not only this, but it seems that those not willing to get stuck in and fight for their place are gradually being edged out. We can say with total conviction that the termination of Ryan Hall’s contract has not been met with any sadness, at least not from the large majority of the United faithful. Brian McDermott seems to have incorporated a system that works, with our best players being used in their correct positions, and the periphery players so relied upon by Neil Warnock seem to have taken their rightful place in the reserves.

Off the field, things seem to be as settled as is physically possible given the constant speculation around the future of the various owners in recent seasons. Off the back of a string of disappointing losses, however ridiculous a claim it was the ‘McDermott Out’ minority were just starting to creep onto social media and Ross McCormack was being written off just as often. On both accounts, no such delusional calls for either of their heads are being made any more. In addition, contract talks with Alex Mowatt have begun, and without being overly confident, it seems they are going well at this stage. Should this come to fruition, the consolidation of one of our most prized assets would only add to the positive vibe at the club. It certainly seems that in all areas Leeds United are on the up.

This all very well, but the job has barely started. The focus must now be shifted away from the good work we have achieved in recent weeks and towards sustaining it on a longer timescale. This purple patch has now boosted us into the realms of potential promotion candidates, but to slump back to the form displayed against Millwall and Derby in particular would see us retain our place as the middle-of-the-road, mediocre side that teams have no reason to fear. With some much needed improvements made on our away form, we really believe that this season may be a turning point. Let’s hope so, Marching On Together.

Hard Men or Hatchet Men? The toughest LUFC XI in history

As last week’s article discussed, the club has lost an element of its status as one of the biggest and most iconic outfits in England. There is, however, an unsavoury aspect of our reputation that seems to have become resurgent in recent seasons: the belief that Elland Road is filled with ‘vile animals’ and that the players who represent us are no better. Here at @LUFC_Calypso we took to twitter to discover your suggestions for the biggest thugs and hardest hitters ever to pull on the white shirt. As @JonL01 correctly points out, there is a distinction between tough tacklers and vicious enforcers however, so with your help we’ve compiled the toughest LUFC XI in an attempt to determine just how dirty we are!

Goalkeeper – Paddy Kenny

The trickiest position in the line-up to fill, our current keeper is the unlucky stopper that gets the nod. Off-field controversies including failed drugs tests, twitter rants and frequent tunnel bust-ups during his time at Sheffield United have left him with a tarnished reputation among football fans. We love him, others love to hate him.

Right Back – Danny Mills

Hot-headed and overly-aggressive at times, Mills’ demeanour as a MOTD pundit is in stark contrast to his temperament on the pitch. He was never afraid to stick his boot over the ball and his combative approach to ‘discussions’ with opposing players secures his position as one of LUFC’s dirtiest alumni.

Centre Back – Norman ‘Bite yer legs’ Hunter

Hunter is a legend of the club and rightly so. He was an ever-present fixture during the glory years under Don Revie, but his reputation as a belligerent and hard-hitting tackler precedes him and with good reason, a trait perfectly exemplified by his knock-out tackle (literally) against Everton in 1968.

Centre Back – Jonathan Woodgate

The thuggery of former Galactico Woodgate remains an ever-present blot on the Leeds United copybook. Though he was a skilful and composed defender, a brutal off-the-field incident involving Lee Bowyer resulting in his conviction for affray has permanently tainted his standing among the fans.

Left Back – Wilf ‘The Ironman’ Copping

Copping, described as ‘the original hard man of football’, is an unsung hero from his time at the club before the Second World War. A bruising, uncompromising defender, he was renowned for his bone-shaking challenges and resilience in the toughest of matches.

Defensive Midfield – Billy Bremner

Our very own Captain Marvel, Bremner is famed for his desire, his commitment and his love for a crunching tackle, but our research sparked a debate as to whether Bremner was firm but fair or dirty and underhand in his tactics. His will to win sometimes boiled over, but his unrivalled talent and and violent inspired captaincy remains the defining element of his legacy at Leeds.

Central Midfield – Lee Bowyer

Bowyer is the most decorated player in Premier League history. Unfortunately for him, this accolade refers to cards not trophies. With 99 PL yellow cards to his name, Bowyer may have escaped conviction for his role in the Woodgate assault, but his infamy as the most malicious player ever to wear the white of Leeds is rivalled only by his midfield partner in this XI...

Central Midfield – Vinnie Jones

Vinnie’s inclusion in this line-up needs no explanation. A thug growing up, a thug on the pitch and a thug in the movies, Jones took pleasure in throwing himself into career threatening challenges. His most violent outbursts took place in Wimbledon colours, but nonetheless his performances were more befitting of a boxing ring than a football pitch.

Attacking Midfield – El Hadji Diouf

Diouf has become somewhat of a pantomime villain since he joined Leeds, but for the most part the fans have taken him under their wing and his behaviour has improved significantly as a result. Spitting in player’s faces and violent outbursts (even against those who have just had their leg broken) live long in the memory however and there is a fear that this ‘sewer rat’ will never change.

Striker – Ian Baird

@WACCOE’s comment during our conversations for this article on twitter sums up the outlook of this cult figure perfectly... ‘Bairdy’s gonna get ya’. Unfortunately, Bairdy’s time at Leeds was cut short by the arrival of Lee Chapman, but fans fondly remember him for his important goals... and ‘over-zealous’ approach to tackling.

Striker – Kenny Burns

Deployed as both a striker and a defender throughout his career, we felt we needed to make room for Burns in our toughest line-up largely thanks to an incriminating YouTube video. A different era though it may have been, a sly head-butt while the ref’s back is turned would make even the most vicious hatchet man take note. It seems Michael Brown did his homework before joining us.

There were many other credible candidates that could have made the line-up: Batty, Smith, Jordan, Hankin and Bobby Collins to name but a few. Does our history of hard hitters warrant our continued reputation as a violent and aggressive club? Perhaps the fact that many named here were fan favourites suggest that maybe it does! As always, we welcome your opinions and comments – tweet us at @LUFC_Calypso!

How can Leeds United rebuild a reputation?

Over the last few weeks, it has been clear to the majority of Leeds fans that the team is progressing towards the efficient style of play that McDermott teams are known for and, as this weekend proved, we are starting to get the results to match our improvement. Since our article on the 3-5-2 formation, debate has rumbled on about our tactical strengths and weaknesses but, with an international break to come and a pleasing away victory under our belts, we at @LUFC_Calypso thought that additional criticism of our tactical pitfalls should be saved until the formation has undergone further testing. Instead, this week’s article focuses on developments that we feel should be made OFF the pitch, alterations that should in turn contribute to continued on-field success.

Set up a scouting network

Brian McDermott’s television appearance last week revealed a worrying revelation about the infrastructure behind the scenes at Leeds United: fans watched on with disbelief as the boss revealed that the club does not currently have a chief scout. Before McDermott’s arrival, the ever-unpopular Neil Warnock had employed his long-time friend Kevin Randall as our chief scout, a position he had also held under Warnock at Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and QPR. One look at the average age of Warnock’s sides is enough to tell you that Randall did not have a keen-eye for young talent; it appears that the only player investigations that took place under Warnock were to discover how much longer he would have to wait before his old favourites (Michael Brown et al) were available for free transfers. It is pleasing, though long overdue we concede, that McDermott intends to fill this vacancy and build a scouting network around the new head of recruitment. LUFC have a huge catchment area and a world-renowned academy, and a scouting network will help to improve the level of gifted youngsters in our setup even further.

Redevelop the stadium

An iconic and traditional football stadium, Elland Road stands as a symbol of the rich heritage of the club since its inception in 1919. The ground has hosted some of the greatest teams to ever play football and, though we speak from a biased viewpoint, the atmosphere generated at home games is almost unrivalled in the UK. It is clear, however, that the stadium needs significant redevelopment if we are to harbor hopes of returning to the summit of the Premier League. Rumours circulated during England’s 2018 World Cup campaign that Elland Road would be drastically redeveloped to incorporate a two-tiered North Stand, bringing our total capacity closer to 50,000. While improvements to the East Stand were a significant step forward, we believe that a sustained period of enhancement is required to elevate the status of the club to that of a Premier League outfit. Bates’ proposals for a casino and hotel seem to have stalled indefinitely, a situation that fills us at @LUFC_Calypso with a feeling of relief. Developments should increase and improve fans’ ability to watch the team, not our ability to line owner’s pockets in the pre-match build-up.

Improve Leeds United as a brand

Without doubt, Leeds United is some way behind the times when it comes to promotion on a global scale as is the norm with modern day clubs. While initiatives such as Family Stand activities, ‘Paint It White’ ticket drives and player visits to stores and local communities are great for building a connection with existing fans, we believe that the club should also make a concerted effort to increase the marketability of the club to untapped national and global fanbases. We took a look at the number of followers for some mid to lower table Premier League clubs (a minimum position that most Leeds fans feel the club ought to be) to prove that we are lacking. Some of the statistics included Newcastle at 306,000, Sunderland at 178,000, Stoke at 150,000 and Norwich at 157,000. Leeds has just 52,000 followers on twitter, a statistic that does not demonstrate our lack of support, but more our outdated approach to marketing. Greater global exposure brings in greater levels of investment and, ultimately, greater success on the pitch.

As fans, we all want to see the club play well and achieve long-overdue promotion. Of course, our ability to galvanize the squad and deliver consistent performances is an essential element in the process if we are to achieve our goals. Off the field matters so often dictate the rise and falls of football clubs however, and we feel that more could be done in the boardroom to get us heading in the right direction. As ever, we would love to know your thoughts on our article, please tweet us at @LUFC_Calypso. Do you think there are other ways we can improve? Do you think stadium redevelopment is essential? Let us know!

Can Leeds United claim to be the best supported club in the country?

It is undisputed that the biggest weapon that Leeds United Football Club has in its arsenal is its massive support. Through thick and thin, the Leeds faithful have been the ever present in the merry-go-round of players, managers and owners and, with this in mind, @LUFC_Calypso felt it was time to highlight the superiority held by Leeds United and our outstanding fans over the rest of the division. In addition, we took a look and our impressive attendance statistics in comparison to some of the so called ‘big boys’ of the top flight in an attempt to justify our belief as fans that we are the best supported club in the UK.

The attendance statistics this season alone really highlight the dominance that Leeds United has at Elland Rd over many of the other Championship clubs and stadiums. Currently with the 2^nd highest average attendance for home fixtures only to Brighton and Hove Albion, we have regularly experienced large crowds in the majority of matches so far this term. With our average attendance at 25,057, United have for the most part been able to resist the dramatically declining attendances that have been registered up and down the country in recent seasons. With several fixtures being selected to be televised, attendances would probably be even higher had this not been the case. Our lowest attendance of the 2013/14 season to date was Chesterfield in the Carling Cup, yet despite this fixture attracting no headlines, 17,466 still turned up in force. Other than this incident, we have only dropped below the 23,000 benchmark just twice, Bournemouth on a Tuesday night (21,749) and Birmingham on a Sunday lunchtime, televised kick off (21,301). This clearly shows that the support is still strong, and despite ticket prices and drops in form, the Leeds faithful still flood in.

Despite the impressive nature of home attendances, perhaps more impressive is the attendance we seem to generate away from fortress Elland Rd. Almost without fail this season, Leeds have regularly topped the list of away attendances in the league, and many clubs have experienced their highest attendances for their ‘Home to Leeds’ fixture this season. 3 of the 9 away fixtures have seen the hosts clock their largest attendance of the season, (Bolton, Huddersfield and Reading), and the travelling fans have played a large part in this being the case. Furthermore, ticket sales for the Charlton game showed the extent of the support. Selling out our initial 3,000 seat allocation in under an hour, and the extended 200 extra seats in 2 minutes (literally), this is yet more evidence that away allocations could be filled twice or three times over. This is quite staggering.

The comparison against the top division clubs only further covers the United fans in glory. Statistics show that our average attendance would place us above 5 Premier League clubs (West Brom, Fulham, Hull, Crystal Palace and Swansea), and within 5,000 of a further 4 (Norwich, Stoke, Cardiff and Southampton). This is remarkable given Leeds’ status as a second tier club - with a vast choice of other teams in the local area, it is a testament to the history and ethos at the club that we pull in considerably more fans than any other Yorkshire side. Should we get promoted, and with the stadium expansion that has been promised for years, we truly believe that we could be in touching distance of the top 5 most supported teams in the country.

Although we may not officially be the best supported club in the country, we still stand by our claim that our fans remain amongst the elite in this country. By outnumbering the majority of our rivals in our current division, and a handful of our future rivals in the division above, it cannot be questioned that the support that urges the team to get the results is highly impressive. With this in mind, we encourage you to keep the faith, as our committed fan base is what separates us from our rivals. As always, we welcome your opinions and comments, please tweet us at @LUFC_Calypso!

NOTE: A massive thanks to @LUFCDATA for providing us with some statistics yet again, if you don’t follow him we highly recommend you do.

Other Sources:

http://espnfc.com/stats/attendance/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739

http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/DivisionalAttendance/0,,10794~20137,00.html

Spotlight on tactics: can the 3-5-2 formation work for LUFC?

So far this season, the management team at Leeds United have attempted to use an array of formations, each one presenting more tactical shortcomings than solutions. McDermott’s faith in the diamond midfield has thus far yielded almost nothing, and many twitter whites have voiced their concern that the formation is a large contributor to our lack of attacking flair and a leaky defence. Finally, it seemed we had made a breakthrough. Playing within a 3-5-2 system, our floundering squad hit their stride, annihilating an abysmal Birmingham City. With this in mind, we at @LUFC­_ Calypso have tried to assess whether the formation is a viable long-term recipe for success, or whether it is yet another short term solution to a deep-rooted problem.

On many levels, 3-5-2 makes perfect sense. Operating with 2 wing backs allows those selected (we assume Byram and Warnock) to add the necessary width that, until now, has been totally absent whilst simultaneously installing a defensive solidity (if we can call it that) that is able to deal with the counter-attacking play of our opposition. In addition, wing backs provide the extra impetus going forward and theoretically this system has the potential to provide enough attacking support to our strikers to solve our struggle to score goals.  On the subject of attacking influence, playing 2 up front could also alleviate the isolation of our strikers up top (particularly away from home). In other systems, whoever has played up front has spent the large majority of the game chasing down inaccurate ‘hoofs’ from the back. With this system in place, it encourages far more cohesion between the midfield and the forwards, something that we definitely need to continue to score more goals and win more games.

A critical advantage of this system is that it allows us to play our best XI, with each player in the position that best suits them. Too many times this season we have tried to manipulate Ross McCormack, a player who has plied his trade as a 9 or a 10 for many seasons, into a central-attacking-midfielder and clearly this hasn’t worked. It is undeniable that Ross belongs up front, working as part of an attacking partnership – he does not have the height to hold up the ball as a lone striker, but there is no doubt that he has an eye for goal that merits his inclusion in the front line. In a search for width, McDermott has taken to utilizing our plentiful supply of central midfielders out on the wings. Whether it be Austin or Green, Murphy or Mowatt, we cannot continue to field a team where at least 2 players are playing in positions in which they can at best survive and at worst become completely embarrassed. 3-5-2 uses 3 central midfielders, a system that eases McDermott’s tactical headache; he would simply need to select his best 3.

For the most part, the system seems to work. Although we must attribute a percentage of our success against Birmingham to their lack of communication at the back, the system gave us the width we needed to maximize the potency of Matt Smith in front of goal. For the first time this season, we looked consistently dangerous in front of goal and solid without the ball. Scoring more than 2 for the first time this season in the league, both Ross and Matt Smith could have taken the match ball home had they converted some of our squandered chances. However, the system clearly has frailties. Saturday’s performance against Huddersfield was largely disappointing, mostly down to the inefficiencies of the system. We found ourselves chasing back in last ditch attempts to hoard off the Town counter-attacks all too often, raising serious questions. This system is clearly dependent on high quality performances from the wing-backs, and whether Warnock has the ability to consistently deliver disciplined performances remains an unanswered question.

With the current squad that McDermott has available to him, we believe that this system has the potential to cause the most damage going forward and, as we all know, goals win games. For the sake of the players and the fans, we believe that this system must be implemented on a regular basis and continuity is the key when it comes to formation.  Going forward, the responsibility lies with Brian to pick our best XI and the players must regularly find the form that saw a rejuvenated Leeds run riot at Elland Road last time out. If the side can do this, fans can continue to harbor muted hopes of play-off action later this season. 

Why on earth did we buy HIM? The worst LUFC transfers

In these frustrating days of boardroom mystery, there is only one thing in which all Leeds fans can be certain: we have no money. The rumour mill churns out a million new ‘imminent loan signings’ a month, only for McDermott and the owners to release a statement saying that they need to secure investment to bring some fresh blood into the team. This infuriating merry-go-round of disappointment got us thinking; what if we had all that money that we’ve wasted in the past? Such is the ironic hilarity of how bad some of our expensive signings have turned out to be, the accumulative money we would have saved would surely have us playing Champions League football by now. The @LUFC_Calypso brothers took to twitter to find out who you think was the worst. There are obvious candidates and intriguing surprises. Here are your answers:

Tomas Brolin

Sweden’s answer to Johnny Vegas was undoubtedly the name that cropped up the most. After showing bags of potential for Swedish clubs Navikens IK and GIF Sundsvall, Brolin endured an inconsistent and injury-ridden spell in Italy with AC Parma. Aware of the fact that he would no longer be guaranteed first-team football with the Italian outfit, Brolin hopped on a plane for Leeds. Howard Wilkinson, who was mentioned in a previous article as an underrated LUFC manager, was the unfortunate ‘visionary’ who was able to look past the injuries, the weight issues and the inability to find the net to see the saviour to Leeds’ goal-scoring woes. He was wrong. Brolin played just 20 league games for United, scoring just 4 goals (@LUFCDATA kindly points out he cost £1.13 million per goal), and was promptly shipped out on loan to FC Zurich. Wilkinson had accused the striker of not ‘pulling his weight’ (pun intended), and LUFC fans became united in the belief that he was the worst player we have ever had.

Seth Johnson

With an average of just over 10 games per season with LUFC, Johnson is inevitably your second most popular candidate for biggest Leeds United buffoon. The highly publicized transfer fee of £7million, coupled with a reported £37,000-a-week contract, meant that Johnson had to prove his worth instantly and would have his work cut out to win over the fans. Like so many of our flops, he was hindered by constant injury problems and the ‘form’ that earned him an England call up during his time at Derby never materialized. History confirms what we all already knew: 1) the national team was in disarray if it resorted to Johnson as a solution to their problems, and 2) the financial dealings conducted by Peter Ridsdale are solely responsible for our current predicament. Ironically, as Johnson came back from injury with a point to prove to the fans, we couldn’t afford his wages and he was released at the end of the season.

Kevin Nicholls

A slightly less obvious choice we admit (and we must thank @LUFC97Lloyd for bringing him to our attention), but Nicholls needs to be included as we believe he is a signing that does not generate as much hatred as he deserves. Signed for £700,000 by Dennis Wise during a period when this level of money represented a significant investment in the playing squad, once again he was hampered by fitness concerns and could not play for months. Following his recovery, Nicholls was installed as captain of Leeds United, a position held by some of the most revered names in the club’s history. What followed his appointment would spell the death knell for his brief LUFC career. Nicholls was red carded in his first game as captain, missing critical Christmas period fixtures as a result, and was then dropped for his lack of commitment. He subsequently asked for a move to Luton, a decision that demonstrates a lack of ambition comparable to that of a certain Mr Bates, and he was never seen again.

As fans, we must take sadistic pleasure in the fact that a list of Leeds United flops is the longest and the most lacking in quality throughout the entire footballing community. The vast array of hopeless footballers that were tweeted to us in the last week makes very amusing viewing and we have included them for you at the end of this article. Thank you all for your suggestions, we’d advise all readers to check out the twitter pages of everyone listed below!

Brolin - @LUFCDATA, @DaveK61, @christ4d, @duncanpub, @crossgatescal, @FranTollerson, @SpanishPirate1, @Vikingbaznett, @Jamielufcsmith, @milkybar39, @philbthebear, @RedThunderChris, @weareleeds_, @LUFC_Members

Rachubka - @Nr32OnTheBack, @BakkeTheNet, @lufc_bishop, @JoeJames1996

Johnson - @LUFCDATA, @LufcColin, @philbthebear, @tommoovthornaby

Selected others:

Pierre Laurent - @LUFCDATA

Nicky Barmby - @duncanpub

Ken Demange - @peterfully

Neil Collins - @LeedsUnitedLiam

Carlton Palmer - @LeedsEditor

Luca Bessone - @TalkLeedsUnited, @warnermarkjames

Cyril Chapuis/Frank Strandli - @lufcstats

David Harle - @slflufcjimmy

Paul Okon  - @wakeyfin

Roque Junior - @tommoovthornaby, @royllew93

Somma and Becchio: can former favourites end our goal drought?

It doesn’t take a die-hard fan to point out that scoring goals is the main problem that faces an under-performing Leeds squad. The Whites have scored just 10 league goals so far this season and the United faithful have taken to social media to voice their concern about the lack of an out-and-out goal scorer. As a result, twitter buzz has been building apace about two former United front men who could guide us out of our rut. Rumours are circulating that former striker Davide Somma is back training with the squad after his release over the summer, and he is one of the primary names on the lips of the fans as countless hours are spent trying to find a solution to our poor finishing.  There are other options, and with Luciano Becchio looking for a move away from Carrow Rd after falling down the pecking order, many see the Argentine as the answer to our problems.  We at LUFC_Calypso decided to take the time to compare these two former fan favourites against each other as well as against the current crop of under-performing strikers.

If we put to one side an ongoing battle against long term injuries, Somma was fairly prolific during his time at Elland Rd. The South African made 39 appearances for the club, scoring 13 goals and quickly became a favourite amongst the fans. After a bright start, he spent much of his time on the physio table and, following repeated setbacks in his recovery, he was often used as a substitute, scoring 7 of his goals off the bench. Many feel however that he was underused by Grayson - at the time, Leeds tactics provided a polar opposite to the beautiful game, attempting to counteract our sieve-like defence by bombarding the opposition’s goal. Grayson did not trust that he was capable of holding up the ball as our attacking linchpin  and as a consequence his chances were partly reduced. Scoring 2 braces, and a goals-per-game ratio of 0.33, Somma was certainly comfortable in front of goal. Having said this, statistics don’t tell the whole story in this case. Again due to injury, Somma is relatively untested at Championship level and throwing him into the mix this season may prove a challenge too far against a crop of clubs whose starting XIs feature a plentiful supply of ex-Premier League goalscorers. Furthermore, Somma has once again spent much of the last two seasons injured and consequently will most likely struggle with the pace of the matches and the challenging fixture list. Unfortunately for him, it may be unrealistic to suggest that he will ever be the player he once was, and his chronic knee injuries will undoubtedly continue to haunt him. Leeds fans must be realistic however – only two players have found the net on more than one occasion in the league this season (McCormack 4, Varney 2) and so, at this stage, no-one could argue against McDermott taking a gamble on him.

Luciano Becchio is the other former United striker that both the manager and the fans have expressed an interesting in bringing back to the club. It is safe to say that Becchio’s time at Norwich has stunted his career progression, yet to make an appearance in the league this season. The arrivals of Van Wolfswinkel, Elmander and Hooper have reduced his chances further and, with Norwich back on their feet after a shaky start, Becchio’s chances of breaking into the line-up look slim.  Chris Hughton may not rate Becchio as a Premier League striker, but his stats during an illustrious spell at a lower level with United are impressive. Scoring 86 goals in 221 appearances, Becchio had been the focal point of the attack since his arrival in 2008, but it was the 2012-13 season that caught the attention of a number of high profile clubs. Becchio scored 19 goals in the first half of the season, a contribution that kept us within touching distance of a promotion push. He scored 8 braces with a goals-to-game ratio of 0.39, so it is clear that Becchio’s stats make him a viable option for any Championship club in need of a reliable front man. Despite his tumultuous relationship with Hughton, the Norwich boss is unwilling to let him leave and so nostalgic fans may have to wait a little longer for the return of a player some regard as a Leeds United hero.

At this stage of the season, both Somma and Becchio seem credible solutions to our miserable form in front of goal. However, in our opinion, fresh blood is the answer. Cruel though it may seem, Somma’s best goal-scoring form is behind him and resting our promotion hopes on an injury-prone and untested striker is foolish and signals a clear lack of ambition. Unlike Somma, Becchio could be a suitable option should we find a way to convince Hughton to release him – there is little doubt that his return would be welcomed by large percentage of the Leeds fans. Furthermore, we feel that the introduction of a new (or in the case of Becchio and Somma, old) striker is not the miracle fix solution. The service continues to be lacklustre, and so the acquisition of at least one winger should remain equally high on the list of McDermott’s priorities. In any case, change must come, and soon or our promotion push may become permanently derailed. 

9 months on: has progress been made by GFH?

Utter the name Ken Bates to Leeds United fans and most will shudder, hurl a long series of expletives in your direction but finish with a great sigh of relief that he no longer has any connection to the club. The Bates era was undoubtedly the least successful on the field and the most infuriating from the stands – the fans were filled with anger, the team was filled with no-hopers on long contracts and morale was at an all-time low. After months of protracted talks, GFH Capital finally took over. 9 months on however, and once again the team is sitting mid-table and frustration is starting to gain pace among the fans. We decided to analyse the ways in which GFH have managed, and failed, to improve the club from top to bottom, from wins on the field to happiness in the stands.

Ticket Prices

At the start of this season, GFH made the long overdue decision to reduce ticket prices. 10 years of Championship (and League One) football at Premier League prices was, for some, Bates’ biggest crime against the fans. He creamed money off the top from a fan base that he knew would, for the most part, stay loyal through thick and thin. Attendances did drop drastically however, and Elland Road lost its intimidating atmosphere, a worrying trend made clear by former Leeds player Neil Kilkenny who said that Elland Road was no longer an intimidating place to travel. Ticket prices are lower and we are all grateful for that, but have they really gone down enough? We took a look at season ticket prices and our findings were disappointing. United’s cheapest season ticket would place them 12^th in a Premier League table of ticket prices. It is clear GFH need to improve this more as Leeds fans are paying to watch what should be mid-table comfort in the Premier League when, in reality, it is mid-table frustration in the Championship.

Investment in the playing squad

There is one thing that ALL Leeds fans agree on – the standard of players brought in on frees by Bates was laughable. Millions of pounds worth of talent packed their bags and moved south to the Premier League Promised Land, but this money curiously disappeared. Bates brushed off this infuriating lack of investment as a ‘restructuring’ for the future but fans demanded more – they demanded players worthy of the badge. Since GFH have come in, they have in fact given some money to McDermott to spend. We were all proud to read that a seven figure some had been paid for Murphy, someone with his best years of football ahead of him. We are still lacking in key areas however, and for all Salah Nooruddin’s tweeting about potential new signings there just has not been enough unveilings at Thorp Arch. Indeed, we have continued to sign the majority on free transfers (Noel Hunt etc), players who have thus far contributed as much as they cost – nothing.

Restoring pride in the club

At the lowest times in recent years, we were extremely alarmed to see a lack of pride in the team and diminishing connection between the players and the fans. One thing that has always separated the club from others is the mad, unwavering love and support the club received from its following. This more than disappeared under Bates, and fans were actively expressing their disdain for the state the club was in on social media, with protests and by staying at home on match days. GFH have introduced some very clever schemes to correct this issue including ‘Paint It White’ marketing campaigns, increased interaction between players and fans (at the Superstore etc) and, critically for some fans, reintroducing some very important Leeds United traditions such as the Elland Road wave at the start of home games. One can argue that this has as much to do with Brian McDermott as it does the owners, but a huge amount of credit has to be given to GFH for rebuilding faith in the club and reigniting a sense of unity among the fans.

Ultimately, the success of GFH will depend on their ability to get the club back to the Premier League. You will struggle to find a Leeds United fan who is content with the team’s current mid-table obscurity, but we remain confident that GFH will continue to improve the club, from behind the scenes infrastructure to on-field success. As always we’d love to hear your own thoughts and comments on GFH’s first nine months, tweet us at @LUFC_Calypso!

The Leeds United Academy – from ‘a cancer in the club’ to the backbone of our future

Despite former boss Neil Warnock describing it as ‘a cancer in the club’, it is without doubt that the Academy set up at Leeds United is becoming an increasingly important tool in rebuilding the infrastructure of the club. The Academy, fronted by the passionate and likeable Neil Redfearn, is achieving some very pleasing results including first place for the U18s and third for the Development Squad in their respective leagues. With this in mind, we thought that it was worth praising the set up that was so publicly condemned by our former boss, highlighting the success of the Academy coaches as a group as well as illustrating their various successes in developing the individuals who have gone on to perform well under the intense scrutiny of Championship football.

Sam Byram

The surprise package of last season, Sam Byram’s unprecedented success took the Championship by storm. Byram quickly became a prized asset in the first team set up, making 53 appearances in League and Cup, whilst finding the net on 4 occasions. Much like Lees, Byram is incredibly versatile, showing strength going forward as well as adept defensive positioning, and it seems that both the player and the club are unaware of his best position. With the hunt for a wide player still ongoing, it is possible that Byram could be fielded as a winger this season, making the ‘Bale-like’ transition from full back to winger. Byram’s flawless first season in the first team earned him the accolades he deserved, winning the Player of the Year Award, Young Player of the Year Award, Player’s Player of the Year Award and the Supporters Club Player of the Year Award - a staggering feat. His recognition was not limited to internal honours as he also highlighted as one of the Sky Sports Football League Players to Watch, a notable achievement. As perhaps his greatest achievement to date however, Byram was selected in the England U20 World Cup squad, only to be forced to pull out through injury. The aforementioned injury greatly restricted Byram’s pre-season preparation, having only just returned to play 90 minutes at first team level in the spirited 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle in the Cup this week. Should he stay fit, Byram is crucial to the promotion hunt, and another massive season is expected by the fans.

Tom Lees

Turning professional in 2009, Lees has proven to be one of the academy’s biggest triumphs in recent seasons. His flexibility makes him a valuable asset to the club, and his ability to play at right back as well as his preferred centre back has attracted attention from the international set-up. The now former England U21 boss Stuart Pearce made no secret of his admiration for Lees, selecting him for the U21 European Championship squad as well as publicly praising his work ethic and professionalism. As for this season, the arrival of Scott Wootton has provided a healthy competitive element at centre back, which will only contribute to his development. Between himself, Wootton and the resurgence in form of Jason Pearce, it is nice to see such strength in depth at centre back. Furthermore, at only 22, Lees can expect another ten years of high level competitions at the top levels of English football. A bright future is in store.

Dominic Poleon

After playing youth football at Chelsea and Southend, Poleon swapped the bright lights of London for Leeds United in 2010. After 2 years developing in the academy alongside our other prospects, Poleon signed his first professional contract in July 2012. An extremely promising pre-season followed and many expected Poleon to burst on the scene at Leeds in his first competitive season. Warnock, however, saw him surplus to requirements after a couple of appearances and sent him out on loan to Bury and Sheffield United. This proved to be highly beneficial, and Poleon was able to raise his game thanks to regular first team football, eventually resulting in being recalled. Scoring in the final game of the season in controversial fashion against Watford to help deny them automatic promotion, Brian McDermott clearly sees something in the Newham-born striker. Poleon adds that much needed element of pace in the forward line, and he is only continuing to get better. With goals seeming to be a rare commodity at Leeds this season, there is a real opportunity for Poleon to make his mark and secure a regular spot in the starting eleven this season.

Alex Mowatt

Following regular scouting excursions to watch him play for his local team Bentley Tigers, Mowatt was recruited into the Leeds academy set up aged 9. Progressing through the ranks with relative ease, Mowatt was given the captain’s armband at U18 level, guiding them to the title in the 2012/13 season. Impressing throughout the campaign, Mowatt signed a professional contract and he has continued to impress in Neil Redfearn’s development squad. This season brought about his debut at first team level, shinning in the Carling Cup victory away at boyhood club Doncaster Rovers. He also continued to show his class and potential in this week’s defeat at St James’ Park, a performance which will do him no harm in helping him to achieve the ultimate aim of breaking into the first team squad on a permanent basis. There is no denying the talents of this young man, and if he continues to develop at this rate, there is no question that he will be a prominent face in the Leeds United starting XI in seasons to come. 

Rodolph Austin: The new skipper moving from strength to strength

Much to the delight of Leeds fans everywhere, the improvements that have occurred during Brian McDermott’s reign at the helm of our club are starting to become apparent. With clear changes to transfer policy and style of play, as well as signs of infrastructural development being implemented, it is without doubt that McDermott is starting to get the best out of the squad as whole, but particularly certain individuals. In the months he’s had as boss at the club, performances and attitudes from players such as Jason Pearce and Ross McCormack have notably improved, but none more so than our new club captain Rodolph Austin.

Seeing a proposed move to Stoke City fall through due to problems with a work permit in 2008, Austin signed for Norwegian outfit SK Brann, making 90 appearances and scoring 15 goals over a number of seasons. Once again, Rudy’s career seemed destined for English football, and he was initially taken on trial at QPR by Neil Warnock. A subsequent bid was made, and rejected, by Brann. However, Warnock got his man the following season, signing him at Leeds in July 2012. The decision to swap the Norwegian league for Leeds was made upon recommendation from midfield colleague and Leeds United legend Eirik Bakke while playing together at SK Brann. It is understood that Bakke was influential in the decision to come to Elland Rd, and interviews suggest that he has never looked back.

Known as ‘The Beast’ by players and fans alike due to his physical intensity on the pitch, Austin has undoubtedly become one of our key players. He has become an ever-present fixture in our midfield, rising to the top of the pecking order in a saturated area of the squad, and McDermott seems to have decided on his first choice midfield: a midfield that is based around the hard-hitting Jamaican. However, this has not always appeared to be the case, with certain criticisms being made during Austin’s first season in English football. Often adopting the role of holding midfielder, Austin’s discipline was called into question by some, with clumsy challenges adding up to costly suspensions, including a red card at home to Brighton last season, resulting in a home defeat. Furthermore, on returning from cracking his ankle bone during the humiliating 6-1 home defeat to an impressiveWatford side, many questioned his overall fitness, appearing a little on the heavy side for both his first touch and his weight. Although this may be down to his reintroduction into a side desperate for form before he was totally match fit, a criticism of the manager not the player, the fact still remained that Rudy did not seem prepared for the intensity of the inevitable crescendo that comes at the end of each Championship season.

Having said this, Austin seems a new player this season. To say that Rudy has countered criticism with his performances is an understatement; his defensive play and work ethic are extremely impressive and a number of top performances have not gone unnoticed, winning Man of the Match in a gritty 0-0 away performance at Leicester. In reference to the harsh criticisms on his overall fitness, Austin now looks in his physical peak, and at 28 his best years are still arguably ahead of him. In addition to this, his skill on the ball has improved remarkably as well. At times during last season, watching Leeds build an attack from the midfield was a painful process, yet Austin has seemed to adapt from Warnock’s ‘hoof ball’ tactics to McDermott’s passing game with ease and grace, as have his midfield colleagues. With this in mind, his on-field performances have impressed the fans and silenced his critics.

It is also pleasing to note that his off field presence has clearly developed, and his appointment as club captain has received total support from the players and fans alike, including former captain Lee Peltier. Although many would struggle to find a criticism of Peltier’s captaincy, it goes without saying that the captain should be the first name on the team sheet, and with the emergence of boy-wonder Sam Byram at right back, Lee was finding himself on the bench all too often to continue to be the captain. With this in mind, a change in leadership was necessary, and Austin has filled the void effortlessly. It is also worth mentioning that he is under no disillusions about how honoured he should be to join the list of legends that have been fortunate enough to captain Leeds United, taking his place alongside revered figures such as Billy Bremner, Gordon Strachan and Lucas Radebe. Speaking after his appointment, he was quick to point out how much pride he felt to be named captain, confirming that it was a role that he would not be taking lightly.

With so much tactical deliberation for Brian McDermott and his staff to mull over, it must be with great relief that, in Austin, we now have both a captain and the focal point of the all-important midfield settled.  Austin is the engine of McDermott’s ever-improving outfit, and although he may not be attracting all the attention through transfer speculation or scoring the goals that we so desperately desire, his consistency and understated performances are just what is required of him. Quietly getting on with his business without so much as a hint of arrogance, Austin will be integral to any success we may have, and it is a delight to see our unsung hero starting to put in the performances to match his desire and will to win. Long may it continue.