The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 21st November) - Where do Leeds need to strengthen in January?
Good Morning. It's Thursday 21st November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Where do Leeds need to strengthen in January
As Christmas draws near, Leeds fans face an anxious wait as to whether the Elland Road hierarchy plan to bring in reinforcements, come the New Year! With talents like James McAtee and David Brooks on offer, the Whites could drastically improve their creative output and provide a different dimension to their attacking play. They may also look to bolster their striking options too.
Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph have eight goals between them this season, with double that number divided between Aaronson (4), Ramazani (3), James, Gnonto, Struijk and Bogle (all 2), not forgetting Firpo's strike against Sunderland.
Whilst Southampton and Ipswich invested heavily last January, Leeds didn't. Four wins from their final eleven games last season tells it's own story, as to why Daniel Farke's men are still in the Championship. How many players would you like to see Daniel Farke bring in, in January?
Could Leeds bid for automatic promotion be hampered by Internationals
The Nations League/International friendlies on top of a 46 game Championship season (plus Cup games) could prove costly for the Whites this season. Fourteen of Leeds twenty-three man squad are regular Internationals, with most (apart from Crew and Chambers) playing regular Nations League/International friendlies on a consistent basis. Whilst not unique to Leeds, they benefit from having the most expensive squad in the Championship.
It therefor goes without saying, that they would have more players away on International duty this season than other clubs in the second tier of English football! 5000 minutes of game time was too much for several players last season, as obvious signs of fatigue began to set in, around the beginning of April.
Substitutions, and player rotations don't feature heavily on Daniel Farke's agenda. Have Leeds learnt from their lessons of last season?