Have Leeds replaced McCormack?

Following the turmoil of 2013-14, Leeds supporters will naturally hope that the new regime can improve on last season’s 15th place and guide the team into the play offs but one sale threatens to derail that aim.

Without Ross McCormack’s 29 goals in 47 matches, the campaign could have been a whole lot worse but with the striker set to line up at Craven Cottage next season, have Massimo Cellino and Nicola Salerno done enough to replace the player ahead of the new campaign?

The existing strike force; Leeds are among the outsiders at 9.40 with Betfair to be promoted at the end of 2014-15 and it’s critical that the prolific McCormack is adequately replaced if Dave Hockaday and his men are to achieve that goal. Welsh international Steve Morison returns to the squad but can the 30 year old improve on a rather less than impressive return while on loan at Millwall?

In 41 games, Morison found the net just eight times and that’s fairly typical of a record that has steadily dipped since leaving Stevenage. While at Norwich, the striker was known for some important strikes but it’s unlikely that he can boost that goals to game ratio to the point where it matches that of McCormack.

Elsewhere, Noel Hunt has never been an out-and-out striker but no goals in 19 league games during 2013-14 was disappointing to say the least. The Republic of Ireland international managed around one in five for Reading and it’s hoped that the new management team can somehow get the best out of him.

Perhaps Matt Smith can be the man to step forward and take over from McCormack next season. Of the current strikers at Leeds, the former Oldham man has the best record and at 25, he should continue to show signs of improvement he showed last season throughout the new campaign.

New Blood; Steve Morison managed to score in the recent 2-0 win over Dundee United, and received some good ratings from the fans, but the man who attracted most interest was on loan striker Souleymane Doukara. The 22 year old has joined from Catania for the season and his pace, movement and awareness caught the eye of those Leeds supporters who were lucky enough to watch the action.

Doukara scored six times in 20 league matches for Serie B side Juve Stabia last season and while that record isn’t one to get too excited about, the player’s most recent performance suggests that this could be an exciting season. Also in that match, Dominic Poleon scored and enjoyed an impressive game but there is no conclusive proof to suggest that McCormack’s contribution can be covered.

Potential new signings; The press is divided over Andy Delort with some reports claiming that the Tours striker has agreed personal terms while others claim that the deal is far from settled. The 22 year old has a far more impressive record than any members of the current Leeds squad and a return of 24 goals in 36 games for Tours in Ligue 2 leaves fans hoping that Cellino can push this deal through.

Leeds have certainly bolstered the midfield during the summer with Zan Benedicic the latest to put pen to paper. Elsewhere, the media concentrate on Juventus defender Frederik Sorense and whilst the defence does need strengthening it doesn't address this particular issue. Looking at the question that this article raises and then considering the current squad leaves us thinking that the answer has to be no – Leeds have not adequately replaced Ross McCormack.

There is promise in the current squad and Souleymane Doukara’s performance against Dundee United leaves cause for optimism. The Delort deal gives us hope but if it does not come to anything, the owners must concentrate on attacking reinforcements in the short time left between now and the start of the new season.