Good Morning. It's Tuesday 16th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds 'trust the current first-team squad to be successful'
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Leeds 'trust the current first-team squad to be successful', and will only splash the cash if the right targets become available. It was assumed that Bamford's latest injury would send the Elland Road scouts into overdrive, but according to the reliable transfer guru, Leeds are playing it cool.
Whilst Rodrigo has hit a rich vein of form, scoring six goals in three outings (if you include the hat trick he scored against Cagliari just over a fortnight ago), consistency has been a problem for the Spaniard, since his arrival at Elland Road two years ago. This only leaves Gelhardt as their only other recognised first team forward.
New year wins against Burnley and West Ham persuaded the Whites not to invest during the January transfer window, and it almost cost them their top flight status. Are Leeds going to gamble again? According to Romano...
For Leeds, they are exploring some options. But they want to make sure that it is the right opportunity. They don’t want to waste money, they trust the players they have, and so they’re looking at the market for some opportunities.
Dumb mistakes cost us - Struijk
Pascal Struijk has highlighted 'dumb mistake' as being the reason why Leeds only returned from St Mary's with a point at the weekend. The versatile defender also admitted that Hasenhuttl's triple substitution made it difficult for the Leeds defence. He said...
Some dumb mistakes from us really which gave them the chance to equalise. But really we should see this game out and make sure we win this. We had chances as well but we just need to score them and make sure we don’t concede them. When they put so many attackers on they’re going to create some pressure on the back line but make sure we don’t concede and this is the biggest thing. It made it hard for us.
Plucky Canaries come from behind twice to claim draw
Norwich City's U21's came from behind twice last night to secure a well deserved draw against an experienced Leeds side which included Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw.
Mateo Joseph's rich vein of form in front of goal continued, as he fired the Whites ahead after just seven minutes (his fifth in two games). The lead would only last a few minutes however; Kamara tucked away Springett's cross from close range. Leeds has efforts on goal from Klich and Summerville, but neither could restore the hosts advantage. The Canaries could have stolen the lead just before half-time, but Christy's smart save denied Springett from the edge of the area.
Whatever Michael Skubala (Leeds U21 Manager) said at half-time seemed to work, as the Whites retook the lead two minutes into the second half. Summerville's sublime through ball cut the Norwich defence in half, and Perkins was on hand to grab his second goal in as many games. Leeds could have extended their lead further, as the quality of Joseph and Summerville began to shine through, but Norwich had other ideas. Their equaliser came on the hour mark from Abu Kamara. His well executed curling shot gave Christy no chance.
Joseph and Summerville both had further opportunities to restore Leeds advantage, including an injury time effort from the Dutchman that rattled the post, but the game ended in stalemate.
Should Summerville go out on loan
Crysencio Summerville looked a different class last night, during the 2-2 draw against Norwich, but whilst he stood out for Skubala's side, I can't help but think he needs to go out on loan. The soon-to-be 21yo needs to be playing first team football. His performances might light up Thorp Arch, but I can't see him getting the same opportunities at Elland Road. He has signed a new long term deal, and under the right management, has the potential to improve further should he play week in, week out!