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View: Leeds United handed another huge reminder that transfer dilemma cannot go ignored

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Leeds United’s under-21s ran out 5-1 winners today against Nottingham Forest, but Michael Skubala’s lineup present a significant transfer dilemma transmitting down from the first team.

Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta did well to address the vast majority of Leeds’ transfer business early in the summer, seeing multiple problems resolved before the season started.

Two still remain, though, with the striker position needing some more cover, while the left-back position has been bafflingly overlooked from top to bottom.

Pascal Struijk has performed admirably in Junior Firpo’s absence and his return will be a blessing, albeit coupled with nervousness for fans that his first 12 months at Leeds brought.

Prediction for the Everton game?

Leeds win

Leeds win

Draw

Draw

Everton win

Everton win

However, arguably Leeds’ most talented defender being forced to play out of position because he’s our only cover is proof that a signing needs to be made.

The situation was highlighted even further this afternoon, with under-21 manager Michael Skubala naming defensive midfielder Alfie McCalmont as his starting left-back:

To have no left-back across two teams is not the sort of long-term planning that we’ve come to enjoy from our youth investment plans since promotion.

A striker is more forgivable in that regard if you look at the amount of exciting young forwards currently playing for us, but the fact an injury-prone Firpo is our only natural left-back demonstrates some very poor planning.

It’s not as though there haven’t been left-backs available, or players that the club are reportedly keen on, with the in-form Philadelphia Union man Kai Wagner someone who the club have been in contact with – per Manuel Veth.

Having two teams fitting square pegs into round holes to accommodate for the lack of investment into that position is a worrying trend, especially when it’s been obvious to most for some time.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.