First team

Who are the missing pieces of the jigsaw?

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As the rumour mill starts to hot up and numerous names are linked with moves to us I look at where we need strengthening and who the missing pieces of the jigsaw are.

Goalkeeper is a position that could certainly be an area to be strengthened but isn’t by any means a priority. With the ever ageing Paddy Kenny, who had a bit of an indifferent  season and with rumours surfacing that Jamie Ashdown is growing tired of sitting on the bench after only 1 season at Elland Road it seems that McDermott may look to bring a keeper in.

The contenders:

Adam Federici-Reading

Adam Federici, A keeper who was a key part  of Readings 2011/12 promotion campaign under McDermott and in that same season he claimed the golden glove although since then it seems he has fallen out of favour with the Berkshire side after being dropped in favour of former utd loanee Alex McCarthy. He is thought to be one of the best keepers outside the premiership and if Leeds could pull this signing off it would be a great piece of buisness.Although the £1-2m valuation could prove to be a stumbling block.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDXuScfCK9k]

Crawley Town v Reading - FA Cup Third Round
The Australian International worked under McDermott at Reading

Simon Moore-Brentford

Simon Moore is another keeper who is thought one of the best outside the premiership and the Brentford stopper has been linked to many Championship and Premiership sides and at 23 years old he seems to fit the young hungry style of player that McDermott is looking for. Moore would be a dream signing for us and if pulled off it would be a major coup but with his valuation by Brentford believed to be around the £1-2.5m mark it remains to be seen if we can afford him. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpdRI6QWdFI]

Moore,regarded as one of the best young keepers in the country
Moore,regarded as one of the best young keepers in the country

Centre back seems to be high on the list of priorities at Elland Road with only Jason Pearce,Tom Lees and Lee Peltier recognised as the only senior centre backs at the club.

The contenders:

Matt Mills Bolton Wanderers

Matt Mills is a player who has been linked ever since McDermott took the job.The powerful centre half flourished under McDermott at Reading but ever since a big money move to Leicester in the summer of 2011 his career has started to stagnate and appears surplus to requirements at Bolton, a move to Elland Road could be the perfect move for Mills although with a £1m asking price and wages in excess of £25k a week a move seems unlikely unless both Bolton and Mills reduce their demands. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXjgrHntOos]

Has flopped since his £5m move to leicester in 2011
Has flopped since his £5m move to Leicester in 2011

Matt Upson-Unnatached

Matt Upson is another centre half who has been linked with a switch to Elland Road on a free transfer. The former England international who had a highly succesful loan move at Brighton last season could be a great short-term partner for Tom Lees and his experience could be invaluable at the heart of defence this season although at 34 there could be question marks over his fitness and whilst this deal,if it goes through, would be a gamble I think it’s a gamble worth taking.

Helped lead Brighton to the playoff semi-finals last season
Helped lead Brighton to the playoff semi-finals last season

The wing is a main issue that has to be addressed as it is a position we are lacking in dearly. Pace is what we are crying out for in this squad and last season with Paul Green,Ross McCormack, El Hadj Diouf and luke Varney often deployed on the wing and Ryan Hall who appears not to feature in McDermott’s plans. It appears we have no out-and-out wingers in the squad.

The contenders:

Gary Macaky-Steven  Dundee Utd

Personally for me we should make Mackay-Steven our number 1 transfer target this summer. A very pacey winger with outstanding natural ability who last season tore defences apart with his amazing ability to take defences on. If Brian can pull it off it could prove to be one of our best signings for at least a decade and could become a real cult hero at Elland Road. And with a valuation of around £750k-£1.2m it seems to be a no brainer. Brian if in the most unlikely case that you are reading this then my message to is PLEASE SIGN HIM!!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwNbtkWY0js] Here is a clip of him if u haven’t watched him before.

Should be our number 1 transfer target
Mackay-Steven should be our number 1 transfer target

Tommy Rowe-Peterborough United

Brian McDermott is a well-known admirer of the versatile midfielder/winger and it was reported by Peterborough’s outspoken Director of Football,Barry Fry, that Leeds couldn’t afford him “I’ve had Brian McDermott (Leeds manager) on the phone about Tommy and I’ve also spoken to their chairman Ken Bates and their chief executive Shaun Harvey, but Leeds just don’t have enough money’. Although with Bates and Harvey now out of the club and Rowe who is very keen on a move to Elland Road. The deal could now could be resurrected and if signed could prove to a very good signing. He’s believed to be valued by Peterborough at between £500k-750k. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhQixyIH-Ow]

Rowe,24, is keen on a move to Elland Road
Rowe,24, is keen on a move to Elland Road

Albert Adomah- Bristol City

Adomah in the last week has been heavily linked with a move to Elland Road and with Bristol city being relegated last season it looks like he could be set to leave. The very quick and tricky winger is also a reported transfer target for Wigan Athletic and Bristol City claimed they have in fact rejected 2 bids from unnamed Championship clubs.  Adomah would be a great signing for us and at 25 he still has his best years to come. His valuation is believed to be between £800k-1.2m which for a proven championship winger doesn’t seem unreasonable at all. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMBhgkXINeU]

The fromer Barnet man wants to leave Ashton Gate for pastures new
The former Barnet man wants to leave Ashton Gate for pastures new

Chris Forrester-St patrick’s

The U21 Irish international has been heavily rumoured to be on the verge of signing us but in the last few days it seems like a move is unlikely despite photo’s of family and friends congratulating him on a move to Elland Road

Is it a wind up?
Is it a wind up?

If it’s true that he is signing for us then we can expect a very exciting young player and at the age of 20 he could be with us for many years to come. And if he can replicate his form at St.Pats then he could be a very good signing!  [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU72p2qZvUs]

The 20 year old won the Irish young player of the year 2012
The 20-year-old won the Irish young player of the year 2012

Some fans still would like to see another striker come in and I also think if possible we should look at a prolific goalscorer. Adam le Fondre has been linked but his price seems to be too much. I think we should look at someone like Nahki Wells from Bradford city as he is young and showed last season in Bradford’s famous Capital One Cup run last season what a talent he is and with a valuation of around £500-750k he could be a real bargain. Although I’m all for giving Dom Poleon a real chance if another striker doesn’t come in because whilst he’s still raw, he has pace, is very powerful and doesn’t lack confidence. He’s a different style of striker to Varney,McCormack,Smith and Hunt.  [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yM3ac1thCg]

Wells,23, was a stand out performer at Bradford this season
Wells,23, was a stand out performer at Bradford this season
Poleon,Could be set for a key role next seaon
Poleon,Could be set for a key role next season

Let’s hope a couple of these signings come off!!!

By,

James Frudd, follow my twitter @frudd28

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