Image courtesy of LUFC
A fan’s view by Thomas B.
The current Leeds United squad is unfortunately plagued with players who aren’t fit to wear the shirt, with five notable candidates springing to mind.
1. Luke Varney – Where to start with Luke Varney? A summer of speculation and anticipation surrounded the club, as to who Neil Warnock would bring in to freshen the team up. Varney has even flirted with the Premier League – during his spell at Blackpool – but quality is something this guy lacks in abundance.
Just one notable ‘shift’ has been put in by Luke Varney this season – in a game that saw him get man of the match and contribute to, arguably, the miss of the century. The boo boys have certainly made the former Crewe Alexandra star know that he’s not well received in the first team and one can only hope Leeds United have money to spend in January to improve on this shambolic purchase.
2. Danny Pugh – It’s not just his name that stinks – it’s his overall ability to be less than impressive. He could go down as one of the most underwhelming signings of recent history. With the club no longer considered a ‘big spender’ the reported £500,000 fee for Danny Pugh was a complete and utter waste of money. I’m not even sure what position he plays in – either way, he eases into the ‘not fit to wear the shirt’ archives.
3. Aidan White – A young player with the world at his feet. That was until he signed fresh terms with Leeds United and has found himself on the fast track to the subs bench. You might well say ‘he’s only young’ but this is a player who has been in the first team fold since 16 and still looks clueless on the ball. With pace in abundance, I’m often left frustrated by a player who presses the panic button when he gets in the opposition half. White started off as a left-back, but gets used in various positions these days, which doesn’t help him; come on Neil, find this player’s best position and use his pace effectively.
4. Lee Peltier – This entry can be quickly erased if Lee gets his act together and starts to justify his reported £800,000 price tag. Being captain of Leeds United means that you are following in the footsteps of such legends as Billy Bremner and the chief, Lucas Radebe. But, so far, I don’t see the requisite leadership qualities in Lee. In his defence, Lee often finds himself switching places at the back, due to injuries and suspensions – but a few dodgy performances of late have not helped his cause. Come on Pelts! Show us your character and get us playing as a unit.
5. Michael Brown – A poor man’s Rodolph Austin in my eyes. The ageing Michael Brown is prone to giving away silly free-kicks that can often cost us. His ability to pick up yellow cards does not help either. With a threadbare squad, Michael’s rash tackles are needless and damaging to the squad. On the positive side, he does tend to pop up with a vital goal or two, but the negatives far outweigh this seemingly solitary virtue.
Thomas Bradley
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Mozz
Nov 19, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Spot on mate!
I would also add warnock to that list
Jed
Nov 19, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Agree with most of that but why is drury not on that list? He is the second worst player just behind varney. Also think it’s a bit harsh having aidy white in there..
Bluesman
Nov 19, 2012 at 6:06 pm
I am sure that this report will boost everyones’ confidence!
pete
Nov 19, 2012 at 6:12 pm
and to top it all off warnock now wants 34 year old central defender clit hill !! great another OAP soon to be on the books.
p.s. i did spell his name right as i think the bloke is a c**t
Dannyboy
Nov 19, 2012 at 6:12 pm
I don’t agree with white I think if he is played left wing then he has potential. Brown must have been the easiest choice the guy is a disgrace he only knows how to pass the ball backwards and foul people. Anyone in the world could do that! Me…. You… It’s a joke! I don’t think Pugh is the worst player ever but play him at left back and he is! Same with varney he is a forward not a left winger! I blame warnock he is the one playing All of our players out of position. He clearly hasn’t got a clue and I can no longer stand him. When we let in a goal to mills all he didn’t even sub Norris and white on! Why!? with nothing to lose and no other player doing bugger all! Poleon should make the bench and be used regularly too. Warnock needs to go
Andy
Nov 19, 2012 at 10:12 pm
I Agree. Pugh is OK and has done well when called on this season. Don’t agree with saying someone is not fit to wear the shirt though unless they don’t put a shift in, and all the lads you have named do.
josh
Nov 19, 2012 at 6:14 pm
i agree with all but aidy, but do agree with what u said about his position he is very much a confidence player and when he scored against everton he had a good game the next week he found himself dropped again, when hes doing well why drop him and also i think he should be given a go with drury and him on the left and we would have a much stronger left side then with varney as both will defend and after the millwall game drury will get forward with him, the rest on your list spot on though
Exiled Rover
Nov 19, 2012 at 6:26 pm
Agree with 4 out of 5, Aidy a bit harsh and has time on his side. Add Warnock and you have a full house.
m fryer
Nov 19, 2012 at 6:29 pm
spot on with white, world at his feet and this season total garbage,warnock too he cant get the basics of pass and move, you know that thing you learn at school, it can still be turned round.what you think are bad players (ive seen crainy blackpool) can turn good its down to the coaching, look at palace apart from zaha who do they have, oh yes pass and move silly me
Brian
Nov 19, 2012 at 7:51 pm
I agree with Fryer’s point. The coaching seems to be wrong at Leeds as the basics – control, passing, movement into space, support and anticipation are all lacking. That is why we barely hold the ball for more than three passes (unless they are backwards) and why we have so few chances on goal.
Jed
Nov 19, 2012 at 7:52 pm
None of you think drury should be on that list? he is shocking!
Sham
Nov 19, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Well there are few more you could add – Norris – Green – it will also be interesting to see if Somma when he returns is (knowing our luck) a shadow of the player he was before he got injured.
JDC
Nov 20, 2012 at 6:20 pm
A little bit unkind on Paul Green I think … quite badly injured in the first game of the season against Wolves where he was having a good game, but since then he has been played out of position … yet another one, with the exception of the Millwall game.
Mark
Nov 19, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Not sure why becchio always escapes any stick. By far the worst player over the last 12 months. Devastating lack of pace , lazy , can’t see a pass. , second touch is a sliding tackle.
Radebe Leeds
Nov 19, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Agree about Becchio, but his goal contribution helps his lack of attributes. Not seen enough of Drury to mention and putting White in was purely the frustration he causes considering his pace, he should be making defenders crap themselves.
John Stanley
Nov 19, 2012 at 9:05 pm
What has happened this season? I blame 3 parties, current owner / chairman, the people in the middle east busking to get funds together to buy Leeds and more than anyone Warnock. 2 of the 3 parties appear past it. The other one appears not to have it.
Then you have the players. I load of rejects, intermixed with some good / decent players. I feel sorry for the good and decent players playing with the rubbish and under a manager who lost the plot long before coming to Leeds.
I pray for devine intervention from above!
Johnno63
Nov 19, 2012 at 9:10 pm
You’re about spot -on mate. Some of you are not sure about White?! He’s awful. He has a contract, he’s Leeds and he’s quick. He should fast become one of our hottest players. A banker. Someone we know will be great for us. Someone we know that even if money comes our way, we’d keep him and he’d be worth his weight in gold to us. He’s nothing like that. What the hell has happened to him? it’s not just being played out of position, he looks like a quick Sunday League player. Wish it wasn’t so, but it is.
Dave Preston
Nov 19, 2012 at 9:22 pm
I think we can all slag off our average players. But the reality is we are an average team and yes it comes from the training ground. We do not seem to be able to go forward with any excitement and flare We should get rid of our manager and his coaching team and maybe we will start playing football we need help
Lufcbeliever
Nov 19, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Wow, well done for supporting your team.
Steve LUFC
Nov 20, 2012 at 8:12 am
Yeah! Lets bury our heads deeper into the sand. Supporting our team has worked so well this last 10 years
John Stanley
Nov 19, 2012 at 11:25 pm
Let’s have a vote on the ownership issues and Manager.
I think it would make very interesting reading.
Cornwall is a lovely county. I wish a certain person was there permanently!
Uniteds21
Nov 20, 2012 at 8:27 am
Don’t really agree with any of them – we have a bunch of average players many of whom are played out of position. White is our own fault we built him up to be better player than he is as we always do Walton, Kilgannon, Howson etc – even Larry had him in and out of the team and when he wasn’t playing we were giving out. By the way I sometimes wonder what you guys are watching, Drury is the best left full we have had for years only problem is Warnock won’t pick him
Pompey White
Nov 20, 2012 at 9:11 am
Cant believe you selected ONLY 5-
Radebe Leeds
Nov 20, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Perhaps I should have called it ‘We are average so it’s not the players fault they don’t perform’ Look at Palace, barring Zaha, who do they have that is real quality? The fact we don’t spend much money is no excuse for how bad some of the players play, they are on thousands of pounds a week. No excuses.
Ben Richards
Nov 20, 2012 at 1:48 pm
typical negative nonsense. admittedly varney can’t perform to even our low standards but the others are pretty much where we are as a club. get with the programme!
Matty
Nov 20, 2012 at 2:01 pm
this is a load of crap, these players have played immense. Some are new or old and have done really well.
ade edmunds
Nov 20, 2012 at 3:32 pm
what about tongue absolutely crap no desire no work rate wouldnt get in my sunday morning pub team
Dannyboy
Nov 20, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Matty seriously what have you been watching? Brown is absolutely useless! He is by far the worst player in the whole league! Peltier white varney and Pugh have all been played out of position so I don’t agree As I do think they give their all. I agree with tonge he is shite and lazy but has a hell of a strike and has got a few goals but he isn’t leeds and def does not deserve the shirt. I said poleon should feature glad to see he is now back he is a quality player! But none of the names mentioned have been immense in my opinion. But apart from brown its the managers fault.
Paul
Nov 21, 2012 at 10:58 am
need to get rid of Warnock and his coaches before we can do a proper assessment on players; true the OAPs are neither use nor ornament, but the tactics are total garbage; the training is garbage and yes Varney is just unbelievably crap. no wonder Diouf and Austin are frustrated, pass and go is their style, not hoof it up and pray Becchio can get it and keep it whilst the so-called midfield toddle up with their zimmer frames. On a brighter note i see Di Matteo has become available or perhaps ww can persuade Old ‘Arry and bid Joe to move up north; at least their teams do actually play proper football.
John Stanley
Nov 21, 2012 at 1:27 pm
So Bates has finally been vanquished! Good, some news which the vast majority of Leeds fans can agree on. 21 December 2012 why, obviously Bates wants to be in full control for the Chelsea cup tie. I am not at all surprised. Chelsea has sacked Di Matteo today, no surprise there.
GFH the comments about the Leeds takeover been like the Manachester United takeover are scary. Do the Man U fans like their owners, NO! Money is now available, great but will somebody please stop NW buying anymore OAP rubbish. The new owners need to be firm the NW, I would have liked to see a new manager get the money to spend but I suppose now is a time of healing. So let’s get behind the new owners and the encumbent manager but let us give both the new onwers and NW a short leash, we are not out of danger yet.
Praise be, Master Bates is going, well he will still be around, President I believe for season 2013/14. Fingers crossed we are in the Championship or Premiership (Rose tinted glasses needed.) I do not want to think about League One again!