The Leeds United Squad...explained.
Goalkeepers
Paul Rachubka - Not a lot to say about Paul as he has not played for us yet and didn't really feature for Blackpool last season either. After playing only three games for Blackpool last season it is fair to say that he may feel and appear a bit rusty between the sticks. Nevertheless we must respesct that the 30-year old has had experience at this level. It looks asthough we have signed him as a backup after speculation over other keepers such as Jerzy Dudek and Andrew Lonergan, which look unlikely now. We have also been linked with a loan move for Fulham keeper David Stockdale, who when watching him on Match of the Day last season I was impressed and thought he would be an excellent replacement for Mark Schwarzer. The I am pleased with the signing unlike most Leeds fans who have questioned his arrival.
Andy Lonergan - A new signing in-between the sticks for Leeds United. I went to the Newcastle game and he looked pretty sharp. Thought he could have done better with both of the goals but hey-ho, it's only pre-season. His distribution wasn't the best unlike Kasper. Kasper's distribution was pretty good and his goal-kicks went to the strikers every time. He did pull off one tremendous save however which I look forward to seeing more. We'll see what this season holds for Andy. Was it a good idea to let Kasper go? Who knows, we'll have to wait and see.
Defenders
Paul Connolly
Paul Connolly had a solid first season at Leeds. He is a hard-working full-back who isn't afraid to make the hardest of challenges to troublesome wingers. At first I thought it was a silly signing for Leeds although we didn't have anyone in that position after offloading Jason Crowe I was looking forward to purchasing a great right full-back signing. Signing Connolly from Derby reserves was an odd signing but now I trust Grayson's decision to sign Connolly on a free transfer. To sum up I would like to see him stay as he is a good Championship player.
Federico Bessone
Now then, Federico Bessone is the reason I do not trust Grayson on his signings. Yet another free transfer, however this one did not pan out the way we would have hoped. Bessone had only a handful of appearances over the opening weeks of the Championship season of 2009/2010. These performances were extremely poor. Not forgetting the game away day on a cold Tuesday night, on my birthday no less when we got hammered 5-2. Mr. Bessone could not have played worse if he'd tried. Poor signing and I hope someone, possibly Charlton takes him from us.
Patrick Kisnorbo
''You'll never beat Kisnorbo!'' - they yell from the Elland Road kop. Kisnorbo is without doubt the best defender we've had in a long, long time. A strong Aussie centre-back who lets none pass and challenges for every ball. Patrick was the missing link last season and he desperately needs to be fit for the start of this season. With a few friendlies taken place, we have big big Paddy on the team-sheet few times also. This is great news and gives me hope that our inevitability for leaking goals in will continue no more. The commanding number 3 will certainly but our back-line into shape and lead them to many clean-sheets. Kisnorbo was a great signing 2 years ago and I hope this year he doesn't injure his Achilles again meaning an unrest to the balls flying into the back of our net.
Andy O'Brien
A great singing for last season. O'Brien is also a strong, determined centre-back just like Kisnorbo. I wouldn't say as good but he was a good understudy with bags of experience at Premiership level. Andy is a great defender and I can only hope he stays fit along with Kisnorbo to create the ultimate alliance.
Alex Bruce
Alex Bruce, all we can say about Brucey is sometimes he's a good player and sometimes he plays badly. He can be incredibly inconsistent. Sometimes making the header away and other times just failing to get his head to that crucial cross. Alex Bruce is a good squad player and will probably perform as a backup for Kisnorbo and O'Brien.
Leigh Bromby
Leigh Bromby bought for little last season, good squad player and experienced at Championship level. Like Bruce, he's pretty solid and performs in the big games unlike most of our squad.
Darren O'Dea
I don't know an awful lot about O'Dea. I've been told he's had spells at Reading and Ipswich. The reviews are mixed but a lot say that he isn't he greatest centre-back ever. We'll see if he manages to shove his way into a line-up or two. With all the competition in defence it is going to be hard to sustain consistent and good performances, allowing you to play every week.
Ben Parker
I am unsure about Ben Parker. The man who was injury prone much of the start of last season I would say is more of a backup in his left-back position. We could do better but he is a good player and still very loyal also. Like him but he's a League 1 player really.
Tom Lees
Tom Lees, brought up through the youth system at Leeds who has also been on many loan spells involving clubs from League 2. He has had extremely successful seasons at both Accrington and Bury respectively. Weirdly I happened to be staying in Bury in October of 2010 and went a match involving such teams. Lees was playing for Bury that day and I must say he looked exceptional. I'm no talent scout but this boy really did shape his defence in a convincing 3-0 win for the Shakers. He organised his defence well alongside experienced defender Efe Sodje and made the work at the back look easy. We won all the balls that flew in from crosses and corners. The friends I went with as well to the game were impressed with his performances. I would definitely like to see Tom get some games under his belt for the Leeds United first team. I think he is up for the challenge after mustering almost 90 appearances for both Accrington and Bury. The youngster is a versatile player too, he is able to play in the centre and out of the left of defence. Simon should definitely give this wonderful prospect a go this season.
Aidy White
Although still young and without many appearances for the mighty Leeds, Aidan White is well-known among Leeds fans. Aidan is one of those players who likes to get forward. He is an ambitious player, which has lead him becoming more of an attacking midfielder than his original position at left-back. Aidan is also a prospect I look forward to seeing play this season. He is a good player who needs more experience after making just 15 appearances for Leeds and only a handful more for Oldham Athletic on loan last season.
Michael Brown
A new face at Leeds which I am happy with. An experienced midfielder who is prone to a hard challenge or two. Played for Portsmouth last season and has also has Premiership experience with the likes of Tottenham, Fulham and Wigan. He is ageing and has only signed a small contract. Grayson has stated that he thinks Brown is the missing link. It certainly seemed that way for many parts of last season. We needed that great passer of the ball who could go from attacking to defending in a flash. He is a player I look very much forward to viewing in the coming months for Leeds.
Adam Clayton
Played a part in this season and last seasons pre-season friendlies. Although only young he has played many games at professional level. Mainly for clubs such as Carlisle, MK Dons and Peterborough on loan spells. MK Dons manager Karl Robinson said Clayton could be one of the great midfielders of the Football League. Maybe a promising player, it is yet to be seen. For now, we'll let Grayson judge Adam's talents and we'll go from there.
Jonny Howson
The young vice-skipper. Howson epitomises a Leeds lad. He is a strong-willed, hard-working centre -mid who unpredictably has his ups and downs. Howson is a great player for Leeds and a real fan favourite, largely down to the fact he is from Leeds mainly but he is still a great player. Since entering the spotlight around 2006/2007, the season Leeds dropped to the 3rd tier of English football, the number 14 has started making an name for himself... His name being found on the backs of many shirts in the Elland Road crowd. When Leeds vs Arsenal was on the TV back in January there was a small clip of a Howson interview, where ITV talked of Howson's abilities and performances. At the end of the clip the narrator stated, 'For now...Howson is a work in progress...'. These words are very true, I can only hope that one day Howson will evolve into a legendary predecessor such as Billy Bremner.
Lloyd Sam
Not a lot to say about Lloyd Sam really, an all right free signing last season. Pacey winger with a good cross but we already have two other better strikers in Snodgrass and Gradel. Sorry Sam, maybe staying on at Charlton was a better option for you.
Ramon Nunez
Poor Ramon, he looked so, so promising. Hardly got a game last season for Leeds before going on loan to struggling Scunthorpe, where he hugely impressed. Simon doesn't know what he's missing. I think he scored about 4-5 goals for a team who rarely scored as it was. And that was in only a handful of appearances too. It's not like those goals were scrappy either. Some of them were wonder strikes! The goal that he scored against Motherwell too was simply sublime, almost a copy of the one that Snoddy scored away at Bristol City last season. We really need to play this kid, he looks like our way out of the football league and into the promised land. The Leeds United website is always talking about his international duties he is doing as well. He is scoring for fun and playing the best football of his life and yet all the talk and hype is passing Grayson by? The simple solution is to play him!
Max Gradel
He's here, he's there, he's every f***ing where,Max Gradel, Max Gradel. A real fan favourite for this season, and what a season. Max Gradel's first full-season with Leeds has been one to remember. Started in most games and scored 18 goals. It's fair to say we were very reliant on Max last season. He is a top player at Championship level and we are lucky to have him. Max is one of Grayson's better signings for Leeds. How did Leicester not see this vast amount of potential? Max is a nippy winger with plenty in his locker, may it be getting forward or even tracking back to help in the Leeds box.
Robert Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass is a player that is spoken very highly of by other clubs and pundits. Snodgrass is a good player at this level. When he gets the ball that is. I felt in the games we lost last season we could have involved Snodgrass and Gradel more, especially Snodgrass. Snodgrass could easily match Gradel's performances for last season. Snodgrass is very talented. He can use both of his feet and cut inside at any moment. Pass Snoddy the ball and we are very likely to get forward and score. May it be direct from Snodgrass himself of from one of his teasing crosses. We need Snoddy right up there teetering on the edge of the box!
Davide Somma
Injured! Not what we needed. Somma had a great first season at a level he'd never played before. He scored some important goals, such as the ones against Millwall and Middlesbrough. He needs to be played with another striker in a 4-4-2 formation which isn't the sort of formation we play any more. However he can still be a threat. Sadly we're going to have to wait many months for him to be back in action again.
Billy Paynter
I'm glad we signed him on a free. He's only scored in one competitive match, and I'm happy to say I was there to see it. A cracking goal, I just wish he could do it more. Billy is more suited to a 4-4-2 formation. He linked up amazingly with Charlie Austin whilst he was at Swindon. It's a shame he can't get the goals there, here. I do believe his time will come and he will get a few goals. I just feel he is a bit too slow for this league and can't catch up with the oppositions defenders. The aerial ball is much better suited so he can get his head on it. If Gradel and Snoddy could dink in a few balls for him, I'm sure he would try his utmost to get his head on them and direct them goal-wards. He is a strong striker if lacking in speed but he can finish, we just haven't seen it yet...
Ross McCormack
2011/2012 will be Ross' season to prove himself with Becchio and Somma out for long periods, Grayson will have to give Ross and Billy a chance. A chance they will get too. If they don't perform we'll slip into mid-table. If they start well along with the team then we will be right up there. Something needs to be done and they'll have to step up to the mark. Ross has some great movement and can also finish. Getting the killer ball at his feet may the job of Jonny Howson this season who I hope can give Ross plenty of through balls to deal with. If Howson sits behind McCormack it could be a deadly partnership!
Luciano Becchio
The player we didn't want injured. Becchio certainly filled the vacant top scorers position after Beckford left. What a season the Argentine had. Many doubted his abilities however he has duly delivered. It's so unfortunate he is gone. He holds up the ball well and provides different avenues to channel our attacks. He is a tough striker who will do anything in his power to get the ball in the back of the net eventually.
Mike Grella
Transfer-listed.
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