Leeds United: Taylor's got to knuckle down and carry on '“ Ritchie

IT IS certainly not an ideal situation for Leeds United regarding Charlie Taylor, going into the new season.
Charlie Taylor.Charlie Taylor.
Charlie Taylor.

Looking at it, Taylor has got to play as he is one of the better players and you cannot cut your nose off to spite your face with the situation.

Even though he might not be happy that his transfer request has been rebuffed, he has got to be professional about it and carry on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Looking at the bigger picture, Leeds have got to make a decision as to whether they cash in on Taylor, as he is out of contract next summer or whether his contract runs down.

For now, Taylor has to just knuckle down and play on. He also has to think about possible suitors and realise he will need to keep his performances up in that respect.

Hopefully there will not be a problem on that front and he will keep playing well for Leeds, although it is another big decision that the club have to make as he could be yet another integral good young player that they lose, fresh from Lewis Cook going.

Looking at it, what with Lewis going recently, it does feel as though Leeds are cashing in on the young players. As I have said before, the young players are there to furnish your first team.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The situation like the one with Taylor is not an easy one for a manager. But the one who is in at the moment has not seen him play on a personal level really yet. The difficult thing is building a relationship with your players quickly as a manager and coach. That situation at Leeds is stymieing everybody with the turnover of head coaches.

In terms of their recruitment in this summer, some of the signings that Leeds have made look like they can make an impact.

Kemar Roofe is showing some potential for instance and the Atalanta result is a decent confidence-booster for Garry Monk and the players as they are not a bad outfit.

But Leeds need to bring more in and it is a case of who they can get. If you are looking at people with a bit of a track record, it will certainly cost a few bob.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The likes of Newcastle, Norwich and Aston Villa are throwing money at it because they can with the parachute payments. If things don’t go particularly right, they can still go for it again in January with those funds.

For Villa to sign Ross McCormack for £12m is out of the realms of most clubs in this league, although there are some big teams in it. Not many can throw money at it like that, maybe Newcastle.

The likes of Barnsley and Burton, even though they have pushed the boat out and Blackburn and Brentford certainly cannot do that and most others too.

There is an elite within the Championship, although I think there is in every league now, unfortunately. There’s leagues within leagues and you can spot those who will do well or be in trouble or be middling.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I think Leeds will be in the latter bracket again, unless they can get a player or two who they can really rely on.

Looking at Leeds, I think that having a push for the play-offs at least would make it a decent season of progress. They flirted with the top six on occasions last season, but subsequently fell away for a variety of reasons. They really do need to have a genuine push for the play-offs; that would be progress even if they don’t get in.

Leeds need to be there or thereabouts for most of the season and see where they are towards the end of it.

I certainly do not think that it is beyond the realms of possibility that they can get in. But looking at things, I would rather reserve judgement and see what happens over the coming months before saying they can do.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

You just don’t know what will happen. Will there be three head coaches in a season again or something like that. That’s the thing at the minute as it is a bit of a case of throwing balls into the air and seeing where they land.

But here’s hoping that Leeds can have a positive season on and off the pitch at last.