2016 - A chance to think big

The old year has passed and most Leeds United fans will wish it gladly away and hope that the coming year will hopefully be a better one on the field and off it. 

Massimo Cellino is currently awaiting to appeal the decision by the Football League to ban him from being an Owner/Director of Leeds United, this is the second time that this has happened to the Italian during his time at the club.. He successfully appealed the first ban and is now threatening to take the Football League to the European Courts if his appeal is unsuccessful. 

Steve Evans tenure as Leeds United Head Coach has on the whole been quietly successful. The team was drifting towards the bottom end of the Championship but after the debacle we witnessed on a Thursday evening versus Blackburn in front of the Sky cameras, they have slowly moved up the league with an unbeaten run of seven games that included wins over high flying Hull City at Elland Road and a spirited comeback away victory at Wolverhampton. The latest game, a draw against MK Dons took a little shine off the run but the point gained thanks to a late own goal could be important come May. 

The squad that looked so 'flat' under Rosler has shown that maybe a place in the top ten is very achievable but without doubt the January transfer window will have to be used wisely and although Sam Byram may leave in this window, the other 'jewels' in the squad need to be kept no matter what sizeable fee is offered. The likes of Lewis Cook, Charlie Taylor and Alex Mowatt are players that the future of this club should be built around.

Liam Bridcutt's prolonged loan spell until the summer is a step in the right direction but at least three more signings need to be forthcoming if Leeds can even think of getting anywhere near the top six of the table. 

For me a centre back, another winger and most definitely a striker have to be acquired  because as was shown against the MK Dons, if Chris Wood is absent we don't look like scoring the goals needed to win games. Doukara and Antenucci may offer something from the bench but seem to struggle in the lone strikers role. 

The incredible support the club receives on a weekly basis deserves better than another season enging with little to play for. With or without Cellino at the helm, this has to be the year when we can see a chink of light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. 2016 has to be the start of a brighter future for Leeds United FC. 

M O T 16

By Keith Ingham