 Leeds United look set to complete a deal for out of favour defender Tommy Elphick, but there could be a surprise along with it. The centre back has previously been linked with Leeds in the summer of 2016, with the club making an approach for the defender prior to his move to a newly relegated Villa. Elphick’s decision seems to have backfired with him being surplus to requirements for manager Steve Brice, triggered Leeds to make an approach. A deal in excess of £2.5million looks set to have been agreed for the former Bournemouth and Brighton man. The 30-year old is strong in the air and also poses a major threat from set pieces. Elphick would be a massive improvement for Leeds’ defence and a welcome signing should he make the move. But the deal could come with an additional bonus. When enquiring about the availability of Elphick, Leeds also discussed a possible switch for former striker Ross McCormack, who has returned from his loan spell at Melbourne City where he scored 14 goals in 16 games. McCormack left Leeds back in 2014 having had disagreements with Leeds owner Massimo Cellino and has since been on red hot form prior to his stint at Villa.  A battle with depression and ill form has removed any chance of him reigniting his Villa career but there’s a special place in the players heart for Leeds and a ceremonial return to a club where the fans love him and who are in need of a striker could be the perfect mix.
With a combined fee of around £7million said to be in the making, Leeds could be set to bolster two positions in dire need of improvement with one foul swoop. By Ryan Ingham
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 On Wednesday evening it was announced that Leeds United were to change the club badge for the forthcoming Centenary season (2019/2020). They were also doing it because the shield made famous during the Champions League day’s has become tarnished due to relegation to Division One and years of mismanagement at board level. Speaking on this new start, Angus Kinnear said; “Updating the crest is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we are proud to have a new crest that is authentic to Leeds United and honours the quality and loyalty of our fans. It is a symbol of ‘strength in unity’ and a proud expression of the club’s identity and history.” This is what the club came up with after ‘asking’ 10,000 people their opinions on whether a change was needed (I wasn’t asked nor seemingly was anybody else about changing the badge).  One first look I thought of the video game Pro Evolution Soccer, most teams don’t have their real names or proper badge. I actually laughed when I showed it to the Mrs, she actually said “It’s shite!” and her knowledge of the beautiful game is a little limited, but she does know the offside rule! The outcry it caused has literally amazed me, by six o’clock in the evening over forty five thousand had signed a petition to get this badge scrapped and on every media outlet the talk was all about the badge that caused so much outrage. Other clubs mocked us, Aston Villa on their official site showed a picture of a made up badge and the words West Midland Village v Yorkshire Whites. For anyone who doesn’t get the reference, there joke is as shitty as the game it’s built for.  Many other clubs showed the badge and latched on to taking the Michael out of Leeds, even Zenit St Petersburg had a ‘tilt’ at the club.
So when it came to the usual monthly BBC Radio Leeds special on Leeds United was aired with Angus Kinnear as guest, the MD was visibly flustered by the amount of negative comments that the badge had produced and he admitted that the club will ‘reopen’ the consultation process on the development of a new badge for the club. An amazing turnaround by Leeds at the highest level and it shows what ‘fan power’ can do, when it really matters. There are many good designers within the supporters of the club, would it not be a idea for the club to either ask for idea’s from fans and pick three for the supporters to pick one from, or simply stick with the shield badge and add underneath it 1919-2019 to celebrate the centennial event next season. Never known a day like it! MOT By Keith Ingham  It seems that Leeds are firmly focussed on the future this window as another signing is made for the development squad.
The Whites have signed Leyton Orient youngster Sam Dalby for an undisclosed fee and the forward will now remain with the development squad for the foreseeable future. The 18-year old is predominantly a striker but can play either side in an attacking formation when called upon. Dalby, who has signed a deal running until 2020 have previously been a trialist with Crystal Palace earlier in the season. The 6’3 forward broke into the Leyton Orient side last season and scored his debut against Crawley last season. Although this is a promising signing for the future, Leeds are still without an integral signing this window having not bolstered their dwindling forward line. The club have been busy in the market but most signings have been for the development squad with the likes of Aapo Halme, Oliver Sarkic and now Dalby joining the club. Should Leeds be focussing on the first team or is this a move than can grant massive rewards in the future? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Tuesday 16/1
Another player linked this week: Chris Martin, Derby County on loan but his wages of 30k might be a problem with the wage structure at Leeds. The rumour is that Jansson and Lasogga are the top earners at Leeds on just over half the money Martin earns at Derby. The Midlands club signed Cameron Jerome from Norwich City for 1.5 million pounds today. Pontus Jansson ranks in second place in the EFL Championship for the most clearances per game. Andrea Radrizzani Tweets that “all will be made clear in February” when he will arrange to meet fans at a organised event. Looks like not many signings for the first team, apart from De Bock will be made in the January transfer window, or so it seems.(I was wrong!) Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s disappointing loan spell is ended by Leeds, this is the second successive season the youngster has been sent back to Salford. Below is my blog on the left back with a serious attitude problem. http://www.weallloveleeds.co.uk/latest/the-curious-case-of-cameron-borthwick-jackson Wednesday 17/1 Leeds United legend Eddie Gray is seventy years young today. Happy Birthday to the most amiable footballer and nicest person you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet.  Jimmy Armfield took over at Leeds when the club had fallen into somewhat disrepute.
The club had failed in their acquisition of Brian Clough and were sitting very awkwardly at the bottom of a League they had previously dominated. Armfield had been a former star for Blackpool and took over the reigns, delivering not only a positive finish to a woeful season but got Leeds to the final of the European Cup, in which we were robbed. The story goes that after the European Cup final loss the players had thrown their medals on the ground in disbelief, Jimmy went and picked up each one of them to make sure no player missed out. A man that may not have delivered the same as the great Don Revie but restored balance to an ageing Leeds team. Armfield took the time to rebuild Don Revie’s dominant side with signings like Tony Currie and Brian Flynn. Speaking to Phil Hay yesterday, Eddie Gray said that Armfield had given the flying winger the passion to continue playing at Leeds and gave the great his first opportunity at coaching with the youth setup at Elland Road. It’s with deep sadness Jimmy has been taken from us at the age of 82 and many fans will remember him as a saviour of the club. Here’s hoping that Leeds as a club remember Jimmy at the ground and move to install him on the South Stand board in which he guided us to a European final, it’s a disappointment that he was not placed their in the first place. Let’s recognise Jimmy and remember a brilliant coach who enjoyed a good time with the club. RIP Jimmy, you’ll always be a part of Leeds. By Ryan Ingham  On Thursday Leeds United welcomed midfielder Adam Forshaw from Middlesborough for a ‘reported’ 4.5 million pounds. Forshaw is the fifth signing in the January Transfer Window.
He was given the number 4 shirt, an iconic shirt that was filled by such greats as Billy Bremner and David Batty. Other’s worthy of a mention are Brian Flynn, Alf-Inge-Haaland, Oliver Dacourt. There have been some really good players who wore it with so much pride, a couple need forgetting mind you, Carlton Palmer and Scott Wooton come to mind! What’s in a number? Well this one is pretty special, to me it spells determination, will to win and a fighter. Forshaw is a player that has played in the Premier League and has two promotions with different team’s and is widely respected in his position. The money he cost is immaterial if that top six is achieved in the near future. With suspensions mounting up it was a necessary to invest in a player that has shown with his previous clubs he is a winner and has the maturity to help players like Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips develop their own game. For me it’s a very good signing. Welcome to Leeds Adam. MOT By Keith Ingham  Leeds United look set to secure the services of Boro midfielder Adam Forshaw.
The clubs were said to have agreed on a fee in excess of £2million yesterday with Forshaw set to conclude the deal after a medical today. The 26-year old midfielder was said to have picked Leeds over fellow Championship promotion hunters Cardiff City. Forshaw, who is a versatile midfielder will come in to replace the suspended Eunan O’Kane who will miss three games due to his red card for headbutting against Ipswich Town. The technical midfielder is a good capture for Leeds and is very adapt at both creating attacking plays and winning the ball back. Having made over 35 appearances in the Premier League last year, Forshaw will become one of Leeds’ most experienced midfielders and could be a brilliant addition to a young squad that needs direction. With this signing, it is also highly likely that out of favour midfielder Mateusz Klich will depart the club on loan for the remainder of the season. Do you think Forshaw is a good signing? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Leeds United look ready to pounce for young starlet Harry Cochrane as other teams start to circle the prospect.
Cochrane, a youngster with bags of potential is expected to pick up a potential move in January and the Whites are said to be leading the pack for his signature. The 16-year old is currently performing in the Scottish top flight for Hearts and a potential switch to Elland Road may be what’s needed to up his career plan. Leeds are said to have been interested in the player for some time, with WALL even covering the potential move back in November. Cochrane made his debut for Hearts back in September and has now made 10 senior appearances for the club and his stock is rapidly rising. Leeds are said to be monitoring the players progress heavily and are looking to make their move now that Everton have entered the fray for his signature. Although he’s not an immediate fix in Leeds’ currently dwindling midfield, his ability to hold the ball and find the right pass could push him towards a first team berth immediately after joining the Whites. With two years remaining on his deal, Leeds may be forced to pay a high fee for the talented midfielder. However, if they can secure a deal for Cochrane, he could be a potential first team world beater before the season is over. By Ryan Ingham |
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January 2019
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