With Ireland long gone and Leeds deciding to play two games in 24 hours, our squad was surely going to be stretched to their limits in order for Garry Monk to field two competitive sides against Guiseley and Peterborough this weekend.

So far preseason has been good for Leeds United, Monk was going into Saturday's game with Posh unbeaten in 3. No matter what the club's statures were, you can only beat what's infront of you and Leeds can say they've done that.

That was until two second half goals rendered Leeds speechless as Peterborough finished the friendly winners against an opposition side that looked incredibly comfortable in the first half.

Having ran over the past two matches for all there floors and upsides, it does seem that there's a tale between two halves and 180 minutes of football. The halves being the second half at Guiseley and the second half at Posh.

There's no doubt there will be some tired legs within the Leeds squad, we've now played 5 matches in the space of just over 11 days, this including the development squad game that took place away at Tadcaster Albion with four trialists and a few of the players who featured on Friday taking part.

As you can imagine this meant by the 60th minute against Posh, the players must have been running on empty. Thank god they have a rest before the last planned friendly match at home against Atlanta on July 30th.

I'd first like to mention the second half performance against Guiseley on Friday. After receiving a message from a friend who was at the game stating that we were 'woeful' as the third goal flew past a floundering Marco Silvestri, I was questioning whether the mood between fans would change drastically.

Being 3-0 down against a 5th division club is simply appalling, even with a centre-back partnership of an 18-year old and a central midfielder. The defensive training that I'd hoped Monk would implement in his early days at Leeds (with him being a defender himself in his playing days) looked completely unheard of.

A special mention to one Mr Silvestri, who's sorry a*** got dragged off at half time after some woeful attempts at goalkeeping in the first half. If you want your place back in the starting XI you're going to have to try harder than that! Marco has been a fantastic servant to the club over the past two years and has had some fantastic performances to go with it, but I think it may be time we said arrivederci to the Italian stopper.

After the second half whistle was blown, a new beast came out to play in a yellow shirt. Calm, calculating and clever on the ball, Leeds wanted to take this game for their own.

Rightly so they did, with a stellar performance and goal from Jordan Botaka, a wonder strike from Kalvin Phillips, along with goals from the promising striker Eoghan Stokes and Doukara, Leeds finished the game 4-3 winners.

The attention then turned to Saturdays fixture against Posh. We started well with some decisive play ahead of a fantastic volley from Alex Mowatt gave Leeds the lead on 14 minutes.

After some fantastic play and a slurry of chances to double our lead, the side went in at half time being deserved 1-0 leaders.

The energy then seemed to sap out as Leeds came out for the second half and the players looked tired and out of options as Peterborough played the ball around us and took their chances, not a great half but if anything it proves that our squad needs help.

Looking at both squads and the performances it's clear that we need some more additions. Monk and co have done well lately bringing in some exciting players in key areas, but it's not enough.

We are dire need of defensive reinforcements, including centre backs and full backs. The introduction of Coyle and Denton to the squad but I still think another left back or even right back with Berardi acting as left back cover is needed.

Our midfield has lost a star in Cook and even though we are moving in the right direction in the acquisition of Bridcutt and the emergence of Ronaldo Vieira, we need a string head to guide our young midfielders and monitor that midfield area.

Finally, we need to add another striker to our squad. Eoghan Stokes and Malik Wilks both look to be stars in the making and should be included in the first team consideration, but if we are to push for promotion we need different options. A pacey forward with skill and the ability to play on the last man would allow us to utilise Wood as the big lad he really is.

Looking ahead to our final preseason game at Atlanta and our biggest test yet I'd say we've had a very successful preseason. There's been some good football played and some great additions, add a few more and we really could push for a top six finish next season.

By Ryan Ingham

Last night Leeds United surprised a lot of people by confirming the capture of experienced stopper Rob Green.

The former QPR player was a casualty this summer as head coach and former Leeds favourite Jimmy Floyd Hasslebank looks for a squad reshuffle after spending 4 years at Loftus Road.

Green joins on a one year deal and is set to be competition for the starting spot against the likes of Silvestri and BPF.

The 36-years old's signing is sure to raise some eye brows with a minority of fans, who will be wanting to know why we haven't secured the signing of a younger keeper who can enjoy plenty of years at the club.

What we have with Green though is stability between the sticks and a footballing brain that has seen it all. The former England keeper has 12 caps to his name along with more than 10 years in England's top flight.

Usually I'm not a massive fan of bringing in players who are above the age of 32. I'm not agist, and I do understand that having an experienced head in the dressing room has its benefits. I just think it's the coaches job to take charge of the dressing room and some older players can become quite ignorant.

Green, however, is an exception to this rule. I don't there are many keepers that were available in the market than can beat the talent that he possesses.

The former West Ham and Norwich City goalkeeper is a commanding voice on the pitch and can organise the weary defence that concedes stupid goals and gives away too many chances. Granted losing Bellusci had already helped the issue, signing Green gives us a water tight seal at the back.

I honestly think that with a good preseason behind him, Green can become a fantastic signing and lead from the back.

In exciting by the signings we have made this summer, we've brought in goals, a strong defender, pace and now a top quality keeper.

Leeds then made the announcement this morning that 20-year old midfielder Matt Grimes has joined on loan for the season from Monk's old club Swansea.

A talented midfielder with both pace and the ability to keep the ball at his feet and dictate play. Grimes is currently part of the England Under21 side and is a fantastic player to bring in for the season.

We've also heard news from Phil Hay that Leeds haven't given up on signing Oxford's Kemar Roofe. A signing like Roofe would be the icing on the cake.

Now let's hope Monk can turn this new squad into a promotion winning side.

On On On


By Ryan Ingham

Ah preseason, a wonderful time when you look at pictures of the lads as they get back to full fitness and then realise there's a new face you haven't seen before.
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That's right, Mr A Trialist was spotted last night after Pep Clotet shared an image of the backroom staff getting off the coach and there he was, sticking out like a sore thumb at the back.

His name? Hadi Sacko. He's a 22-year old Frenchman who is currently contracted to Sporting CP.

Sacko joined the Portuguese outfit back in 2014 from Bordeaux on a six-year deal and much to everyone's surprise, a €60million buyout clause was placed in his contract. This doesn't mean he's actually worth the figure, far from it, it basically shows what Portuguese clubs do to protect their assets.

Since Cristiano Ronaldo left for £14million in 2004, clubs have been more protective to make sure that any talented youngster does not leave on the cheap again, something we should be taking note of!

However, this doesn't mean we are about to steal him away either, most likely we'll be getting him on loan while Sporting think about what they're going to do with him, for the third year in a row.

Sacko is an extremely versatile player able to fill the roles of attacking midfielder, winger and striker. Any player who can do this successfully is alright in my book!

A player like Sacko gives us plenty of options along with pace, skill and the ability to finish.

Now for the good part...

Much like we did for the Antonsson piece, I thought I'd share some basic info on his Fifa 16 stats ahead of the next games release.

Sacko starts off with a 68 overall and has the potential to be a 77 rated forward. His positions are Striker or right wing. He's right footed and has 3 star skills.

His best feature has to be his physical and attacking stats. He has 89 acceleration. 90 sprint speed and 82 agility meaning he will fly past any defender.

His 70 finishing, 74 dribbling and 70 ball control are all enticing stats for a player that will be available to play with at the start of the game.

Back to reality, I think Sacko is a very good signing for us. Even if it may only be temporary there's no doubt in my mind he'll be able to get used to the English game quite quickly.

We are in need of attacking reinforcements and Sacko definitely fits the bill, let's just see how he gets on in August.

By Ryan Ingham