 Ahead of Sunday's Yorkshire Derby Ryan Ingham spoke with Lee Siddons, a family friend and massive Sheffield Wednesday fan who'll be missing the game due to watching his second team the Miami Dolphins at Wembley. How long have you been a Wendies fan? 38 years- started supporting them when I was 12 and realised my families roots - they were in Div 3 at that time. What is your favourite moment as a fan of Sheffield? Probably between the playoff final in Cardiff when we beat Hartlepool to win promotion back to the Championship or the day we beat Wycombe on the last game of the season to gain promotion (again back to the Championship) when my son Connor was with me- to see the joy on his face made that very special Who is your favourite player from history? Always liked Gary Bannister. (Wonder if he was a player the team could lean on?) You're on a bad run of form at the moment having lost your last two matches including the derby, what do you think is different from last year? I wonder if Carlos has lost the dressing room tbh. Is Carvahal still the man to take you up? No, I do think his tactics have let us down, particularly in the playoffs last year- not positive enough What do you think of your transfer activity this summer? Needed to strengthen defence but didn't really address it until late in the window Leeds were apparently close to signing the very talented George Hirst on deadline day, would you have felt more aggrieved losing him to a rival? George has not been given the chance he deserves at our club, & I don't understand why. Other teams blood their youngsters but not us- to lose him to anyone would be absurd.  Could Leeds reignite their interest in the young England prodigy? Who will cause Leeds a shock in Sunday's game?
The referee... or one of your fans again!! Who are your three to be promoted this season? Wolves, Leeds and possibly Cardiff Who will be relegated from the Championship? Burton, Bolton and Millwall. Prediction and scorers for Sunday's match? 1-2 Leeds, Hooper for us, no idea for you tbh We'd like to thank Lee and wish him the best of luck in what could be a very testing season for both his Owls and the Dolphins. By Ryan Ingham
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 Leeds United could be set to bolster their defensive options in the January transfer market.
According to HITC, the club are set to make an offer for Finish youngster Aapo Halme. The talented centre back could be set to join the club for a nominal fee having starred in Finish football for the past two seasons. Currently at Veikkausliga side HJK Helinski, Halme has made 27 appearances for the club in the past two seasons and is believed to have a big future, one that could include a move to Leeds. The Whites are said to have been interested in the defender for some time, having originally scouted him back in May before a move never materialised. The 19-year old could be set to join the likes of Liam Cooper, Pontus Jansson, loaned Matthew Pennington and rising star Conor Shaughnessy, giving Leeds another option should there be any injuries or suspensions to deal with. It's highly likely that Halme is a player that Leeds would look to grow in the development squad before giving him a chance in the first team. However, with the young defender already playing an abundance of first team football it may not be long until we see him in a Leeds shirt should a deal go through. Standing at an incredible 6'8, Halme could be a brilliant option for the club and would continue the focus on youth signings that we've seen this summer. What's your say? Do you think another centre back would be overkill or could another defensive option only strengthen the side? By Ryan Ingham  With the transfer window shut, Leeds have time to re-evaluate their squad ahead of any potential deals in January. With this in mind, Victor Orta and his network of worldwide scouts have been busy away identifying potential targets for Leeds to continue their progress in the transfer market. One player who has caught the Spaniards eye is fellow compatriot Fran Merida. The former Arsenal prodigy is currently enjoying a journeyman like career in the Spanish second division, an area Orta has been focussed on during his time at Leeds. The 27-year old Merida has been a former teammate of Spanish sensation Samu Saiz as they played together at SD Huesca last season.  Could a Saiz/Merida reunion be the key to Leeds' promotion bid? Any potential move would result in Merida's second spell in English football having spent three years at Arsenal being honed as the 'next Cesc Fabregas' prior to his move to Athletico Madrid.
Now playing at Osasuna, Merida is a natural born midfielder who can play in both attacking and defensive roles and could be a complimentary part of the Leeds United midfield. What's your say? Do you think Merida could realise his potential at Leeds? Or is Orta bear king up the wrong tree? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Last night Leeds succumbed to a ferocious Cardiff City side who took charge from the off at home. Although in spells Leeds looked like they could salvage something, the 3-1 defeat having dropped to 10 men before the second half showed Leeds aren't invincible. In the game, Leeds looked second best against a very physical Cardiff side. The skills and pace of the Leeds lineup could not match up to the power of Cardiff's. The midfield alone was struggling to keep possession and were outmanned and outstretched. This game could have been perfect for a strong midfielder to come in with a bit of fight and take the game to the opposition, with the outgoing Liam Bridcutt being a brilliant option should Leeds have kept him. Young prodigy Ronaldo Vieira would also have been a brilliant option against a strong Cardiff side. The tireless midfielder was unlucky not to start in the game with Mateusz Klich being preferred.  Could Vieira have been the missing piece last night? Vieira is struggling for game time at this moment in time and this seems to be down to the performances of the midfielders ahead of him.
However, given the chance the 19-year old could have used his imposing nature to give some fight back to Cardiff. With a battle set for Sunday, Thomas Christiansen will again have to shuffle his pack and Vieira should be top of the list to start at Hillsborough. By Ryan Ingham  Saturday 16/9 Leeds vs Millwall  Team News: One change, Conor Shaughnessy for Liam Cooper Team: Wiedwald, Ayling (c), Shaughnessy, Jansson, Anita, O'Kane, Phillips, Alioski, Siaz, Hernandez, Lasogga. Subs Dallas for Hernandez, Roofe for Hernandez (45), Grot for Siaz (72) The Game: Leeds United suffered their first defeat under head coach Thomas Christiansen, as Aiden O’Brien’s effort secure Millwall three points at The Den. Millwall threatened inside three minutes, former Leeds striker Steve Morison struck wide on the half volley from long range.The home side had the ball in the net four minutes later, Conor McLaughlin struck from distance and Wiedwald couldn’t hold it and Morison tapped home, but Leeds were saved by a late offside flag. Millwall then played a good ball across the face of goal and Morison was again denied, this time by Conor Shaughnessy on the line. Leeds struggled to muster a chance and were limited to a long range effort through Samuel Saiz. Wiedwald was again called into action just before the 30 minute mark, he got a vital touch on O’Brien’s cross, to stop Shaun Williams from heading home. Wallace was next to go close, he smashed just over the bar from just inside of the Leeds box. Wallace then looked to turn provider, when he put a neat ball across the face of goal, but Morison was unable to prod home. Williams struck free-kick from 35 yards which deflected just wide, before Wiedwald was forced into saves by Morison and Byron Webster before the break, to keep the scores level. The second-half picked up where the first left off, with Wallace's deflected cross being palmed behind by Wiedwald. The 'keeper was called into action once more on 50 minutes as Shaun Hutchinson's goal-bound effort was well stopped. Wallace was causing Leeds untold problems and nearly got his reward shortly before the hour-mark, but his strike crashed against the foot of the post.The Millwall pressure was relentless as the final third of the afternoon approached - Morison almost had his first goal of the season, but his header was hooked off the line. On 71 minutes, the search continued, but once more Wiedwald was equal to Morison's drive. Two minutes later, after a dominant display over the League leaders, Millwall deservedly took the lead through O'Brien, Morison laid the ball off to Wallace, who crossed into the penalty area where three unmarked Millwall players were waiting. The Irishman was the one tasked with finally beating Wiedwald with a low drive. As a frantic final period set in, Millwall could have had a second after Wiedwald was caught wondering outside his penalty area, but indecision allowed Leeds to take the ball in search of an equaliser, that didn't arrive and Millwall inflicted a first League defeat of the season on one of their bitterest rivals.  A grainy picture that shows the offside goal for the Lions  Yesterday Leeds United confirmed that Conor Shaughnessy has signed a new deal at the club.
The contract, which is for four years will give both the player and club some breathing room as he continues to grow at Elland Road. The talented midfielder, who has been assigned to the centre back role for the first team has become a pivotal part at the club with Leeds suffering from injury setbacks. Shaughnessy began his career at Reading but signed for Leeds on a free transfer in the summer of 2016, spending the year in the development squad. However, with new head coach Thomas Christiansen coming to the club, Shaughnessy began training with the first team in order to compete for a position. The Republic of Ireland Under21 player has started two league games for the club and two cup games. He current scores at 1.7 aerials won a game and a passing completion rate of 72.3%. With a bright future ahead of him, the club have acted quickly to secure the prospect on a long term deal that will surely warn off any suitors. This is another move by Radrizanni and co that will be heavily appreciate by fans with the club continuing to secure top talents to long term deals. Have your say! Do you think Shaughnessy is becoming a mainstay in the Leeds defence? By Ryan Ingham  On Tuesday Leeds United bounced back to winning ways having got through a tough cup tie against Burnley. The Whites twice went into the Leeds and superb super sub performances from Pablo Hernandez and Hadi Sacko provided the two goals for the club. However, the Burnley side fought back late on two occasions with goals in the 89th and 96th minutes. This game not only held significance in the cup, but also for Leeds United as a whole, who lost two demons in one night against the Clarets. The first demon to be vanquished saw Leeds complete their first win at Turf Moor since November 2011, with Leeds also going the last four meetings with Burnley having lost 3 and drawn 1. With a penalty shoot out deciding the final result, the club will be happy to stop the minor streak and grab a glorious result against a Premier League side.  A heroes welcome; Dallas and Lonergan celebrate having played a major part in the Whites victory  Ahead of tonight's clash against Burnley, I spoke with former cricket teammate and Burnley fan Pete Gledhill about all things Clarets. How long have you been a Burnley fan? Started watching aged 8/9 Who was your most memorable player? Ian Wright. Signing him in league 1. He was unbelievable. What was your most prominent moment as a Burnley fan? Having to beat Leyton Orient in the last game of the 1987 season to stay in the football league, that day was the start of our revival. You've made a brilliant start to the league this season, did you expect such a good run of performances? Yes expected a good start but obviously surprised we've walked away from Anfield, Stamford Bridge and Wembley with 5 points You signed two players from us in the summer in Chris Wood and Charlie Taylor, what's your opinion on them both? Chris Wood has obviously settled well with 2 goals in his first 2 games. Looks a really good player that suits the way we play and is different to our other attacking options.  Bit early to say with Charlie Taylor
He played well in a cup game but he has his work cut out trying to replace Stephen Ward at left back. There's probably more chance of him getting a game on the left wing Apart from them, how do you feel about this summers recruitment? Overall a good summer of transfer window. Obviously lost our 2 star players, probably similar to you guys with Chris Wood , but they both only had a year left on their contract so we have to sell to compete and made good profit on both, players have too much power it seems. But signed 7 new players to strengthen squad. Just short of a centre back and a bit of pace/trickery on the wing. History favours Leeds in the clash with the Whites winning 30 out of 59 games between both sides. However, Leeds have not won in our last four meetings, what do you expect to see in the game? At home so expecting a win but bit nervous of the excellent start you guys have made coupled with how many changes we will make but I'd guess Leeds will make plenty of changes too with your current league position. Who are your three to be Promoted from the Championship this season? Middlesbrough , Sheff Weds (Burnley reserves) and Fulham so they all need to go on a good run! Who do you think will be relegated from the Premier League this year? Any 3 from Palace, Swansea, West Ham and Brighton. Prediction and scorers for Tuesdays clash? 2-1 Wood and Arfield We'd like to thank Pete for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him the best for the next cricket season (not football). By Ryan Ingham |
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January 2019
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