Reasons to be cheerful... 1,2 and 3

In a season that died in Wales. Leeds can now look forward (hopefully) to better times.

The downward curve the senior squad followed has been there, unfortunately for all fans to see. But thankfully I see light coming over the hill, three young men that Leeds United Football Club could and bloody should be build something pretty special around.

We have been here before, young talent full of promise but sold on to the lowest bidders by the likes of bates and the mad Italian. Hopefully Radrizzani can see sense in making these three players key to a better future.

Here’s the three;

Bailey Peacock-Farrell

I actually saw his debut, the lanky and slightly built stopper did himself no harm, despite conceding a late penalty that gave QPR a share of the spoils. He was raw but he looked at home between the ‘sticks’. This season we’d tried Felix and Andy in goal but neither had filled the fans with much confidence.

BPH was literally thrown to the Wolves, despite the 3-0 defeat the young keeper did enough to warrant keeping his position since that game. On Saturday he again made sure that Leeds claimed three points with a couple of fine saves and gave Samu Siaz a much needed rollicking for letting a Barnsley player walk past him without a challenge made by the petulant midfielder. He is the Leeds number one on merit and has an excellent chance of staying there next season.

Tom Pearce

Tom had had some good reviews from his games in the under 23’s, the suspension of Gaetano Berardi meant that he was promoted to the senior squad against Sheffield Wednesday, a little nervous at first but as the game wore on he grew into the game. He’s a proper left back, not afraid to get forward and as he showed against Barnsley he’s got a finish in him. The left back position has been a problem since Charlie Taylor left, maybe now it’s one position we can consider
filled.

Paudie O’Connor

The first time I heard about Paudie was the incident in a ‘so called’ friendly down in Wales. The six foot plus centre half was in the thick of a fight that had the game abandoned. He is captain of the under 23’s and another, like Pearce that has impressed despite early season defeats for them. He reminds me of a young Jonny Woodgate, a no nonsense centre half but one that can play a little when the ball is at his feet.

He made his debut alongside Pontus Jansson against Sunderland and didn’t look out of place and the opposition players certainly knew he was around. At Villa he had a few altercations with their players and certainly can look after himself. Unfortunately he deflected an own goal past BPF on Saturday, thanks to his partner at centre half not dealing with a ball into the box. Despite his feu pas he has a good game and is another that looks at home at Championship level.

It’s very early in their Elland Road careers but with the clear out that this summer has to have, these three and maybe one or two more from the ranks below could become crowd favourites in the not too distant future.

MOT

By Keith Ingham