Wishing you a Happy Return
As any fule kno, the title means Happy Birthday to you, Luciano – please come back to Leeds United. The birthday wishes are standard; Becchio is 30 today which is a watershed in anyone’s life – and all the more so for a professional footballer, for whom the thirties are old-man, retirement territory.
Naturally, any article which even hints at the possible return of our former hero and regular goalscorer will be pounced upon by those who love to be seen pouring scorn on any such common sense. Loads of goals, total commitment, rapport with the crowd and unstinting bravery amid the flying boots of a crowded opposition penalty area – these are things that some people simply hate and can’t abide the thought of. The hostility which ensues whenever anybody suggests that Becchio could still be a Leeds United asset has to be seen to be believed. There are some angry and immature people out there, and I expect I shall receive some abusive feedback from a few of them. Who knows, I may even allow the odd one through?
The fact is of course that a Luciano type player is exactly what we need to increase the options for how our team might be set up and deployed. If El Hombre himself were to arrive as a returning prodigal son, with a quality winger in tow – perhaps the French Ligue 1 might be a good place to look – then so much the better. It seems obvious to me that we would carry much more of a threat over the course of a game with such a significant augmentation of the options, both in the starting line-up and on the bench. At our level, with the aspirations we have, you can’t have too many decent Championship players. Becchio may not have made the grade, quite, at top level – though he’s hardly been given a chance – but in the second tier, he’s proven quality. What’s more, he would be absolutely champing at the bit. Post 30 years old, he will hear the clock ticking – and he will wish to make his mark while he can. Familiar surroundings at Elland Road would most likely bring out the best of Becchio.
Happy 30th birthday, Luci’. Here’s hoping we see you back to your best in the famous white shirt again soon. Now bring on those scornful dismissive comments, do your worst. But please – let me hear from those of you who know what you’re talking about too…
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
I agree totally I think back to games when we were loosing. Bristol City at home 2010/11 season springs straight to mind loosing 1-0 Luc comes on as a sub and scores a hat trick. Remember Doncaster Rovers at home 0-2 down at half time a great come back to 2-2 then in the last minutes of the game Luc scores and the roof lifts of Elland rd 3-2 the final score. The point I’m trying to make is with Luc in the team you always believe a goal is about to come. I almost forgot that wonderful goal against Chelsea. MOT
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heard he was a bad apple but if this is wrong then he would be good depending on wages
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Too right Rob . Everyone’s entitled to their opinions, but those who don’t want Becchio back at ER can p–s off and voice their opinions elsewhere. We won the league in 92 with such a player and i refuse to believe Becchio left of his own volition. If Becchio and Gradel return there’ll be a guaranteed 30k+ every home game and a play off place at least.
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To bring back Luciano would be a backward step, we need to continue with the evolution of the present setup. An out and out winger should be the main priority, Smith and Macca need more supply, we should also look at a specialist thrower, it’s worth 6-10 goals per season.
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I don’t see why there’s this knee-jerk “backward step” reaction EVERY time we suggest bringing back someone who’s previously played for United. Surely, it’s a case of assess the player on his merits?
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Rob,
Off topic sort of but wasn’t the new takeover supposed to have occurred before the window opens.
3 days to go and it’s all gone very quiet, until we get that sorted Becchio coming back is a pipe dream
Why has the takeover which seemed a done deal not happened due diligence should be easy for Haigh but no progress
I would prefer a season loan for him with cash being spent of a very good winger
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This is becoming slightly worrying…
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Jim,do you actually go to games? Cos if you do you’ll notice that the likes of hunt and varney aren’t exactly forward steps. I can’t understand how signing a proven Championship goalscorer could be a backward step. Are you expecting McCormack to play every game and to score in every game? Matt Smith is nowhere near the finished article, so signing a winger would be folly without someone to aim at. We need a decent goal scoring target man and a decent winger. Now behave.
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We couldn’t win league one with those two and they we’re by no means head and shoulders above anyone in the division. I know they we’re exciting and becchio gave his heart and sole but that’s not good enough. Unfortunately u have to be a talented footballer to play premiership. Gradel is fast but he is very one dimensional and not the brightest. Wouldn’t sign either of em
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I think the takeover will happen at some point but I’d hazard a guess that a few clever comments from Mr Haigh were intended to boost the festive attendances. Not sure about Beccio, I loved him while he was here but not sure he’s the answer. If we’re talking “old boys” I think I’d prefer Gradel to free Ross from chasing out wide to collect the ball as much as he does because Smith although good in the air struggles to keep up with play when we break.
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I think it all depends on the cost…. Becchio is not one for the future and i doubted his ability to adapt to the prem when he was at Leeds and he appears to proven that theory correct. Long term we need to be building a squad that can move up a level. Get him on loan only but buy a winger or 2
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If Becchio and Gradel had been playing for Leeds in the Barnsley and Blackpool games, I am sure that Leeds would have won those games.
Far too many points are being thrown down the drain, due to a lack of pace up front and not enough crosses coming into the box, when Smith does play in the team.
I wish that McCormack would also stop talking to the press, because as soon a he said that he can score in every game, he has become a “marked man” and has suddenly stopped scoring.
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first norwich take becchio (plus others!!) from us,give us m******n in return and now think we’ll take becchio back as damaged goods!! They must be pissing themselves. Don’t want him back as there is better out there. Thanks for the memmories becchio but adios..
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This is the problem – people see it as a loss of face issue. Thankfully, the pros have a less deluded approach. We have to be pragmatic about this, it’s not about some playground notion of one-upmanship.
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It’s simple, if BM thinks he is the best striker to forfil his plans then it doesn’t matter where he played previously, who did Strachen play for! What a great signing he was. Happy new year and let’s all get behind OUR club. I took my 11 year old son to his first game in September against Burnley although the game wasn’t great he had the best time as we reside in Melbourne.
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If I’m not mistaken, a certain Danny Pugh joined, left, and then returned to us. Look how well he is doing now after returning and he is only average in my opinion. Luc would be a great asset, definitely has more goals in him than Smith and would probably help improve Smith’s game for his and Leeds’ future! Can only be a good thing although I don’t see it happening. I do believe that wingers are our main concern as with Smith on the pitch he needs good service from width to be able to improve his goal tally, he won’t score with long balls down the middle!
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Excellent point about Pugh.
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I agree with you, of course he would be good .one thing though don’t anyone call him a prem flop ,he has not played ONE FULL GAME and every tom dick gets put on as sub before him
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We are going forward as a club and Becchio is history.
We can’t afford stars so we are going to have to build from the bottom.
Brian is looking at developing players Smith,Wootton,Lees,Byram,Mowatt all are hungry and all potential prem players.
We also want players who want to play for the club BECCHIO didnt.
He choose Norwich ahead of us.
Now he cant get a game and the Norwich fans dont give him the love we did he choose it.
Becchio is not a premiership player or ever will be and is now hitting 30.
Whats the point signing him for 2-3 years then what happens if we go up?
he can’t do it now in the premiership so how will he do it in 2 years time?
Loan deal to the end of the season would be better option as he can still do a job in this division but he’s not matchfit its gonna take him 5-6 games to get back into full match fitness can we afford to wait?
Personally Lets look elsewhere Gradel is a different matter he’s fast and in his prime.
Only thing i can see with signing potential wingers is our formation will have to change and we currently playing fine this way.
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the fact that Luc and Max used to play at Leeds is completely irrelevant as to whether we should sign them again. a hell of a lot has changed at ER since they were last here and BMac won’t be ruled by sentimentality, if they’re players he thinks we would benefit from good luck to him, personally I’d rather see Lucciano back than Gradel. MOT
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I would take Becchio back, McDermot has looked at him, tried to get him on loan, but wages could be a problem, would he be willing to take a cut? As for Gradel he has had two knee operations in the past year. Also maybe his temperament might upset a close dressing room that we have now.
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Well after today’s defeat let’s reflect – it’s quite clear Brian has improved the moral after Colin – we are in a better place and yes we do need to get rid of the dead wood but I think what happens in the next few weeks in the transfer window will not only shape our season but perhaps highlight where we will end up long term!
We have had takeovers and takeovers within takeovers but we not only need fresh blood but some inspiring signings which can take us to the next level – turn draws into wins / defeats into draws or comebacks and actually finish teams off – even goals from other departments – The final questions are who are we going to get and how much do we have to spend?
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The side that gets us up to the PL need not be the same one as actually plays in it.
90 million Skypounds, plus healthy season ticket sales will facilitate a few tasty purchases, although that money will only go so far and you’d hope that our better CL players will remain on existing contracts and our Academy products will be further developed.
If Brian feels that Becchio or anyone else for that matter, can help get us promoted then I’d say go for it.
There’s two distinct and separate jobs at hand: 1) getting up and 2) staying there, and they may require totally different personnel.
Let’s hope the TOMA boys fund Brian in the upcoming window, it’s a watershed moment really.
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Such common sense, so welcome. Thanks 🙂
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