Danny Ings – perfect fit for Leeds?
I was always being told in days gone by that you can’t have your cake and eat it – usually by the same people who’d murmur disapprovingly about “people today who want t’spice and t’ha’penny”. It’s that instinctive northern hostility to the concept of wanting the best of both worlds – but, really, what’s wrong with that? In any event, if Leeds United can now play their cards right, having banked an impressive number of millions from the onward moves of Taylor and Wood to Burnley, and with Liam Bridcutt heading for the Forest – then they could indeed end up in a win-win situation.
Since news of Wood’s departure for Turf Moor was confirmed, the names advanced as possible replacements have been many and varied. In fact, I can’t think of many realistic striker options who haven’t been mooted as possibilities – and most would do some sort of job. But in my mind, there are two outstanding candidates, both of whom would probably be loans rather than purchases, which could leave us with a nice little warchest for January, assuming that we’re somewhere near play-off contention by then.
The players I have in mind are Danny Ings, coming back from injury and down the pecking order at Liverpool, and Bournemouth‘s ex-Wolves striker Benik Afobe. For me, these two have more to recommend them in terms of fitting into the new Leeds style, than most other names so far advanced (notably Rudy Gestede). Then again, United have in Victor Orta a man who seems to have an eye for a player that bears comparison with the great Peter Taylor, who was the secret of Brian Clough’s success. So if he says Gestede is the man, then perhaps he has a point. Garry Monk appears to be pouting at the very idea though, so it may be that United will have to look elsewhere.
Afobe and/or Ings, perhaps on loan for the season, would provide Leeds with an admirable array of options up front, without depleting the treasury too much. Whether or not they are options United are seriously considering is another question – but it’s one that will have to be answered sometime over the next eight days before the transfer window slams shut.
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
Brentford turn down a bid of £4.5M from Boro for Jota (12 goals, 5 assists last season) whilst Boro turn down our bid £5M for Gestede, I know what I’d like to see happen Rob
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If you mean, let’s gazump the smoggies for Jota, then I couldn’t agree more!
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There’s also a few quid due for Doukara. I can’t believe what fantastic business we’ve done this summer. People say Orta was rubbish at ‘Boro, but he’s certainly earned his salary with us. Perhaps he was always a secret Leeds fan, and now has his dream job ! I’ve certainly changed my opinion of the continental management structure in the past few months. It’s fun to speculate, but I’m prepared to wait and see who turns up – it’s just as likely to be someone no one else has mentioned. Hasn’t it been great to have a summer at last when, every time you click on Leeds United, there’s a new piece to read ? And all good news too ! I think all our targets can see we’re a club going places, and are making us their first preference. That’s a big turnaround too. No more false dawns.
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Isn’t Doukara just a mutually agreed contract termination?
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Ings would be a good option. However, the off load of Birdcutt following Wood’s exit and then the mutual termination of Doukara’s contract may suggest they are freeing up wages for a Lasogga loan.
I still see him as VO and TC preferred option.
Regardless it is nice to be linked with some good names and having some flash money for a change.
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Just someone who’s a bit nippy will do me,a Rod Wallace type who has the speed of thought as well as quick feet and pace. They will need to literally go with the flow this time as the football last season was slowed down by a certain person who’s name I’ve forgotten now. They don’t even need to be prolific either as the goals are flying in from everywhere this season.
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Ings played off Vokes at Burnley. He would have been a good signing had Wood not departed (though of course we wouldn’t then be able to buy him). Of the mooted replacements for Wood, Gestede ticks more boxes (he is better even than Berardi in the air). Personally I’m sorrry to see Doukara go – the cross for Roofe, his penalty winning drive into the area against Sheffield’s (?) and the phenomenal goal will stick in the memory: he had a big heart too – if not as big as the loveable Sacko’s.
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Not sensing too much love for Sacko right now.
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Hey chaps! Are we not forgetting Roofe up front! He just bagged a hat-trick! I am not being entirely daft. We have a few players seemingly adept in a number of positions. Alioski can play up front or as a winger too. Let,s get the big lad in from Holland and hold the rest of the cash until a real prospect comes along. A prem striker possibly on loan is an ok shout but spending daft money on champ strikers who were good a couple of years ago (gestede,Rhodes etc ) I am not too sure about.
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Proper common sense, that.
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I like the look of Hugill rob ,, he was very dangerous for Preston a few weeks ago at ER
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Think we have a chance of getting him though, Mr. O?
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Not sure rob, who knows what goes on behind the scenes, but if I was him I would have looked around elland road with over 30k in the other week when he played there and said to myself, i’d love a bit of this..
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If we do get him, it’ll certainly be the player’s wishes in the matter that clinch it 👍
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