Good Morning. It's Monday 25th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Former star coy about Summer return Charlie Taylor has once again being linked to a return to where it all began for him fourteen years ago. The versatile left back is reaching the end of his tenure at Burnley, and will be a free agent in several months time; and according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds are strongly considering re-signing him. By the early stages of next season, Taylor will be 31. It's fair to say his best years are behind him, and as such, I'm not sure what he can bring to the party; especially if he's considered not good enough for Burnley. The left back position has long been a contentious issue, and needs fixing once and for all. Under Daniel Farke, Junior Firpo has proved to be a useful ally, especially in advanced areas, but still remains a chink in the armour defensively, even at Championship level. Much will depend on whether Leeds win promotion, then they have the decision whether to rebuild or consolidate; if its the latter Firpo, Dallas and Byram (as well as Cooper, Shackleton and Gelhardt) have no place at Elland Road next season. When asked about his future, Taylor gave nothing away, stating: “I’m not really concentrating on anything past the summer, I’m just happy to be playing every week. I’m enjoying my football and trying to do the best for this club and get us as far up the table and out of trouble as much as I possibly can.” please log in to view this image Whites may need to top century barrier to guarantee promotion Chris Dunlavy, the Chief Writer of the Football League Paper believes the Whites may need to break the hundred point barrier to ensure promotion back to the top flight! Whilst Leeds currently top the Championship, only a point separates the top three, not to mention Leicester City have a game in hand. Southampton may be nine points behind, but they have two games in hand, and travel up to Portman Road a week today. Not only that, there's still that matter of the last game of the season. Theoretically, all top four clubs may still be fighting it out for a top two finish on the last day of the season (xanax at the ready)! According to Dunlavy, Leeds are on course to finish three points behind Leicester on 99 points, two points clear of Ipswich, and six clear (93) of Southampton. Never in the history of the Championship has 93 points not been good enough for automatic promotion, yet they are predicted fourth. Leeds currently have 82 points on the board, with 24 to play for. This would mean dropping seven points between now and the rest of the season. “So imperious is Leeds’ current form that you wouldn’t bet against them (getting 100) - and with Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton all in the race, a three-figure total may be essential if the Whites are to seal an instant return to the Premier League.” “If all four teams in the race for automatic promotion kept collecting points at their current rate, Leicester (who have a game in hand on Leeds) would finish top on 102, Leeds would claim second with 99 and Ipswich would take third on 98. Russell Martin’s Saints, meanwhile, would trail home fourth on 93 - enough to guarantee a top-two place in all but a couple of the last 30 second-tier seasons.” please log in to view this image
Morning all We just need to concentrate on one game at a time, the pressure is on all top 4 teams, it’s easy to suddenly go no wins in three and at this stage of the season it would probably mean the playoffs. Southampton have to play all three above them, they surely need 7 points from those three games to be in it
Charlie Taylor would be a decent free transfer if we don't go up. A solid Championship signing. If we go up, we will need better than Firpo, Taylor, Roberts and even Gray at full back. The wingers in the top flight are levels above anything we've faced this season.
Taylor…..Rat, remember when he left us and started spouting off what he was and wasn’t doing, fck him like the rest who jumped ship when we needed them most.
Because he is on PL wages and is turning 31. Burnley are going down and it's FFP that determines his departure. For us, if we are in the Championship, it's a free transfer. It would make sense as he is an upgrade on anyone else we have and has no fee attached so it makes financial sense for us and him while strengthening a known weakness at left back. If we go up...its not happening.
Morning all. Won’t be sorry to see the footie back. Regardless of our post Xmas form I don’t see promotion as being the formality some seem to believe
Agree, but Taylor was double player of the season and Cellino offered reduced terms on his new deal. His original deal was ****e as he was a youngster. I'm not saying it was right, just saying there was more to it than him being a rat
But if he is a free agent (I thought his contract was up) they don’t have to offer him premier league wages, they can offer a new contract on championship level money?
Yes they can. However, Leeds won't pay a transfer fee so can offer him bigger wages. Burnley can also offer bigger wages but he's 31 so they will see it as an easy way to reduce wages after relegation. It's more a business decision than a footballing one.
Not many players who have left Leeds can be considered a success on their return. David Batty and Frankie Gray are the only two I can think of.
Don't worry. It's all clickbait nonsense. We wont be re-signing anyone unless we fancy another relegation battle
