From what I have seen Tom Lees is best suited to Right Back where he can use his pace and crossing ability. This season he has been required at Centre Back due to Kisnorbo, O'Brien, O'Dea, Bromby & Bruce playing so badly. I also would like to see young Taylor given a extended run at Left Back, with Robinson been utilised against the more physical teams.
After conceding 66 goals in 45 games we need a new back four. The young players can push for places but Warnock needs to cut deep and hard into that defence and replace it with something decent.
I would be happy with Lees at right back - good player just a bit short as a CB. Robinson would be a good option at left back - but the heart of the defence needs sorting ASAP!! Think Bruce will stay and compete with 2 new CBs as Bromby and Kisnorbo won't be playing anytime soon.
Lees has no crossing ability and is more suited at CB, alongside a Richard Dunne type player with experience and leadership qualities, or better still used as back up to two commanding CB's who he can watch and learn from the sidelines. I'd much prefer a player like Lichaj, who can pay both FB positions.
We definitely need a RB plus 2 CB's (I'm assuming Pearce is coming now so him and one other). Have Lees playing about 30-50% of games (half at RB, half at CB) and keep Bruce as additional back-up for both those positions. We don't necessarily need an additional LB to what we have now, as White, Robinson, Pugh and occasionally Taylor are all perfectly capable IMO and can rotate depending on who we're playing.
Lees is no way a RB!!!! He struggles to know what to do with the ball at his feet (other than hoof it aimlessly) and has even less idea when to move forward and support the winger. As for Taylor, Warnocks already said he'll be getting loaned out next season, which is the right thing to do.
I really don't see Lees as a RB. I actually like him and think he is going to turn into a good CB but he just seems out of sorts at RB, not very comfortable, always looking back rather than forward, not particularly good at overlapping. Continually shows signs of being uncomfortable. By no means is he the finished deal at CB but it'd be nice to have a good strong leader alongside him or even him as a backup CB
Think Warncok wants Lees to learn both CB and RB. Would be really good if he mastered both positions - he could be a huge asset in years to come. Probably won't be a regular starter next season, but he can cover both positions so that'll probably work in his favour over the course of the season.
Its always good to have a secondary position that you can fill in for or cover. But I don't think he will ever be good enough to be our full time RB
Yeah, I don't think he's technically good enough to play as a full back, especially not over the course of a season. But in case of injuries or suspensions, it's good to have a player you can slot in there for a game or two.
Looks like NW is impressed with Lees: “But Tom Lees was head and shoulders man-of-the-match. He was super, learning all the time. He’ll be one of the main lads here next year.”
No i mean the confidence that was shattered by playing with Connolly on one side of him and Odea on the other On a serious note though i think youre right. NW has probably decide that Lees doesnt respond too well to criticism and needs picking up
Tom Lees had only had 1 full season and for a young centre half he's done brilliant. He can only continue improving and NW was right to suggest he'll be one of the main lads here next season. Centre half is probably the hardest outfield position to master so to be able to hold his own in the Champioship is a good achievement. With an established and wiser partner next season, he can only continue to flourish.
Tom Lees is certainly no young Woodgate, Kilgallon or Ferdinand. What he definitely is not is a Gary Kelly, or even a Paul Connolly. I just can't see Tom Lees being part of the future for Leeds United. He is too slow, too small in height, too small in stature, can't pass, isn't strong enough - in short, to me he's a League 2 player at best, but would get outmuscled too much in that division too.
So you ignore the fact he's currently our best CB and only set to improve (not to mention the fact he proved he was far too good for League 2 with Bury) and call him "a League 2 player at best?" Warnock's been comparing him to Phil Jagielka and described him as by far the man of the match against Cardiff. One day he will be top 6 PL quality, but he needs to be given time to grow and improve, hopefully with us. Also he's hardly too small, he's 6ft 1in, taller than Woodgate and the same height as Lucas Radebe.
