Good Morning. It's Wednesday 24th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Nancy's frosty LUFC reception Filling Phil Hay's shoes was always going to be a tall order. Working his way up from reporter to Chief Football Writer at the Yorkshire Evening Post, followed by a five year stint with The Athletic, life was never dull for the Edinburgh born journalist. He followed Leeds Utd through the trials and tribulations, with the same trepidation as us fans for 18 long years. To many, he became part of the fixtures and fittings at Elland Road, and was privy to many of the goings-on behind the scenes. His sudden departure mid June was as much about the change of ownership, than it was about the new role offered to him by the New York Times, the parent company of The Athletic! Gone was his capacity to come and go as he pleased, and with it, his ability to be on hand to break the latest stories! To say Nancy Froston has been thrown in at the deep end is somewhat of an understatement. Her previous role covering (the Wendies,) general Championship and lower league teams will not have prepared her for Leeds or their fanbase. She's been getting a hard time by certain sections of the ER faithful too. For those of us who pay a subscription, we expect to be kept in the know, but she has openly admitted that she cares more about getting the story correct, than getting the actual scoop. As admirable as that may be, aren't the rumours half the fun? Her free flowing writing doesn't disappoint, but just like the new kid at School, she'll need to be given time to settle into her new role. She's been working with Phil Hay since January, so should by now have a good idea what we're all about! Only time will tell! please log in to view this image Confusion about Szmodics Conflicting reports concerning the proposed transfer of Sammie Szmodics is confusing Leeds fans on social media. Elland Road journalist Beren Cross has fervently denied that the Republic of Ireland ace is even on their radar, whilst talkSPORT Chief Football Correspondent Alex Crook is equally as confident last season's leading Championship scorer is firmly in their sights, and are now in talks with the hierarchy at Ewood Park. The 28yo would represent a marquee signing, but Leeds don't need an attacking midfielder, unless he's going to lead the line, or replace Summerville on the wing (which would be highly unlikely). On top of that, Blackburn are demanding a fee in the region of £20m, even though Szmodics is in the last 12 months of his contract! please log in to view this image Ampadu named skipper Ethan Ampadu has been named Leeds Utd club captain for the 24/25 season. The 23yo, was one of only two players to break through the 5000 minute barrier (for club and Country) last season, and became an even more instrumental figure after Christmas, having to drop back to centre-half to cover for Pascal Struijk after his groin injury! Struijk and Illan Meslier have been named as vice captains, putting an end to speculation linking the shot-stopper with a move to Marseilles! please log in to view this image
Morning all I did smile to myself with this line on Phil Hay: “Gone was his ability to be on hand to break the latest stories!” I seriously don’t remember him having a breaking story, we were lucky if he was less than 24hrs behind everyone else. Ampadu good choice for captain, Rodon would have been okay too. Szmodics I’d already taken with a pinch of salt, Ipswich are chasing him. I find it strange that he will be 29 in a couple of months time and Blackburn are the biggest club he has played for.
When Hay was at the YEP he was never in the know after Radz took over and poor old Phil was bypassed on everything. He ended up just being clickbait and then walked to the Athletic. The stuff he did for them was just regurgitated stories he did for the YEP with a bit more detail and embellishment. The big breaking stories he got about Leeds were Co authored with the man who actually got the story David Ornstein. Gessa got more factual news than Hay ever did. And the new bird who took over from Hay would normally have their predecessors contact file and that’s why she has no news or gossip because Hays contact file was empty
Smiley Badge doesn't look as good as I thought it would, think it is too large and too much going on with the Red Bull logo
Awful, awful shirt. So many possibilities, yet they mangled it. Cynical 'retro' marketing for leisurewear. An embarrassment as a football shirt. It's a no from me.
You cant please all the people all the time, as someone once said. The club has listened to the fans gone for our traditional yellow, with an iconic old school badge, Yorkshire rose on the back. Sponsers logo in our colours not theirs. I really can’t see what there is to dislike. I think it looks great.
