Football News: Leeds United Season Preview

One thing is for sure, Leeds United is never boring, there is always something to talk, or write, about, particularly in recent years. Even now the reign of Master Bates and his particular brand of bizarre and fiery proclamations is over, the club has managed to find another owner who is as much in the headlines as the club itself. At least in Massimo Cellino's case it feels like his battles are about trying to get the club moving forward, rather than just for the sake of them, as happened with Bates.

Questions do remain about Cellino though, his trigger finger is always just a twitch away from firing a manager, so Uwe Rosler will need a decent start to the season. In a league as tight as the English Championship any team can put together a good run and ensure a challenge for the play offs. By the same token, a few bad results can see the season being spent battling relegation.

With Leeds having put together a young squad, inconsistency could lead to them being involved at either end of the table, or even moving between the two as the season moves on. Sealing the permanent signing of last season's loanee Sol Bamba at least gives the team some solid experience at the back to build on and talk the younger players through matches. Whether that will be enough, when the pressure is building on Rosler, either to push on towards the top or avoid relegation, is impossible to say.

Questions still surround Rosler and his 'heavy metal football' which has a lot to prove over the course of the season, though at least this season the fans know who the manager actually is ahead of the first match of the season. Last year the questions surrounding the manager were not about whether he was the right man for the job, instead it was wondering who on earth was Dave Hockaday. Nobody really had time to find out before he was on his way out of the door in the August!

Reasons to be cheerful:
The new sprinkler system which will ensure the pitch is always in supreme condition. As our very own Leeds fashionista MM has described in great detail how great it is over on our Leeds rumours site, I will just leave it there as an explanation. But if you do not believe that it is a reason to be cheerful, then please head over there and ask him about it, but be prepared for his excitement to almost burst out of the screen as he describes the workings of the ratcheting riser.
Marco Silvestri, at times the goalkeeper was excellent and he provides a generally reliable presence behind the defence.
The academy, which is one of the best in England, regularly producing first team players for the club.
Massimo Cellino who is always good entertainment.
Sam Byram, Alex Mowatt and Lewis Cook, who are not just good, young and English, and very highly valued. They make for a good basis to build around, but if sold would raise a good sum to invest in the team. So win win.
Ed013, because he has not got the number 17 which is unlucky. Apparently. At least according to Cellino.

Reasons to be fearful:
Massimo Cellino, good entertainment but completely unpredictable which could lead to him sacking the manager simply because he reached 17 points or has been in charge for 17 games. Or sell the club's best player because he watched the film 'The Color Purple' and so must be bad luck.
The youthfulness of the squad. While it can be a plus, there is the chance that inconsistency will cost the club over the course of a season.
Shaun Harvey, Ken Bates' right hand man is always looking for a reason to deduct points from Leeds. Now he has the reigns of power in the Football League, he is a dangerous enemy to have.
The lack of wingers. No, just kidding! Sorry to all from the Leeds rumours site who will now be in meltdown at the forbidden W word.

What can we expect from Leeds United next season?
The unexpected. That seems to be the only thing that is certain with Leeds, that it is what you least expect that comes to pass. It is difficult enough to predict a league as tight as the Championship anyway, but, when it comes to Leeds, it is doubly hard. They could end up anywhere from the play offs to the relegation places at the end of the season.

Uwe Rosler has it all to do, just to stay in the job, let alone achieve anything worthwhile. Just remember Uwe, if the team is on 16 points and the game enters the final seconds of injury time drawing a match, you are probably better to get someone to score an own goal than finish the day on the deadly number 17! You job may well depend on it.

With the quality of the young players at his disposal, Rosler must be aiming to make the play offs, once there anything can happen. Even if the 'heavy metal football' turns out to be more One Direction than Metallica, Rosler has every chance of a good season with the players at his disposal. The big question is whether that will be enough for the owner?

Written by Tris Burke August 03 2015 19:50:42