Massimo Cellino promised the fans their money back for the season tickets if Leeds fail to achieve a playoff spot this season and it looks like he will not have to regret his decision. Garry Monk came to the helm at Elland Road in the summer with an enormous pressure on his shoulders to deliver. Despite a good start to his managerial career at Swansea City, the joy did not last long as he eventually got sacked but what an impact he has made at Leeds United to make the fans dream about life in the Premier League once again.
With yet another win in the Championship beating Brentford 1-0, the Whites are right now fifth in the League table with a 2-point cushion over seventh-placed Derby County. However, there is no room for complacency because one bad result can change the whole equation.
You can easily get to realize how close the race for playoffs spots is from the fact that only nine points separate the third-placed Reading from 13th placed Aston Villa.
So, to keep the momentum and the good form intact, what Monk should target is to bolster his squad in January. Leeds United are truly in the race for promotion this season after so many years of sheer disappointment and must not blow their chance now which is why January should be a busy month for them.
The Northern Echo reports that Leeds United are among the clubs looking at Middlesbrough striker David Nugent to bolster their attacking ranks. Further reports claim that Nugent has already made up his mind about moving to Leeds United in the January transfer window as he has told his friends about his choice of move for January.
Nugent is a striker who has won promotions in both of his last two seasons in the Championship. In the 2013-14 season, he was the stellar performer for Leicester City as they went on to win the Championship. Last season, he was at Boro and played an important part in Aitor Karanka’s side’s promotion campaign. However, the experienced Englishman has found first-team football tough to get at the Riverside Stadium this campaign.
The 31-year-old striker has only managed four Premier League appearances for Boro this season even though all were from the bench and none resulted in goals. He has not kicked a ball for Boro since the middle of September and a move away from The Riverside seems like it could be on the cards. However, he remains a quality striker and most importantly, he is proven in the Premiership.
Leeds’ over-reliance on Chris Wood could turn out to be costly for them by the end of the season. The Kiwi has 11 goals in the Championship to his name this season but Leeds have no one to deputise him if he misses one game due to injury or suspension. Marcus Antonsson has been a huge flop at Elland Road since his summer switch from Kalmar and there is no other option at Monk’s disposal.
A proven Championship campaigner like Nugent has what it takes to add invaluable experience to Leeds’ attack and is unlikely to mind playing second fiddle to Wood. So, this move makes sense for all parties.
