Leeds United have finally managed to stay in the playoff spots and the New Year will indeed be a happy one for the fans if they can keep up their good work under Garry Monk. The former Swansea manager has transformed them from a mid-table championship club to promotion play-off hopefuls and by making some pragmatic signings and tactical decisions.
The transfer window is almost upon us and it’s pretty likely that the Whites will add one or two new faces to improve their chances of staying in the top six places or give the likes of Brighton and Newcastle a tough battle for the top two places.
Defensive stability isn’t one thing you’d generally associate with Leeds but it’s been a different story this season. The centre-back pairing of Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson has been outstanding and the young full-backs that Leeds possess have supported them well. However, the provision of perhaps one more defender is still there.
The latest injury to Bartley showed that resources could be stretched if either one of the first choice centre-backs is not able to play. With Liam Cooper the only other option at the back, the need to add another centre-back is imperative.
In a bid to strengthen their defence, the club is being linked with Partick Thistle centre-back Liam Lindsay according to reports. The 21-year old is also attracting interest firm from Birmingham but considering Leeds are in a playoff spot, they arguably hold the upper hand.
Lindsay came through the academy in 2011 and signed his first contract in 2012. Since then, he’s never had to look back. After a couple of loan spells in second division’s Alloa Athletic, he’s managed to make the first team and has impressed with his solid performances at the back.
In 20 appearances this season, Lindsay has managed to score five goals and seems to have an affinity towards scoring unstoppable headers in set pieces. Standing in at an impressive 193 centimetres, he’s built like a tank and aerial duels won’t be a problem. The pace of the Championship is could be a problem though as the Scottish league simply isn’t the same.
Nevertheless, he could be a decent option on the bench and with someone like Monk, who himself was a defender, to chisel him, his development in England could be faster than many presume. Leeds can’t afford to take any chances in the second half of the season and should go for him in the winter transfer window ahead of Birmingham.
