The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 24th November) Could duo quit ER in January
Could duo quit ER in January
Speaking on the Square Ball Podcast, Elland Road journalist Phil Hay told viewers that forgotten dup Charlie Cresswell and Jamie Shackleton could quit the club, in search for more minutes.
The pair enjoyed moderate success last season, whilst on loan at Millwall, with many of the plaudits going to Cresswell for his bullish displays; but with just one start this season, the England U21 centre-back must be wishing he was back at Bermondsey.
Similarly, after a great start to the season, Shackleton has been unable to work his way back into Daniel Farke's first team plans. He has had several injuries to contend with, which have hampered his progress, and just like his team mate, has fallen down the pecking order.
“There will probably be questions asked about Charlie Cresswell because Leeds seemed open to selling him a year ago, he hasn’t played much since then and he strikes me as somebody who would want minutes.
“Shackleton too, I know he is kind of in the mix, but we’re starting to get towards the end of his contract and this season he seems to be in the same situation that he’s been in for a long time.
“He’s got a coach who likes him and rates him and loves his energy and everything else, but actually isn’t using him that much. It’s not as if he’s been told ‘You aren’t good enough’, he’s just not getting used anywhere near as much as he would like.”
Spence ready to return
After an eight week lay off with a horrific knee ligament injury, Leeds Manager Daniel Farke is finally able to call on the experience of Djed Spence.
The attacking right wing-back wowed the Elland Road faithful with a ten minutes cameo appearance (against Sheffield Wednesday back on September 2nd) which had many mesmerised. Unfortunately, the following week, Spence fell awkwardly in training, and he snapped ligaments in his left knee after falling awkwardly.
His comeback couldn't have come at a better time. Leeds face 10 games in the next 37 days (between now and January 1st). Farke will surely need to rotate players, and deal with possible injuries and suspensions along the way.
Where does that leave Archie Gray? Farke was concerned with the mileage the 17yo was
accumulating in midfield, so switched him to right back, a role he is familiar with whilst representing England U18's/19's.
Spence's comeback will surely push Ayling further down the pecking order, and even though he has 751 minutes of game time under his belt, has barely featured in recent games.
Everton 'raging' at £300m Court case
Everton have filed an official complaint over the £300m legal case bought by Leeds Utd, Leicester City and Burnley!
The aggrieved trio are set to follow through with their plans to sue the Toffee's for loss of revenue, claiming Everton gained an unfair advantage after over spending. Reports now claim that the Everton board are 'raging' that the same panel that deducted them ten points will chair the compensation claim.
Chair of the commission, David Phillips KC, is no stranger to Leeds Utd. He represented the Whites during their 2007 appeal against the 15 point penalty inflicted on them following their relegation from the Championship.
Unfortunately, he didn't have much to work with, as Leeds had already agreed not to appeal against the punishment and signed a Compromise Agreement to that effect. There was a risk that the Whites may have been thrown out of the football league altogether had they not signed it.
Phillips ruled that the case was to go ahead, adding that he was “satisfied that the applicant clubs have potential claims for compensation” but the Everton hierarchy are demanding that new personnel be assigned to the case.