The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 12th November) - The jury is still out on Solomon
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 12th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
The jury is still out on Solomon
It's early days, but things aren't quite worked out the way they were planned for Spurs loanee Manor Solomon. The 25 year old joined the Whites several days before the end of the Summer transfer window, agreeing to pay his £60,000 per week wages, and a one off transfer fee of £1m. Bringing him to Elland Road was always going to be a gamble. He spent much of last season on the side-lines with a serious knee injury, only managing 280 minutes of game time.
After lagging behind in pre-season it was decided to send the Israeli International out on loan. Having just missed out on Rak-Sakyi, and time running out, former Technical Director Gretar Steinsson was keen not to miss out on another top target, and secured the deal. 383 minutes of game time later, the jury's still out. He showed enough during his debut against Hull that when on song he's a game changer, but a nagging injury, and perhaps lack of first team football have hampered his progress this season.
YEP reporter Graham Smyth believes Solomon has the quality to be a game changer, but it's not quite happening for him yet...
The frustration is so evident in his body language at times. It just isn't happening at present. He's trying too hard or he's trying things that don't quite fit with what his team-mates are doing. He has the quality to be a difference maker at this level but it's not evident right now.
Recruitment reshuffle at ER
Alex Davies has been promoted to Head of Recruitment at Elland Road following the departure of Jordan Miles after just nine months and overseeing one transfer window. Miles only joined the Whites from Aberdeen in February, having held similar roles with West Ham and Ipswich, after a successful Internship with Derby County back in 2010. His departure follows that of Technical Director Gretar Steinsson, who has taken up a new role with the 49ers, not related to the club.
Davies has been part of the Leeds Utd set up since 2011, starting as a Performance Analyst before being promoted to head up the analysis department. Under Victor Orta, he was moved into scouting/recruitment and was appointed Head of Recruitment Operations in February this year, working closely with Miles.
Influential consultant Adam Underwood continues as Head of Football Operations and Hannah Cox as Head of Football Administration. For a club the size of Leeds Utd, their recruitment hasn't been great. Perhaps minority partner Red Bull, known to have one of the best scouting networks in Europe are to be involved behind the scenes at Elland Road, but in what capacity?