3 Reasons For Leeds Fans To Remain Hopeful

Article by Leeds United Correspondent Connor Law

Frustration, mediocrity and inconsistency would not even cover half of what Leeds fans have felt and witnessed this season. However, not all is lost as there are faint glimmers of hope that our season could be taking a positive turn for once. So, here are a handful of reasons, in my opinion, to not lose all hope:

1. McCormack & Rudy

During the summer, we finally proved that we are no longer a selling club. After a number of rejected bids from Middlesbrough, we managed to hold onto McCormack and he has more than paid us back so far this season. With seven goals in the league already he has provided the magic touch on a number of occasions so far this season, most recently against Yeovil. Not only his goals, but his overall contributions to the team, with a number of assists, have made him an integral feature in our starting line up. A re-emergence in the Scottish national frame seems to have had an increasingly positive effect on his performances.

However, he is not the only international to be performing consistently for Leeds. Rodolph Austin has continued with his surging, forward runs this season, however instead of pot-shots at the end of them which would frustrate the Elland Road crowd, he has now started to look up for the runs of his team mates. If our win against Yeovil was anything to go by, it will result in goals. This duo will be instrumental if we are to succeed this season.

2. Byram, Mowatt et al.

Over the last few years, our academy has been turning out some outstanding talents who have already been linked with big money moves to the Premier League and if we are to progress we need to keep hold of and nurture our young players. Two perfect examples are Sam Byram and Alex Mowatt. The former has failed to feature much this season due to a series of injuries over the last few months; however, he more than displayed what he was capable of last season with barnstorming runs down the right and more than holding his own against proven Premier League players, whether it was Bale or Jarvis. Secondly, Mowatt has been a more recent emergence from our development squad and after glowing praise from McDermott for his performances in the cup; he has now established himself as a starter for our league games. With several more promising youngsters waiting in the wings, such as Lewis Walters and Charlie Taylor, this will fit in with McDermott’s use of young players.

3. McDermott & Two Year Project

When Brian signed at the back end of last season it was publicised that it would be a two year project, presumably to achieve promotion. For this reason, we should not be looking at this season expecting to be going up but as a learning curve for our squad to adapt to the new style, signings as well as the younger players gaining valuable experience. McDermott also has a proven ability to get the best out of his teams as the season goes on in order for them to challenge in the play-offs or in the automatic promotion spots when he was in charge of Reading. In his first season he pushed Reading through to the play-off final before defeat at the hands of Swansea City, then in his second season he was under a bit of pressure after a very mediocre start to the season (similar to ours this season) but they hit an incredible run of form, winning 13 of their last 15 games of the season to win the league. Now, I would never have the audacity to imply that we will get promoted this season but I am merely pointing out our manager’s prowess at getting under performing players and average starts to a season, and turning them into promotion, or even title contenders. So, why not dream a bit, after all we have two seasons!

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