Good Morning. It's Monday 23rd December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds knock the stuffing out of Oxford UtdLeeds served up a pre-Christmas treat for their fans at the weekend, smashing four past Oxford Utd and maintaining their hopes of automatic promotion. Using the full width of the pitch to good effect, the Whites looked balanced, well organised and dangerous every time they went forward. The pace and guile of Messrs James and Solomon would cause havoc among the visitors defence, constantly moving them out of position. The two linked up well for the opener after just nine minutes. Solomon showed his Premier League class, holding off a posse of Oxford players before delivering a teasing ball across the six yard box for the Welshman to bundle home at the back post.
Despite one-way traffic, the visitors held their shape pretty well but seemed content to go in at half time a goal down. Conceding possession and getting ten men behind the ball is nothing new to Leeds this season, but the O's lacked both the physicality and desire to get back in the game, and were made to pay after the break.
With little over 30 minutes on the clock, Jayden Bogle carved out the visitors, dancing through a melee of players before stabbing the ball past Cumming. This knocked the Christmas stuffing out of Gary Rowett's men as he looked on from the stands, wondering what he's signed himself up for!
Brendon Aaronson and Manor Solomon both got in on the act in the last 25 minutes to ensure Farke's men hold the best goal difference in the division despite Sheffield Utd and Burnley conceding less. The two clubs play each other on Boxing day, perhaps giving the Whites an opportunity to go top, as we see in the New Year.
Farke linked with Omobamidele reunionAccording to The Telegraph, Daniel Farke has identified Nottingham Forest defender Andrew Omobamidele as a potential target for the Whites, as the January transfer window approaches. The towering centre-back, signed from Norwich City for £11m almost 18 months ago, has yet to feature this season, finding himself as fifth-choice central defender at the City Ground.
Leeds enquired about him back in the Summer, but Forest opted to retain him as Nuno Espirito Santo wanted time to assess his squad. Now, with Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato, and Willy Boly all seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order, a January move seems likely. Once hailed as ‘outstanding’ by Republic of Ireland legend Paul McGrath during his teenage years, Omobamidele's potential is undeniable. He even marked his Forest debut with a goal in the FA Cup against Blackpool last season, earning a subsequent run of games.
However, the current strength in depth at Forest simply means they have alternative options, which isn't necessarily a reflection on Omobamidele's capabilities.
