Leeds’ loan lottery

Tuesday, 31/01/2012

by Tom Mordey, Shoot's Leeds United blogger

As Leeds close on the temporary signing of Celtic right back Mark Wilson, one has to question the club’s continuous use of the loan market.

Wilson’s arrival will take the number of players at the club on a short-term basis to four. He will join fellow Celtic defender Darren O’Dea, Fabian Delph and Andros Townsend as loanees at Elland Road.

There are no complaints with the quality of those who join on loan. Wilson will be a useful addition to a side struggling down the right flank with Paul Connolly seemingly out of Grayson’s plans permanently.

Delph as well is a promising acquisition, as fans were sorry to see the player leave first time around. To have Fabian back in a white shirt so quickly is a massive bonus to promotion hopes this season.

O’Dea has been solid, if unspectacular and Townsend has made a good start, adding some genuine width and pace to United’s line-up.

Keeper Alex McCarthy, who covered for the injured Lonergan earlier in the season, also produced some strong displays between the sticks. This has highlighted the positives that proper use of the loan market can bring, as squads can be strengthened on the cheap, adding hungry players that are eager to prove their worth to their parent clubs.

However, at Elland Road, loan signings are used to mask the real problems within the club. There is obviously no money to spend for Simon Grayson, once again a transfer window has past without the club spending a penny, despite the boosting of Uncle Ken’s kitty through the sale of Jonny Howson.

Loans are a useful method in helping appease supporters unhappy with the lack of progress in the market. Though loan signings are better than no arrivals at all, there is a major problem in relying on temporary deals. Because that’s what they are. Temporary.

How is a manager supposed to build a squad if all his players are called back at the drop of the hat or at best, in three or four months time?

Occasionally, such moves can become more permanent, indeed Leeds have gone down this route a number of times, Andy O’Brien for one joined after a switch from Bolton.

Young players though just leave an even bigger hole to fill. Delph will return to Aston Villa at the end of his deal. Alex McLeish isn’t going to want to lose one his brightest prospects permanently and the same applies to Andros Townsend as well, as Harry Redknapp has first team plans for him on return to Spurs.

Grayson’s record in the loan market is rather dubious as well. Despite relative success this season, in previous years, he’s brought in some utter tosh.

Think Gary McSheffrey, who spent his entire time at Elland Road whinging, or Liam Dickinson, who signed in League One, and was quite simply atrocious. Just two examples of loan deals gone wrong.

These signings highlight just how much of a lottery the loan market can be, some pay off, while others don’t.

Quite simply, as much as the supporters want to see the squad strengthened, it would be nice to see the Chairman pull out his chequebook rather than just borrowing other people’s players.

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