Georges Ba signs out

Ivory Coast international, Georges Ba who was recently on trial at Leeds has signed for Gillingham.

Whilst on trial at Leeds, speculation was that Gary McAllister was looking to strengthen his options upfront, following Leon Constantine’s loan move and the goal drought Jermaine Beckford was experiencing.

However, Jermaine Beckford found the net twice against Walsall last week, bringing an end to his drought and loan signing Dougie Freedman has continually impressed during his brief spell so far at Elland Road.

The reason behind McAllister’s decision not to sign the Ivory Coast international remains unclear, as Leeds have not issued any statement regarding him, but it would seem the partnership between Jermaine and Dougie satisfied the manager enough that he didn’t feel he needed to strengthen the squad further (a decision he may regret following yesterdays endless array of missed chances.)

Leeds also have plenty of backup in the striker department with Tresor Kandol, Anthony Elliot and youngster Tom Elliot all at McAllister’s disposal.

Gillingham are awaiting for international clearance for Georges Ba, but have so far handed the striker – who was a free agent – a contract until the end of the current season.

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Elding determined to make first team

Anthony Elding has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that he hopes to have “planted a seed” in Gary McAllister’s mind ahead of Saturdays must win six-pointer at home to Walsall.

The stiker who joined Leeds from Stockport at the end of January is in good form, coming off the bench to net a consolation goal against Cheltenham last week, before netting twice against Sheffield Wednesday in a reserve fixture on Tuesday.

Elding – a childhood Leeds United fan – thinks McAllister thought he may be a little overwhelmed by his arrival at Elland Road and this has perhaps hindered his chances of making the starting line up so far “I feel he (McAllister) thought I was in awe of the club at the start, which I was – it’s fair to be said. But I’ve settled down a lot more now. I’m sure if I’m given a run over the course of the season, I’ll get some goals.”

With Jermaine Beckford unable to find the back of the net lately, the timing couldn’t be better for Elding. Jermaine still sits on top of the League Ones goal scorers, but has found the back of the net only once -from a penalty – in the last twelve fixtures. McAllister hasn’t been afraid to axe regulars in recent weeks either, with Tresor Kandol and Frazer Richardson finding themselves dropped after poor performances.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Douglas has said he’s delighted to be back in the mix after being sidelined with an injury for the past three month. He played the entire 90 minutes of Leeds’ reserve fixture on Tuesday, and now aims to play a part in the team as Leeds chase promotion to the Championship.

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Time to drop Becks?

It’s a rare occurrence that any football fan will argue a case for dropping the leagues top goal scorer, but in Jermaine Beckford, Leeds United have an extremely out-of-form goal lacking striker, that seems to be keeping his place in the starting line up solely on his exploits earlier this season.

Jermaine Beckford still sits at the top of League One’s goal scoring chart, but has failed to deliver the amount of goals he was earlier in the season for the last couple of months and seems absolutely lost in front of goal lately.

I’m not sure Gary McAllister is confident enough to make such an high profile change to the starting line up yet, but if Beckford’s form continues he really has to start looking at other options.

Dougie Freedman has already made a huge impact at Elland Road, scoring twice away last week to earn a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw – although a stronger defence would have seen Leeds easily claim all three – whilst fellow newcomer Anthony Elding scored a late consolation goal after coming on as a sub against Cheltenham, followed by two goals for the reserves on Tuesday.

We also have youngster Tom Elliot waiting in the wings who has continually impressed throughout the season at reserve level and may well be ready to take the step up.

Tresor Kandol’s dismal form and hapless finishing has already paved the way for Dougie Freedman to try and seal his first team place, but will Jermaine Beckford be the next scalp? If he doesn’t start coming up with goods soon, you would suspect so.

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Macca looks to strengthen strikeforce

Gary McAllister has handed a trial to 29-year-old, Ivory Coast striker Georges Ba.

 McAllister had his first glimpse of the striker after he took part in a reserve fixture against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night. Ba failed to score, and was replaced by youngster, Tom Elliot after 81 minutes.

Anthony Elding, who scored his first goal for Leeds United in the 2-1 defeat to Cheltenham last week scored twice as Leeds’ reserves drew 2-2.  

Although Gary McAllister now has numerous options upfront, with the likes of Tresor Kandol, Jermaine Beckford, Anthony Elding and Dougie Freedman all available, he may well look to Ba for further strength following Leon Constantine’s loan move.

Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland international Jonathan Douglas made his long awaited return to action in the reserve clash playing the entire game with no problems reported.

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