“No excuses, We need somebody in there who is fit, reliable, whatever it might be, please just sign, That is a position they really need to cover”- Phil Hay mentions one signing Farke must make in January or risk Leeds season imploding

Phil Hay has urged Daniel Farke to go out and sign a left-back at Leeds United in the January transfer window with so much uncertainty in the position right now.

The Athletic journalist, speaking on The Square Ball podcast (18 December) shared that it won’t be easy to go and find the ideal candidate but it is the position Leeds must strengthen with Sam Byram and Junior Firpo currently out injured.

Farke has been forced to adapt because of injuries and lack of options with Archie Gray having to play at right-back and Djed Spence returning from injury to play left-back against Sunderland and Coventry in their last two games.

Hay, speaking on The Square Ball podcast (21:53sec) shared his reaction to Dan Moylan’s outburst that the Whites must sign a left back in January, saying: “Absolutely sign left-back, I think that has to be done.”

Moylan then responded, saying: “No excuses, because I know they thought that between Firpo, Byram and Jamie Shackleton to cover that position, we saw Spence there on the left-back at the weekend (v Coventry). Clearly, it’s not quite enough, is it?

“We need somebody in there who is fit, reliable, whatever it might be, please just sign a left-back.”

Hay, pointing to a possible no.10 signing added: “I think I’m a bit more realistic in the number ten position in that, it’s not easy to go out and get players like that and I’m not saying it’s easy to get left-backs as we’ve seen over the years at Leeds United, that they seem to be incapable of signing good left-backs more often than not.

“But that is a position they really need to cover.”

Of course, a vast amount of change isn’t needed in this squad, but a couple of new faces could go very far.

Leeds are still trying to navigate without a real tried and tested left-back, with the number 10 role also coming under heavy scrutiny at different parts of the season.

Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe have done as well as they could rotating in the role at times this season with the former already notching nine assists so far this campaign.

But, as Hay points out, it will be incredibly difficult to get one in, especially a player expected to come in and make an impact immediately so it may look as if the Whites will have to buy young in the position from other EFL clubs or elsewhere.

The left-back position should be more of a priority though as Farke will surely want a proper left-footed left-back in order to add more balance and variation to the Leeds United attack.

Byram has indeed been a stunning component in the role but there are doubts over Firpo’s qualities and his long-term future at the club and getting a proper option in the role could go a long way for Leeds United.

Paraag Marathe and the 49ers Enterprises will be working closely with Farke and Nick Hammond, who have likely already put forward some names who could transform this squad.