Leeds draw 1-1, O’Brien heads to Canada and Billy heads to Doncaster on trial.

Leeds contested a 1-1 draw with Norwegian second tier club Sandefjord on Wednesday night. Jason Pearce was on target again for the Whites and I for one am hoping that he continues pitching in with the goals when the Championship season begins. Warnock described the game as ‘a good workout’ and used the game as an opportunity to ‘try different things’. It was also the first appearance for new signing David Norris in a Leeds shirt, who will have been happy to get some game time under his belt.

 As it stands I’m not sure who Warnock intends to start in his midfield on the opening day of the league campaign against Wolves or even the Capital One cup game against Shrewsbury in nine days time. I think Rodolph Austin will be one of the central pair as he will be match fit and from what I’ve seen could be a massive asset for us this season. But who he pairs him up with I’m not sure. It’s good that we have options especially if Brown signs a new contract. I think White will start on the right as he has been during pre season with Varney on the left, which when compared to Gradel and Snodgrass, doesn’t set your heart racing. However I think if we get a right back in, preferably Peltier then I think we will be a lot harder to beat this season, which will certainly be an improvement on last season’s defensive frailties.

Andy O’Brien has had his contract terminated by mutual consent, so that he could complete his move to Canadian based MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps. O’Brien impressed initially in his Leeds career but his performances deteriorated drastically which coincided with personal problems that the defender was experiencing. He was also rumoured to be one of the highest earners at Leeds which would make sense, since he joined us from then Premier League Bolton Wanderers. This will make extra funds available to Warnock to maybe offer Ross a better deal or offer to an incoming player.

Blackpool have decided against taking Billy from us as his trial was terminated less than a week after joining them. He has now reportedly gone to Doncaster Rovers on another trial as Leeds try to get him off the wage bill. Personally I think Billy’s level is league 1 and hopefully he can rediscover his scoring boots for whoever he ends up plying his trade with next season. In terms of incomings, Warnock has hinted a new signing could feature against Preston on Saturday. ‘I’m hopeful we will have someone in’, ‘we’ve been working on one or two things. A lot of players have been mentioned and until we get it on the dotted line I don’t really like talking about anyone’. Well let’s hope he gets the players in that he wants, because with the season approaching, I think our squad is lacking in depth and the required quality to get us promoted come May. Of course as always, I hope I’m proven wrong, but the signing of Peltier or another similar quality defender is needed along with another three quality signings at the very least. Then I think we can realistically think about challenging this season.