Mo Barrow netted Reading’s winner at Elland Road on Saturday – just a few months after he was wearing the white of Leeds United.
Leeds United seized their chance to sign Hadi Sacko on a permanent basis from Sporting Lisbon in the summer, after the winger spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Elland Road.
Understandably, however, they were less encouraged to hand Mo Barrow an extended stay in West Yorkshire. The Gambian failed to make any sort of impact during a temporary spell from Swansea City in the second half of the previous campaign.
The cruel irony will not have been lost on Leeds supporters, then, when Barrow notched the winner for new club Reading at Elland Road on Saturday. Sacko, meanwhile, started on the bench and only came on with 22 minutes remaining.
Wrong man?
On current form, Leeds fans may be wondering whether they signed the wrong winger. According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, The Whites paid up to £2 million to land Sacko permanently on a three-year deal back in June.
This was despite the fact that the Frenchman was arguably Leeds’ most frustrating player under Garry Monk last season, admired for his rapid pace though pilloried for decidedly erratic decision making. And Sacko’s cameo outing against Reading was only his third Championship appearance since manager Thomas Christiansen took over, taking his tally to 55 minutes of football in total. While a regular starter under Monk, it appears the 23-year-old has much to do to win over his new manager.
Barrow’s late winner in West Yorkshire, however, caps an impressive run of form which has already made him a firm favourite among Reading supporters. The 24-year–old speedster signed from Swansea for £1.5 million, and has looked a real bargain so far.
Barrow adds speed and creativity to a side that was so often accused of being dull and one-dimensional last season – criticisms that are now being thrown Leeds’ way after three successive defeats.
With the benefit of hindsight, it’s tempting to wonder whether Leeds should’ve signed Barrow over Sacko.
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