Some of Leeds’ best performers last season are not matching their standards so far this term.
So far this Championship campaign, some of Leeds United’s favourite sons haven’t quite turned up.
Indeed, while the likes of Sam Byram, Alex Mowatt and Lewis Cook shone when breaking through under Neil Redfearn last season, the same three youngsters are not up to the same standards this time around.
It may just be that all three are getting tired after so many months in the limelight at Elland Road but it also might have something to do with the man who gave them their chance no longer working at Leeds.
In terms of Redfearn at Leeds generally, United have now moved on. However Uwe Rosler ends up, there was no chance owner Massimo Cellino and Redfearn could have reconciled their differences.
But, when it comes to getting the best out of the key trio of Byram, Mowatt and Cook, the Whites may well be missing their former coach, who had a very specific way of motivating players he had worked with for years.
It may not just be down to the manager, in that Byram currently has contract issues with Leeds.
And the exception, of course, is Charlie Taylor. He developed under Redfearn and has absolutely thrived under Rosler.
It looks as though his natural fitness levels – or aptitude to develop his fitness – have helped him in that regard, while the less physical Byram, Cook and Mowatt perhaps haven’t adapted well enough to the current Leeds boss’s methods.
The under-par trio were clearly chomping at the bit to play for Redfearn. It may be a little bit too much of a coincidence that all three are looking a little worse for wear this time around.
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