Reading look set for a place in the play-offs with Lewis Grabban in their attack – while Leeds United face the prospect of missing out altogether.
It seems bizarre to think that Leeds United’s January transfer activity was expected to revolve around the signing of a new striker to take the pressure off Chris Wood, The Daily Mirror reports.
Especially when you consider that the New Zealander, the Championship’s top scorer with 25 goals, has maintained his prolific purple patch throughout the entire campaign. Yet, with Leeds slipping out of the play-offs for the first-time in five months, the lack of a supporting player to step up to the plate looks to have cost them dear.
The Whites have lost three times without scoring this month alone. Meanwhile, the man they had reportedly targeted to take the pressure off Wood, Lewis Grabban, has all but guaranteed Reading’s place in the top six with crucial goals in victories over Aston Villa and Rotherham United.
It’s impossible to ask whether Leeds would still be in the play-off positions had they, rather than Jaap Stam’s Royals, signed the Championship veteran on loan from Bournemouth in January.
Yet, with his loan spell coming to an end and a future in the Premier League unlikely, Leeds could get a second chance to sign Grabban this summer, six months after the Daily Mirror reported their initial interest.
And you wonder whether their stuttering recent form will convince manager Garry Monk that he needs more support up top. Yes, Wood has been in almost unstoppable form but Leeds’ next highest goalscorer, Souleymane Doukara, has just six to his name.
Grabban may not be the most prolific striker but his penchant for important goals could have kept Leeds’ dream alive. If they miss out on the top six, the club cannot afford to make the same mistakes in the transfer window.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
