Yesterday we started our new Top Fives series with a look at the best signings since Leeds were relegated from The Premier League. Both The Scratching Shed and the fans decided that Gary McAllister made the best singing for Leeds when he brought Robert Snodgrass in from Livingston. But who made the worst?

In a period where Leeds United have seen many more downs than they have ups, the list of contenders was a long one, but here’s the five we came up with, followed by a chance for you to tell us who you thought was the biggest failure.

5. Stephen Crainey

The subject of much ridicule throughout his time at Elland Road, Stephen Crainey arrived as Leeds’ first cash signing since relegation from the Premier League going on to spend three pretty dismal years with the club.

Stephen Crainey was so bad that even the hopelessly inadequate Armando Sá managed to keep him out of Dennis Wise’s side, as did American midfielder Eddie Lewis who was played out of position.

4. Enoch Showunmi

Two league goals in two years was the total contribution provided by the clumsy and altogether useless centre forward.

With a first touch that was only bettered by the hopelessness of his finishing, the Leeds fans lightened the mood of his arrival with a song honouring his famously well endowed gentlemen’s region.

Rumoured to have killed a member of his opposite sex during a poorly advised attempt to reproduce, Enoch’s notoriety precedes him. Unfortunately, so too did his footballing ability and few Leeds fans were surprised when his transfer failed to pay off.

3. Jermaine Wright

No one is entirely sure how Jermaine Wright managed to blag 38 chances to impress the Leeds United faithful, but his impressive record stands testament to the old ‘follow your dreams’ philosophy. Clearly, there’s always someone out there ready to help you fulfil them regardless of how useless you may be.

After two years of failing to impress anyone at Elland Road, Wright’s contract was cancelled by mutual consent much to the delight of everyone who had suffered through his 38 appearances. Struggling to remember him? Count yourself lucky…

2. Michael Ricketts

Journeyman striker Michael Ricketts spent two years trying to do his job at Elland Road, failing miserably for the entire duration.

Simple folk like myself expect certain things from players. Defenders should be able to tackle, midfielders should be able to pass, wingers should be able to cross and strikers should be able to score goals. Ricketts, who fits into the last of these categories had twenty five chances to fulfil his job description at Leeds, never managing to find the back of the net once.

After Leeds tried desperately to offload him onto someone else through the loan market, Ricketts finally left for good at the end of the 2005-06 season, going on to join Southend. There he managed two appearances before the seaside club realised he was not only overrated, but massively overweight.

1. Kevin Nicholls

The award for the worst Leeds United signing since our relegation goes to Kevin Blackwell – rather unsurprisingly some might say – for his capture of the horrible Kevin Nicholls.

Joining Leeds United for £700,000 in July 2006, Nicholls spent much of his early Leeds career in the treatment room where new manager Dennis Wise found him hurling abuse at random passers-by and awarded him the club captaincy.

He returned in his new role as club captain and thanked Dennis Wise by getting himself sent off during the 1-0 defeat to Ipswich Town. After only a handful of further appearances, Nicholls was dropped from the team and stripped of his captaincy after it was revealed he had demanded a transfer back to Luton Town.

An embarrassed Dennis Wise stubbornly refused to let the horrible Nicholls leave unless Luton could come up with the money Leeds had paid for him. After they failed to do so, Preston North End coughed up and he left Elland Road to join them.

Not satisfied with failing to get his own way, Nicholls quickly managed to swindle his way back onto the transfer list and joined Luton Town at the end of the 2007-08 campaign where he has been described as a “legend” and “arguably the club’s best ever captain”.

Notable absences

Compiling this list was a bit of a mammoth task given the sheer volume of contenders there was to choose from. Some of these players were excluded due to the nature of their contract – ie. they were loan players rather than transfers, or were only here short term like Paul Dickov. Others were omitted purely because I felt there were worse alternatives, but it’s all subjective and you’re more than welcome to add your own opinions below.

Disagree? Who do you think was Leeds’ worst post-Prem transfer?

It was another quiet weekend for most of the Leeds loanees. Fede Bessone is still suffering with a hamstring injury so again didn’t feature for Charlton as they were held to a draw by Tranmere thanks to an Enoch Showunmi goal. Aidy White was an unused sub for Oldham which seems worrying considering the bright start he made and the Latics recent poor run – not scoring in their last six games. Opinion amongst fans seems to be divided on his exclusion from the starting line-up. Youngster Will Hatfield was also an unused sub for York City, despite recently extending his loan deal.

Mike Grella kept his starting place through the recent managerial change at Swindon and played 90 minutes in his home debut but was unable to get his first goal in their 0-0 draw with Walsall. Reports seem to suggest that Grella was predictably energetic and keen to impress but often took the selfish option rather than passing to team mates. Despite this, opinion from Swindon fans on Grella seems quite positive, the belief being that he has so far had to create his own chances due to a lack of support from midfield and that, after going close a few times today, he’ll surely find the net soon.

Tom Lees again played 90 minutes for Bury, helping the League Two side to another clean sheet in their 3-0 win.

Matt celebrates Greek cup win with Olympiacos

After a quiet few days, Betfair has re-awoken and we’re blessed with yet another transfer link that’s unlikely to ever happen. This time, the online bookmakers have scoured the net in search of a possible player to link and returned to us grateful Leeds United fans with the news that Matt Derbyshire wants to return to England!

Those of you that haven’t already leapt into the air with joy should feel free to do so now.

Matt is currently 24 years of age and started his career at Blackburn Rovers, where in 63 league appearances, he managed just 10 goals. He left Blackburn on loan to Greek side Olympiacos in 2009, before signing a permanent four-year deal at the end of the season. Since joining the Greek side, Matt has made 26 appearances and scored 11 goals.

Betfair have obviously realised Leeds fans are growing sceptical of their constant links, adding that;

Leeds manager Simon Grayson has been linked with all sorts of strikers throughout the summer, including the seemingly Celtic-bound Gary Hooper and Middlesbrough’s Leroy Lita, but the arrival of Derbyshire could trump the lot.

I assume you all had Derbyshire at the top of your wish-list?

Andy O’Brien

Next up, we have a return to the Leeds United rumour mill for 31-year old Bolton Wanderers defender, Andy O’Brien.

O’Brien has made no secret of his desire to leave the Reebok and is currently being linked with a move to both Newcastle and Leeds. With Patrick Kisnorbo set to miss the start of the campaign, and Richard Naylor looking like his best days are behind him, this is one of those rumours that could have substance.

And finally…

We end with news that no one wants Andy Robinson, but Enoch Showunmi has somehow managed to find a team stupid enough to give him another chance. Andy’s agent tells us that there’s been no offers for the midfielder over the summer, and he may be set to stay at Leeds (but then, why would he leave with his salary?)

Enoch Showunmi meanwhile has somehow managed to find a new home at Tranmere Rovers. Clearly, the Scouse side either like to look like idiots, or their scouting department is in desperate need of a reshuffle?

Not so shocking was that Beckford is considered the worst trainer, David Prutton is the joker (watch any interview with him, the mans a comedy genius) and Tres the best dancer; the MJ tribute act he did on crossbar challenge was hysterical.

Simon Grayson has revealed the club are in talks with Leicester City to discuss their options with Max Gradel. Gradel’s loan spell at Leeds United comes to an end after this weekends fixture when he will have passed the maximum time allowed for any short-term loan deal. Any further deal would have to be a loan until the end of the season or a permanent transfer.

Gradel’s introduction in games this season has often changed the game completely. He’s been a valuable asset to the club and it’s important we try to retain him until the end of the season at least.

Deadwood clearance begins

One of the worst players I have ever seen in a Leeds United shirt has left the club by mutual consent. Enoch Showumni’s time at Elland Road didn’t quite go as well as hoped and there’ll be no lost sleep with his departure. The striker is currently being linked with Scottish side Falkirk. Good riddance.

I think we were all pretty much on the same page in terms of what needed to be done in January and no one was under any illusions about the squad size. We have to get rid of some of the players which have little or no chance of bringing anything to the team and get some quality in to replace them as we look to build for the Championship.

Small manufacturing town in Lancashire

Just when you thought Old Kenneth had mellowed in his old age, he decides to take a swipe at Burnley. The soon to be ex-Premier League club were heavily linked with Simon Grayson when their previous manager departed which had some people in Leeds a little worried. Not Uncle Ken though, who in his usual charming manner said the following;

“Why would Simon want to leave Leeds for Burnley? I mean they are a small manufacturing town in Lancashire. Simon is a Yorkshireman. We have 10 times their population, 50 per cent bigger gates than Burnley and we beat them pre-season anyway.

“They might be in the Premier League now but I think they lost £9million last year and, if they come down, they will go back to where they came from – whereas Leeds are on the up.

“Simon has already asked why would he want to leave Leeds for Burnley? He wants to manage in the Premier League with Leeds United and that is what he is going to do, hopefully sooner rather than later.”

So, let’s brace ourselves for another war of words followed by the inevitable court case. Never a dull moment, is there?

“Erm… aren’t you forgetting someone?”

As for day 14 of Beckford watch, well, there’s simply nothing to watch. Leeds continue to play hard ball and no one else is saying anything. Maybe it wasn’t a forgone conclusion after all?

The most interesting rumour to have emerged so far is the one linking Becks with Middlesbrough, who are currently managed by our former captain, Gordon Strachan. Simon Grayson continues to dismiss all speculation however, reiterating his statement that Jermaine will be going nowhere until the end of the season unless a ‘ridiculous offer’ comes in.

Two reasons why I can’t see Beckford leaving in January; the first is that I simply don’t believe anyone would be stupid enough to pay over the odds for a striker they can sign for free in a few months time. They can even secure his services on a pre-contract once the window opens so it’d be insane to spend millions bringing him in a few months earlier.

The second reason I think he’ll be staying is kind of linked to the first. When we bought Becks from Wealdstone for the bargain price of £45,000, a clause was agreed whereby Wealdstone would receive a percentage of any fee received if Leeds United were to sell him (link is to the Wealdstone chairmans blog). I aren’t entirely sure what the percentage is, but many seem to think it’s 40%, which makes a sale seem even more pointless. Say we were to sell for £3,000,000, of which £1,200,000 goes to Wealdstone. The agents will undoubtedly take a cut as will Jermaine, so the amount of money Leeds will receive would not be enough to get another striker of any actual quality.

Elsewhere, Grayson will undoubtedly be looking to strengthen a few areas. The full-backs still concern me, but Tony Capaldi is clearly not the answer to our problems. His performances so far have been painful to watch. Cardiff are unsurprisingly willing to get rid of him though and confirmed he was available for transfer. Thanks, but no thanks Mr Ridsdale.

Elsewhere, I think the teams pretty strong and more than capable of keeping the results coming. Max Gradel is a player we should definitely move in for but I suspect we’ll extend his loan until the end of the season and look into it then. We may bring one or two in, but I suspect there will be more going in the opposite direction.

Alan Sheehan seems likely to move to Swindon permanently and trimming some of the deadwood wouldn’t hurt matters. David Prutton, Andy Robinson, Enoch Showunmi and one or two others should be shipped out for a start, however much the fans like some of them. They aren’t going to get many games and the wages of their wages will undoubtedly be quite high for this league.

So whilst I think there’ll be some activity for Leeds next month, I don’t think Jermaine will be part of it. The key now is to get rid of some of the weaker players and bring in some Championship quality ones who can perform if/when we achieve promotion. It’s all about streamlining the squad basically.

The pitch was reminiscent of Histon’s last season, the referee was definitely in the wrong job and for what felt like a much more than 90 minutes, Leeds and Brentford failed to excite the crowd.

Patrick Kisnorbo made a welcomed return and Max Gradel was handed a rare start. The near-on 2,000 travelling Whites were pretty unanimously expecting three points, but I remained cautious knowing that Brentford had beaten both Colchester and Norwich on this ground.

A scrappy opening quarter of a hour passed with only one real chance. Kisnorbo was showing us exactly what we’d missed by organising the defence much better than in recent weeks and clearing anything Brentford could throw forward. Jermaine Beckford had the first real chance for Leeds smashing a powerful shot at goal, only to see the Brentford keeper touch it onto the woodwork.

That was about all the first half had to offer. Leeds were probably the better team given that Casper had been more of a spectator than a goalkeeper and not had to save anything that I remember. Capaldi was doing everything in his power to help Brentford out with another dismal performance that left me thinking he’d struggle to make the starting line-up of Farsley Celtic.

The under faciltated stadium caused a few half-time hiccups as 2,000 Leeds fans went for a break from the poor on-field performance. Leeds started the second half much brighter than the first and attacked from the off. Kilkenny and Howson were both providing chances for the Leeds attack, but Beckford missed a one-on-one I’d have put money on Showunmi scoring. That pretty much summed the days events up.

Whilst Brentford never really looked like winning, Leeds never looked like scoring. The pitch never helped matters and a referee unfit to take charge of an U9′s game couldn’t detract from what was a dismal day and a pretty poor performance all round.

So, the first trip to Brentford in half a century turned out to be a non-event. I’d usually give credit to the opposition for keeping us at bay, but the truth was they never really did. Leeds didn’t find it hard to beat their defence. Beckford broke the line several times, but aside from the thunderous shot he struck in the first half, seemed to have left his shooting boots at home. Capaldi was once again woeful and should be remembered alongside Roque Junior when he returns to Cardiff, whilst Larry’s substitutions proved unaffective for once.

I suppose on a positive note we remain top of the league by two points and with a game in hand. More importantly, we’re eight points clear of third place which is all that really matters. After conceding two against Huddersfield, Kis’ return brought with it another clean sheet. Some fans are suggesting this may be our bad patch and it wouldn’t surprise me as I’m never overly confident around Christmas, but if that’s the case then it’s the kind of bad patch we can ride out with ease.

Since the game Simon Grayson has criticised both the pitch and the referee. It’s not like Simon to be critical of anyone except his own team, but I think he’s more than within his rights to do. It was a frustrating day and the quality of the pitch definitely detracted from the quality of the football. Another poor referee spoilt any chance of the game flowing smoothly too.

Brentford manager, Andy Scott had the following reaction to Larry’s comments;

“Their left-back put the ball out of play three times. That wasn’t the pitch, it was the left-back not being able to keep it in play.

“We’ve had a lot of games on here recently and unfortunately we don’t have six groundsmen so it’s never going to be like Elland Road. I think any comments about the pitch will be taking away from a fantastic performance by my players.

“It was a physical game and I think that Simon is clutching at straws if he’s trying to blame the pitch and refereeing decisions.”

Although I understand Simon’s frustration as I felt pretty much the same, I’d be inclined to agree with Andy Scott. The left-back he mentions is Capaldi, who is truly, truly woeful. When all’s said and done, Brentford are a small club battling at the lower end of League One. They deserve some credit for holding the league leaders to a draw and regardless of poor referee’s and poor pitches, Leeds should still have been able to beat them.

TSS man of the match
Great to see Patrick Kisnorbo back in the starting line-up and the fact his return coincided with another clean sheet is no coincidence. He organises the defence like no one else can, continually issuing orders and making important challenges. Truly invaluable to our promotion push!

Leeds United have just announced that talks with Leicester City to extend Max Gradel’s loan have been successful and the impressive youngster will remain at Elland Road until the New Year.

Although Leicester have insisted on a 24-hour recall clause, I don’t think this is anything unusual and wouldn’t see it as an issue. Hopefully Bates, Grayson et al are thinking longer-term and are planning to sign Max up full-time during the transfer window.

Max has impressed management and fans alike since his arrival at Elland Road and recently told how he was enjoying playing for the club and more than happy to stay.

Shane Higgs reaps reward

Despite his recent injury problems that have kept him out of the first team, Shane Higgs’ form so far this season has impressed everyone. Alongside Premier League leaders, Chelsea (who have played less games) Leeds United have the best defensive record in all four divisions and Higgs has played a great part in that consistency.

Leeds United have now rewarded Shane with an extension to his current contract, keeping the keeper here for an extra 12 months. The 32-year old thoroughly deserves the extension and I look forward to his return from injury.

E-noch, E-noch, E-noch

For me Enoch Showunmi is the weakest link in our entire squad. I don’t know what anyone saw in him when Leeds United brought him in, but he’s looked clumsy, awkward, out-of-place and 5-yards behind the rest of the players on the park everytime I’ve seen him play.

Much like Emile Heskey for England, I keep trying to convince myself that I’m missing something and there must be something that the management are seeing in him that I can’t, but alas, I give in – he’s truly woeful. Anyway, he may not be here for much longer as Rotherham manager, Ronnie Moore prepares to make another attempt to sign him on-loan after his first was refused.

He isn’t a League One player, never mind a Championship one and simply seems like a waste of wages. I’m sure he could do a job elsewhere, but he simply isn’t good enough for a team with Leeds United’s ambitions.  

…and finally

The Celebrity Leeds United fans post I added just before this brought another milestone for the site in that it was the 100th post. Thanks to everyone that’s visited and contributed towards the site and here’s to another 100. On and on…

What’s really impressed me about Tresor Kandol lately though is his determination to be noticed. Tucked away in the reserves, most players are easily forgotten about, but Tres has continued to make headlines by scoring for fun.

With Lucciano Becchio still a fitness doubt, Mike Grella clearly not the finished article yet and Enoch Showunmi hopefully demoted to cleaning the other players boots after his shocking display the other week, Tresor Kandol’s place in the pecking order must surely have improved?

You have to wonder what it is he needs to do to gain a place in the first team. On loan to Millwall last season Tres scored 8 in 16 appearences, only last night he hit a brace for the reserves to follow-up on the hattrick he netted the week before and he was probably the only player on the pitch against Darlington that really looked hungry to break into Grayson’s plans.

I’ll admit that I’ve had my reservations about Tresor Kandol for some time now, but when you look at the alternatives we have in the striker department, he’s the only one that will contribute enough goals to challenge Becks and Becchio for a permanent spot. If Lucciano isn’t fit this weekend, I’d be very disappointed to see anyone other than Kandol in the starting line-up – and if Luci is fit, I’d be equally as disappointed to see Enoch on the bench instead of Tres.

I’m happy to disregard the first rumour on the basis that £500,000 is a fee we can quite easily turn down for one of our key players. Snodgrass will be catching the attention of a few clubs after his Scotland call-up and display against Liverpool, but it seems an unlikely gamble for Everton.

However, the Paul Hayes link could have some truth to it. I’m not sure what the extent of Becchio’s injury is, but whether it’s a week or six months, it was clearly evident on Saturday we need some better options upfront.

Enoch Showunmi had an absolute mare of a game. His passes rarely reached their destination and his first touch was clumsy. Mike Grella is coming on leaps and bounds and an extended run in the first team might be just what he needs, but I think Grayson would be wise to give himself further options.

The 26-year-old forward isn’t the most prolific of goal-scorers. So far this season he’s scored 3 times in his 14 appearences which is about average to his overall record.

The Scunthorpe official site is quick to defend his unimpressive goal-scoring record though and adds that “[Paul is] more than just a goalscorer. Hayes drops back behind the striker and is one of the club’s main creative outlets”.

He sounds as though he could be a bit like Lucciano Becchio. Jermaine Beckford will always be on hand to turn the ball home, but Becchio is often a key part of the build-up and his lay-offs and passes create the chances that Beckford thrives on. If we are going to have injury problems with Lucciano, then Hayes could be ideal cover.