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Season preview: Leeds United

Season preview: Leeds United
© PA Photos
As the new Championship campaign edges closer, we look ahead to how Leeds United will fare over the coming months.

With the Championship season beginning this coming weekend, Sports Mole casts its eye over Leeds United's summer and their prospects under the management of Brian McDermott for the 2013-14 campaign.

In:

Noel Hunt (From Reading, Free), Luke Murphy (From Crewe Alexander, £1m), Matt Smith (From Oldham, Free)

Out:

Steve Morison (To Millwall, Loan), Patrick Antelmi (Released), Leigh Bromby (Released), Paul Connolly (Released), Monty Gimpel (Released), Paddy Kisnorbo (Released), Sanchez Payne (Released), Jordan Snodin (Released), Davide Somma (Released)

Last Season: 13th

Manager: Brian McDermott

Three key players:


Sam Byram, Leeds United defender© PA Photos
Sam Byram - The 19-year-old started last season as an untested youngster, but ended it as many supporters' Player of the Year. Having made his senior debut in early August, he would go on to earn a large amount of praise for the marking job that he produced on Matt Jarvis - then of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Byram was virtually ever present since that point and showed that he has the makings of a very good modern day full-back. He is an able defender who can be a threat in the opposition's half - highlighted by his three goals last term. He has been linked with a host of clubs, including Manchester City, but McDermott recently insisted that the Thurrock-born defender is keen to stay at Elland Road.


Leeds United forward El-Hadji Diouf celebrates scoring his sides second goal against Birmingham City on January 15, 2013© PA Photos
El Hadji Diouf - The former Senegal international is one of the most Marmite footballers to have played the game. He even splits opinion among his own supporters, such is the baggage that follows him around. The fact of the matter is that when his head is in the right place, he is a useful asset in the Championship. He has not had the best of summers, having been physically assaulted back in his homeland, but McDermott will be hoping that he can tame the 32-year-old. If he can, Leeds have a potential match-winner on their hands. In true Diouf style, though, he will miss the first game of the season because of suspension!


West Ham's Ricardo Vaz Te and Reading's Noel Hunt battle for the ball on December 29, 2012© PA Photos
Noel Hunt - Leeds may have struggled to land the Republic of Ireland striker had it not been for McDermott, such is the strength of the relationship that the pair share from their time together at Reading. What Leeds have now got is a focal point in attack - something that has been missing since Luciano Becchio departed for Norwich City in January. He has shown given a run of games that he is an able goalscorer and what's more, his tireless work rate is bound to make him a favourite of the Leeds fans.

First game: Brighton & Hove Albion (H), Complete fixture list

Sports Mole says: Leeds have a nine-year itch to scratch. They were relegated from the Premier League back in 2004 and since then, there have been more lows than highs for the Elland Road faithful. There is a bit more of a buzz around the place following the appointment of McDermott, thanks largely to the fact that he led Reading back to the top flight in 2012. He had a good squad to work with at the Madejski Stadium, though, while the one that he has inherited still needs some care and attention. If he can work his magic in the transfer market, then a push for the playoffs may be in the offing, but as it stands, they look likely to fall short again.

Predicted finish: 12th

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Leeds United's Sam Byram after scoring against Peterborough on March 12, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1695226121432
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
3Burnley168621961330
4Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


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