Here are your Leeds United morning headlines on Tuesday, January 25.
Robinson defends Meslier
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has defended Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier for his role in Newcastle United's winner at Elland Road.
The 21-year-old has recieved plenty of criticism after he allowed Jonjo Shelvey's strike to sneak into the corner despite getting a strong hand onto his effort.
However, Meslier has been excellent since Leeds were promoted to the Premier League last summer and Robinson has explained why he possibly let the ball in.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, he said: "I think it’s harsh to give him the amount of criticism he’s had, in all honesty.
"From that point of view, it’s a ball he should’ve dealt with but you can’t react until it’s passed the last player’s foot.
"It’s like one of those free-kicks that drift into the far post because he cannot physically react until it misses all the players in the middle. It was Chris Wood or one of the central defenders who were six or seven yards from goal who could’ve potentially had the last touch on that.
"Yes, he’s read the ball, dived and should’ve done better with the end result. But it’s not as clear cut as everyone thinks it is.
"He should’ve done better than he did but from a goalkeeping view, it’s a very difficult one for him."
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Bogusz suffers long-term injury
Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Bogusz has suffered a major injury blow during his loan spell at Spanish Second Division side UD Ibiza.
Bogusz has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will be forced to undergo surgery on the issue in the coming days.
While no timeframe has yet been placed on his recovery, Bogusz will almost certainly miss the rest of the season, meaning his time at Ibiza has come to an end.
The 20-year-old had been enjoying an excellent season in Spain prior to his crushing injury blow, netting four goals and providing seven assists in 20 league matches.
Five of those goal contributions had come in the last three games, too, showing that the young Pole had been enjoying an excellent run of form as of late.
Bogusz also spent last season on loan in the second tier of Spanish football at UD Logrones, where he scored just one goal and registered one assist.
His improvement this year has been clear to see and so his likely long-term absence comes at the worst possible time.
Although it is unclear what Leeds’ plan for Bogusz is at the end of the coming season, the Poland under-21 international arrived at Elland Road in 2019 full of promise.
Bogusz has already played three times for the Whites’ first team under Marcelo Bielsa, however the last one came almost a year and a half ago.
His form at Ibiza will have undoubtedly had Leeds keeping a watchful eye on his progress and so his serious injury will be a huge blow for both him and the club.
Expert explains Leeds' lack of transfer business
Football finance expert Dr Daniel Plumley believes that Leeds United's lack of business in the January transfer window could be down to financial fair play restrictions.
The Whites have made just one signing this month, with 17-year-old Mateo Joseph joining from Espanyol, however, he has teamed-up with the Under 23s, leaving no first-team addition so far.
It's an issue that has been discussed amongst the Leeds faithful and Plumley has explained why the Whites may not be spending as much as the fans hope.
Discussing this with MOT Leeds News, Plumley, a Sheffield Hallam University expert, said, “They lost £71million in 2020. They had a loss before that as well. £29million in 2019.
"Figures coming out for 2021 will be aggregated so they will weigh it up with the £71million. There is something in that. Probably will make a loss this year as well because of the pandemic.
"Relegation is the risk. What you don’t want is to be relegated. That’ll take £60million off the revenue line.
"It could but I don’t think it will be a cataclysmic problem but in terms of spending, you have to ask do we spend millions of pounds and risk the high wages to avoid relegation?"
