Leeds United: The things we have (maybe) learned from the 2015-16 season

Leeds United's head coach Steve Evans and his players thank the fans.
PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe — Leeds United's head coach Steve Evans and his players thank the fans. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe

lEEDS UNITED'S 1-1 draw at Preston North End at the weekend brought down the curtain on another frustrating campaign. For some fans, the end of the season will always come too early - for others there was no doubt a sense of relief.

As is often the case at Elland Road, it proved to be another season littered with controversy, a number of lows both on and off the pitch with the occasional glimmer of blue sky breaking through the grey clouds which often seemed to swirl around the club.

But, as is to be expected with an owner/president like Massimo Cellino, there was rarely a dull moment.

The future can still be bright ...

Sky Bet Championship.
Reading v Leeds United.
United's president Massimo Cellino.
16th August 2015.
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe — Sky Bet Championship. Reading v Leeds United. United's president Massimo Cellino. 16th August 2015. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

As has often been the case in recent seasons, the players coming through the Academy have been the real highlights of a generally frustrating campaign with the likes of Lewis Cook, Charlie Taylor, Alex Mowatt and, more recently, Ronaldo Vieira coming through the ranks and making an impact on the team. Keeping hold of these will be imperative next season following the departure of Sam Byram to West Ham in January.

Just not on a par with promotion pack ...

‘A club the size of Leeds should be in the Premier League,’ is a phrase often linked with the club. However, football doesn’t work as simple as that and as Leicester City’s Premier League title win has proved anythinis, well, possible. The Championship is one of the toughest leagues in Europe to get out of and this season Leeds simply haven’t been on a par with the likes of Burnley, Middlesbrough and those teams settling for the play-offs.

Investment in the playing squad urgently needed ...

Leeds United head coach Steve Evans.
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe — Leeds United head coach Steve Evans. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

If Leeds are to reach the level of the teams in the upper reaches of the Championship and have any realistic chance of challenging for a play-off place or more, new, quality players are needed. Despite bringing in Toumani Diagouraga permanently and Liam Bridcutt on loan in January, little other business took place. With a number of players anticipated to be leaving this summer, it is imperative the head coach - whoever it may prove to be - brings in upgrades as their replacements.

A lack of stability remains ...

When the season started Uwe Rosler was seen as the man to take the club up the Championship table. He was gone by October. To be replaced by former Rotherham United coach Steve Evans was initially a major shock but, ever since, the Glaswegian has proved many doubters wrong and done a solid, competent job. It seems unlikely, though, that he will get chance to build on that come the start of 2016-17.

The Cellino circus rumbles on ...