Birmingham, on the other hand, had a disappointing start to the season, but turned to the loan market, and to the Premiership, and brought Jesse Lingard in from Manchester United. The youngster is aged just 20, and made a blistering start, scoring all four goals in Birminghams 4-1 victory over Sheffield back in September. He added another when Birmingham went on to beat Millwall 4-0 and now the club are keen to tie his up to a longer deal than the months loan originally agreed. Birmingham are not winning everything, but their record since Lingard joined is substantially better than before.
For long periods of the previous regime, Leeds United relied heavily on the loan market to prop up the side, a tactic unpopular with fans due to the lack of long term commitment and planning from the club, but this season we have no loan signings whatsoever at the time we need it most.
McDermott has been reported to be scouring the market, looking for the quality that is required, but if Birmingham can secure the services of a player like Lingard, the question has to be asked, why can't Leeds?
On Sunday, it remains to be seen whether Birmingham will give us a lesson in loan signings or if Leeds have used the break to develop that quality from within.
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