OPINION
Leeds United managed to end their season on a positive note with a 2-0 win over QPR at Elland Road on Sunday, with attention now turning to the summer and the changes it will bring.
Paul Heckingbottom has a massive task ahead of him as he looks to revamp this Whites squad that has badly let the club down since their impressive early-season running.
There will be several players on the chopping block at Elland Road, with there being countless stars who have under-performed at the worst of times this season.
And, despite their win over QPR on Sunday, there is one man who failed to make an impact yet again and must become Heckingbottom’s first casualty this summer: Caleb Ekuban.
The young striker was handed a start up front with Kemar Roofe on the left and Gjanni Alioski on the right, but was abysmal for most of the match.
The Ghanaian speed merchant failed to work himself into a promising position at all during the match, and showcased his poor technique and touch on too many occasions.
His effort was clear to see, and that may end up being his saving grace this summer, along with his young age, but it is obvious that the 24-year-old does not have what it takes to succeed at this level.
If Leeds want to win promotion to the Premier League they are going to need strikers scoring between 15 and 20 goals per season. Ekuban has two in all competitions.
Admittedly his season has been shortened by injury, but that is simply not a good enough return for a striker at Elland Road.
Quite simply, there should not be space for Ekuban in the squad next season, as Leeds cannot afford to be carrying players throughout a promotion-chasing campaign.
He must be the first casualty of the Heckingbottom shake-up this summer, with someone more reliable in front of goal brought in as a replacement.