Leeds United are said to be looking at tying up a loan deal for Birmingham City goalkeeper David Stockdale as soon as possible, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post – and the thought of his capture has left many fans divided on social media.
There is a section of supporters who are unimpressed with the club’s decision to pursue the stopper though, particularly after being linked with Manchester City’s Angus Gunn – again in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The Whites made the decision to allow Felix Wiedwald to leave the club after only one season, returning to Germany after arriving from Werder Bremen.
It was not a successful stint at Elland Road and following a number of errors in the net, then manager Paul Heckingbottom opted to axe the stopper in favour of under-23 star, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who has performed with aplomb since coming into the side.
Some fans believe that Stockdale is no better than the young goalkeeper, while others are in favour of bringing his experience in to Elland Road.
Here’s a selection of Twitter reactions from supporters following the news:
Missing out on angus Gunn and getting stockdale instead??? big loss/mistake!! He’s not wanted by Birmingham only reason leeds want is cos he’s a Leeds fan! So error prone it’s unreal!! #lufc
— ALAW (@ALAW116) June 27, 2018
Nearly 33 mate, maybe don’t wanna give him 2 year deal, that’s all I can think would be reason. If we went up they won’t sign him permanent.
Have him for a year then bring BPF back from a loan spell, BPF no2 if we go up, no1 if we stay champ— Liam (@LRoche04) June 27, 2018
We have a good young goalie, just give him the shirt
— Nick Hammersley (@NickHammersley) June 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/REDPLANET2025/status/1011968243911753728
This is a disgrace, this much hassle signing an unwanted Championship GK
— Joe Atherton (@joetmatherton) June 27, 2018
He needs to shift a stone first
— Rob Debenham (@robbydeb) June 27, 2018
Was a very good keeper but noticed last season at Brum Stockdale made a number of costly errors. Hope we get the goalie of the previous seasons at Brighton #lufc #MOT
— Marc F ??? (@billywigwam13) June 27, 2018
Behave mate had poor season by his standards but still too keeper better than what we have anyway
— Ron (@ronaallleeds) June 27, 2018
He was best keeper in the league a few seasons ago, most player have a bad season in their career – GK’s get it amplified though as mistakes usually lead to goals, I don’t think he’ll be a bad choice at all mate! #LUFC
— LUFC?? (@LeedsUnited97) June 27, 2018
We really need to get going. Signings need to bed in during pre season. Hitorically, when we leave it close to transfer deadline day we end up with a load of crap.
— WJ (@jessop_william) June 27, 2018
Why do we need Stockdale anyway?
BPF perfectly adequate now & will only get better. Yes we need another keeper to replace the german but Stockdale is not the answer. Not good enough for brum, not good enough for Leeds. Bielsa must know plenty of keepers, might be one at Arsenal— Lewis Wilko (@lewiskw13) June 28, 2018
OPINION:
Stockdale did not have a particularly good season at Birmingham, although if he is coming into the side as backup to the much younger Peacock-Farrell then it is a move that could make sense, particularly on loan. The 32-year-old usually has a safe pair of hands and if his younger counterpart was not able to match the form that made him so popular at Elland Road last term, you would have to say that as a step-in, he would provide the quality needed at this level to stabilise the position as well as strong competition in between the sticks. If Leeds can get the player with an option to buy then it would be a quality acquisition despite seemingly losing out on Angus Gunn, which now looks likely to happen.