Leeds United: Dominic Matteo surprised that no striker was signed in January

Dominic Matteo has been left surprised by the fact Leeds United didn’t sign a striker in January.

Leeds entered the season with just one recognised first-team striker in the form of Patrick Bamford, however, the England international has only played six games in the league this season due to several injuries.

Bamford has left the goalscoring problems to the likes of Daniel James and Joe Gelhardt who have often been played through the middle but they’ve got just five league strikes between them so it’s certainly been a struggle in front of goal.

And speaking on The Phil Hay Show prior to their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Matteo was certainly left shocked and surprised by the fact Leeds didn’t bring in a new striker during the January transfer window.

He said: “Dan James has done OK when he’s come in, but he’s not an out-and-out striker and I was a little bit surprised that we didn’t go out and get a striker because we’re desperate for one.

“I know it’s hard to get strikers, especially in that window, but even Joffy [Gelhardt] not really getting maybe the game time that he wanted, he’s a player who can impact stuff and make things happen.”

TIF Thoughts on Leeds’ striker problems…

The last few weeks have seen Dan James, who was brought in as a winger during the summer, having to lead the line which more often than not has brought about very little success, apart from the draw against Aston Villa when he netted a brace.

This makes the thought process of Marcelo Bielsa handing Joe Gelhardt just two starts in the Premier League even more mystifying given he’s a natural striker and could offer something more potent in front of goal.

In other news: Well-known presenter hints for Leeds to sack Bielsa