New signings serving up a triple tonic for McDermott
YEP 9/7/13
by Leon Wobschall
Brian McDermott has hailed the positive impact made by his trio of new Leeds United signings in Matt Smith, Luke Murphy and Noel Hunt – and insists they are all making a ‘real difference’ already.
Former Oldham Athletic targetman Smith and ex-Reading striker Hunt both found the net in their maiden starts for the Whites in Saturday’s 5-0 friendly win at near-neighbours Farsley AFC at a sun-drenched Throstle Nest – with the former netting twice and going within a whisker of claiming a noteworthy hat-trick with his deft chip hitting the woodwork in an impressive first-half showing.
The Whites hordes, who vastly outnumbered home supporters in the crowd of 2,000 were later treated to a brief cameo from £1m man Luke Murphy, who entered the fray for Simon Lenighan on 76 minutes.
The former Crewe schemer will be given more game-time as he boosts his fitness during United’s pre-season tour in Slovenia, which kicks off with a game against a Slovenian XI at FC Mura Stadium tomorrow (6.30pm).
Assessing the impact of his triumvirate of signings thus far, United boss McDermott said: “The three new players added to the group that we’ve got have made a real difference.
“I’m really pleased. The new guys have come in and settled very quickly.
“I think the three new lads who came in on Saturday realised what this is all about at Leeds United now. We now need to get some momentum going and we’ll get that going.
“All the players showed up well. When you sign someone like Matt Smith, you can see the potential he’s got. I’ve scouted him for many years and watched many games and I saw him playing for Oldham. He can hold it up, he’s got two good feet, he’s good in the air. What else do you need?”
After a brief appearance as a substitute, Murphy will be eased in gradually during the pre-season programme, with three games being in Slovenia.
Following their return to England, United face games at Walsall on July 20 and Stevenage three days later before rounding off their schedule with a home match against Bundesliga outfit FC Nurnberg at Elland Road on July 27 – a week before kicking off the Championship campaign at home to Brighton on August 3.
Specifically on Murphy, McDermott: “He’s fine; he just needs a little bit of time (to bed in).
“He hasn’t done too much over the summer so we’ll ease him in gently. He’ll get 45 minutes (in games) in Slovenia and then we’ll get him up to strength, ready for the Brighton game.”
United’s squad are now in situ in their training camp in Slovenia, with prize asset Sam Byram among the group of players who jetted off to the continent on Monday morning.
The teenager is on the mend following a niggling hip injury, which forced him to miss the final two matches of last season and which precluded his involvement for the England U20’s in their recent World Cup campaign in Turkey – after being originally chosen in boss Peter Taylor’s final squad.
Senegalese star El-Hadji Diouf, suspended for the first three games of the new season, has stayed behind at Thorp Arch to boost his fitness following a shin infection, with Ryan Hall – due to become a father this week – also missing from the party that headed to Europe.
Ross Killock, Charlie Taylor and Alex Cairns have also travelled with the party.
Brian McDermott has hailed the positive impact made by his trio of new Leeds United signings in Matt Smith, Luke Murphy and Noel Hunt – and insists they are all making a ‘real difference’ already.
Former Oldham Athletic targetman Smith and ex-Reading striker Hunt both found the net in their maiden starts for the Whites in Saturday’s 5-0 friendly win at near-neighbours Farsley AFC at a sun-drenched Throstle Nest – with the former netting twice and going within a whisker of claiming a noteworthy hat-trick with his deft chip hitting the woodwork in an impressive first-half showing.
The Whites hordes, who vastly outnumbered home supporters in the crowd of 2,000 were later treated to a brief cameo from £1m man Luke Murphy, who entered the fray for Simon Lenighan on 76 minutes.
The former Crewe schemer will be given more game-time as he boosts his fitness during United’s pre-season tour in Slovenia, which kicks off with a game against a Slovenian XI at FC Mura Stadium tomorrow (6.30pm).
Assessing the impact of his triumvirate of signings thus far, United boss McDermott said: “The three new players added to the group that we’ve got have made a real difference.
“I’m really pleased. The new guys have come in and settled very quickly.
“I think the three new lads who came in on Saturday realised what this is all about at Leeds United now. We now need to get some momentum going and we’ll get that going.
“All the players showed up well. When you sign someone like Matt Smith, you can see the potential he’s got. I’ve scouted him for many years and watched many games and I saw him playing for Oldham. He can hold it up, he’s got two good feet, he’s good in the air. What else do you need?”
After a brief appearance as a substitute, Murphy will be eased in gradually during the pre-season programme, with three games being in Slovenia.
Following their return to England, United face games at Walsall on July 20 and Stevenage three days later before rounding off their schedule with a home match against Bundesliga outfit FC Nurnberg at Elland Road on July 27 – a week before kicking off the Championship campaign at home to Brighton on August 3.
Specifically on Murphy, McDermott: “He’s fine; he just needs a little bit of time (to bed in).
“He hasn’t done too much over the summer so we’ll ease him in gently. He’ll get 45 minutes (in games) in Slovenia and then we’ll get him up to strength, ready for the Brighton game.”
United’s squad are now in situ in their training camp in Slovenia, with prize asset Sam Byram among the group of players who jetted off to the continent on Monday morning.
The teenager is on the mend following a niggling hip injury, which forced him to miss the final two matches of last season and which precluded his involvement for the England U20’s in their recent World Cup campaign in Turkey – after being originally chosen in boss Peter Taylor’s final squad.
Senegalese star El-Hadji Diouf, suspended for the first three games of the new season, has stayed behind at Thorp Arch to boost his fitness following a shin infection, with Ryan Hall – due to become a father this week – also missing from the party that headed to Europe.
Ross Killock, Charlie Taylor and Alex Cairns have also travelled with the party.
