So firstly, Fabian Delph has had his short-term return to Leeds cut short by injury. Then Andros Townsend decided he wanted to return to his parent club, Tottenham. And now Adam Smith has followed suit and been recalled too.
The problem faced by clubs such as us who choose to utilise the loan market is when stuff like this happens. In the space of a few days we've lost three players who could have featured in the first team.
Manager Neil Warnock actually told the Leeds United website that Townsend had said he didn't like it At Elland Road and wanted to leave. It has since become apparent that Birmingham were also interested in him and he has since moved there for a loan spell. Whether that was a factor in him leaving Leeds remains to be seen.
But as I said before, Leeds United are now three players down on the squad that already needs drastic improvement and bolstering. No wonder there doesn't seem much hope of promotion this season.
Loan players are often not up for the fight as it were, because they're usually not at the club they want to be playing for, most often out looking to gain experience. Maybe Bates and Leeds United should consider making some long-term, permanent signings in the near future, instead of constant relying on the unreliable that are loan players.
