During the drudgery of the Cellino years at Leeds United, there were ‘vacancies’ in most places on the pitch. Fans, frustrated fans at that, often tore their hair out wondering when square pegs would stop being played in round holes.
Two things that were missing in many fans’ eyes were out-and-out wingers with pace and ability to beat a man, and a natural #10 to play in behind a lone striker. Players like former right-back Sam Byram were tried in an advanced role down the right flank and fans also saw Alex Mowatt turn out in the #10 slot.
Neither of those players were seen as long-term solutions, more that they were short-term Elastoplast grafts to a side that struggled to mid-table mediocrity. Neither are currently at the club: Byram with West Ham in the Premier League and Mowatt currently on loan at Oxford United from Barnsley.
However, new broom owner Andrea Radrizzani is sweeping clean at Elland Road, a new direction was signalled – this bringing new signings. In stepped Victor Orta as Director of Football, his ‘weapons grade contacts book’ being used to bring players in to the Elland Road club.
These weren’t your ‘name’ players such as the likes of Wolves brought in, more they were players who provided a sense of ‘value’ to a side that had been set up with a particular vision. One of these players was Macedonian international Gianni Alioski.
Aloiski signed for the Whites after a stellar season with Swiss top flight side FC Lugano, swapping the Switzerland’s Super League for England’s Sky Bet Championship. He scored an eye-watering 16 goals and provided 14 assists for Lugano, with Leeds fans unsure that he’d repeat this feat.
He opened his account with a stormer of a goal against Nottingham Forest in a 2-0 win early in the season, before going somewhat quiet. That silence has been building into much noise over the last four games.
Four games, four goals, one Alioski
vs Brentford
Great header for #Alioski to lob two #bfc players on the line #lufc #mot pic.twitter.com/ouLtMWaZ4S
— Dean Raymond (@deanoooh) November 4, 2017
vs Middlesbrough
Great header for #Alioski to lob two #bfc players on the line #lufc #mot pic.twitter.com/ouLtMWaZ4S
— Dean Raymond (@deanoooh) November 4, 2017
vs Wolves
Loved this Saiz-Alioski linkup, Two of the most gifted players in the league #lufc @WACCOE pic.twitter.com/BRfmy8U5ry
— Champ (@AllAboutChamp) November 23, 2017
vs Barnsley
Ezgjan Alioski v Barnsley #GETIN #LUFC pic.twitter.com/gVtDFlx6jw
— #WALMOT (@WALM0T33) November 25, 2017
Leeds United fans comment and react to Alioski performance vs Barnsley
First up is a post from the player himself.
Meet the winners – proud of our team effort today! 💪🏻#ea10 #alioski #leedsunited #bfclufc #derby #proud #winners pic.twitter.com/xlLMInMwSF
— Ezgjan Alioski (@ezgjanalioski) November 25, 2017
This Leeds fan might be tasting some humble pie now.
Alioski has proven me wrong these past few games, on form himmmmm
— Ant (@AntonyMay_) November 25, 2017
Doubted maybe, but now turning away from that to certainty.
I doubted Alioski after forest game but he looks like he’s really starting to find his feet now. Saiz is just next level.
— Tony H (@Rumoydin) November 25, 2017
It was good, by the way.
Alioski been incredible lately really finding his feet and staying on them as well 😜 #lufc
— Armo☀️🌙 #GrazieVale (@Jordan_Armo) November 25, 2017
how good was Alioski’s goal tho 🤙🏻 #lufc
— Armo☀️🌙 #GrazieVale (@Jordan_Armo) November 25, 2017
This Leeds fan sees Alioski as building and improving towards the top of the side’s talent.
https://twitter.com/SouthStand_LUFC/status/934453781194002437
More praise for the fleet-footed Macedonian.
Been critical of Alioski at times this season but no denying this last few games he's been brilliant. Going forward and tracking back. #lufc
— Lee Holdsworth (@LeeHoldsworth01) November 25, 2017
Brilliant from Alioski by the way. Come back into form in a big way. #lufc
— Josh Hobbs (@JoshAHobbs) November 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/darlobobby/status/934439751947554817