Becchio

Becchio – a step too far back for Leeds United

Pavlov had it right with his eponymous dogs, ring the bell, show them food, watch them drool then withdraw food, ring bell and watch dogs drool in expectation. That pretty much sums up some Leeds fans and their attitude toward former players of the club. Some reporters, like the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Amitai Winehouse, are advocating this plan of action regarding Luciano Becchio – sending cohorts of the Leeds support into frenzied Pavlovian responses.

Amitai Winehouse’s argument for Becchio essentially boils down to the goal-shy nature of Leeds United’s hesitant and, at times, spluttering strikeforce and the need for goals to be found. Winehouse says that whilst bringing Becchio back is a risk, in that bad performance could shatter the love from fans to player, it is a risk worth taking for Leeds United. He admits that Luci isn’t at his fittest due to a lack of playing time at Norwich, an injury on loan at Rotherham and compounded by him leaving Argentinian side Club Athletic Belgrano last month due to fitness issues.

However, despite all of this doubt, Winehouse believes that Becchio’s signature by the Whites would be a welcome alternative with Leeds fans knowing that Becchio knows where the back of the goal is. WInehouse says that this one thing that surpasses all doubts, saying,

“Even if he can only manage 15 minutes a week to start, it’s 15 minutes of predatory instinct in front of the net Becchio was never particularly pacey, just good at being in the right place at the right time and hitting the ball home.” Amitai Winehouse – Yorkshire Evening Post: October 31, 2015

Becchio
Credit: Eyes Richard Rawling – Facebook

The question is though, and looking at the wider picture, is this an area that Leeds should be moving into? When backs are against the wall, and they are pretty close to that at Elland Road at the moment, there is often a tendency to lash out in frenzied over-reaction – that would be the danger for Leeds United as a club if they signed Becchio in any shape of deal. It’s never really the same the second time around – expectations are higher and with that frustrations are shorter. That’s exactly what Winehouse is hinting at when he says, “there are fears that an unfit Becchio could shatter the memories he left behind,” leaving Leeds fans, long-suffering as they are, with that sour and bitter taste of disappointment in their mouths.

As Amitai Winehouse does indicate, Becchio’s signature would hardly break the bank and he’d not come demanding an extortionate financial package and he would add some depth and experience to a pretty threadbare front line that really only consists of the tried-and-tested duo of Kiwi Chris Wood and Italian Mirco Antenucci. Still, would falling back on the reliable, ‘well we know him’ rhetoric best serve the club as they bring in what would be a trusted steed, a venerable and old warhorse be to Leeds United’s advantage – be this short term or long?

It’s a difficult one, it really is when you bring the Becchio question into the fold, emotions are bound to take precedent over cold hard reason. A successful stint would be what dreams are made of for Leeds fans as Becchio’s goals drag Leeds into a more respectable position in the Championship table. However, it’s the opposite that is what is niggling me, likely other Leeds supporters too.

What if it the return of Becchio is more the dark niches and cobwebs of nightmares rather than the sunshine and sparkles of dreams?

https://www.wedgies.com/question/5634fac28a31ba10000016a5

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