Leeds United hope to Tolka good game tonight

Tonight sees the first pre-season action for Leeds United against Dublin-based side Shelbourne.  The Shels are coming off of a recent brace of losses against English League sides: 2-1 vs Ipswich and 1-0 vs Swindon.

It will also be a series of ‘firsts’ at Shelbourne’s Tolka Park ground. It will be Leeds United head coach Garry Monk’s first game in charge of the Whites, so he will no doubt be looking to make a statement.

It will also be a series of firsts for fans as they will likely get to see all six of Leeds’ new summer signings in action.

United have been busy in the market bringing in veteran keeper Rob Green, who looks likely to take over between the sticks from former two-season #1 Marco Silvestri. No doubt fans will be looking for the weaknesses in Silvestri’s games to have been overcome in Green’s performance, and that of the other keepers that may play.

In front of Green, Leeds fans are likely to see on-loan Swansea defender Kyle Bartley get some game time. Bartley will be one of two potential first teamers playing a role in the centre of Leeds’ back line tonight, the other being Sol Bamba. Whoever Bartley partners tonight, fans will be looking out for less Bellusci-like defending and more cohesion at the back.

Leeds fans are still mourning the loss of the prodigiously-talented Lewis Cook who has joined the Premier League Bournemouth. However, two signings Leeds will be using in tonight’s game will be ones that fans will be keeping a keen eye on. The first one will be midfielder Ashley Grimes, an England Under-21 international on a season-long loan from Swansea. More so though Whites fans will be looking at Sporting Lisbon starlet Hadi Sacko and seeing just what attacking options the man with the €60m release clause can bring to the table.

It is up front that Leeds fans eyes will be most likely to scrutinise the closest. The Whites were a team devoid of goals last season with only Chris Wood managing to breaking into double figures, scoring 13 for the season. TO avoid a goal drought this campaign, Leeds have brought in Swede Marcus Antonsson and League Two Player of the Year Kemar Roofe.

When Antonsson left mid-table Kalmar FF he was the Allsvenskan leading scorer with 10 goals and is seen as a player who brings a different striking approach to the Leeds side. Kemar Roofe, a £3m buy from Oxford United, is a player with pace to burn and a keen eye for goal – 17 goals and 10 assists in League Two last season being testament to his skill set.The question paramount in the minds of the Elland Road faithful will be whether these two will be able to transfer their performances in other leagues and divisions to the Championship. Evidence of that will be seen for the first time tonight.

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