Will we ever see Somma time again?

Super sub Davide Somma hopes to earn a second chance at Leeds, with the possibility of being offered a new contract.

His career at The Whites was very much stop and start but the 28 year old really had a strong season in the 2010/11 campaign when he netted 12 times as he managed to stay clear from the treatment table at Thorpe Arch.

Somma has been allowed to use Leeds’ training facilities to help him work his way back from his third operation. I think you can look at the potential return of the South African as nothing but a positive move for the club. Plenty of fans are reflecting on his very disappointing return from injury under Neil Warnock, but a lot of people forget that he had just come back from a reoccurring knee injury and had not played competitively for a year, so he was never going to hit the ground running straight away.

So I don’t see his possible return anything more than comeback from another injury, rather than a second chance with the club, as it basically him being out of contract as he’s recovering. He won’t be firing on all cylinders on his return, it will take him time to get back in the swing of things. Also with the loss of Luciano Becchio has seen us lose that nuisance in and around the box which can be enough to frighten defenders in the championship. Don’t get me wrong, Luke Varney and Noel Hunt are more than a handful and their work rates are second to none, whilst on the other hand the hight has been replaced with Matt Smith. But what is missing is technicality, reasonable pace and power and somebody who knows where the back of the net is and is not afraid to shoot.

Many people used to argue that Becchio and Somma never worked out as a striking partnership because they are too similar. But although they may be similar height and build, Becchio was a target man and a nuisance for defenders to deal with. Whilst, Somma thrived off the ball at his feet and had the power to ease past defenders as go past a player using skill. As most of his goals came from the ball at his feet rather than his head.

Somma declared his passion for the club and showed willingness for a new contract as he told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I definitely feel like I’ve got unfinished business at Leeds.

“It’s hard to know what’s going to happen and the gaffer’s going to make his own decisions, but when he spoke to me in the summer he said I could come back, get myself fit and then let the club take a look at me.

“He wasn’t in a position to offer me a contract there and then, which I understood. He wasn’t going to give me a contract when I wasn’t fit. But I’m a month away from being fit enough to train properly and if I’m able to do a bit of training with the first team, then I’ll do my best to impress.

“It’s been tough but I always wanted to get back playing and I always hoped to make more of an impact at Leeds.

“If there was a chance for me, then I’d take it with both hands.”

Austin ensures Leeds get 3 points. Leeds United 1 – Burnley FC 0.

Brian McDermott must wish this season had more than three games remaining as his side sit 6 points off of the playoff places and just only 7 off of the drop, which just shows how closely contested this league is! The win came as Rudy Austin struck his first goal since September as Leeds United secured a second league win under new boss McDermott. The Jamaican international burst from midfield to get on the end of a magnificent through ball from El-Hadji Diouf just after the hour-mark and swept the ball home in front of The Kop.

Burnley were without their top goalscorer Charlie Austin due to emergency surgery to remove his appendix, the Clarets throughout the game as they struggled to create chances on goal. Leeds twice went close to taking the lead when defender Jason Pearce’s header from Stephen Warnock’s cross was blocked by Burnley captain Jason Shackell on the line and Luke Varney reacted quickest to head the loose ball but could only head it on to the bar. Despite Leeds piling on the pressure the away side created opportunities for themselves aswell as Martin Paterson smashed an effort inches wide after Ross Wallace had drilled a trademark effort from outside the penalty area into the arms of Paddy Kenny. Although, Varney was then denied by Lee Grant, who tipped his far post header from Ross McCormack’s free-kick over the crossbar. This was before Diouf showed incredible technique after controlling pass to then clip the ball through expertly for Austin who side footed the ball home.

It is under no doubt that Leeds under the new manager the football at Elland Road has improved dramatically, as The Whites were urged to pass the ball by McDermott, the side were rewarded by home fans when they chanted “We’re Leeds United… We’re passing the ball!” as the fans where delighted to see free flowing attacking football which is something they didn’t necessarily feel was played often under Warnock’s time at the club. McDermott reiterated his positivity from the game and happiness at joining the club by saying “I’ve come here to enjoy myself, the staff want to enjoy themselves and I want the players and the fans to enjoy themselves, that’s what life’s about”. He then went on to say “I’m just a bit upset there’s only three games left, it’s a shame there’s not six”.