Leeds United averted a disaster by not recruiting another trialist this summer – View
After a successful trial period, Leeds United signed Sam Byram on a free transfer in the summer, but they could have done the same with goalkeeper Joe Lumley before he moved to Southampton.
Leeds can rate their summer business as a success in terms of incomings, with all of them having a good impact in terms of quality and depth so far.
If movements for different players, including goalkeepers, had occurred, there could have been more in the doors.
Has Joe Lumley’s move to Leeds fallen through?
Sam Byram returned to the club in August after a highly good trial period during pre-season, re-signing with Leeds after departing for West Ham in 2016.
He wasn’t the only player who came in for a trial, with The Athletic’s Phil Hay reporting that goalkeeper Joe Lumley also spent time at Thorp Arch after leaving Middlesbrough in the summer.
The 28-year-old was definitely not signed, since he transferred to fellow relegated club Southampton.
Leeds did well.
Signing seasoned Championship backup for Illan Meslier was a priority in the summer, and Karl Darlow delivered, which is a much smarter signing than Lumley.
Lumley has never lit up the league, with two mid-table clubs in QPR and ‘Boro parting ways with him for nothing.
During his time at Reading (relegated), he surrendered 1.41 goals per 90 minutes while having a concerning save percentage of 65.6% – per FBref- a figure that places him in the bottom third of the division’s ‘keepers.
Not only that, but he was top of the division in long goal-kicks taken, which does not fit in with our team at all, given that Meslier’s main role right now is to play out from the back with short passes and throws.
Darlow hasn’t been spectacular in his two EFL Cup appearances either, but as a backup, he has a solid track record to rely on.
