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Danny Bloomer

Micah Richards blasts Leeds United recruitment and lack of 'direction'

Micah Richards has criticised Leeds United's recruitment after they were plunged further into relegation trouble at Bournemouth last Sunday.

The Whites were defeated 4-1 on the South Coast in a game where five of the club's promotion winning team were named in the starting XI. The Whites did improve in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Man City, in what was Sam Allardyce's first game in charge, but know they will fall into the Premier League's relegation zone if Nottingham Forest avoid defeat at home to Southampton this evening.

Leeds have spent big money on players in the last few months but too many of those have failed to make an impact, which has ultimately led to Victor Orta losing his job on Tuesday.

£35 million Georginio Rutter failed to get off the bench for the third successive match, while other expensive additions Brenden Aaronson, Rodrigo Moreno and Junior Firpo were also given watching briefs. Speaking on the Football Daily Podcast, Richards blasted the club's recruitment strategy and believes the club's lack of direction could see them relegated.

READ MORE: Micah Richards backs Sam Allardyce's big decision for Leeds United's run-in

"I think that is exactly it. Some of them defenders, no disrespect to them, playing in the Premier League and I know they've been here for two years now, but you've got to evolve and got to get better.

"Some of the signings, you can't just look at the players and the manager, look at the signings. I mentioned it briefly last week, Rutter, big money signing on him and he doesn't even start. He's 21 and I understand when you buy a young player you want to build for the future, but unfortunately time waits for nobody.

"You need results now and if he's not ready now to come into this team, then why spend the money? I don't just think it's the players, the players need a little bit more help, they need more quality.

"I think they've got some good players in Adams, McKennie coming from Juventus in midfield, the way he played at the World Cup, you're thinking see how it's working. Bamford coming back, Gnonto's a very good player, Summerville's done alright, they've got something but they're not showing it at the moment.

"They need direction and they need it quick otherwise they're going to go down."

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