Liam Bridcutt eager to make up for lost time with Leeds United

Bridcutt was first identified as a potential signing only shortly after Steve Evans became head coach of Leeds, but it took five weeks and a near miss of the emergency loan deadline to wrap up his arrival.

At times, it seemed as though Bridcutt was set to move elsewhere.

A late move from Cardiff City nearly took him to Wales, but the Sunderland midfielder said Evans had managed to talk him into moving to West Yorkshire at the 11th hour.

Bridcutt said: “I know we had contact a few weeks ago. For one reason or another it didn’t get done when we thought it would.

“To be fair, I was close to going somewhere else. I had a few other options because this fell through at one stage.

“Then I get a phone call late last night (Wednesday) from the manager saying that he’s been given permission to speak to me. I came down and met him, we’ve had a long chat and he’s convinced me that Leeds is the club for me. I’m happy to be here.

“This was always going to be a club at the top of my list. The manager just gave me his views about what he’d do with the team. I liked what he said. It sounded like the right move for me.”

It is not only the next month that the former Brighton man is thinking about. When asked about the potential for the move to be extended beyond the turn of the new year, Bridcutt admitted: “If all goes well and I get the games and results, if the manager’s happy with me, I’d be happy to stay.”

The Sunderland midfielder arrived two days before the Whites travel to Queens Park Rangers. Leeds have been one of the Championship’s form sides on the road this term, with only four teams in the division bettering their record away from home.

While United did lose against Rotherham at the weekend at Elland Road, Bridcutt is not of the expectation that he will walk straight into the starting line-up for Saturday’s game.

“No, definitely not,” he said, when asked about whether he thought he was guaranteed a place. “That’s the manager’s decision to make.

“I’m here to strengthen the squad but I’m here to play and I’ll fight for my place.

“If the manager thinks it’s right I’ll play.”

Leeds have been a side lacking in leaders in recent weeks, as demonstrated by the manner in which the team failed to spring back from going a goal behind against a side that were, at that point, bottom of the table.

Bridcutt, 26, is not the oldest of players, but he does have 
132 league appearances for Brighton to his name over a four-year spell.

Beyond Sam Byram and Chris Wood, few players in Leeds’ 
current squad have that extensive knowledge of the Football 
League.

Understandably, Bridcutt was not shying away from the idea that he could add composure and leadership to an otherwise young midfield.

He said: “If you’ve followed me throughout my career, I’m a player who is very vocal. I like to take control and I like to control games.

“Everywhere I go, every team I play for I give 110 per cent. I’m a consistent player, that’s how I’ve made my name and that’s what I’m here to do.

“(The head coach) said he wants me to do what I have always done at previous clubs – control games, get on the ball and keep it ticking.”

Given that Bridcutt has not appeared in a single game this season, it would be right for there to be concerns over his fitness, especially with the famously tough festive period approaching.

“However, the player has no concerns over whether he will be ready if he is called upon on Saturday.

He said: “I’ve been waiting for this day from the start of the season.

“I had a good pre-season, I was ready to play but everything happened with managers.

“I’ve been training, doing extra-training keeping myself fit in the reserve games.

“My fitness won’t be a problem.”

Evans himself was clearly delighted to bring in his man, and spoke effusively about what he could add to a team that he believes needs to gun for the top half as the new year approaches.

“It’s interesting that when Sunderland were in a battle last season and needed some points, Liam was recalled back into their side,” Evans said.

“I spoke to a couple of Premier League managers who were in opposition and they said he would be fantastic.

“What I was thinking about him was right.”