Leeds United are certainly enjoying a better time of it this campaign, though they still remain some way off their former glory.

The Yorkshire giants narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the 2021/22 campaign as Jesse Marsch's men dispatched Brentford to send Burnley back down to the doldrums of the Championship.

This time around, Leeds find themselves in a solid mid-table position, having won two, drawn two and lost two of their opening six matches. Some problems still persist for the American, though, such as at left-back where the Whites hierarchy failed to sign an upgrade or further depth.

Junior Firpo, often dubbed a "liability," has been absent through injury, leaving central defensive colossus Pascal Struijk to deputise, when in reality, neither should be starting in the role.

There were tentative links to Philadelphia Union star Kai Wagner, who would continue the red, white and blue theme around Elland Road these days, so it's clear that the club know and understand that there is an issue at left-back.

Whilst this is going on in west Yorkshire, one of Leeds' former favourites - Gjanni Alioski - is lighting it up in the Europa League, two years on from being released by Marcelo Bielsa for nothing.

An erratic figure, the Macedonian international was certainly more known for his attacking exploits than his defensive contribution but that would've been right up Marsch's street, particularly given his interest in Wagner, who is a bit of an assist-king over in the MLS.

Indeed, Alioski started at left wing-back for Turkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce in their 2-1 win over Dynamo Kyiv, meanwhile from just 100 minutes of league action, he has already provided an assist, helping the Super Eagles to a 4-2 win over Britt Assombalonga's Adana Demirspor.

Upon his exit from Elland Road, director of football Victor Orta penned an emotional farewell, via The Athletic.

"The emotion I saw in his face and the face of his parents when [he] signed his contract here at Elland Road was a beautiful moment and I was sure he was going to give everything for Leeds United.

"Even with this in mind he exceeded my expectations. Gjanni has been exceptional both on and off the field, his teammates will miss him greatly, as will all of the staff at Thorp Arch and Elland Road."

With that in mind and Leeds still paying the price for not having a quality left-back, it seems as if Marsch and the team could have certainly done with the 30-year-old, who ex-manager Alex McLeish once dubbed "a firework", still on the club's books.

Alioski would have certainly offered more than either of Firpo or Struijk in terms of attacking returns, so it's a shame that he's no longer a Whites player.

AND in other news, Orta had Leeds transfer disaster with "special" 25 y/o, he's more prolific than Gnonto...