Reading FC were the envy of Leeds United for what they lured from winger | OneFootball

After a forgettable loan spell with Leeds United, Mo Barrow became one of the Championship's biggest threats on the wing at Reading

One of the most frustrating things in football is to see a player flop at your club before watching them immediately go on to better things elsewhere.

After Modou Barrow’s five-game cameo at Elland Road in the 2016/17 Championship season, Leeds United fans would have been shocked to see the winger tear up the division with Reading in the following campaign.

Leeds United reunion with former boss Garry Monk did not work

Barrow had worked with Leeds boss Garry Monk before at Swansea City, with the pair hoping that the reunion would help the Whites get over the line and into the play-offs.

However, the Gambian international was unable to find form at Elland Road, going on to make just five appearances for the Yorkshire outfit.

Unsurprisingly, Leeds did not explore the possibility of keeping Barrow in Yorkshire beyond his loan deal.

On paper the move was somewhat of a coup. Barrow was dropping down to the Championship after making 18 Premier League appearances in the first half of the season, and had numerous suitors for his loan signature.

Newcastle United were heavily interested, but ultimately cooled their pursuit when Andros Townsend – another failed loanee at Leeds – became available.

Leeds swooped in for the pacy attacker, but in hindsight they would have wished they hadn’t.

Even when the wheels came off Leeds’ play-off push, Monk did not change things up and give Barrow a chance.

In fact, in the fateful final five games that saw Leeds relinquish their spot in the play-offs, Barrow did not make a single matchday squad.

Fresh change of scenery saw Barrow flourish at Reading

Reuters

Barrow’s form at Leeds did not put off Reading come the summer, however.

The Royals negotiated a permanent deal with Swansea for Barrow’s signature, paying the Welsh club a reported £1.5million.

Barrow joined Jaap Stam’s side on a four-year deal, making his debut in a 2-0 defeat away at Queens Park Rangers.

The Gambian international’s maiden goal came in his third start, a strike which proved to be the winner in a 2-1 victory over recently relegated Aston Villa.

And just three months into his career as a Reading player, Barrow was proving to Leeds what he was all about.

The winger showed great composure to net an 85th minute winner for Reading away at Elland Road, leading to Barrow whipping his shirt off in front of an annoyed Leeds crowd.

That was just the start for Barrow, who went on to finish his debut season as a Royal with 10 goals and four assists in the Championship.

Barrow was not as productive in his second season at Reading, but certainly was still a threat.

Playing 1,100 fewer minutes, Barrow grabbed four goals and set up a further six in 35 Championship appearances.

But as evidenced by his decrease in minutes, Barrow was set to be shown the door by Reading.

He first joined Turkish top-flight outfit Denizlispor on a one-year loan deal, before joining then South Korean champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for an undisclosed fee.

Barrow’s struggle at Leeds a similar story for numerous wingers

Barrow was not the only winger to impress with the Royals whilst failing to light up Elland Road during their time with Leeds.

Reading royalty Jimmy Kebe will fondly remembered in Berkshire, but his stint at Leeds United has largely been forgotten.

In Berkshire, Kebe helped fire the Royals to promotion in the 2011/12 season, scoring 31 goals in 190 appearances across the Premier League and Championship.

A loan spell at Leeds towards the tailend of the 2012/13 season led to just nine appearances, although Kebe did manage to find the back of the net – unlike Sako.

In fact, both Barrow and Kebe can take solace in the fact that numerous wingers came and went at Leeds with little impact following their return to the Championship in 2011.

Alfonso Pedraza joined Leeds on the same deadline day as Barrow, and similarly left in the summer when his loan from Villarreal expired.

Ryan Hall, Cameron Stewart, Jordan Botaka, and Hadi Sacko were further examples of pacy wingers that could not get going at Elland Road.