Leeds United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours

JokerD

Here's the Templeton story
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11715/7935112/Hearts-No-rush-on-Templeton

I'd be disappointed if we weren't in for him

HyperSkypeWiper

event wrote: »

They were free

Pearce would have cost us at least double what we paid for him if Pompey weren't in such a bad state.

Derby wanted to keep Paul Green but he chose to leave to join us, turning down other clubs in the process
No point spending money for the sake of it :P

Messi19

Bid supposedly gone in to bring Jermaine back home

blaa85

Messi19 wrote: »

Bid supposedly gone in to bring Jermaine back home

Anyone know what kind of wages he is on now?

Messi19

Guts of £30k i think but he'd have to take a good hit if he's to come back

JokerD

Winning 1-0 McCormack

JokerD

2-0 McCormack

fanzhiyidan

Messi19 wrote: »

Guts of £30k i think but he'd have to take a good hit if he's to come back

what was Snodgrass offered?
15k?
don't think leeds would offer him much more than that.
Can't see him taking a 50% hit in wages.

The icing on the cake is going to be sugar free.

JokerD

Sky sources understand we've made a bid for Peltier

blaa85

I think I have checked 'leeds news now', every half hour I was awake for the last two months. Cutting close to the new season.

JokerD

blaa85 wrote: »

I think I have checked 'leeds news now', every half hour I was awake for the last two months. Cutting close to the new season.

I'm happy with the signings so far but I think we need to see about 4 more, a RB, Playmaker/Winger and 2 Strikers

Mushy

JokerD wrote: »

I'm happy with the signings so far but I think we need to see about 4 more, a RB, Playmaker/Winger and 2 Strikers

And that taeover.

quarryman

Something unexpected must have happened with the takeover. There is no way it would have taken this long if all was well.

Another year in the doldrums as a Leeds supporter I guess...

punk77

Why would you be in the doldrums? We have a stronger squad than last year and the crucial signings have yet to come. Add to that the fact that we own the players as opposed to a bunch of loaners who wouldn't be as committed. We have a manager who has totally re-vamped our squad for very little money so far and knows how to get the best out of players. Warnock, love him or loath him, will never accept anything less than 100% commitment from any player. Until the marquee signings are made it's hard to say how good we will be in attack but I'm confident right now that we will be much tighter at the back.

According to LUST the deal is there, ready to be signed but the delay, seems to be on Bates end. I'm at a loss to explain why he would drag it out but I can't believe that our activity in the transfer market atm has anything to do with that old fart.

event

punk77 wrote: »

Why would you be in the doldrums? We have a stronger squad than last year and the crucial signings have yet to come. Add to that the fact that we own the players as opposed to a bunch of loaners who wouldn't be as committed. We have a manager who has totally re-vamped our squad for very little money so far and knows how to get the best out of players. Warnock, love him or loath him, will never accept anything less than 100% commitment from any player. Until the marquee signings are made it's hard to say how good we will be in attack but I'm confident right now that we will be much tighter at the back.

According to LUST the deal is there, ready to be signed but the delay, seems to be on Bates end. I'm at a loss to explain why he would drag it out but I can't believe that our activity in the transfer market atm has anything to do with that old fart.

well i would argue that our squad last year at the start of the season was stronger than the one we have now.

We have signed

Pearce, Kenny, drury, green, gray, norris and varney.
we have lost o dea, lonergan, snoddy, howson, clayton, o dea, gradel and will probably lose mccormack

for me:
pearce is better than o dea.
Kenny and lonergan would be equal
Snoddy is better than varney
howson is better than norris
clayton is better than green
mccormack is better than gray
gradel and drury dont really compare, but id rather gradel

For me, last year was stronger than this year so far anyway.
And saying that warnock will get the best out of our players, he wasnt able to do so towards the end of last season.

now we may sign more and I'm hoping we do but I wouldnt say its better at the minute

A_Sober_Paddy

event wrote: »

well i would argue that our squad last year at the start of the season was stronger than the one we have now.

We have signed

Pearce, Kenny, drury, green, gray, norris and varney.
we have lost o dea, lonergan, snoddy, howson, clayton, o dea, gradel and will probably lose mccormack

for me:
pearce is better than o dea.
Kenny and lonergan would be equal
Snoddy is better than varney
howson is better than norris
clayton is better than green
mccormack is better than gray
gradel and drury dont really compare, but id rather gradel

For me, last year was stronger than this year so far anyway.
And saying that warnock will get the best out of our players, he wasnt able to do so towards the end of last season.

now we may sign more and I'm hoping we do but I wouldnt say its better at the minute

Kenny is twice the player Lonergan is or will ever be

stryker mcqueen

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

event wrote: »

well i would argue that our squad last year at the start of the season was stronger than the one we have now.

We have signed

Pearce, Kenny, drury, green, gray, norris and varney.
we have lost o dea, lonergan, snoddy, howson, clayton, o dea, gradel and will probably lose mccormack

for me:
pearce is better than o dea.
Kenny and lonergan would be equal
Snoddy is better than varney
howson is better than norris
clayton is better than green
mccormack is better than gray
gradel and drury dont really compare, but id rather gradel

For me, last year was stronger than this year so far anyway.
And saying that warnock will get the best out of our players, he wasnt able to do so towards the end of last season.

now we may sign more and I'm hoping we do but I wouldnt say its better at the minute

Kenny is twice the player Lonergan is or will ever be

And that warnock comment is ridiculous , he was playing with an inherited squad , this season is the only one you can judge him on , the damage was done when he took over

punk77

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Kenny is twice the player Lonergan is or will ever be

Absolutely agree. Plus we signed Ashdown who is a very decent back-up.

punk77

stryker mcqueen wrote: »

And that warnock comment is ridiculous , he was playing with an inherited squad , this season is the only one you can judge him on , the damage was done when he took over

Spot on. Warnock didn't have Gradel or Howson. Snodgrass wouldn't sign a new contract and wanted to leave despite Warnock's efforts to keep him. Ross still won't sign up to a new deal and won't be sold without being replaced. Also the comparison of Ross/ Gray is unbelievable. Gray is in no way signed up as a replacement for Ross but beats Paynter hands down as back-up. Clayton looked good at times last season but not consistently so. It seems to be forgotten that we have signed Austin. All in all Warnock has signed 9 players as well as signing White to a new contract and has stated his desire to sign 3/4 marquee signings. It's hardly his fault that the takeover has dragged on and slowed down his progress in signing up his targets. Under the circumstances Warnock has done very well with his dealings so far and I can't wait to see what has yet to come.

event

Ridiculous?
I don't think so. everyone said when he was appointed that grayson was crap, couldn't organise a defence etc and that warnock will get the best out of our under-achieving players.
He didn't do so imo.
Im not saying he won't do well and i obviously hope he does.
But its not as if he's done an incredible job with us so far

event

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

event wrote: »

well i would argue that our squad last year at the start of the season was stronger than the one we have now.

We have signed

Pearce, Kenny, drury, green, gray, norris and varney.
we have lost o dea, lonergan, snoddy, howson, clayton, o dea, gradel and will probably lose mccormack

for me:
pearce is better than o dea.
Kenny and lonergan would be equal
Snoddy is better than varney
howson is better than norris
clayton is better than green
mccormack is better than gray
gradel and drury dont really compare, but id rather gradel

For me, last year was stronger than this year so far anyway.
And saying that warnock will get the best out of our players, he wasnt able to do so towards the end of last season.

now we may sign more and I'm hoping we do but I wouldnt say its better at the minute

Kenny is twice the player Lonergan is or will ever be

We'll see.

JokerD

Grayson had a side that was achieving but fell away at the end of the 10/11 season, we were around the top at Christmas but fell off, last season we were never really threatening the top positions and ended up 14th with Warnock in charge for the last part of the season.

The players have to take a high degree of responsibility, despite on paper having a side that looked like they were ready for a push, we didn't perform consistently, I know we had significent squad upheavel but heavy defeats last season at Elland Road started the alarm bells that something wasn't clicking with the current squad. Maybe it was a case of there been a stale feeling around the club and squad, we don't really know but changes were needed. Obviously losing players didn't help but I felt the squad we still had should have performed better.

This isn't to say the players/management weren't capable but something was up, a drastic shift in set up might be what we need, loses like Leeds 0-5 Blackpool, Leeds 1-4 Birmingham, Leeds 3-7 Forest, over a short period wasn't reflective of Grayson or Warnock as managers imo, top managers always suffer heavy defeats.

We know Grayson had us in positions before when we looked good for play-offs or auto promotion and we know Warnock's record, so a combination of factors meant we finished 14th. Personally I just got a sense of a staleness around the team. I'm sure players who were with us will go on and perform well with other clubs, maybe the combination of players didn't gel.

Grayson did very well for us and had players sold etc which didn't help him, so he obviously didn't have that consistency and maybe Warnock will have more money to spend now too. We know Grayson has the capabilities as a manger to be successful and he has been, we know the players had it in them and then we have Warnock who we know has it in him to be successful. Yet we finished 14th, hence the overhaul. Something wasn't clicking imo.

HyperSkypeWiper

Green is better and far more consistent than Clayton IMO.

Wasn't it Grayson who was after Green even before he signed Clayton?

Every player we sell seems to be considered a world beater the second they leave Thorp Arch. Rose tinted glasses!!

event

HyperSkypeWiper wrote: »

Green is better and far more consistent than Clayton IMO.

Wasn't it Grayson who was after Green even before he signed Clayton?

Every player we sell seems to be considered a world beater the second they leave Thorp Arch. Rose tinted glasses!!

event wrote: »

clayton is the new hero, get him down on a long contract

whats kicking off here?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=73935304&postcount=109

event wrote:

paynter is a bloody donkey.

kisnorbo was shocking for the 3rd goal. clayton has looked pretty good

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=73675045&postcount=11542

event wrote: »

like 3 of WH's midfield would walk into a lot of prem teams, serious amount of experience throughout the team

clayton really is a class act

wonder how much will we sell him for when he has 1 year left on his deal?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=73934477&postcount=50

Well not for me. I've seen his quality since he has signed. Green may do well with us, but he seems like more of a defensive player ( like brown) whereas clayton was more of a box to box who scored a few goals.
Its a poor argument to say that we look at players through rose tinted glasses when they leave. I personally have always called it like I've seen it with players, we've let real quality leave in the last few years and again this summer it looks to be happening again only to be replaced with players that arent as good.

stryker mcqueen

event wrote: »

Ridiculous?
I don't think so. everyone said when he was appointed that grayson was crap, couldn't organise a defence etc and that warnock will get the best out of our under-achieving players.
He didn't do so imo.
Im not saying he won't do well and i obviously hope he does.
But its not as if he's done an incredible job with us so far

If we're honest our season was finished in January after the Birmingham defeat , we could have gone up but we were nowhere near ready , as was proved , it was a sinking ship warnock took over , and it sunk !! Even warnock made jokes about how crap we were , last season is a distant memory now , I'm happy with the signings so far and optimistic for the future , he had had a preseason to work with the players which is a luxury he didn't have when he took over

HyperSkypeWiper

event wrote: »

Well not for me. I've seen his quality since he has signed. Green may do well with us, but he seems like more of a defensive player ( like brown) whereas clayton was more of a box to box who scored a few goals.
Its a poor argument to say that we look at players through rose tinted glasses when they leave. I personally have always called it like I've seen it with players, we've let real quality leave in the last few years and again this summer it looks to be happening again only to be replaced with players that arent as good.

He is no doubt a decent championship player, but we won't miss him at all IMO. Warnock didn't seem to want him.

Green is not a DM though, totally different player to Brown. He's an out and out midfielder. Seem to remember him playing pretty far up the pitch when Derby played at ER in our first game back in the Championship actually....anyone else recall that or is it just me....?

Tbf, I'm wrong on the rose tinted glasses thing. Didn't frequent this thread much at all last season! I do think it applies to a few Leeds supporters I know though!

Re your post on our signings though, you can't compare McCormack and Gray. Gray is obviously not here to 'replace' RMcC! And Ross may well stay!

Kenny is far superior to Lonergan.

Obviously Snodgrass is better than Varney but Varney was hardly brought in to replace Snoddy now was he?

As you said, Drury can't be compared to Gradel, but he's a far better left back than White, Pugh or Paul Robinson.
What's the point in even mentioning Gradel? He hasn't played for us in almost a year and he was apparently desperate to leave!

We've added well to the squad, with more to come. We'll be better than last season, without a doubt.

HyperSkypeWiper

A lot of my confidence comes from the fact that I think we'll play a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-5-1 like QPR did. Really wouldn't fancy us to do well in a 4-4-2.

fanzhiyidan

i agree that a clear out was needed but we needed to keep onto any little bit of quality we had.
we haven't really done that have we?

that was really just Snodgrass, Clayton, White, McCormack, Lees.

We've lost 2 out of those 5.
We've given new contracts to the two young lads who have potential but have lost the 2 who have shown quality.
it's probably 50/50 whether or not we keep McCormack.

The squad is now stronger but first team has a lot less quality than the start of last season.

fanzhiyidan

HyperSkypeWiper wrote: »

He is no doubt a decent championship player, but we won't miss him at all IMO. Warnock didn't seem to want him.

Green is not a DM though, totally different player to Brown. He's an out and out midfielder. Seem to remember him playing pretty far up the pitch when Derby played at ER in our first game back in the Championship actually....anyone else recall that or is it just me....?

Tbf, I'm wrong on the rose tinted glasses thing. Didn't frequent this thread much at all last season! I do think it applies to a few Leeds supporters I know though!

Re your post on our signings though, you can't compare McCormack and Gray. Gray is obviously not here to 'replace' RMcC! And Ross may well stay!

Kenny is far superior to Lonergan.

Obviously Snodgrass is better than Varney but Varney was hardly brought in to replace Snoddy now was he?

As you said, Drury can't be compared to Gradel, but he's a far better left back than White, Pugh or Paul Robinson.
What's the point in even mentioning Gradel? He hasn't played for us in almost a year and he was apparently desperate to leave!

We've added well to the squad, with more to come. We'll be better than last season, without a doubt.

wouldn't be hard to be better than last season but we need to be 12 places better than last season.
Don't think we're anywhere near that yet.

JokerD

fanzhiyidan wrote: »

i agree that a clear out was needed but we needed to keep onto any little bit of quality we had.
we haven't really done that have we?

that was really just Snodgrass, Clayton, White, McCormack, Lees.

We've lost 2 out of those 5.
We've given new contracts to the two young lads who have potential but have lost the 2 who have shown quality.
it's probably 50/50 whether or not we keep McCormack.

The squad is now stronger but first team has a lot less quality than the start of last season.

We've bought a lot of players for the spine of the team, plus we know now we're in the market for some more attacking players....give it time, I know we haven't got a lot of time but Warnock will be working hard.

fanzhiyidan

I guess we had our hopes raised 2 months ago with the confirmation that the club was going to get investment (or a big takeover as most people thought).
All we've seen come in squad players with arguably our 2 best players from last season being sold.

It's frustrating.

We're given the hope that things will be great this season and yet we're almost in August and we're worse off (starting 11) than we were at the start of last season.

Q_Ball

HyperSkypeWiper wrote: »

Obviously Snodgrass is better than Varney but Varney was hardly brought in to replace Snoddy now was he?

Emmm....

event

I really dunno what to say lads.
Is this takeover ever gonna happen. I go back to my old thoughts, Bates is actually dead and this is all just a cover up

I really dont see what could be the delay. if its being held up by the buyers, ye have to ask why?
if its being held up by bates, again what would be the point in that?
We have absolutely no idea who it is. There's talk of that sheik from the middle east but unconfirmed. Ive fears that if it does happen we'll have no clue who it is

And if it does, I just know they arent gonna pump money into the club.

Q_Ball

Even if the takeover happens, I think it's too late for it to have any real significance on the team this window. It might convince McCormack to sign but we've missed out on Ward and God knows who else that hasn't been announced.

That being said, I have to wonder where the money for the players we're signing is coming from. We wouldn't have spent the Snodgrass money yet, maybe an installment on the Delph money? I doubt it's the potential owners money anyway.

Even if we do get taken over, they could end up being the new Venkys. For every Chelsea and City there's a Portsmouth and Blackburn. The takeover may not be the new dawn a lot of people believe it to be.

I'm not saying "better the devil you know" though, cos Bates could put him to shame sometimes...

championc

event wrote: »

I really dunno what to say lads.
Is this takeover ever gonna happen. I go back to my old thoughts, Bates is actually dead and this is all just a cover up

I really dont see what could be the delay. if its being held up by the buyers, ye have to ask why?
if its being held up by bates, again what would be the point in that?
We have absolutely no idea who it is. There's talk of that sheik from the middle east but unconfirmed. Ive fears that if it does happen we'll have no clue who it is

And if it does, I just know they arent gonna pump money into the club.

Maybe it says volumes in the way that Bates has structured (or hidden) the Club financial and other details. So a buyer will want a clear and uncomplicated transfer of assets. You could have a situation where there is a proposal that the new owners lease ER from the current owner if the current owner was determined to hold onto their prized asset. So there's a potential minefield in here.

Then take the financial committments for running the club week to week. A new owner will want to know if we are committed to paying any wages for any player who has already left us (aka Robbie Fowler payments!!) or any other financially draining commitments - like £2m per year bonuses to our esteemed Chairman. You get the idea ......

HyperSkypeWiper

Just want to say that I disagree with about 80% of this thread.....
I honestly think we'll have a great season

Warnock has money to spend, not sure where it's all come from but I'm confident he does from what he has said! We've already strengthened and there'll be more to come

Just hope I'm right! :P

C'mon, bitta optimism guys

NuckChorris1

JokerD

The club need to step up and give fans an update, it's been over a month since the last one.

It would be ridiculous to think that during a vital period for the club where the manager is overhauling the squad, that we could be inhibited in the transfer market due to the uncertainty of where the funds are coming from.

Therefore you'd have to think that either it's practically done and the new owners are funding signings , or we're spending what we take in until there is a resolution or Bates is still here.

SarahBM

Lads I think we have to face the fact that there is not going to be a take over, we are going to start the season having sold out best players, got in a load of freebies, and we are going to probably get another mid table finish. Im not trying to be negative, but I am being realistic from what I have seen so far over the summer.

J Cheever Loophole

SarahBM wrote: »

Lads I think we have to face the fact that there is not going to be a take over, we are going to start the season having sold out best players, got in a load of freebies, and we are going to probably get another mid table finish. Im not trying to be negative, but I am being realistic from what I have seen so far over the summer.

Mid table finish? Negative?

Far from it - I'd regard that as positive!!

JokerD

If we can get in 3/4 more then I'll be happy, Warnock has his work cut out, Becchio still injured, McCormack's future still up in the air, Paynter training with Blackpool, Somma out for another while. Our strikers from last year are dwindling coming up to the start of the season.

Warnock said he'll only be interested in a swap with McCormack but I feel even with McCormack we'll need at least 2 new strikers.

As I said Warnock has done well so far but we're a long way off and it's only 10 days until our first competitive game.

JokerD

Leeds United have taken French prospect Kevin Gomez on trial, Sky Sports understands.

The 20-year-old midfielder arrived in England last month, and trained with non-league outfit Peckham United.
But the highly-rated youngster soon had a number of league clubs inviting him to train and Leeds are now at the front of the queue after taking him to West Yorkshire.
He played for Neil Redfearn's Under-21 side against Bridlington earlier this week, and is believed to have made a big impression on Leeds' coaching staff.
Now Leeds boss Neil Warnock is contemplating finalising a deal for Gomez - whose only previous experience has been in the lower leagues in France.

championc

SarahBM wrote: »

Lads I think we have to face the fact that there is not going to be a take over, we are going to start the season having sold out best players, got in a load of freebies, and we are going to probably get another mid table finish. Im not trying to be negative, but I am being realistic from what I have seen so far over the summer.

I DO believe there will be money to be spent - even from Bates. The whole squad will be about 6 - 8 players smaller so there's a fair saving on weekly wages which is the important bit (rather than the signon fee).

Admitedly, a stumbling block will always be our levels of weekly pay which we are prepared to pay out.

fanzhiyidan

JokerD wrote: »

Leeds United have taken French prospect Kevin Gomez on trial, Sky Sports understands.

The 20-year-old midfielder arrived in England last month, and trained with non-league outfit Peckham United.
But the highly-rated youngster soon had a number of league clubs inviting him to train and Leeds are now at the front of the queue after taking him to West Yorkshire.
He played for Neil Redfearn's Under-21 side against Bridlington earlier this week, and is believed to have made a big impression on Leeds' coaching staff.
Now Leeds boss Neil Warnock is contemplating finalising a deal for Gomez - whose only previous experience has been in the lower leagues in France.

will this guy and martin cranie be the icing on the cake

fanzhiyidan

championc wrote: »

I DO believe there will be money to be spent - even from Bates. The whole squad will be about 6 - 8 players smaller so there's a fair saving on weekly wages which is the important bit (rather than the signon fee).

Admitedly, a stumbling block will always be our levels of weekly pay which we are prepared to pay out.

there has to be money even if the takeover/investment hasn't happened.

IN FEE
Pearse 550k
Drury Free
Green Free
Norris Undisclosed
Kenny 440k
Ashdown Free
Austin 220k
Gray Free
Varney Undisclosed

OUT FEE
SnodgrasS 1.5m up front + 1.3m
Lonergan 280k
Clayton 880k
Bruce Free
Taylor Free
Forssell Released
Sam Released

I'm probably missing a few players.
What would Norris and Varney have cost? 250k each?

That's pretty much break even excluding the Snodgrass money.

Whether or not that mustard money will be spent is another thing.
going on past experience the answer is a clear no.

JokerD

O'Brien heading to Vancouver Whitecaps
http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2012/08/wfc-add-o%E2%80%99brien

NuckChorris1

JokerD wrote: »

O'Brien heading to Vancouver Whitecaps
http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2012/08/wfc-add-o%E2%80%99brien

That's a decent chunk off the wage bill - he was on 10k plus I think.

HyperSkypeWiper

fanzhiyidan wrote: »

will this guy and martin cranie be the icing on the cake

....no

HyperSkypeWiper

Adam Pope ‏@APOPEY

#lufc NW wants another striker alongside McCormack. Another signing is expected before weekend & in market for a right sided centre half.

Encouraging!

Assume it'll be Peltier before the weekend?

HyperSkypeWiper

Starting team for the Sandefjord game..k.o 6pm

........... Ashdown,
Lees, Cranie, Pearce, Drury,
.........Norris, Green,
White, McCormack, Varney
...............Gray