This weeks happenings

So what's happened?

A very bizarre week has just occurred under the eyes of many Leeds United fans. Yet again we seem to be having a serious problem with our chairman, for good reason too.

A protest was arranged for 19:00 Thursday evening against Mr. Bates' inability to invest in our club to take us back where we belong, the premier league. The protest was broadcasted on regional news channel 'Look North' where many unhappy Leeds fans gathered who express their feelings and emotions. The protest was arranged after Bates had accepted an offer from Norwich for our club captain and Leeds born, Jonny Howson. I had a firm belief that Howson would be at Leeds forever... Clearly this is not the case as he is moving on because apparently he wants premier league football. I don't really rate Howson but I didn't want him to leave. Howson is one of those players who is great at the start of the season but then peats out and doesn't deliver great performances for the remainder of the season. I hope Norwich get what they want out of him although I think he's going to be a bench-warmer at best, if not placed straight into the reserves and left to rot. 

Although I don't believe Howson was right to leave the club I also believe that he was half forced out and didn't really have a choice once big Ken had been told there was money on the table. The reason it has come to this is firstly because Ken doesn't provide the players with competitive wages and other clubs come and snap our players up. Many players have not signed on in the last few seasons due to insulting salaries. Beckford left, Killa left, Johnson left and now Howson. I'm probably missing some from the list as well. The only person I'd call a senior player in that last few seasons to re-sign is Becchio. And to be frank I wish he hadn't looking at his current form. 

Apart from the losing players and no investment in the club itself I am also annoyed that Ken seems to think that loan signings and free signings are a perfectly good replacement. Today being Friday we've completed the signing of Fabian Delph. Fair enough, good player but he's here temporarily as is Townsend who no matter what anyone says, I think isn't all that. Howson said that he wants to play in the premier league at the next opportunity which says a lot about the way Leeds United is going. I've heard a lot of people have been saying to me that we're a selling club. I only wish it wasn't true. I also hope that nobody else leaves in this transfer window although I'm scared that if people know we're a selling club with a greedy chairman then bids might start rolling in for players we simply couldn't do without. 

There have been rumours that players such as McCormack, Lees, Clayton and even Snodgrass could be leaving. I sincerely hope this rumours are just rumours. Losing any of these players at this stage of the season would be a serious blow to this season and maybe the ones to follow. Anyway I'll wrap it up there, I hope for a win tomorrow, I think we are perfectly capable that is if we can get something out of a home game. My prediction for the game... United 3-1 Ipswich, look at me being optimistic... 

On, on, on...

Adam

January

JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW!


The January transfer window is here at last. Leeds United have been inundated with injuries over the past two months. Centre-backs have been injured, the supposed toughest men on the field! Maybe this is a blessing in disguise, now that O'Brien looks to be on his way and players such as Kisnorbo are injured. We also have had a few players who have sustained damage to their heads and are unable to stay conscious... nice. Hopefully Tom Lees will be back to full fitness for the away tie at the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in a FA Cup 3rd round match where Thierry Henry seems to have made more headlines than our beloved. 


So, enough of injuries... injuries means there could be a way of getting players in at Leeds? Does it not? Now more than previous transfer windows, Bates needs to reach into his never-ending pockets and grab some petty cash for Mr. Grayson. Not that I entirely trust Mr. Grayson to make worthwhile signings that will enhance our promotion push. So far we've signed Danny Pugh full-time which is sort of okay. I don't really mind as long as his £500k price tag didn't feather our chairman's pockets too much. Pugh has played okay, what I expected really although his first three games did make me think he could be somewhat useful. We've also signed a young winger who is no stranger to the Championship in Andros Townsend. From what I've heard and seen this chap could be a decent signing by Simon. He looks pacey and intelligent on the ball. He can use both feet which is something the hospital-bedded Robert Snodgrass fails in so badly. That said I really want Snoddy back. The window is still young and between the London games of the Gooners and the Eagles I expect at least one signing. After the Palace game I hope to see more activity. But where exactly would I strengthen if I were in-charge of the wonga...


Apparently Paul Connolly was dropped from right-back for the Burnley game which both Lees and young Zac Thompson trialed with during that 2-1 win. Thompson looked sharp their and failed to make mistakes. I'd like to see more of him but possibly in the centre of midfield. We need a permanent, solid full-back to take Connolly's place if the rumours are true that Paul has played one of his final games for United. A player like Lichaj should never go amiss. He played well with his time at Elland Road and welcomed a bid for him in the summer from the Whites. Sadly we didn't follow up on his pleads which we have lived to regret especially over this December period. 


Since Howson is out for a while it would also be smart to invest in another midfielder who can play in the centre of the park just behind the strikers. There must be a player out there who is begging to get some game-time. May he be old or young. In the last few months of the 2011-2012 season someone must want game-time. And there's hardly a better club to come to if you want game-time and rotation. 


For now that's the only two positions which need a serious look at, other than the Centre-back position but I think Grayson is already looking to full that role by replacing Paddy who is out for the remainder of the season. Also at this point in time I wouldn't even mind loans, young ones like Andros Townsend who know the Championship better than where they left their boots last. 


I hope to be celebrating some success in the transfer window very shortly and I'll be posting another blog up come the end of the window. Possibly on deadline day, who knows. Over and out.