http://rightinthegarykellys.com/2013/06/25/transfer-silence-deafening-at-elland-road/
Since Matt Smith’s capture now a couple of weeks ago, Leeds United remain inactive in terms of actual incoming deals.
Whilst positive moves have been made in relation to infrastructure with the tying down of Richard Naylor to a longer contract in his role as an academy coach, Smith’s signature is our only piece of business to date this summer.
The newspapers and websites remain reasonably convinced of Noel Hunt’s arrival at Elland road on the expiry of his contract at Reading on June 30th, but other than this there is little else of substance to go at.
The opportunity to sign Eric Lichaj appears to have passed by and he’s joined Nottingham Forest, Jermaine Beckford, looks to be off our radar now too – joining Bolton Wanderers apparently. The solitary piece of news of any real depth to emanate from Elland Road appears to be that of the meeting last Thursday with the owners and Brian McDermott to discuss which of the deals he’s lined up will be sanctioned.
5 days have of course now passed and nothing has been communicated concerning that meeting, not that we wanted to hear anything – so much – as actually seeing the new players! So all we have now is mere speculation.
The newer rumours doing the rounds so far in addition to those mentioned in last week’s round up were..
Luke Murphy (Crewe) & Harry Forrester (Brentford) both talented young midfielders, and both very much in the mould of players that McDermott likes, namely footballers footballers. Skilful, full of potential and hungry to progress.
What we haven’t really heard much about is the `departure lounge’ at Elland Road. Last summer Neil Warnock seemed to put the world and his wife on the transfer list. A not altogether successful strategy as he was still left with Paul Connolly, Paul Rachubka, Robbie Rogers and Danny Pugh at the end of last season!
This summer we’ve seen Davide Somma and Leigh Bromby released along with some of the youth squad, but if past seasons are anything to go by, its incoming funds that should provide our major cash boost – but who is there to sell? Do we cash in on Byram for £8m-£10m? Do we simply free up the wages of more fringe players who simply didn’t get much of a look in last season (fairly or unfairly) Drury? Norris?
A lot of sources appear to be suggesting Steve Morison might be in line for a return to Millwall, and that would indeed free up a couple of Million Quid one supposes.
For me though few if any of the above suggested routes are sensible. Morison surely has proven himself at Championship level and once fit will be a force to be reckoned with (he’s said as much himself today).
Byram simply must stay this summer or the club risks losing an enormous amount of goodwill, moreover he’s probably our single most influential player. The same goes for McCormack, sell him (and not adequately replace him) and the season might be over before it’s begun..
One thing’s for sure, training starts this week, and McDermott said at the start of the summer he wanted his signings in for that deadline, so we are nearing a critical time.
Matt Smith though came in from left field for many of us, so for me we need to give the club a little more time to show us their credentials and target investment in the playing squad at the right level and for the right personnel. So come on then – surprise us!
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