Leeds Rumours Archive July 05 2011

05 Jul 2011 23:01:10
Jonathan Woodgate was at Rockliffe Hall tonight in Darlington. Is he staying up north to have talks with leeds? I hope so, but very much doubt it.

More likely that he may consider his boyhood team Boro or hes just visiting relatives or something...unfortunately

Why people persist with the Smith and Woodgate rumours is beyond me. We need players that can play 40 games a season not 4. Only ex player I want to see back is Bowyer but I can't see it happening. Smith and Woodgate is too much of a gamble.

Why would stay in darlington to have talks with leeds? more likely signing for darlo

Leeds max wage for one player is 15 grand a week smith woodgate bowyer or any player who has been playing for a prem club or real madrid will not go for wages that low at the end of there football life they want as mutch as they can get because they will be retiaring soon these players will not be signing fact

He lives near me in Nunthorpe, I played with his father, we are both Leeds Fans, hence why he signed for LUFC and not Boro. He has no offers from anyone on the table, his agent is busy trying to do several deals, LUFC are 1 of 5 and his preferred choice due to the help with his rehab a few years ago. He loves the club more than even his home town club

He IS a Boro fan, stop chatting sh*t

If he returns to any Northern team it will be them not Leeds, and Im thankful because it'd be like p*ssing money down the drain. Major injury prone, he should have retired Years ago

05 Jul 2011 22:09:43
Everyone stating that we have missed 'another target' is getting a bit irritating. The only place they have been named as targets is on this site - hardly the gospel truth

Absolutely, as much as it's annoying seeing Leicester snap all the players up, money isn't the answer to everything and I think we'll sign someone decent before too long..have faith guys MOT

I agree with this man, everything will be good. Believe,
Leicester signing all and sundry won't work, I can just imagine the squabbling and tempers, with Sven picking the team because their friends with Kasper and his dad is Peter. He'll have a different game plan every week. At the end of the season he'll be at plan 23 looking for a 0-0 draw to stay up.

I kind of agree... But leeds need quality and al though u dont have to pay for it always.... The likes of danns has moved on a free. Why didnt we make a move for him? Leeds need a minimum of 7 players this summer of which 4 have to be better than naylor, kasper, jonno and killa. We r very inactive and i dont believe there isnt a slight concern among all leeds fans. Apparently we have money... Thats bullspit cos killkenny got offered better terms at a lot losser club than leeds. We cannot afford the type of player we need to progress at this moment in time unless smirf opens his cheque book for players which is highly unlikely...

Let's pray our youth team starts producing the goods again. the Turners could be the new Nevilles...

We have got money to spend and it will only be spent to make us better. Johnson and Kilkenny were average at best. The money we will save from lost balls from Johnsons shots and the yellow cards Kilkenny got for moaning should get us someone like Messi.. LOL. I am sure we have been offered plenty of players but what is the point of signing for the sake of it. Think QUALITY not QUANTITY. Keep the faith. MOT {Ed015's Note - also would you want someone who just wants the cash like all them going to leicester, or want players who want to wear the white}

05 Jul 2011 21:31:20
Jersey Dudek in the frame for a return to england Leeds are heading the way to sign

05 Jul 2011 21:09:51
Grayson should go for long term targets Hooper hammill delph eustace

What planet are you on? only Eustace a realistic one for us there

Delph is a possibilty on loan. But lets be honest... We want fresh players not ex players unless there heart is in it 100%. Bowyer would be best from the bunch... Injury free. Regular player for brum last season. Smith n woodgate as good as they r would be massive risks... N can we afford that risk?

05 Jul 2011 20:38:08
Bates is a count.Well be waiting all summer for anyone half decent to sign.All the money has already been spent on stadium redevelopment (on a stadium we supposedly don't even own) which may break even after 11years and yachts.Meanwhile Leicester and Ipswich are spending money (sensibly) and West Ham and Birmingham look strong.Not to mention all the other teams that finished above us last year and have also strengthened.We will do well to finish mid table (paying pl prices)

Get a grip man. Bates ain't spending our money at all bates is spending his money.just wait and see what happens we told we don't own stadium but why would bates build on it if he was nothing to do with it.

Mid table if were lucky Pal..And yes who duz own ER.??????..M.O.T

I don't doubt that Bates somehow owns ER through one of his dodgy offshore companies that's why I say supposedly but I cannot agree with your comment re his money.We supposedly need 20k a week to break even, we average nearer 30k.We have had the Delph money, Man City/Chelsea money for our youngsters, money from cup runs last2years, 20%Milner sell on clause......etc but none of this is invested in the playing side.Not to mention we have the likes of Robinson, Michalik, Sheehan, Killkenny, Johnson, Schmeical off our wage bill, a wage bill that is around 35%turnover in a league where most clubs spend at least double that amount....we are in a position to really kick on and Bates is holding us back.The sooner other fans realize the better. {Ed015's Note - Bates is a clever man, you will see,give it time}

Ed, I don't think Bates is clever.His Chelsea village project had some merit in West London, but in Beeston?I don't know what he thinks he is playing at.Ipswich, Leicester, West Ham, Birmingham are spending the money/paying the wages, thus the players are turning us down and they will be in the promotion race and we will not.I'm all for improving the stadium but why not do it after we have a product (good team) playing in prem.If Bates was prepared to speculate a little he could potentially earn much higher returns in prem with his boxes.He has it the wrong way round.We need 4-5 strong championship players to even be competitive and no sign of them {Ed015's Note - just be patient jeeze! 90% of fans ask for too much too soon, as a fellow leeds fan i am asking you to just relax! }

I don't want to jump on the "Slag Bates off Band Wagon", but other teams are snapping up players. Leicester have again got another signing in Nugent, ok we don't need forwards, but he'll do a job and they got him on a free. They are paying good wages, we can't. Unless Bates is looking to sell us and he is making sure we are solvent I'm baffled at the lack of activity. All this rubbish about Smith, Bowyer and Woody is a smoke screen.

We CAN pay the wages (our turnover much higher than Leicester, debt levels much lower).Bates just refuses to pay them.I'm no advocate of going back to Ridsdale era but no harm in showing a bit of ambition.Ok last year was a consolidation year but Bates is showing his true intentions now.We were in for Westwood, Norris, Danns.All would have walked into our first team but joined more ambitious clubs.

With the new transfer rules coming into play in 2012 it is sensible to invest in ways that will increase revenue e.g the stadium. Bates is building for the future. It makes sense

I don't buy the fact Leicester are spending money wisely, what do you think Nugent has cost them on a 3 year deal (a lot is the answer) he flopped badly in the premier league and is at best a championship striker (and not as good as Becchio in my opinion). I would be cautious if I was a Leicester fan, if they don't go up it could all go tits up very quickly, there is no way they can be sustaining the wage bill through their turnover, impossible.

Bates is being canny, the money he's spending on the ground isn't for cosmetic reasons, it's all aimed at generating income to increase our turnover so when the financial fair play initative comes in, we will be in a position to compete in the top half of the Premier League (something that 90% of all the clubs who are throwing money around will NOT be able to do).

We all need to relax, this is very much a medium / long term solution and the football world will change when finances start to get regulated, we're in a great position to take advantage of this and if that means spending another year in the Championship then so be it.

Bates doesnt spend our money hahahaha the funiiest thing Ive heard on here to date

05 Jul 2011 19:50:36
'On 4th July 2011, Lonergan joined Leeds United for 10 million quid in order to replace Kasper Schmeichel and Shane Higgs who had both left the club'

Wikipedia quote... Obviously bulls*t...

05 Jul 2011 19:04:19
Jonathan Pitroipa.
Defensive Midfielder.
SV Hamburg.
Submitted transfer request.
In talks with Rennes.
Heard a very very daring whisper Leeds could hijack the deal.
Would require a fee tho, couple of million.
Wages not too high.
Work Permit shouldnt be needed as although he plays international football for Burkina Faso, he has played in Germany a while.
25 year old.
The next Michael Essien.
I dont know how true this is though.
2+2 can sometimes make 5

Cant see it somehow Rennes reportedly paying 3 million Euros also he is described as an attacking midfielder

Is this the same Jonathan Pitroipa that was said to be close to signing for Rennes yesterday for 3.5 million Euro's ?
Any sensible rumours out there ?

He's a right winger/wing forward

On FIFA his stats say he's faster than Walcott. So stop posting crap When I seen this I had to laugh that some sad'o went through all that effort just to be found out. If you were true Leeds you'd be looking a playing in there proper positions that would actually come and wear the beloved White strip

Mot

Going ro Rennes to replace M'Vila who will go at Arsenal

05 Jul 2011 18:55:57
Leeds to sign Fabian Delph and Jermain Beckford back on loan. Also to sign 19 year old french midfieder Fofana who will play in the Bradley Johnson role.

Source Simon Graysons son Joe Grayson

05 Jul 2011 18:32:42
Davide Somma is said to be delighted that Simon Grayson is bringing in Preston Keeper Andy Lonergan to Thorp Arch this summer, having scored 2 in the 4 conceded by lonergan in the first half at Elland Road last season.

Somma is delighted Schmeichel wont be in goal and is looking to impress Grayson on the training ground by scoring goals galore past Lonergan and Rachubka and get into the starting lineup.

05 Jul 2011 17:37:00
possible rethink from grayson lonegron or dudek ed what u think {Ed015's Note - both?}

05 Jul 2011 17:19:20
owen hargreaves coming to leeds should be before end of the week. i know paul scholes and he told me watch this space mot

If he comes instead of smith I'll sulk....
no seriously, if Smithys past it and injury prone Hargreaves is a major risk - what's up with Leeds transfer policy atm? {Ed015's Note - remember we havent signed him, its just a rumour}

Of course, that's what it's for but I just thought I'd be amusing for a change lol ;)

We could not afford hargreves wages. Even on pay as it would be expensive as he could be fit for a full season we never no I carnt see him stoping down

I'd like to see it if he came for a decent fee but he'll ask too much for what he's worth

05 Jul 2011 16:45:28
I know we have enough wingers but wouldn't ian hume be a good signing, bet we could get him cheap and he scores goals with a team as terrible as preston so think what he could do with Leeds

05 Jul 2011 16:26:32
I seen andrew lonergan earlier today outside elland road

Why would he be at Elland Rd. If he was anywhere he would be at thorpe arch.

Getting shown round maybe, sometimes players get shown round before signing.

I wish this silly rumour vanishes?? I'm sure we have a youngster who can do the job, LUFC always produced Keepers.

Im working on elland road and neither i or any other lad have ever seen player or manager there

05 Jul 2011 15:58:03
grayson intrested in jaimie vardy from halifax 34 goals last season great pace {Ed015's Note - Vardy wants to stay in west yorkshire, as far as im aware its either leeds or huddersfield as bradford isnt up to the standard}

05 Jul 2011 15:17:34
lonergan has signed for leeds daily telegraph online, NO.1

05 Jul 2011 14:42:13
Leeds to announce the signing of Emile Heskey in the next couple of days with the striker signing a 2 year contract with the club. Heskey will join his new team mates in the following days, the fee believed to have been accepted by Aston Villa is 235, 500. Heskey is keen to join Leeds to revitalise his career

What a load of rubbish a fee of 235, 500
pluck a finger out of the air ?
the latest odds are leicester 2.5, leeds 7/1

Why the hell would Leeds won't some one like him he is rubbish

Dno y everyone moans about heskey hes experienced and for him to keep playing after all abuse ppl give him shows hes passionate for the game so i wouldnt mind bringing him in

Bring him in, he'll do a job in the Championship

I wouldn't mind seeing Heskey at Leeds, everyone knows he aint there to score goals, but he is great at holding up the ball and bringing others into play so would not be a bad move, although i don't think it will happen, and no way at the price stated

I heard he was going to Blackpool as he knows there's a long term career opportunity there for him with all the other Donkey's on the beach

Doesnt anyone listed to SG? He has already confirmed he is looking to improve the defence and midfield, not the strike force, so why would we go for Heskey? He is less mobile than the East Stand.

05 Jul 2011 12:51:18
Rumour has it that Lonergan will be signing for Everton not Leeds. Iain Turner (was at Everton but now unattached) going in opposite direction.

Lonergan went to train with Everton, under the watchful eye of former boss David Moyes, as part of the deal that took Turner on loan from Everton to PNE.

Source Lancashire Evening Post

05 Jul 2011 09:21:56
Leeds are after the highly rated Michael Hughes, former cm at Sydney FC. He is currently being linked with Blackpool and is a free agent. Which will suit Mr. Bates

Watch this space

05 Jul 2011 08:45:30
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/9120597.Leeds_United_boss_won_t_be_rushed_into_signings/

05 Jul 2011 08:17:36
Simon Grayson is a good manager, and Ken Bates is a shrewd businessman. Bates won't break the bank to get players in, and he and Grayson will only consider players who are passionate about the club, which, in my opinion, is fair enough. With the amount of free agents floating about each year on the increase, there is bound to be some talent out there who would love the chance to play for Leeds Let's not forget also, that there will be players from all the other top countries on free transfers aswell, maybe we shouldn't be looking so close to home (Don't forget where Becchio came from)

Dont forget grayson had nothing to do with bringing Becchio to Leeds.
Fed up reading this Grayson and Bates love fest, its utter bollocks. If free agents was the way to go every club would be doing it, they arent. If the club wants to progress it has to look at the players it needs to improve not just limit itself to those that are free (cheap).

I agree but lets not jump on the band wagon.... the transfer window isnt shut yet so why do people insist on talking like we havent and wont sign anybody? its pretty obvious SG has ideas of who he wants and just cos we havent signed them yet doesnt mean we wont. i am a little frustrated in the lack of activity but the only lack of activity is players signing... im pretty sure there is plenty work going on behind the scenes to sort that out MOT

It seems that Bates is relying on our fan base, the facilities, the ground and the history to persuade players to come to us. Passionate about playing for the club is one thing, but no player is going to do it for shoddy wages.

You pay peanuts you get monkeys and all that

Leeds seem to do well at the start of the season then fad very foolishly at the end. SG needs to get to grips with this, he is the gafer.

We have loads of players that arent passionate about the club

05 Jul 2011 12:25:55
In regards to Kilkenney leaving, we have a ready made and BETTER replacement in Ramon Nunez waitng in the wings. Outstanding on loan for Scunny and shining on international duty for Honduras, his range of passing FAR exceeds that of NK or BJ, his vision is sublime PLUS he has an eye for a cheeky goal or six That said, he needs a combative, gritty midfield partner to do the graft and let him express himself and IMHO either Montgomery or Smith would fit the bill perfectly.
Click believable if you agree. In Grayson we trust MOT.

As much as id love smithy to come back I don't know if it'll happen tbh

No idea what your basing this analysis on. Nunez will only play if Howson, snodgrass or gradel doesnt OTHERWISE Leeds will be even more wide open in midfield than last season. On the basis that Howson, Snodgrass, Gradel and Becchio will all play the only place nunez is going is on the bench. Leeds need two strong central midfield players and nunez wont be one of them.

05 Jul 2011 12:15:36
I despair at the thought of Ian Harte ever putting on a Leeds shirt ever again It may sound a sweeping statement but I felt that he was the weekest link by a country mile when Leeds were at their best and it amazed me how long it took other clubs to realise it not to mention David O'Leary. If Leeds had spent a little more at the time on John Arne Riise we may still be talking of beating Valencia and going on to be European Cup winners not to mention further trophies ETC. I could never understand why people favoured a man who scored decent goals from freekicks and so on...but gave away many more goals at the back? I think I may have laboured this point. G

Harte would be a great signing now though. Hes been awesome at reading

At championship level he is good but was woefully exposed in the playoffs
I'm not too sure ken bates will pay for any of the old boys to return unless they take drastic wage cuts

I think this is spot on. ian harte was a liability defensively and was only in the side to take the odd free kick. admittedly he did score some great free kicks but that alone was not worth his place in the side. Lets look forwards and not backwards. dont forget that the names being thrown into the ring were all part of the team that were relegated so convincingly

Couldnt agree more, Harte was over-rated, half the time he struggled to get a corner in the air

It is no hidden fact how much weight harte put on towards the end of his leeds carrer.but he earnt the respect of the fans. and remember how important some of these freekicks and long range goals were. must be one of the only people to come back to elland road and be clappd by the kop

Couldn't run couldn't jump couldn't tackle couldn't head a ball and couldn't pass and that's when he was in his prime.
Capable of stunning free kicks now and again and reliable from the spot . Quite simply he was the weakest link and opponents knew it

05 Jul 2011 11:59:49
Ins:
Lonergan
Lichaj (Loan)
Woodgate
Smith
Montgomery - Swap for Paynter

Team for next season:
-----------Lonergan------------
Lichaj--Woodgate-Kisnorbo--McCartney
----------Montgomery----------
-------Smith----Howson--------
Gradel------------------Snodgrass
--------------Becchio-----------

Subs: Rachubka, O'Brien, Bruce, Sam, Somma, McCormack, Clayton

McCartney was a loan you tool, he also won't be coming back 1) he was almost entirely useless and 2) Bates outed him with his usual slander anyway

McCartney definitley will not be in the team next season hence ken bates comments about him at the end of last season good team apart from that although where is Nunez?

Since when did McCartney come back? I thought he went back to Sunderland accompanied by a very public slagging off (as he does) from Papa Smurf.

I heard McCartney could be on his way back on a free as Grayson wants him. Not sure how true it is (as we seem to belinked with everybody these days)

...... grayson has already admitted the 4-4-2 is coming back with mccormack and beccio up front {Ed015's Note - no he hasnt}

05 Jul 2011 11:21:24
When is Dudek gonna be coming to lufc, and what other players our link with are club

05 Jul 2011 11:07:38
All this talk of how many goals Goalkeeper X has conceded compared to Goalkeeper Y is complete rubbish. It's not just the keepers fault that a team concede the goals, he can be world class and play behind a clueless defence and concede more than an average keeper behind a solid well drilled defence.

I have experience of this where one year I played behind a great defence and conceded half as many as the next year when we had to rotate the defence a lot as we had a lot of injuries.

If Leeds can get some better defenders in to shore up a pretty leaky defence then Lonergan if he signs would be a good first choice keeper. I'm not saying he's a world beater but will do a good job for you.

I'll be honest i'm not a Leeds fan, I support SWFC but I live in Leeds and want them to do well. I'd like to see a yorkshire team back in the premiership and your the best shot at the minute. Although I am glad you got Bates and not us, we'd be dead and buried by now :)

05 Jul 2011 04:57:16
The Friendly with Sandefjord is part of a deal to bring in their young forward Fredrik Gulsvik to Leeds, similar style player to John Carew, has played alot as a second striker & as a winger.

"Similar style player to John Carew, has played alot as a second striker or as a winger"

Thats a contradiction then as Carew is Target man style striker not a support one

Second striker and winger? So nothing like Carew then?

How can he be a winger if hes similar to carew? When was the last time carew played on a wing??

Carew is a big guy but in his formative years he was more skillful than the back to goal style player he's become playing in England so not contradictory at all, this lad is 6'4 but has a great touch & is pretty quick,

Carew became a target man in Spain and Norway, not when he came to England. From what I hear of this lad he doesn't YET have the strength to play like Carew, so is often used behind the main striker or floating to the wings a la Henry in his pomp.