Transfer Rumours/Signed

old_codger

[quote=gorefidel][quote=Smutty Lips]I wanted people to lay off Grayson towards the end of last season, in the hope that he could learn and rectify his failings of last term, as I said at the time in this day and age would Don Revie have survived that first difficult season when we only survived on the last day. It was the first difficult period Grayson had encountered and I always thought he should be given chance to learn from it.

I expected there would be some players he would have learnt more about who he would weed out, but that doesn't appear to have happened. I would have to say it's his decision as well, if he was constrained from above why not take the Leicester job or others if you know you are on a hiding to nothing through no fault of your own. I'm not passing judgement on him, just stating that things I thought would happen haven't really happened, the signings aren't big names but we never were going to sign big names, I'm not going to form an opinion on people when they haven't kicked a competitive ball for Leeds, the only fair time to judge the activities of the pre-season are when the season kicks off.

I'm not too concerned up front at this stage, i'm happy to go with Becchio and one of Somma, Paynter and Gradel.

Defence - he's addressed the problems at full back time will tell if he's signed decent players but i'm not concerned. Central defence worries me a bit more.

Midfield, no real changes here, it looks as if this is the area he's really putting his faith in last season's team.

Really when all's said and done I don't think there's too much wrong with the team, depending how and this is the key point, how he organsises them and sends them out to play.[/quote]
I thought the midfield were generally shit last season and I don't see how they'll suddenly be ace in a higher division - I think we need strengthening there bigtime.

I hope Grayson can get his organisation and use of subs to how it was first half of last season.

The rest of it is much of a muchness and will be average for the division.[/quote]
Tis my thinking also. Thing with transfers though, besides Boro who are buying half of Scotland, there isn't much spending going on yet, even Pompey haven't had the fire sale yet. I'm really hoping that for whatever reasions, Grayson's lack of spending has been about constraints such as the WC being on and various contracts and negotiations being sorted out after that. i do think that Sam is a v good signing, and Schmeichel, and I'm not too unhappy about Collins' arrival either (which the Mail said cost £500k, not that I believe it). But we STILL need someone who can tackle in midfield!!!!

Harvest

[b]Leeds step up chase for Accies star James McArthur with £750K bid
Jul 14 2010 Exclusive by Scott McDermott [/b]

LEEDS could be set to scupper Wigan's hopes of snapping up Hamilton ace James McArthur after slapping in a £750,000 bid for to midfielder.

The Elland Road outfit made their move for the 22-yearold on Monday night and they hope to snatch him ahead of both Wigan and Rangers, who have also shown an interest.

United are building for a crack at the Championship next term and reckon McArthur could be the man to pull the strings in midfield.

Leeds are the first club to table an official offer for the New Douglas Park star who is keen to leave Lanarkshire this summer.

McArthur was expected to hook up with former Accies team-mate James McCarthy at Wigan but Record Sport understands the Latics have not made a formal bid.

Rangers gaffer Walter Smith is also an admirer and may step up his pursuit of McArthur if Kevin Thomson seals a £2 million switch to Middlesbrough this week.

But Leeds believe they have stolen a march in the race for the midfield man who could team up with fellow Scot and old boys' club pal Robert Snodgrass in Yorkshire.

Highly-rated United gaffer Simon Grayson is determined to build a squad capable of pushing for promotion this season.

Leeds dropped down from England's top flight to League One in the space of three catastrophic years due to financial problems but are resurgent again and still attract crowds of more than 38,000 to Elland Road.

Reggie_Perrin

[quote=Harvest][b]Leeds step up chase for Accies star James McArthur with £750K bid
Jul 14 2010 Exclusive by Scott McDermott [/b]

LEEDS could be set to scupper Wigan's hopes of snapping up Hamilton ace James McArthur after slapping in a £750,000 bid for to midfielder.

The Elland Road outfit made their move for the 22-yearold on Monday night and they hope to snatch him ahead of both Wigan and Rangers, who have also shown an interest.

United are building for a crack at the Championship next term and reckon McArthur could be the man to pull the strings in midfield.

Leeds are the first club to table an official offer for the New Douglas Park star who is keen to leave Lanarkshire this summer.

McArthur was expected to hook up with former Accies team-mate James McCarthy at Wigan but Record Sport understands the Latics have not made a formal bid.

Rangers gaffer Walter Smith is also an admirer and may step up his pursuit of McArthur if Kevin Thomson seals a £2 million switch to Middlesbrough this week.

But Leeds believe they have stolen a march in the race for the midfield man who could team up with fellow Scot and old boys' club pal Robert Snodgrass in Yorkshire.

Highly-rated United gaffer Simon Grayson is determined to build a squad capable of pushing for promotion this season.

Leeds dropped down from England's top flight to League One in the space of three catastrophic years due to financial problems but are resurgent again and still attract crowds of more than 38,000 to Elland Road.[/quote]
Hope so he sounds promising and one of a few young Scots lads who are going to be the core of the national side for a few years.

BTW, Warren Feeney has signed for Oldham. Didn't expect him to step down, Dickov has done well. The little fella might have the right stuff for management, tenacity and the drive to succeed.

Reggie_Perrin

It is reported that Wigan Athletic’s hopes of signing Hamilton youngster James McArthur are disappearing.

McArthur is hoping to hook up with his former team-mate James McCarthy who joined the Latics last season.

However, the Glasgow Evening Times claims that dream is fading fast as Accies chairman Ronnie MacDonald is unhappy that the Latics have yet to lodge a formal bid.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez took the youngster on trial in March but nothing has materialised as yet in terms of a concrete bid although there was talk of a £1 million offer being prepared.

However, Martinez has stalled on the deal and it is now believed that Leeds United are ready to step in with a £750,000 bid.

ptitch

BBC reckon that Naarich are about to sign Simeon Jackson from Gillingham.

Makes me worry!

Mitaman

[quote=Reggie Perrin][quote=Mitaman]I would be happy for us to nestle into mid-table mediocrity next season, so we can assess where this squad comes in the overall pecking order. Then 2011-2012, make the right signings and push on for promotion. I accept this may sound defeatist (for which I know I will be blasted for), but I am all for a steady and calculated approach. If we happen to be good enough to get into a play-off place, great go for it, but I would not be too disappointed for a simple solid season.

I quietly noticed that there seem to be a number of two-year contracts being handed out, so would appear that SG/ Bates also seem to think it may take us more than one season to push into the PL.[/quote]
Ordinarilly this would be the right and sensible approach. However a few other factors exist this season. Hull and Portsmouth will have no impact from parachute payments, Newcastle and West Brom got promoted so that only leaves Burnley and Boro with any financial advantage. It leaves the division wide open and potentially there could be three new teams with an extra £11.5m in thieir pockets coming down next year without the financial clart to negate it.

I say go for it and I don't think we need to sell the farm to do it. Hooper / Keogh / Sinclair and midfield general is all we need I think. Possibly more important is getting shot of a few players. Not giving a few squad numbers might help them decide to leave. Maybe one of these Slovaks or Brazillians will be a good addition to the midfield.[/quote]
I agree totally, that of all the seasons, this is probably the one where we should have least resistance from exPL teams. I am just a little worrried that we spend too much and do not go up, then it is history repeating itself ala not qualifying for the champions league when Ridsdale 'went for it'.

king_of_the_slums

[quote=Reggie Perrin]It is reported that Wigan Athletic’s hopes of signing Hamilton youngster James McArthur are disappearing.

McArthur is hoping to hook up with his former team-mate James McCarthy who joined the Latics last season.

However, the Glasgow Evening Times claims that dream is fading fast as Accies chairman Ronnie MacDonald is unhappy that the Latics have yet to lodge a formal bid.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez took the youngster on trial in March but nothing has materialised as yet in terms of a concrete bid although there was talk of a £1 million offer being prepared.

However, Martinez has stalled on the deal and it is now believed that Leeds United are ready to step in with a £750,000 bid.[/quote]
Grayson's denied all interest in a number of sources over the last two days - means we're interested... ;)

Reggie_Perrin

[quote=Mitaman][quote=Reggie Perrin][quote=Mitaman]I would be happy for us to nestle into mid-table mediocrity next season, so we can assess where this squad comes in the overall pecking order. Then 2011-2012, make the right signings and push on for promotion. I accept this may sound defeatist (for which I know I will be blasted for), but I am all for a steady and calculated approach. If we happen to be good enough to get into a play-off place, great go for it, but I would not be too disappointed for a simple solid season.

I quietly noticed that there seem to be a number of two-year contracts being handed out, so would appear that SG/ Bates also seem to think it may take us more than one season to push into the PL.[/quote]
Ordinarilly this would be the right and sensible approach. However a few other factors exist this season. Hull and Portsmouth will have no impact from parachute payments, Newcastle and West Brom got promoted so that only leaves Burnley and Boro with any financial advantage. It leaves the division wide open and potentially there could be three new teams with an extra £11.5m in thieir pockets coming down next year without the financial clart to negate it.

I say go for it and I don't think we need to sell the farm to do it. Hooper / Keogh / Sinclair and midfield general is all we need I think. Possibly more important is getting shot of a few players. Not giving a few squad numbers might help them decide to leave. Maybe one of these Slovaks or Brazillians will be a good addition to the midfield.[/quote]
I agree totally, that of all the seasons, this is probably the one where we should have least resistance from exPL teams. I am just a little worrried that we spend too much and do not go up, then it is history repeating itself ala not qualifying for the champions league when Ridsdale 'went for it'.[/quote]
Nah, investing £2m to £3m in players is not going to put this club in the shit. Burnley now have Brian Laws in charge so they will not give him anymoney to waste (he was shit at Wednesday and his career is just a big long list of shit), Boro I expect to go up, Forest I expect to be dangerous if they back Davies. We are well placed with the makings of a good squad and the ground will be rocking.