Yorkshire Evening Post 25/11/11
One in, two out on a quiet deadline day for Whites
Simon Grayson gave Leeds United’s squad a vote of confidence after the emergency loan market closed without any new outfield signings or a resolution over the future of Andy O’Brien.
The United manager saw a number of enquiries come to nothing ahead of yesterday’s 5pm deadline but claimed his existing group of players would be “very capable” in the run-up to the January transfer window.
Leeds pulled off one deal by concluding the signing of goalkeeper and free agent Maik Taylor, and last-minute agreements saw Alex Bruce join Huddersfield Town and Paul Rachubka depart for Tranmere Rovers.
But expectations of a development with O’Brien proved unfounded and discussions about his situation were ongoing this morning, seven days after he informed Grayson that he no longer wished to be considered for selection at Elland Road.
The option of transferring O’Brien will be unavailable until the turn of the year but Grayson said he was hopeful of an imminent solution, implying that United will look for a way to sever the centre-back’s contract.
Grayson, who is still to expand on the reasons for his sudden fall-out with O’Brien, said: “It’s not something we’re brushing under the carpet. It’s a delicate situation and we’re just seeing what action needs to be taken.
“Hopefully we’ll get it resolved in the next few days and in the right way. Players contracts are there to be scrutinised.
“People will be wondering what’s gone on but only myself, Andy, the chairman (Ken Bates) and (chief executive) Shaun Harvey know about the situation. We’ll do what’s right, and everyone who thinks they’ve got an opinion or thinks they know what’s gone on will never know until I decide to release the information.”
The United boss rejected the idea that the controversy surrounding O’Brien might have affected other players in the lead-up to tomorrow’s clash with Barnsley at Elland Road, saying: “The squad are in good spirits.
“They’re disappointed by what’s happened but these things do happen in football. All individual players need to do is concentrate on their own performances.”
Taylor could go straight into Grayson’s squad tomorrow after joining Leeds on a short-term contact until January.
The 40-year-old – a Northern Ireland international – was a free agent after leaving Birmingham City in the summer and earned his deal with Leeds during a successful trial at Thorp Arch.
On-loan Reading keeper Alex McCarthy is likely to retain his starting place against Barnsley but Taylor will provide cover for him until Andy Lonergan recovers from a broken finger. McCarthy is expected to return to his parent club next month.
“Maik’s got the experience and the know-how, and we had to cover ourselves,” Grayson said. “If Alex was to go back to Reading, that would have left us with Andy Lonergan and Alex Cairns. Now we’ve got Maik.
“He’s come here as back-up but he’s extremely talented and he’ll be looking to get into the first team.
“We moved on one or two other things yesterday but I still feel we’ve got a squad which is very capable – players coming back from injury and players who are desperate to come into the team.
“The only thing we’d have done was bring in a player who was going to go straight into our first team, not players to make up the numbers. We’ve got enough competition in the squad already.”
Rachubka’s departure made room for Taylor, and the former Blackpool keeper’s loan move to Tranmere came three weeks after his disastrous performance in a 5-0 defeat to Blackpool. He will stay at Prenton Park for the next month.
Bruce, meanwhile, linked up with Yorkshire club Huddersfield until January 2, and Grayson revealed that the temporary deal was completed “with a view to something longer.”
The defender has not made a first-team appearance for Leeds this season.
Bradford Telegraph & Argus 24/11/11
Rachubka and Bruce leave Leeds United on loan
Bill Marshall
Two players have left Leeds United on short-term loan deals this afternoon.
Out-of-favour goalkeeper Paul Rachubka has joined Tranmere Rovers on a month's loan, while defender Alex Bruce has made the short hop to Huddersfield Town, who he is eligible for until January 2.
Rovers' main keeper Owain Fon Williams has broken a hand in training, and manager Les Parry said: "It's really unfortunate for Owain to pick up an injury when he was doing so well for us but we are lucky to be able to bring in a goalkeeper of Paul's experience at short notice.
"I'm grateful to Leeds manager Simon Grayson for allowing him to join us for a month."
Rachubka has made more than 250 appearances in spells with Manchester United, Oldham, Peterborough, Northampton, MK Dons, Huddersfield, Blackpool and Leeds, who he joined in the summer.
The 30-year-old fell out of favour at Elland Road following a string of high-profile errors, culminating in a disastrous 5-0 home defeat against Blackpool in which he was substituted at half-time.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old defender Bruce, who can count Birmingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich among his former clubs, will link up with the Terriers until January 2.
Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark said: “Alex has played his entire professional career in the Championship or above. He is an inspirational player who is a leader.
“We are looking forward to welcoming him into the squad. We think he’ll add something a little different, he is a very combative defender.”
One in, two out on a quiet deadline day for Whites
Simon Grayson gave Leeds United’s squad a vote of confidence after the emergency loan market closed without any new outfield signings or a resolution over the future of Andy O’Brien.
The United manager saw a number of enquiries come to nothing ahead of yesterday’s 5pm deadline but claimed his existing group of players would be “very capable” in the run-up to the January transfer window.
Leeds pulled off one deal by concluding the signing of goalkeeper and free agent Maik Taylor, and last-minute agreements saw Alex Bruce join Huddersfield Town and Paul Rachubka depart for Tranmere Rovers.
But expectations of a development with O’Brien proved unfounded and discussions about his situation were ongoing this morning, seven days after he informed Grayson that he no longer wished to be considered for selection at Elland Road.
The option of transferring O’Brien will be unavailable until the turn of the year but Grayson said he was hopeful of an imminent solution, implying that United will look for a way to sever the centre-back’s contract.
Grayson, who is still to expand on the reasons for his sudden fall-out with O’Brien, said: “It’s not something we’re brushing under the carpet. It’s a delicate situation and we’re just seeing what action needs to be taken.
“Hopefully we’ll get it resolved in the next few days and in the right way. Players contracts are there to be scrutinised.
“People will be wondering what’s gone on but only myself, Andy, the chairman (Ken Bates) and (chief executive) Shaun Harvey know about the situation. We’ll do what’s right, and everyone who thinks they’ve got an opinion or thinks they know what’s gone on will never know until I decide to release the information.”
The United boss rejected the idea that the controversy surrounding O’Brien might have affected other players in the lead-up to tomorrow’s clash with Barnsley at Elland Road, saying: “The squad are in good spirits.
“They’re disappointed by what’s happened but these things do happen in football. All individual players need to do is concentrate on their own performances.”
Taylor could go straight into Grayson’s squad tomorrow after joining Leeds on a short-term contact until January.
The 40-year-old – a Northern Ireland international – was a free agent after leaving Birmingham City in the summer and earned his deal with Leeds during a successful trial at Thorp Arch.
On-loan Reading keeper Alex McCarthy is likely to retain his starting place against Barnsley but Taylor will provide cover for him until Andy Lonergan recovers from a broken finger. McCarthy is expected to return to his parent club next month.
“Maik’s got the experience and the know-how, and we had to cover ourselves,” Grayson said. “If Alex was to go back to Reading, that would have left us with Andy Lonergan and Alex Cairns. Now we’ve got Maik.
“He’s come here as back-up but he’s extremely talented and he’ll be looking to get into the first team.
“We moved on one or two other things yesterday but I still feel we’ve got a squad which is very capable – players coming back from injury and players who are desperate to come into the team.
“The only thing we’d have done was bring in a player who was going to go straight into our first team, not players to make up the numbers. We’ve got enough competition in the squad already.”
Rachubka’s departure made room for Taylor, and the former Blackpool keeper’s loan move to Tranmere came three weeks after his disastrous performance in a 5-0 defeat to Blackpool. He will stay at Prenton Park for the next month.
Bruce, meanwhile, linked up with Yorkshire club Huddersfield until January 2, and Grayson revealed that the temporary deal was completed “with a view to something longer.”
The defender has not made a first-team appearance for Leeds this season.
Bradford Telegraph & Argus 24/11/11
Rachubka and Bruce leave Leeds United on loan
Bill Marshall
Two players have left Leeds United on short-term loan deals this afternoon.
Out-of-favour goalkeeper Paul Rachubka has joined Tranmere Rovers on a month's loan, while defender Alex Bruce has made the short hop to Huddersfield Town, who he is eligible for until January 2.
Rovers' main keeper Owain Fon Williams has broken a hand in training, and manager Les Parry said: "It's really unfortunate for Owain to pick up an injury when he was doing so well for us but we are lucky to be able to bring in a goalkeeper of Paul's experience at short notice.
"I'm grateful to Leeds manager Simon Grayson for allowing him to join us for a month."
Rachubka has made more than 250 appearances in spells with Manchester United, Oldham, Peterborough, Northampton, MK Dons, Huddersfield, Blackpool and Leeds, who he joined in the summer.
The 30-year-old fell out of favour at Elland Road following a string of high-profile errors, culminating in a disastrous 5-0 home defeat against Blackpool in which he was substituted at half-time.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old defender Bruce, who can count Birmingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich among his former clubs, will link up with the Terriers until January 2.
Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark said: “Alex has played his entire professional career in the Championship or above. He is an inspirational player who is a leader.
“We are looking forward to welcoming him into the squad. We think he’ll add something a little different, he is a very combative defender.”
