Warnock cannot wait to shake up the Whites
Yorkshire Evening Post 18/4/12By Phil Hay
Neil Warnock revealed that his first summer transfer deal was effectively signed and sealed after a 1-0 defeat to Blackpool officially ended Leeds United’s season.
Warnock expects the unnamed signing to arrive at Elland Road during the first week in May, beginning a process of rebuilding which is set to intensify after last night’s loss at Bloomfield Road.
A 79th-minute goal from Spanish midfielder Angel subjected Leeds to another disappointing result, confirming mathematically that United will fall short of the Championship play-offs.
The Elland Road club have two matches remaining, one away to Cardiff City this weekend and the other at home to Leicester City on April 28, but Warnock is deep into his planning for the 2012-13 season with nothing left to vie for.
The United manager said: “We’re lacking in certain areas but we can’t do anything about that until the summer. Two games to go then I’ve got no excuses in pre-season.
“I’m looking forward to bringing players in and the first one should come at the end of the first week in May. I think it’s agreed.
“I’m optimistic that we’ll bring a number in soon after that and one or two other things are cropping up at the moment. Roll on the summer.”
Leeds finished last night’s game with 10 men after defender Darren O’Dea – recently returned from a two-match ban – received a red card which will rule him out of both of United’s remaining fixtures.
Warnock described O’Dea’s dismissal for a second bookable offence as “quite deserved and stupid” but claimed United deserved to take at least a point from Bloomfield Road.
He accused referee Tony Bates of denying his side a clear penalty in the first half when former Leeds full-back Stephen Crainey brought down striker Ross McCormack.
Warnock said: “We had some great chances and I thought it was a penalty.
“The referee said ‘something wasn’t quite right’ but I don’t know what that means. He either books (McCormack) if he dives or gives a corner. He’s given nothing.
“But we were playing against one of the better sides in the division and I’m disappointed that we’ve not come away with a win, let alone a point.”
Blackpool’s victory moved them to within touching distance of play-off qualification.
Manager Ian Holloway said: “I’m on top of the world. That was as tough a game as you’ll ever have, but I honestly thought we deserved to win by a bigger margin.”
