Leeds manager Neil Warnock to discuss January transfers
Independent 28/1/13
Manager wants reinforcements following win over Spurs
Mark Walker
Leeds manager Neil Warnock will sit down with representatives of the club's new owners this week to finalise plans to strengthen his squad after his side pulled off another FA Cup upset by beating Tottenham 2-1.
Warnock is under increasing pressure to give Leeds' npower Championship play-off chances a boost with the expected departure of leading goalscorer Luciano Becchio before Thursday night's transfer deadline set to leave him short of strikers and upset fans.
Becchio, whose agent claims he does not want to leave, played no part against Spurs but was hardly missed as goals from Luke Varney and Ross McCormack early in either half secured them a fifth-round tie at Manchester City.
Tottenham, without the injured Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor, on African Nations Cup duty with Togo, lacked firepower at Elland Road and although Clint Dempsey pulled a goal back in the 58th minute, Warnock's side deserved their victory.
"We've had a few offers from abroad and we've had one or two enquiries from England without an offer," Warnock said of 19-goal Becchio.
"I would imagine over the next two or three days there will be a lot - not just at our club, but at most clubs, of players looking to see what they can get.
"I'm no different. I'd like two or three new faces in before Thursday. Whether you get them or not, it's scandalous really the transfer window, I still don't know why we have it.
"I suppose it's good for you guys and helps sell papers."
On Becchio Warnock added: "I saw something his men put out, a little bit naughty, saying we and the board hadn't made enough effort, that's rubbish that.
"He's already our top earner and we've offered him a good three-and-a-half year deal on more money than that, so let's put that to bed.
"We offered him a cracking contract and if we can't find a replacement, he can't go anywhere whether he likes it or not.
"If we do, he's welcome to go because you only want players who want to be here."
Asked whether any Premier League clubs had enquired about the Argentinian, Warnock said: "Possibly.
"If he's going to Turkey or China or where ever it is, that would take a little bit more organising, time-wise, but (Leeds director) Saleem (Patel)'s here all week and (chief executive) Shaun and we're going to get together (on Monday) and all three days and see what develops because I'd still like to get two or three in."
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said Leeds deserved credit for the competitive nature of their performance and admitted that after conceding an early goal his side were always chasing the game.
He said: "It was difficult as we were always chasing the game and this is a difficult place to play, and we couldn't play our football as well as we could have. "We wanted to go through in the competition, but we were knocked out by a Leeds team who were extremely competitive, and you have to give credit to them."
Villas-Boas confirmed absent striker Defoe had been injured in training, but was expected back in time for Saturday's trip to Norwich.
The Portuguese also said he would not be looking to bring in any forward cover before the transfer deadline.
Manager wants reinforcements following win over Spurs
Mark Walker
Leeds manager Neil Warnock will sit down with representatives of the club's new owners this week to finalise plans to strengthen his squad after his side pulled off another FA Cup upset by beating Tottenham 2-1.
Warnock is under increasing pressure to give Leeds' npower Championship play-off chances a boost with the expected departure of leading goalscorer Luciano Becchio before Thursday night's transfer deadline set to leave him short of strikers and upset fans.
Becchio, whose agent claims he does not want to leave, played no part against Spurs but was hardly missed as goals from Luke Varney and Ross McCormack early in either half secured them a fifth-round tie at Manchester City.
Tottenham, without the injured Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor, on African Nations Cup duty with Togo, lacked firepower at Elland Road and although Clint Dempsey pulled a goal back in the 58th minute, Warnock's side deserved their victory.
"We've had a few offers from abroad and we've had one or two enquiries from England without an offer," Warnock said of 19-goal Becchio.
"I would imagine over the next two or three days there will be a lot - not just at our club, but at most clubs, of players looking to see what they can get.
"I'm no different. I'd like two or three new faces in before Thursday. Whether you get them or not, it's scandalous really the transfer window, I still don't know why we have it.
"I suppose it's good for you guys and helps sell papers."
On Becchio Warnock added: "I saw something his men put out, a little bit naughty, saying we and the board hadn't made enough effort, that's rubbish that.
"He's already our top earner and we've offered him a good three-and-a-half year deal on more money than that, so let's put that to bed.
"We offered him a cracking contract and if we can't find a replacement, he can't go anywhere whether he likes it or not.
"If we do, he's welcome to go because you only want players who want to be here."
Asked whether any Premier League clubs had enquired about the Argentinian, Warnock said: "Possibly.
"If he's going to Turkey or China or where ever it is, that would take a little bit more organising, time-wise, but (Leeds director) Saleem (Patel)'s here all week and (chief executive) Shaun and we're going to get together (on Monday) and all three days and see what develops because I'd still like to get two or three in."
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said Leeds deserved credit for the competitive nature of their performance and admitted that after conceding an early goal his side were always chasing the game.
He said: "It was difficult as we were always chasing the game and this is a difficult place to play, and we couldn't play our football as well as we could have. "We wanted to go through in the competition, but we were knocked out by a Leeds team who were extremely competitive, and you have to give credit to them."
Villas-Boas confirmed absent striker Defoe had been injured in training, but was expected back in time for Saturday's trip to Norwich.
The Portuguese also said he would not be looking to bring in any forward cover before the transfer deadline.
