Leeds United miss out on Nigel Adkins
Right In the Gary Kellys 26/3/13
As per last week’s article on this site the need for urgency in settling the long term future of Leeds United was underlined in all too dramatic fashion as former Saints Boss Nigel Adkins was set to be unveiled as the new manager of Premier league basement dwellers Reading.
A smart appointment by them, and him. If he pulls off a miracle and keeps them up he’ll be assured of legendary status in East Berkshire. If he goes down to the Championship, the damage had already been done and he surely has the nous to get them back up again with some sensible spending.
Meanwhile back at Elland Road it seems inertia is the order of the day.
On this very site Nigel Adkins has come out top twice in recent polls as the fans choice – and the case was compelling. Adkins can squeeze top level performances out of sides as ordinary as Scunthorpe and Southampton, with a bit of funding and vision he could no doubt have done just as well at Leeds United.
But this is academic now, what might have been type note…
Neil Warnock remains in the dugout, the players are talking about next season, and the papers abound with tales of our owner’s parent company looking to dispose of their stake in Leeds.
There are of course options, there always are, and perhaps the above is an unfair conclusion on our clubs board. The Premier League is what it is, there is a slim chance Adkins could still be managing in it next season with Reading, whereas that chance is close to zero with Leeds – which would you or I choose? A confirmed tangible owner, with funds to invest? Over the uncertainty of Leeds. The choice seems stark when put in context. Was Adkins then ever a realistic choice once the Premier League came knocking?
We may already be down the road some way with a Di Canio, Poyet or heaven help us a Roy Keane. We don’t know so perhaps for the moment we keep our enthusiasm for a scrap in check.
One name that has not been mentioned (surprisingly) is the former Reading Manager Brian McDermott. With good recent experience of promotion and with an eye for a good player.
McDermott stock within the betting market has jumped considerably since the appointment of Adkins to 14/1 for the Leeds job. One thing’s for sure, something needs to happen soon at Elland Road, or we risk yet another summer of sloth, and whilst the last thing we want to do is regurgitate the same issues, the concern is surely now palpable at Elland Road.
This is, after all the period that GFH Capital outlined as critical for Leeds in terms of the transfer market, squad building and strategy. The urgency of the January transfer window has gone, so the only obstacles to progress will be self inflicted ones?
Whilst it’s surely welcome to hear that with Bates gone the club are attracting new investment, it’s equally important that we start our new journey now as a club. Back to the Premier League.
As per last week’s article on this site the need for urgency in settling the long term future of Leeds United was underlined in all too dramatic fashion as former Saints Boss Nigel Adkins was set to be unveiled as the new manager of Premier league basement dwellers Reading.
A smart appointment by them, and him. If he pulls off a miracle and keeps them up he’ll be assured of legendary status in East Berkshire. If he goes down to the Championship, the damage had already been done and he surely has the nous to get them back up again with some sensible spending.
Meanwhile back at Elland Road it seems inertia is the order of the day.
On this very site Nigel Adkins has come out top twice in recent polls as the fans choice – and the case was compelling. Adkins can squeeze top level performances out of sides as ordinary as Scunthorpe and Southampton, with a bit of funding and vision he could no doubt have done just as well at Leeds United.
But this is academic now, what might have been type note…
Neil Warnock remains in the dugout, the players are talking about next season, and the papers abound with tales of our owner’s parent company looking to dispose of their stake in Leeds.
There are of course options, there always are, and perhaps the above is an unfair conclusion on our clubs board. The Premier League is what it is, there is a slim chance Adkins could still be managing in it next season with Reading, whereas that chance is close to zero with Leeds – which would you or I choose? A confirmed tangible owner, with funds to invest? Over the uncertainty of Leeds. The choice seems stark when put in context. Was Adkins then ever a realistic choice once the Premier League came knocking?
We may already be down the road some way with a Di Canio, Poyet or heaven help us a Roy Keane. We don’t know so perhaps for the moment we keep our enthusiasm for a scrap in check.
One name that has not been mentioned (surprisingly) is the former Reading Manager Brian McDermott. With good recent experience of promotion and with an eye for a good player.
McDermott stock within the betting market has jumped considerably since the appointment of Adkins to 14/1 for the Leeds job. One thing’s for sure, something needs to happen soon at Elland Road, or we risk yet another summer of sloth, and whilst the last thing we want to do is regurgitate the same issues, the concern is surely now palpable at Elland Road.
This is, after all the period that GFH Capital outlined as critical for Leeds in terms of the transfer market, squad building and strategy. The urgency of the January transfer window has gone, so the only obstacles to progress will be self inflicted ones?
Whilst it’s surely welcome to hear that with Bates gone the club are attracting new investment, it’s equally important that we start our new journey now as a club. Back to the Premier League.
