Future’s safe in my hands - Warnock
Yorkshire Evening Post 9/5/12
By Phil Hay
Neil Warnock insisted his one-year project as Leeds United boss would leave a legacy of “investments” at Elland Road after striking his first deal of the summer.
Warnock, who signed 24-year-old Jason Pearce from Portsmouth last week, claimed his strategy was aimed at securing long-term assets and avoiding the need for another overhaul of United’s squad in 12 months’ time.
Leeds paid £500,000 to sign Pearce, a fee which Portsmouth administrator Trevor Birch has been forced to defend amid suggestions that the centre-back was sold for less than his true value, and Pearce committed himself to United until the summer of 2016 by signing a four-year deal.
Warnock’s contract is far shorter, running for the next 12 months, and he plans to retire at the end of the 2012-13 season, a term in which he hopes to sign off with his eighth promotion as a Football League manager.
But he vowed to take a responsible approach to the rebuilding of a squad who finished 14th in the Championship last month, saying: “Some of the players I sign won’t only be good value. They’ll be an investment as well.
“They’re not all going to be 37 years old, giving me one year here. They’re going to be hungry lads who I hope I can make into better players.
“Some will be resaleable rather than money spent stupidly.”
Warnock could follow up his successful move for Pearce with bids for two other Portsmouth players, midfielder David Norris and striker Luke Varney.
Birch is leading the fight against Portsmouth’s insolvency and admitted more sales were likely, saying: “We don’t want to sell any of these players but it’s a necessity.
“We’re losing money hand over fist.”
By Phil Hay
Neil Warnock insisted his one-year project as Leeds United boss would leave a legacy of “investments” at Elland Road after striking his first deal of the summer.
Warnock, who signed 24-year-old Jason Pearce from Portsmouth last week, claimed his strategy was aimed at securing long-term assets and avoiding the need for another overhaul of United’s squad in 12 months’ time.
Leeds paid £500,000 to sign Pearce, a fee which Portsmouth administrator Trevor Birch has been forced to defend amid suggestions that the centre-back was sold for less than his true value, and Pearce committed himself to United until the summer of 2016 by signing a four-year deal.
Warnock’s contract is far shorter, running for the next 12 months, and he plans to retire at the end of the 2012-13 season, a term in which he hopes to sign off with his eighth promotion as a Football League manager.
But he vowed to take a responsible approach to the rebuilding of a squad who finished 14th in the Championship last month, saying: “Some of the players I sign won’t only be good value. They’ll be an investment as well.
“They’re not all going to be 37 years old, giving me one year here. They’re going to be hungry lads who I hope I can make into better players.
“Some will be resaleable rather than money spent stupidly.”
Warnock could follow up his successful move for Pearce with bids for two other Portsmouth players, midfielder David Norris and striker Luke Varney.
Birch is leading the fight against Portsmouth’s insolvency and admitted more sales were likely, saying: “We don’t want to sell any of these players but it’s a necessity.
“We’re losing money hand over fist.”
