Let’s crack on - Warnock
By Leon Wobschall
Neil Warnock was back at his desk at Leeds United today and has reiterated his desire to press ahead with his recruitment programme – with the start of pre-season just over a fortnight away.
The United chief flew into Yorkshire from the south-west yesterday with a stack of business to attend to between now and the big kick-off, with United having signed just one player, Jason Pearce, since the end of last term.
Warnock is keen to get moving on the transfer front and is working this week on getting a couple of potential Bosman signings finalised.
He also wants to bring in at least four signings who would cost fees to bolster his squad ahead of the new Championship campaign and is keen to make progress on that front.
Warnock said: “I’m going along working as hard as I can now and we know we need players. I think the club know I need help and they are trying to do it. Only time will tell.
“I know I’ve got to do a lot of work between now and the start of the season to recruit the right players. Hopefully, we can get moving along in the next couple of weeks.”
Meanwhile, Warnock admits he is relishing United’s baptism of fire at Elland Road at the start of the 2012-13 campaign, which begins with an encounter with visiting Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 18.
United also face another relegated club in Blackburn Rovers, as well as White Rose rivals Hull and Nottingham Forest – who won 7-3 in Leeds in March – in the first five weeks of the campaign on home soil.
Leeds slumped to a club-record 11 home league defeats last season with home rule one of Warnock’s major priorities next season.
He said: “Looking at our fixtures makes you realise how difficult a league this is. “But it’s a great opening fixture against Wolves. I’d rather be playing them at home than Peterborough and that’s no disrespect to Peterborough.
“Elland Road has got to become a fortress if we have got any chance (next season). We’ve got to set our stall out; that’s why it’s important that we do our business in the next few weeks.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do. Let’s hope we can get things done.”
United have confirmed that their Capital One Cup first-round home tie with League One newcomers Shrewsbury Town will take place on Saturday, August 11 with a 3pm kick-off – much to Warnock’s satisfaction.
The Football League kicks off the following weekend.
Warnock added: “I’m ever so pleased we’re playing on the Saturday.
“We’ve a full week before the Wolves game and we’ll play our strongest team.
“We had been looking at playing a Premier League team that weekend, but I think a competitive game is just what we need before the league season starts.
“We can have a good look at things in a competitive game and iron out any faults for the Wolves game.”