Warnock’s transfer pot is empty
Yorkshire Evening Post 27/8/12
By Phil Hay
Leeds United look destined to sit out the final stages of the transfer window with manager Neil Warnock no closer to securing fresh funds.
Warnock appeared to dismiss the possibility of a sudden injection of cash this week by admitting after Saturday’s win over Peterborough United that Leeds “won’t be buying anybody” before the summer deadline passes at midnight on Friday.
The United boss has warned repeatedly that his need to increase the squad at Elland Road was unlikely to be met in the last days of the window and his latest comments indicate that he has no expectation of a planned takeover of Leeds going through in the next four days.
The buy-out proposed by a consortium from the Middle East – a group who have been in negotiations with United owner and chairman Ken Bates for more than three months –would potentially address Warnock’s empty transfer fund but it is increasingly uncertain if the takeover deal will survive a long and unexplained delay.
Warnock’s desire for more attacking players on his bench saw 18-year-old Dominic Poleon included in United’s squad at London Road.
The striker made his league debut as a substitute in the second half, appearing for the final 12 minutes, but Warnock was struck by the sight of Peterborough calling Paul Taylor – one of their more highly-rated players – up from the bench as they fought to overturn a 2-0 deficit.
Asked how active Leeds might be before Friday’s deadline, Warnock said: “We won’t be buying anybody. I think the most you can expect is a loan player if we can, getting into September (the Football League’s emergency loan window which opens on September 8).
“I want more options to come on from the bench. You saw again that we’re a bit short.
“No disrespect to young Dominic but it would be nice to be able to put a Paul Taylor on like they did.
“We’re going to be lucky to get through with what we’ve got here but these players are a great bunch and I can’t fault them. We’ve just got to be lucky with injuries.” Leeds are seventh in the Championship table after their second win of the season, a result which atoned for a 2-1 defeat suffered at Blackpool five days earlier.
United were comprehensively outplayed at Bloomfield Road but Blackpool flexed their muscles more impressively on Saturday, beating Ipswich Town 6-0 and remaining as the only Championship side with a perfect record after three games.
Warnock said: “If we hadn’t been organised and disciplined then we would have got beaten by six at Blackpool too.
“But you’re going to learn every week and we all know that Peterborough could go away and win anywhere next week, like anybody else. It’s that type of league and this is why I love it so much.”
Two goals from Luciano Becchio – his third and fourth of the season so far – condemned Peterborough to a third straight league defeat, despite the fine goal from Michael Bostwick which threatened a late fightback at London Road.
Warnock said: “You get greedy but we should have had a third goal on the break. “That would have made it easier and you know Peterborough will fight for their lives. You’ll get a comeback if you’re not careful.
“But our back five were fantastic and the players are getting better with each game.
“We’re also a different team when Becchio and (Ross) McCormack play as they can. Let’s hope they do that a bit more.”
By Phil Hay
Leeds United look destined to sit out the final stages of the transfer window with manager Neil Warnock no closer to securing fresh funds.
Warnock appeared to dismiss the possibility of a sudden injection of cash this week by admitting after Saturday’s win over Peterborough United that Leeds “won’t be buying anybody” before the summer deadline passes at midnight on Friday.
The United boss has warned repeatedly that his need to increase the squad at Elland Road was unlikely to be met in the last days of the window and his latest comments indicate that he has no expectation of a planned takeover of Leeds going through in the next four days.
The buy-out proposed by a consortium from the Middle East – a group who have been in negotiations with United owner and chairman Ken Bates for more than three months –would potentially address Warnock’s empty transfer fund but it is increasingly uncertain if the takeover deal will survive a long and unexplained delay.
Warnock’s desire for more attacking players on his bench saw 18-year-old Dominic Poleon included in United’s squad at London Road.
The striker made his league debut as a substitute in the second half, appearing for the final 12 minutes, but Warnock was struck by the sight of Peterborough calling Paul Taylor – one of their more highly-rated players – up from the bench as they fought to overturn a 2-0 deficit.
Asked how active Leeds might be before Friday’s deadline, Warnock said: “We won’t be buying anybody. I think the most you can expect is a loan player if we can, getting into September (the Football League’s emergency loan window which opens on September 8).
“I want more options to come on from the bench. You saw again that we’re a bit short.
“No disrespect to young Dominic but it would be nice to be able to put a Paul Taylor on like they did.
“We’re going to be lucky to get through with what we’ve got here but these players are a great bunch and I can’t fault them. We’ve just got to be lucky with injuries.” Leeds are seventh in the Championship table after their second win of the season, a result which atoned for a 2-1 defeat suffered at Blackpool five days earlier.
United were comprehensively outplayed at Bloomfield Road but Blackpool flexed their muscles more impressively on Saturday, beating Ipswich Town 6-0 and remaining as the only Championship side with a perfect record after three games.
Warnock said: “If we hadn’t been organised and disciplined then we would have got beaten by six at Blackpool too.
“But you’re going to learn every week and we all know that Peterborough could go away and win anywhere next week, like anybody else. It’s that type of league and this is why I love it so much.”
Two goals from Luciano Becchio – his third and fourth of the season so far – condemned Peterborough to a third straight league defeat, despite the fine goal from Michael Bostwick which threatened a late fightback at London Road.
Warnock said: “You get greedy but we should have had a third goal on the break. “That would have made it easier and you know Peterborough will fight for their lives. You’ll get a comeback if you’re not careful.
“But our back five were fantastic and the players are getting better with each game.
“We’re also a different team when Becchio and (Ross) McCormack play as they can. Let’s hope they do that a bit more.”
