Warnock latest on January transfer window
Leeds United boss Neil Warnock says he needs to bring in a quality striker in the January transfer window if they want to be serious promotion contenders in the second half of the season.
With the takeover of the club hoping to be finalised this week, Warnock will be hoping to have a reasonable transfer kitty when they transfer window opens in just over two-week`s time.
The Leeds boss is hoping to do some sort of deal with the players who are currently on loan and he says he has already had talks about bringing them in. "I don`t think we need serious investment but I do think we need help if we want to go up. We could quite easily be mid table in this league but I want us to have a go and the chairman knows it.
"We are looking at targets and we have already talked about the lads Tate, Thomas and Tonge and Shaun (Harvey) is working really hard," Warnock told Yorkshire Radio.
Leeds announced a new long-term deal with El Hadji Diouf in the week. Diouf was on a short-term deal with the club having arrived in August, originally on a non-contract basis.
Diouf signed a new 18-month deal with the club and Warnock felt it was important to sort out his new deal first. "I thought the main one was to get Diouf sorted out and then it really depends on the other lads want to come, then I think we can do some sort of deal with their clubs," added Warnock.
As well as sorting out deals with the loan players, Warnock feels a striker is the main priority during January.
Luciano Becchio is having his best start to a season since arriving at Elland Road in the summer of 2008.
The Argentinian striker has already netted 14 times in 23 appearances this season and he is well on his way to beating his best return in a season, when he netted 20 times in Leeds first season back in the championship in 2010.
Warnock feels that Becchio is not under pressure for his place in the side and he wants to bring in a new striker to keep Becchio on his toes with someone breathing down his neck wanting his place in the side. "We do need another striker without a shadow of a doubt and I don`t mean a free transfer, we need to get another good striker in.
"It is hard for Luciano to keep a level of consistency and we need someone who can put him under pressure in that role."continued Warnock.
As well as adding to the squad, Warnock will want to offload players in January.
Goalkeeper Paul Rachubka, defender Paul Connolly and midfielders Robbie Rogers and Danny Pugh are still on the transfer list.
With Warnock looking to bring in another striker, it could also spell the end for Andy Gray who signed a 12-month deal with the club in the summer.
Gray has made just nine appearances this season, with just one start.
With the takeover of the club hoping to be finalised this week, Warnock will be hoping to have a reasonable transfer kitty when they transfer window opens in just over two-week`s time.
The Leeds boss is hoping to do some sort of deal with the players who are currently on loan and he says he has already had talks about bringing them in. "I don`t think we need serious investment but I do think we need help if we want to go up. We could quite easily be mid table in this league but I want us to have a go and the chairman knows it.
"We are looking at targets and we have already talked about the lads Tate, Thomas and Tonge and Shaun (Harvey) is working really hard," Warnock told Yorkshire Radio.
Leeds announced a new long-term deal with El Hadji Diouf in the week. Diouf was on a short-term deal with the club having arrived in August, originally on a non-contract basis.
Diouf signed a new 18-month deal with the club and Warnock felt it was important to sort out his new deal first. "I thought the main one was to get Diouf sorted out and then it really depends on the other lads want to come, then I think we can do some sort of deal with their clubs," added Warnock.
As well as sorting out deals with the loan players, Warnock feels a striker is the main priority during January.
Luciano Becchio is having his best start to a season since arriving at Elland Road in the summer of 2008.
The Argentinian striker has already netted 14 times in 23 appearances this season and he is well on his way to beating his best return in a season, when he netted 20 times in Leeds first season back in the championship in 2010.
Warnock feels that Becchio is not under pressure for his place in the side and he wants to bring in a new striker to keep Becchio on his toes with someone breathing down his neck wanting his place in the side. "We do need another striker without a shadow of a doubt and I don`t mean a free transfer, we need to get another good striker in.
"It is hard for Luciano to keep a level of consistency and we need someone who can put him under pressure in that role."continued Warnock.
As well as adding to the squad, Warnock will want to offload players in January.
Goalkeeper Paul Rachubka, defender Paul Connolly and midfielders Robbie Rogers and Danny Pugh are still on the transfer list.
With Warnock looking to bring in another striker, it could also spell the end for Andy Gray who signed a 12-month deal with the club in the summer.
Gray has made just nine appearances this season, with just one start.