Leeds United – Transfer Round Up – GFH Show Intent
“Hey I just met you.. and this is crazy – but I’m locked in the car park – would you sign me maybe?”…
Yes folks it could only be the madness encapsulated by the transfer window, and whilst not a Leeds issue the above scenario in which Peter Odemwingie did little to endear himself to West Brom supporters wasn’t untypical of the types of insanity that we see at this time of the footballing year.
Leeds United in recent years have followed a specific model.
- Bates issues statement that Leeds dont need to sell any of their best players
- Bates signs no one January 1st-30th
- Bates sells {Insert best player here} to Norwich claiming that it was good business as said player wanted premiership wages..
- Fee is not spent on replacement
- Bates tells manager he can sign a loan player (preferably either under 20 years old or over 32) - Said player should not be in a position in which we need any cover.
A recipe for depressed Leeds fans and a low to mid table finish..
Yesterday felt different, albeit step 3 was sadly replicated with Luciano Becchio’s dreams of an Eastern Adventure promised by his agent Horacio ending considerably short of the SOuth China Sea – in Norfolk.
Since Becchios transfer request there had been an air of inevitability about his exit, but it didnt make it hurt any less.
Becchio cut a not too triumphant figure holding up the yellow and green of Norwich next to the bus shelter they parade their new signings, but for one I wish him well. I think he’ll do a job in the premier league, technically he’s got better in the last 12 months (just see his volley in the last Middlesbrough game) and has become far more combative.
His parting words were typically heart on sleeve:
“The years I spent at Leeds were the most marvellous, and until today, the happiest of my career. I will carry the affection and love of the Leeds fans in my heart. I want to thank Leeds United for giving me the opportunity to play in the English league and I would like to thank (technical director) Gwyn Williams for giving me the chance to play for Leeds United. Now I have begun a new chapter in my career, in Norwich. I don’t have any doubt that I will find the same love and affection as I did from the Leeds fans at Norwich."On the last point I disagree Luciano, you wont find more passionate and enduring fans at Norwich..
The move though was not the usual one way traffic with Steve Morison crossing paths with Luciano on the westbound carriageway of the A14 – or the road to the `mainland’ as the locals call it.
Morison apparently comes to us not in a pure swap deal, but with a suitcase containing £200,000 too (probably).
A combative, and quite skilful player Morison probably has one asset Becchio lacked, pace. His route to the premier league has been almost as tenuous as Becchios. With Stints at Northampton, Bishops Stortford, Stevenage, M*llwall (we forgive you) before the `bright lights’ of Norwich hoved into view. Leeds fans will remember him best scoring for Millwall (35 in 86 starts).
Warnock stated – “Even Before Luciano put in his transfer request we had enquired about Steve – He was at the top of my list in January to bring in – and I cant tell you how delighted I am”.
On his move one comment stuck out “When Leeds come in for you and you see the place – its a no-brainer” – welcome to a big club Steve! Morison is perhaps the perfect foil to McCormack’s guile and trickery performing a typical centre forward role. Looks good to me.
The movement in didnt stop there..
Word had been circulating twitter since earlier in the week that Stephen Warnock was set to join us from Aston Villa. The 31 Year old Left back hadn't featured once in Paul Lamberts side this season, even enduring 3 months on loan at struggling Bolton.
That looked dead when it transpired West Ham had come in for him, but Sam Allardyce was soon lamenting their decision to only offer him a short term loan. Allardyce said: “That [Warnock deal] was a lot of hard work that went to waste yet again.”
Warnock said “Leeds offered me a contract, and at first it was a shorter term contract, but I was on my way to West Ham earlier in the Week and Leeds came in and really made me fell wanted”
“There were a couple of clubs interested but when you see the size of Leeds and the magnitude of the club theres only one choice”
Warnock will wear the number 15 shirt – he will presumably be first choice left back with Adam Drury injured and we’ll see an interesting battle for that spot with Aidy White having played a blinder against Spurs at the weekend..
The signing we all wanted though if only for the Duck throwing skills, and fantastic name (roughly translated Love Love Love) was that of Central African Republic Striker Habib Habibou, his shirt number? 22 you couldn’t write this stuff.
At 6’ 4” Habibou is a fearsome physical presence, scoring 20 goals in 57 appearances for Zuilte Waregem in the Belgian top flight. His twitter account alone os worth a follow for some quite remarkable comments (check it out @habibhabibou7) Perhaps Paddy Kenny finally has someone to rival his escapades on social media?
In unusually restrained style Habib said – I’m very happy to be here, I know the background of the club and the expectations around the club, and I’m happy to sign and start playing”.
So 2 Centre Forwards, a Left Back, and lest we forget the permanent signings of Ryan Hall, Michael Tonge, and the loan signing of Ross Barkley. That represents some decent business, and some committment in terms of wages and transfer fees.
GFH had a balancing act to achieve given Neil Warnock will be gone in 4 months time – just how far do you back a manager in that situation? The above looks about right. Augment the current squad, and trim the squad – the outgoings?
Patrick Kisnorbo – Season long loan to Ipswich (which of course completes the length of his current contract)
Robbie Rogers – Released
Ramon Nunez – Released
Danny Pugh – Season long loan to Sheff Weds (presumably with a view to a permanent move)
Paul Rachubka – Season long loan to Acrrington
Paul Connolly – Season long loan to Preston
There has also been a continuation of the loans of Zac Thompson, Ross Killock, the Turner twins, and Alex Cairns.
There has been of course some criticism mainly on twitter, of the ambition of the board, but surely the above sensibly sees players moved out of the squad who realistically weren’t going to get games, fans might also want to consider the very real likelihood that bids for the likes of Byram and McCormack simply MUST have been received and rebutted.
So we begin our lives post Becchio, but with the seemingly unlimited terrace chant potential of Habibou to look forward to.