personnel changes coming to Leeds
After unceremoniously bowing out the the playoffs, the hearty cheer of Leeds storming towards automatic promotion next year was echoed throughout the Elland Road set. Unfortunately, as foretold in the earliest stages of the previous campaign, should Leeds not win promotion the task would be far more complicated in the upcoming season as a number of players would move on. While that comment was a morsel too quiet for anyone to hear, the warning shot across the bow is now loud and clear as the days of Jermaine Beckford playing for the Whites is numbered.
Choosing to not extend his contract which expires at the end of next season, the striker has effectively secured his fate and will be shopped around for the best price. Despite Ken Bates waiving Leeds colours in the twenty-five year-old strikers direction, this is not a matter of loyalty and certainly not the fault of Mr. Beckford . He has effectively done all that he can do in League One and if he is to play at a higher level he cannot afford to wait any longer. It is a sad fact but Leeds had its opportunity, he served the club well but they were unable to "move up" with him and it is simply the a course of competitive sport.
At this stage, Leeds should be shuffling its negotiating cards and try to attract the best possible offer as soon as possible. As of this date, they've done "well" by using the media to announce that they are willing to keep him for the upcoming campaign and receive nothing for him in next years signing rather than sell him cheaply now. While such a tactical plan if truthful would be pure madness, the general sentiment is that newly relegated sides Middlesbrough and Newcastle are top contenders for his services along with Coventry City and Queens Park Rangers who are desperate need of attacking prowess.
While this issue is a hotbed for Leeds supporters, it is one that should have been expected. The club did not press winning automatic promotion enough last year and will likely pay for it dearly with personnel changes. Along with Jermaine Beckford, Leeds will be facing a series of other losses including Fabian Delph, Robert Snodgrass, Ben Parker, Aidan White, Tom Elliott and Luciano Becchio.
After considerable thought and debate this will serve as my final post on the this blog. If you care to apply for this blog please contact Daryl with The Offside (click here) after reviewing the guidelines at www.theoffside.com/bloggers.
thank you for the incredible year
With the season now complete, I wish to thank everyone who visited since I started writing this blog. I cannot express in words the honour of writing about Leeds, to which I am very thankful for being given the opportunity by The Offside.
As of this time I am unsure if I will be returning ...
May 20, 2009 | Read this article...
hopes of promotion end
As the clock clicked down Leeds dream of promotion came to a sad ending as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Millwall at Elland Road, losing the aggregate 2-1. With the year now complete, the page turns on the painful decade that saw Leeds grace the Champions League semi-final before falling into League ...
May 14, 2009 | Read this article...
the balance of power resides in Elland Road
Armed with a fully-fit squadron Simon Grayson leads the Whites in the second-leg of the semi-finals against Millwall at Elland Road on Thursday evening.
Following the opening 1-0 loss, Leeds are in fine position to overturn the deficit on their home grounds but will need to show a more aggressive tactical plan lest they get locked ...
May 14, 2009 | Read this article...
Leeds drops opening leg of semi-final
Leeds promotion hopes are a morsel steeper now as they fell 1-0 to Millwall in the opening leg at The Den. With Millwall holding the narrow one-goal advantage the second leg of the semi-final returns to Elland Road on Thursday as the Whites look to continue their winning form at home.
For the match there were ...
May 09, 2009 | Read this article...
Marching on Together; leg one playoffs v Millwall preview
After forty-six matches since August, Leeds looks to take an important step forward after the well-documented demise of the last decade. The early season promise of Gary McAllister's flourishing side that many thought a sure-thing for automatic promotion has been replaced with efficient system under Simon Grayson.
As they venture forward in the opening leg against ...
May 08, 2009 | Read this article...
Leeds sends Northampton Town to League Two
Northampton Town's hopes to avoid relegation took the bitterest turns as they fell 3-0 to Leeds whilst both Brighton and Carlisle United came up with victories on the final day of the campaign. At the days conclusion the Cobblers are relegated whilst Leeds readies for the opening of the playoffs against the Millwall.
With near 35,000 ...
May 04, 2009 | Read this article...
Leeds prepares for playoffs against Northampton Town
Leeds welcomes Northampton Town to Elland Road Saturday afternoon with their eyes keenly focused on the playoffs that commence next week. Whether the Whites face the MK Dons or Millwall in the semi-finals Simon Grayson will use Saturdays affair as a dress rehearsal before the main event that commences on 8 May.
Despite the rallying cries ...
Apr 30, 2009 | Read this article...
Leeds defeats Hartlepool 1-0
Leeds heads towards the playoffs with a solid 1-0 victory over Hartlepool United. While the Whites had already secured a playoff berth, manager Simon Grayson was focused upon gaining the maximal points in their two remaining matches.
The style of victory was precisely what Leeds needed as they displayed playoff-sound tactics and limited the hosts opportunites. ...
Apr 25, 2009 | Read this article...
Marching on Together: Leeds v Hartlepool match preview
Leeds travel to Hartlepool United on Saturday afternoon with a keen eye towards the playoffs that commence in the second week of May. As Simon Grayson looks toward the final two matches he has stated that wishes to keep create a winning momentum into the important dates. Rightfully so but given injuries have stricken the ...
Apr 25, 2009 | Read this article...
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- hopes of promotion end
Sunforce 50044: Very interesting thoughts here :) - thank you for the incredible year
Jonathan Oldroyd: Resisting the temptations to analyze the year gone by and give a post mortem dissertation, I am simp ... [read more] - hopes of promotion end
Nancy: I will say one thing, you certainly have a way with words :) - Leeds falter with draw to Leyton
Rob@Off The Post: j, Struggling to find contact info for you, so: Possible silverware for Leeds this season: htt ... [read more] - Leeds grabs 3-2 victory over Crewe Alexandra
j: Thank you for your comments - its always nice to have you join in. I respect your opinion and to ... [read more] - Leeds grabs 3-2 victory over Crewe Alexandra
Jonathan Oldroyd: It is me again. First off, I like your site because you have something intelligent to say althoug ... [read more] - Leeds steals late victory
j: The only thing "official" is that for eighty-seven minutes Leeds was unable to score hence they were ... [read more] - Leeds steals late victory
Silverback: I suspect English isn't your first language as a team playing at home that has (offically) dominated ... [read more] - Marching on Together: Leeds v Millwall match preview
Dan Walters: I usually don’t post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work.. beautiful … - profits leading to Thorp Arch and Elland Road purchase
Nicole: As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you
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