By Andy Baggott
August 19 2013
Ross McCormack’s superb individual goal on Saturday rescued a point for Leeds, but also poised many questions. Whilst the player is clearly desperate to stay, the next week or two could reveal a lot about GFHC and their ambition.
The last few months have been good from the owners, as various PR stunts have brought the feelgood factor back to Elland Road. Reduced season tickets, cheaper match day tickets, good advertising, club shop in town for a short spell and other incentives have all gone down well with the fans. However, for all the PR spin, there’s a big test coming up for the money men – and McCormack is key to that.
The forward wants to stay, the fans want him to stay, and the manager wants him to stay – simple? Nothing at Leeds is ever simple…
GFHC clearly aren’t made of money – there is not a big pot of money, and manager Brian McDermott has to wheel and deal to get players in and out. Getting players out seems to be the hardest part at the moment. Although a decent start to the season, the bulk of the squad have little, or no resale value – which is a problem. Sam Byram has been coveted by many teams, but it is McCormack who is attracting attention- namely from Blackpool and Middlesboro. I like McCormack – I think he’s vital to our team. However, I understand we have to get players out to get players in – the offers though are, to me, shockingly poor. Boro having one of £1 million, then a follow up of £1.3m turned down - £1.3 million? Really? Could we get another player of Rosco’s ability for that price? Of course not (if we could, Boro would go for him!). To let him go would be madness – unless Boro came in with a silly money offer. If he went for way over his value, say £4 million+, then it may be a case of thanks Ross, but goodbye, that’s the reality of football. In the position we are, we can get 2 or 3 good players in to take us forward…
GFHC have had a decent start to their tenure of Leeds – that feelgood factor would certainly dampen if they let McCormack go for the figures been banded about…
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Quote:100% agree. 5M is a more realistic valuation and he is good enough to play in the PL. If by some miracle we got promoted this season he is one of a very few of the first team who could actually do a job for us.Thackley white
Just said on radio boro have bid two million . I hope we don't sell because he is our true quality player..i honestly think he'd do a job for a prem club.....i'd value him at 5 million (and even then i wouldn't sell).
Seems little point in selling him to allow funds to be made available to strengthen the team. I mean what's the point in selling him for that.We weaken the team by selling and we won't bring anyone near his quality.
If GFH allow him to go it clearly underlines to me a glaring lack of ambition despite what they may say otherwise.
You sell at your peril GFH!
Quote:Source?!Thackley white
he's off! bye bye ross. and bye bye 13,000 fans if mcdermott isn't given all the money raised to buy.
Quote:He was poor under Warnock because he was played out of position. When played in his favoured position he scored 20 goals for us.Milsner
I think he is worth sacrificing to move the TEAM forward. He has started the season in a rich vein of form so its a pity if we cannot hold on to him, but for me its definitely more important to bring in the 2 or 3 players in other areas that are sorely needed. Last year i thought he was quite poor - and i'd be surprised if he keeps his current form going, so if the offer was over £2m i would be very tempted to take it.
Could see us then being able to bring in 2/3 very decent players who are into the last year of their contract elsewhere - eg. Tommy Rowe for starters.
Quote:Milsner
I think he is worth sacrificing to move the TEAM forward. He has started the season in a rich vein of form so its a pity if we cannot hold on to him, but for me its definitely more important to bring in the 2 or 3 players in other areas that are sorely needed. Last year i thought he was quite poor - and i'd be surprised if he keeps his current form going, so if the offer was over £2m i would be very tempted to take it.
Could see us then being able to bring in 2/3 very decent players who are into the last year of their contract elsewhere - eg. Tommy Rowe for starters.
Quote:They offloades 10 players at the end of the season, and got rid of Morrison (valued at £2m for the Becchio swap, and Premiership wages) - and brought in 2 free transfers and a £1m signing - 2 of those players from the division below us, so hardly big wages.. If Bates had doen that, he'd be accused of not investings
Quote:dndQuote:Source?!Thackley white
he's off! bye bye ross. and bye bye 13,000 fans if mcdermott isn't given all the money raised to buy.
Quote:what's their long term plan then little brother? Have you, I or anyone got the foggiest? Why is the parent company (GFH) saying the club is for sale, whilst GFHC is saying it isn't?