Leeds United
Transfer rumours - return of the old boys?
By Andy Baggott
June 13 2011
Leeds continue to be linked with former players Alan Smith and Lee Bowyer. Both were huge fans favourites in their first spell, but both would be viewed as controversial signings - especially Smith.
Bowyer's departure to West Ham wasn't great - he turned down a £9 million move to Liverpool, allowing his contract to run down - leaving for a token gesture in the January transfer window, before he could have left on a free in the summer. Bowyer was also on the night out that led to such bad press about the club, when Jonathon Woodgate was found guilty of assault. Although Bowyer was found not guilty, the trial didn't reflect well on him. his career was never the same after leaving Leeds - never achieving the heights he did at his time with the Whites...
Smith is an altogether different story. He was the local boy, adored by the fans. His tears when we were relegated were genuine and touched nerves. However, although we knew he was likely to leave, like almost every player from Davis O'Leary's 'babes', it was a huge shock when he signed for 'them' on the wrong side of the Pennines. Different stories came out - that they were the only club offering the money up front, and he had to go. He also is supposed to have waived a fee of around £750K when he left to help the club out...but he still went there...
He was never the same player after he suffered an horrific broken leg playing against Liverpool, and ended up at Newcastle. Again, like Bowyer (and a lot of other Leeds players from that era), he never seemed to kick on with his career. Now playing as a central midfielder, he hasn't scored for a number of seasons, but if he can get himself fit, would be more than capable at this level.
Both players are available of a free - and I think there's a very good chance one of them could be pursued - whether we can afford their wages is an altogether different story..
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13/06/2011 15:53
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I don't think we need Bowyer back on the right as we've enough players there but Smith as DCM yes please
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We were lacking an older wiser head when we got our noses in front last year but we dont want 4 older heads!
Smith and Bowyer in CM would allow us to provide more ball to our wide players.
Last season we did not get the ball out to Max and Snoddy enough. Far too often it was a case of a CB lumping it forward in the general direction of a striker.
We need to play through our midfield along the floor!
I am happy to see him back at ER
Bowyer was part of the Woodgate incident Woody is known for being easily led but picked up the blame
I do not want him back although he had a good season at Brum
Bowyer is now 10 years older and 10 years wiser.
Bowyer - no. Nasty little racist thug who shamed the club. The whole Woodgate/bowyer debacle was the beginning of the decline of Leeds United.
Would not want Bowyer at all - and do not see Smith as anything like the player he was pre - Anfield, though his going to OT would not influence me in the slightest.
Both of them would probably be on the sidelines through accumulated bookings within a couple of weeks - and I would rather see an established 25- 26 year old come in.
IMO. I believe that many are attributing influence to both players that they no longer possess. If Bowyer was that good he would be retained by Brum - and even if he took a massive cut in wages, I still believe that we could do better than Smith,2011 vintage. Just my opinion.
Quote:peterLUFC
Smithy when to Manure as he thought it would help the club survive
I am happy to see him back at ER
Bowyer was part of the Woodgate incident Woody is known for being easily led but picked up the blame
I do not want him back although he had a good season at Brum
you need to look what woodgate did get up to after he left leeds
been in trouble more than once since leaving leeds
And let be honest now if durberry had not grassed him up he would also of been found not guilty like bowyer was...
next ten days will be intresting
bowyer - would have him back without a doubt
I shall look forward to what happens in the next 10 days!!!
I can only hope that the things you know are in the pipeline come off!!
Similar with Bowyer - although I really don't think he was anywhere near the player he was for us after he left...
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