By Andy Baggott
March 22 2004

The consortium is in place, and a noon press conference called to outline the new boards plans. Already, we have had advisor Geoffrey Richmond telling us that some players will have to be sold, as our wage bill is at an unmanageable level. With 15 players on wages over £1 million (that’s a huge £20K a week), we will have to lwet some go. So who are these players, and what does the future hold for them? Here, I have broken down the squad, and given MY opinion on wage, and the future for them…

Robinson (over a million) – likely to go to Spurs in the summer, but we may try to hold on to if we survive

Kelly (over a million) – the club is likely to try and offload – big wages and Richardson in the wings

Mills (over a million) – will try and tie up deal with Boro

Harte (over a million) – again will invite offers, no replacement though at present

Duberry (over a million) – will look to offload

Matteo (over a million) – will stay

Radebe (over a million) – out of contract – won’t be renewed

Milner (under a million) – will try and hold on to

Batty (over a million) – released

Wilcox (over a million) – out of contract – released

Johnson (over a million) – offers invited

Bakke (over a million) – likely to stay

Barmby (over a million) – may allow to leave on a free

Mcphail (over a million) – will listen to any offers

Smith (over a million) – depends what division we are in

Viduka (over a million) – depends on division, but huge wage may see him depart

The hard part for Leeds will be trying to find a buyer for the players they want to offload. With money scarce at the moment, teams are unlikely to match the wages on offer at Leeds, so we will have to drop the prices considerably. Players like Kelly and Barmby may find themselves on offer for a minimal fee, while Mcphail, Harte and Duberry may be available for under a million – the future of the club is safe, but the hard work is only just beginning….