Leeds United skipper Jonny Howson insists he is getting closer to agreeing a new contract at Elland Road. His current deal is due to expire next summer. But in an exclusive interview, Howson revealed talks are progressing nicely. "They're going well. We've been in talks for the past month or so and although it's taking a bit of time, I'm not in a massive rush. That's always the way with negotiations but I'm sure they'll be finalised and I'll sign soon."
This & similar threads are starting to do the rounds. I think he will sign when he's had assurances about where Leeds are heading, how those managing the club think we're doing, & what they're doing to push us on to the next level. I also think it will take a big club & lots of cash to prize him away, if indeed that's what happens. Can't see him going to a Bolton or Blackburn for example. Even Leicester, who are splashing the cash, currently seem to be struggling. BJ's doing well for himself at a club that's going in the right direction. Not sure Kilkenny views his decision to leave in quite the same light. Time will tell, but I think we'll get what we want in the end.
He will be looking to know what sort of investments will be made in the squad inh the future i assume and once these fears have been eased he will sign
I can tell him that. There will be little or no investment under this regime. In fact, even if we did manage promotion, i think the investment would still be paltry
in the exact same interview as what ellandback pulled that from, they asked him do you think there is enough investment in the club or do you think ken bates could do more. He said that he thought the investment was fine and fans are always wanting a big name signing that isnt always necessary. I could give you the link if you want, all im saying is i highly doubt he is looking for investment into the team....
Regarding Investment - We are still carrying too much dead wood and bad signings, Bruce, Bromby or O'Brien, Brown, Mikka, Forssell, Paynter, Rachbuka they are not even average squad players, I would rather a youngster be given a chance. If we could ship that lot out (hopefully give paynter away to Brighton) and save some wages and use the savings to buy a decent defender and maybe another midfielder capable of challenging for a place (remember we still have Nunez as well) that would be an improvement.
Vayrynen has only started 1 game and he was out of position! We know we are both just going to disagree on some things but sometimes I feel you are too hasty to chuck players into the "failure" pile without giving them a chance. Bruce, possibly Bromby, Paynter and Rachubka all need to leave though. I think we need a right back, a centre back and a proper Gradel replacement in January.
YBK - Why keep Forssell (why did we sign him I still can't understand)? Becchio, Keough, McCormack, Somma - remembering Forssell is only going to get worse and slower, when his time is up at Elland Road it will be frightening to see how much he has cost us per minute and how many goals or chances created. Brown I believe was a genuine mistake, I think Clayton surprised everyone and Brown didn't play as well as Grayson would have hoped. Okay Somma is injured, but it is going to take a couple more injuries before we see Forssell on the pitch and we can always bring a loan player in if needed.
Rachbuka - How many games do you need to see him play before saying he is no good. Vayrynen doesn't look the part, I said before we signed him no no no we don't need him and we should be looking at better quality. Any player coming through the door should be at least as good as any of the starting 11 if not age on their side to develop. Forsell and Vayrynen do not tick either of those boxes so they become a excess wage drip
You say we need a right back and Centre back but want to get rid of Bromby? hes good in both positions! Id hate to buy someone in January only to need to replace them if we get promoted. Although I would love to Sign Lichaj permanently. I have seen class in Forssell while hes been on the pitch just his fitness thats letting him down, I think a year contract was worth a punt n see if he can get Fit
You'll notice I said we need to get rid of Rachubka. Vayrynen has started one game which he played out of position. We needed a CM and Vayrynen has an excellent CV. We can only trully see how good he is when he gets to start a couple of games at CM. Forssell is a very useful player to have on a 1 year contract while Somma is out injured, and we don't even know if he'll be the same player when he gets back.
But Bromby is currently 5th choice centre back and 3rd choice right back. We need a good quality CB and a regular backup RB, we can't rely on CBs to back up Connolly.
I can tell you one thing for sure, if Somma doesn't come back the same player Forssell won't be the answer. Becchio - McCormack - Keough those three are enough at the moment, if Somma is back in a few months great, if he isn't and we lose one of the starting three we get a loan signing in. We don't waste a "what if" player the wrong side of 30 sitting in the reserves taking up valuable pennies when on a tight budget.
