So the window opens officially this friday. For some it will be welcomed as a time for exiting deals that were being done behind closed doors to be announced (Smith?, woodgate? bowyer?) For others it will mean the end to the excuse "we cant do business until July, thats why we havent been linked with much). Personally I cant wait until the end of August as more important IMO is who are we left with and in particular did we keep Gradel and Snoddy? For a bit of fun shall we guess who will be our first signing? I will start us off : Montgomery.
IMO is who are we left with and in particular did we keep Gradel and Snoddy? ---------------------------------------------- Couldnt agree more If we sign montomery, am writing off next season already
Why does everyone want smith woodgate and bowyer so much? 1 is past it and the other 2 are injury prone. We don't need them!
60% agreed. I think the wages that Smith would want could be spent better elsewhere, and Woodgate would be a very expensive physio table warmer. Bowyer, I could see. Had a very good season last year, but I don't think there is anyway we could compete wage wise with other clubs who will want him...
A new lawn mower to cut your new grass please log in to view this image you wont need the sign as you only play hoofball
Rumours going around that Montgomery has now rejected the contract offer from Leeds, due to it being pathetically low in salary. Bates will be furious as I understand Monty was offered less than Paynter is getting! The basic fact is the most average Championship player is probably on £8,000 per week and yet that is the top level salary at Leeds. Bates will take out his share from the club (via various formats and "persons") but the most important part to the club, will receive mid rate League One wages.
How do you get proof from rumours? Isn't that what rumours are...just rumours, awaiting proof? I've been verbally told by a few other Leeds fans and I read it on Sky Football (Your Rumours)
Sorry, should have quoted more precisely. I meant of the £8k wage ceiling thing, not the Montgomery rumour!
I read somewhere that the average salary at Leeds is £8,000 per week, this is below the average of most of the other clubs in the Championship, hence why Johnson (thank feck), Kilkenny (same) and soon to be others, have turned down the chance to continue to play for this "big" club. The accounts for 2010, reveal a total wage bill for playing, management and administrative staff of just under £12.3million. When broken down (by employee and what is known salary for directors etc), this comes to around £5,000 per week. The salary has gone up due to playing in the Championship.
That was our average in League one as of the 09-10 season. This was before we had McCartney, O'Brien and Schmeichel on our bills who by all accounts have all been on £15kpw+. Becchio, Somma and Snodgrass also got improved contracts and then there's the McCormacks and Connollys of this world who'll also be on bigger money than our average third division signing. You said in your original post that 8k was the "top salary level", but then admit it was the average. There's clearly a decent amount being paid in wages, that's one thing I won't fault the club for being too stingy with. Transfer fees on the other hand...
I think the lack of "guesses" to who we will sign next month speaks volumes regarding the lack of rumours and the like surrounding Leeds. I do think next year should be all about blooding youngsters and starting to plan for the long term return to the Premier League. I think we will all agree West Ham will take some stopping next year as will Birmingham and Leicester are throwing money around left,right and centre. With Reading, Forest, Cardiff and Blackpool all likely to have strong playoff aspirations and then there is always a suprise or two (Brighton or Saints anyone?). We will finish mid table unless and I hope I am I get pleasantly suprised with this summers ins and outs and by exited I mean no more first teamers leaving and 5 QUALITY players (not nessesarilyfor big fees or wages) coming in.
