In the past we used to really tee off when we signed a loan player. The biggest gripe was commitment to the cause, and it was felt that loan players simply lacked the desire to fight tooth and nail for Leeds United knowing full well they'd be returning to their parent club. The other gripe was that a number of our loans were simply not good enough and unwanted by their parent club, and all we were doing was pay their wages whilst being laughed at behind our backs. All very good reasons to resist wanting loan players to sign. Although we have had a few talented lads as well who we messed about because our managers were **** (Barkley, Livermore, Bannan for example). However, under Cellino we are seeing something completely different. He is willing to bring in loan players, but they are of a certain age and quality. No 30-something dodos coming in for a little cushty relaxation. No under performing sods banished to the wasteland by their parent clubs. Nope, Cellino is bringing in players identified as having talent and potential, who want to prove themselves and who want to play. Added to this is the caveat that if the player settles and does well, we get to sign him full time next season. Now this is astute business, because it means we get to have a good look at the player, he gets a chance to settle in Leeds, and if it works out everyone's a winner. If not, nobody has lost. This way we find out if a player is genuinely committed and hungry. VIVA EL PRESIDENTE ... FORZA BIANCHI i POSSENTI
Lol only a few months ago you wanted the Italian Bastard out "your club" I am glad you can now see what some of us were telling the disbelievers before, Cellino want`s us to succeed
The diffrence this time is that its a try before you buy. Sound practice in my view. Yes, the players are of a higher quality. But we're not locking ourselves into 2 & 3yr contracts for those who can't cut it at this level, or can't cope with the expectation that comes from 25-30k screaming Yorkshiremen telling him to knock it line or clear the pharkin' thing!!!
it also seems he is vetting every single player to make sure they WANT to play for him and Leeds United
I hope it doesn't become a double edged sword for us.... The players come in on loan, we do not get promoted and Cellino decides he can't afford the £4m or whatever it is fee for each of them so we end up starting all over again next season. That is my only fear with doing it this way but then would I be more worried if we were splashing out £4m on untested players and they turned out to be useless...
I echo Billy here and also add Townsend that group of talented loanees who were not used properly. If a loan player doesn't live up to expectations we don't buy and he goes back. If he looks like he's going to make it we buy at the agreed fee which would be much cheaper than if he had performed at his parent club. The loan player will be sick of waiting in the wings for his club and has the chance on a much bigger stage to shine at a club with European history and pedigree. he gets the chance to be a hero in front of 30k screaming whites, instead of 35 farmers at home. Cellino will be right up there with Revie if he manages to get us promoted. Fingers crossed, oh and Mighty fook off
Pfft I wouldnt. Townsend was a dick who didn't want to be here, engineered his way out of the loan so he could then go to Brum who I believe tapped him up while he was here. Has always seemed dodgy and that why I reckon 'Arry likes him so much. And even then I wouldn't say he is talented, very very overrated player in my view who doesn't have any ability other than kicking the ball and chasing it and even then there are players who are better at it than him in the english set-up.
Have to agree with you on Townsend, a one trick pony. He has pace but no footballing brain, the type of player you see in kids football who wants to beat everybody on the field...
Yet Townsend is hailed as the next big thing for England? And the International downward spiral continues thanks to the "best league in the world"
