No I don't know best and I am excited about the prospect of him doing well but you can't possibly judge his value without him even playing a full 90 minutes in a Leeds shirt in a competitive match. Back to the opening statement though, Grayson has blamed lack of activity down to wishing to sign Quality over Quantity. I don't believe the three we have brought in reflect this, four if you count the Celtic Loanee. With Sven signing everything that moves, Ipswich having had a close look at him and no other interest regarding his signature again I would question if O'Dea reflects quality over quantity. Come on, I have been a Leeds supporter since 1972 and this has to be the worse pre-season ever with regards to the quality we have brought in for the start of a new season, you honestly don't think so?
I'm glad people are underestimating us. I think we'll pull a surprise and be right up in the top 6. Everyone's mentioned Nunez, Clayton etc. but it's true. Last season our problem was defence. Kisnorbo is back from injury, and that it isn't just like a new signing, it's like a really, really great signing. Against Newcastle he didn't show any signs of his injury affecting him, he was throwing himself into tackles, blocks and headers. Also, AOB was crap when we signed him last season, which was surprising because we all thought it was a good signing, but in the last 4 games playing alongside Naylor (a defender similiar to Kisnorbo) he was a different player. He played much better alongside a more no nonense, strong defender. Also we have the unknown prospect of Ben Parker. He's missed 2 years with injury, and I'm not suggesting he'll be good, but in the 08/09 season, he was great. Whether he can make the step up and recover is another thing, but it's still a possibility. Tom Lees is another defender who could pull a surprise. In midfield, we finally have a defensive midfielder, but also an experienced one who's a leader. Howson looked fantastic against Newscastle, and an even better season for him seems likely especially with injuries to Somma/Becchio meaning he'll play behind a striker. Clayton has had a good preseason, and looks a good player. Nunez is an unknown prospect and obviously Snoddy and Gradel will be brilliant again. McCormack impressed in the last 2 games of the season, and had a decent pre season, despite not scoring. His movement and technical ability are good, so if he can replicate that in goals, then he'll have a good season. I think the reason everyone is down playing us, is because they've seen we let Kilkenny, Johnson and Schmiechel go. Loads of opposition fans have been telling us they're great, but we know they are average. We won't be one of the front runners, but we will have a chance of promotion.
So I ask the question today, who agree's the signings were quality over quantity and as benlovesleeds pointed out in another thread, we sign a CB the day before the season starts and play him at LB, not a single pre-season game with leeds under his belt.
I hope this is a wake up call to Bates to get his fecking wallet out, problem is with all squads pretty much sorted who could we sign if we wanted to. Maybe Arca and see if O'Dea is any better at CB he can't be worse than O'Brien
