According to the Sunday Times we are trying to hang on to McCarthy until the end of the season, and it seems the only party involved that wouldn't want this to happen are Reading themselves. Also, a representative of Ken Bates has reportedly contacted LUFC supporters in Norway (not individually I'm guessing) to say that we will spend in January and that an announcement will be made in the near future regarding his long term plans.
While it would seem distinctly un-Bates-like to make a statement of intent in the transfer window, it would make some kind of sense given his earlier comments about needing promotion this season.
I'm only going off what someone else told me, and the only way I can back up the Sunday Times story is Duncan Castles' twitter. I'll try to find out where it came from later though. EDIT: IN fact I just found out the second part was a twitter statement, but made by the Leeds blogger from Norway, who I'm guessing is connected to Norwegian fan groups and heard this from said representative himself, so I'm still willing to believe it for now.
Well we have to hope, but I imagine in reality it's nothing more than a fairly standard RMC end-of-year letter saying how we're going to be ambitious in January and aim for promotion (read: persuade more people to buy international membership!) McCarthy for the rest of the year would be a very welcome move. Competition between keepers is never a bad thing.
As I said I'm letting myself hope more than I would normally because of Bates' comments earlier in the season. Of course he could just be talking about Pugh and Keogh.
Unfortunately the only ones that count are Reading as he is contracted to them. So if theyre opposed to the move, thats the end of it
Just looked at that Svend guy's Twitter and he says he wasn't present, but was told by other Norwegian Leeds fans who were present (presumably at an On The Road type meeting) that an 'agent of Bates' said there'd be strengthening. 1. That sounds like a typical Lorimer/Harvey/whoever comment to keep Leeds fans happy 2. Bates always makes out that he's doing his best for promotion so he can shift blame onto the manager when needs be 3. It's not even confirmed yet, just information being passed on 4. Strengthening, like you say, could be Keogh/Pugh/other loanees/more failed attempts like we saw in the summer So once again, the gap between hope and expectation for LUFC's promotion ambitions will remain in my mind. Thank you for the information anyway.
A twist! Duncan Castles is now reporting that Reading want McCarthy to sign a new contract, which he is refusing to do unless they let him stay here.
It's an interesting one, I'd like to see him stay longer, but if he does sign the new contract it means we have almost no chance of getting him permanently in the summer, and then what would be the point of extending the loan?
heres a question for you..would you really want to see lonergan benched after he played so well earlier in the season? Mcarthy wouldnt come back to sit on the bench hes made that clear
Well thats exactly right. Lonergan would be first choice over McCarthy so if the move isn't permanent then looking elsewhere might be the answer IMO.
To be fair, it must be a huge contrast being away from the silent Madejski and (last season for Reading) seeing us in great voice on that Friday night game at Elland Road with a booming Marching On Together right behind him, then signing with us on loan and being there for a great atmosphere at Leicester away with a stunning Clayton goal, at Burnley where we came from behind and for the Gary Speed tributes against Forest and Millwall. Leeds must be a complete breath of fresh air to the bloke.
