Having had a look at the list of Premier League squads named, it is interesting to see that most haven't named the full compliment of 25 Senior Professionals (aged 22 and older) in their squads. All players 21 and younger automatically qualify and are not included in the list. So that would logically mean not many experienced players available to sign on loan right now. Of course, there are going to be some players not named in the squads as they are long term injury casualties, but still it does mean not a lot available. http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2440123,00.html Therefore, if we want to sign some decent players, particularly defenders, then Championship/League One clubs is where Grayson will need to look, otherwise clubs in Europe. That will mean transfer fees need to be paid, and it doesn't look as if Grayson has a transfer fund available, only a wage budget. Who was the last £1m pound-plus player we signed? How is it possible that we can't even compete with Brighton in the transfer market/wages market? I know Bates keeps using the fear factor with us, playing the potential bankruptcy card every time there is the slightest hint at dissent against our transfer policy (sell, sell, sell.....money disappears), but come on, we should be spending at least £5m in transfer fees at the start of a season, and this BEFORE we have sold anyone. Pugh was a good move, he will help give us more confidence from left-back, but can't see us fixing the Centre Back issue unless Bates starts writing checks for £1m-plus.
Get Samba from Leicester and Wilson from Liverpool. They are both players with ability and can do exactly what is required at this level. We need to pay the money to get this level of player.
Lewis Dunk impressed me playing for Brighton last night, he looks like he will become a top rate centre back and possible international player. Would he move from a side doing well in The Championship to another club who are not playing well but getting results. He has more chance of playing in the EPL with Brighton, than he would if he came to Leeds just now, still a good player, even for being 19 years old. Also, I was recently over in Holland looking at the youth development system, they have an excellent system which means they are now producing players with the ability required and maturity. The technical skill of even the centre backs was amazing and almost all the youth players I watched, were very comfortable on the ball and knew where to be and when to man mark. I have been invited back in November to look at a few youngsters in both the Ajax & PSV Eindhoven set up, so will look at older players playing at centre back to see if they could fit into the Championship. I'm not sure how the Leeds United scouting system works, but I would suggest they get off their arse and get over to Holland to look at their youth development and see what quality is available. Here is a copy of the Ajax Youth Development Plan: http://www.cbcdutchtouch.com/images/TheAjaxYouthDevelopmentScheme.pdf Dennis Bergkamp is the Ajax Youth Manager.
