The Begining Of The 'New Start'

The Begining Of The 'New Start'

As i see it, today (Wednesday 2nd May) is the real beginning of the new regime under Neil Warnock. Today is the day Warnock reveals his 'Retained list' and as of around 3.30pm we found out a host of names who will be and will potetially leaving Elland Road this summer. Warnock, who has promised big changes this summer, has been frustrated with his sides performances and concedes there is no fight and passion amongst some or most of the players in his squad. After releasing Mika Vayrynen and Ben Parker last month, it was clear Warnock was not bluffing and today he has reiterated his intentions. For me this is both exciting and concerning at the same time. Exciting because this leaves us with the prospect of new and better players coming into the club who will be the players that Warnock wants to work with and we wont have the sense that he is just making do with what he has. Come next season Warnock can not fall back on the excuse that the players are not good enough if things end up going tits up. yet i feel it is cconcerning at the same time as we are now left with a small squad with no certainty of signings and with a couple of key players left with one year on there contracts and no guarantee they will resign. 

So far under Warnock

Players Released

• Mika Vayrynen
• Ben Parker
• Loyd Sam
• Alex Bruce
• Mikeal Forssell
• Danny Webber
• Miak Taylor

Player Transfer Listed

• Adam Clayton
• Ramon Nunez
• Billy Paynter
• Andy O'brian
• Paul Rachubka
• Paul Connolly

Warnock has stated that the players on the Transfer list will not definitely be leaving Leeds if there is not a suitable bid made for the player. a big shock on this list is Adam Clayton who was a big figure this season scoring the goal of the season at Leicester. Warnock has said that Clayton's people have demanded too much from the club contract wise and that Leeds are not ready to meet their demands. Warnock sad that the midfield is a position he has been looking at closely. This leaves us with the impression that he has possible signings lined up as the midfield wasn't strong enough as it was last season. I think if we can get decent money for these players that are listed i don't think they will be a big loss depending on what Warnock can bring in.

Players to be Offered New Contracts

• Robert Snodgrass
• Ross McCormack
• Aiden White
• Zac Thompson
• Tom Lees
• Michael Brown

Despite the mass clear out, Warnock does want to keep hold of his vital players. Snodgrass, taking over captaincy this season, has been offered a contract to take him to highest earner at the club. However it will be hard to keep hold of the Scott with a lot of interest coming from the Premier League with only one year left on his current contract. If he doesn't re-sign, a good offer will be hard to ignore. Ross McCormack scored 19 goals last season making him Uniteds top goal scorer.

      Already Linked with a host of players, Warnock hopes to have his first signing early next week, this roumerd to be Ddefender Jason Pearce from relegated Portsmouth. Also roumerd is El Hadji Diouf who Warnock had strong words about after Doncasters defeat to Leeds a couple of months ago. Despite Dioufs poor reputation as a bad sportsman i feel he would be a quality signing adding pace and skill which is what we've been lacking since the departure of Max Gradel. One thing is for certain Warnock will have a busy off season, and us LUFC fans will no doubt have a lot to say on what goes on.