I personally would have a five man midfield, consisting of Rob Snodgrass and Max Gradel on the wings, with a middle three of Bowyer, Johnny Howson and Smith in a slightly advanced position to support Luciano Becchio, what could be considered the ‘Rooney’ position – (but don’t worry Man United fans, I’m not comparing Alan Smith to the golden Scouser). Woodgate, fitness depending of course would be the perfect partner for the fit again Patrick Kisnorbo and the two of them could provide the solidarity that the Leeds defence so painfully missed last season.
Of course, these are the opinions of a Leeds fan pining for performances of glory years well gone by, whether these tactics, if used by Larry Grayson, come to fruition is another story; all three players are the wrong side of thirty now and their legs won’t be the same as in their heyday when I still possessed a season ticket to Elland Road. Regardless of their performances however, the sheer fact that some of the players from the club’s last Premiership side is bound to increase the amount of fans coming in purely for nostalgic reasons, all the more revenue for a club that needs all the money it can get.
Whilst this is all well and good to propose, this is all based on an ideal scenario that Bowyer, Smith and Woodgate would be happy to come to what is now a Championship side with a very limited budget. Gone are the days when the club could afford cleaners to wipe the fish’s arses and the players must be aware that if they are to come back to the club, they will have to take a heinous pay cut. In the last eight years, the players have graced the likes of Madrid, Manchester and Newcastle; all established top flight sides capable of paying top flight wages.
I’m of the opinion that all three players care about the club enough to take a cut in their wages; we’re giving them the chance of regular first team football amongst fans who didn’t really want to see them leave, so a pay cut would be justified. A big plus in regards to the finances is also the fact that we wouldn’t have to pay a penny for them; all three have been told they can leave their clubs, so whilst we walked down a similar road last season picking up players on free transfers, this summer we’re actually bringing in decent players (Fede Bessoné anyone?).
Grayson also appears to have screwed his head on and is addressing the areas we had problems with in our first season back in the second tier; the inability to keep the ball in the midfield, and the defence that was about as watertight as an elderly woman with a weak bladder. Fitness issues and injury concerns aside, I’m looking at you Woodgate, if these additions work I could certainly see this being an incredible swindle, and see Leeds actually maintain a promotion push for the whole season as opposed to seven of the nine months.
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