Below is an exert from Ken on propaganda fm yesterday. A few things intrigued me.
1) Surely Grayson no Bates decides if a player is any good.
2) Why do agents go out to Monaco to meet with Ken before Grayson has seen them.
3) How much of a say does Grayson really have in transfers.
There’s an example, when I keep saying that we have got a lot going on behind the scenes but we don’t talk about it, we just get on with it. It took us nearly a month to sign Andy Lonergan because he was hoping to, and I can understand it, go to a Premiership club. But he is a player that just over a year ago Preston turned down nearly £1.5million for him. He’s a one-club player, he has been there all his career, I think 270 games and has an Under-21 cap, that’s our goalkeeping situation solved. Our centre-back situation is coming on although Andy O’Brien is still recovering from a nick on his hip. We’ve got one or two other positions we are looking at actively. I spent most of last night on the phone with agents representing two more midfield players, both of whom are rather good. In fact, one can also play up front. So hopefully we are going to get those across to Leeds this weekend. The agents are coming to see me today in Monaco so hopefully we’ll get those across and have a look at them. They both come with good CVs. As I said, we don’t sign players on videos or recommendations, we like to have a look at them because that’s the way you can find out about their characters as well as their skills and their attitude to the game. We need to come out fighting and I understand Simon said last night that we were lethargic in the first half well that was the same criticism against Sheffield Wednesday and in many games last year when we didn’t start playing until the 46th minute. It has to be addressed very quickly. The players that we want are in keeping with that philosophy.
Does Grayson get much of a say in targets?
posted on 28/7/11
upfront and midfield? smith
posted on 28/7/11
Wrong sign players on recommendations?
Bechio!
The ones we get to see up close - Christie, telfer, dickov never seem to make the grade.
posted on 28/7/11
I'm thinking on the lines of Smithy for this midfielder who can also play up front. Either way it doesn't sound as though it will be a defensive minded midfielder whereas the second player could be.
I've got a feeling we will confirm a deal tomorrow. Time is ticking!!!
posted on 28/7/11
Becchio was just one of those gems Jonty. It can be risky business buying players in that way and I see your point completely re Christie, Telfer etc.
posted on 28/7/11
Otley, I just think it's usual bates rhetoric to make us think trialists at 11th hour are a good idea.
Were short on quality with not much time left. At least Grayson is finally realising players aren't performing.
posted on 28/7/11
I fully agree. Bates is dressing things up whilst SG seems to be reaching for the panic / confused button. When will they learn?!
posted on 28/7/11
Sorry, but whilst Becchio was a recommendation he came over with his boots and played as a trialist for a couple of weeks or more before being offered a contract.
And on the question of Becchio there has been suggestions that at the start of last season with Beckford gone we were happy with the prospect of Becchio leading the line. My clear recollection is that there was a lot of scepticism about his ability and we needed a new expensive striker.
It smacks of historical revisionism for those who doubted him to now suggest he was a sure fire success given his previous performances, Hence we have to wait and see what happens with McCormack et al before judging. This time next season - I accept it might not work out - we might be saying he is god.
posted on 29/7/11
I had a feeling Becchio could step up and get more goals, as he wasn't doing Beckford's work.
The Becchio situation shows you the difference between McAllister and Grayson.
Macca knew from training and friendlies that Becchio was good enough, so gave him a decent contract and threw him straight into the team.
Grayson messes about sending players like Somma and Nunez on loan.
posted on 29/7/11
Range I remember bechio being recommended don't know if he was one of the many south Americans we've been told we've had on trial over the last few years, remember the exciting link up we were going to have with San Lorenzo...whatever happened to that?
Just because many had doubts that Becchio on his own up front (when Paynter was injured last summer, and i was one of them) does not mean anyone is suggesting he is not good enough now.
The only person who seems to think Becchio should be dropped for Paynter is koppite but seeing as he doesn't go to games that viewpoint is a solitary one.