O'Dea-r, another one bites the dust!

O'Dea doesn't feature in Warnock's plans

Today it has been announced that another player’s career at Elland Road is over as Neil Warnock continues to clear the decks. The manager has confirmed that Darren O’Dea has played his last game for us and will return to his parent club Celtic, despite the player being available on a free in the summer and wanting to join us.

O’Dea seems to be quite popular among some supporters, although I along with the majority of people don’t think he is consistent enough to signed permanently. There is no doubt that overall his performances have improved under Warnock, but questions  still have to be raised about his overall ability. He has been at the centre of quite a few shoddy goals conceded and bad mistakes at the back this season and has looked at best a limited and naive defender. I think if we are to make a serious push for promotion next season, we need a lot better quality and some more experience at the back.

The player appeared to have convinced Warnock that he was worthy of a permanent contract with the manager stating a few weeks ago that he was considering offering him a deal… But his latest sending off appears to have persuaded the boss to look elsewhere for next season. He was clearly unimpressed with the player after the Blackpool game describing his dismissal as “quite deserved and stupid”.

Later when asked if the players poor disciplinary record had influenced his decision to release him, Warnock said: “I don’t think it’s helped. You can’t be having people picking up stupid suspensions. It’s does nobody any good.”

So O’Dea joins Ben Parker and Mika Vayrynen on the list of casualties as Warnock aims to bring success to our club.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that Warnock will be alone in the dugout at Cardiff. His assistants Mick Jones and Ronnie Jepson will be scouting potential new recruits this  weekend as the club steps up its attempts to bring in some fresh blood. Warnock is keeping his cards close to his chest, but has promised a busy summer. There will be a few more to leave us yet, and I am looking forward to seeing who will be in our squad come next season.

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