The beginning of a new era

The re-shape has begun at Elland Road as Neil Warnock prepares to build a promotion chasing squad, it’s no secret that alot of the signings made by his predecessor (Simon Grayson) just aren’t good enough and the majority of us agree that big changes are needed.

Today it has been announced that Ben Parker and Mika Vayrynen have had their contracts terminated at the club. With their current deals due to run out at the end of the season it is clear that Warnock doesn’t want to waste any time and is keen to get cracking, having already confirmed previously that he is close to signing his first summer recruit.

I’ve got to admit that I feel sorry for Parker, a lad from the academy who had a bright future ahead of him, and made an impressive start to his career with us. He has had no luck at all and had so many injuries and so much surgery to try and get right, but time for him has just run out at Elland Road. The fact that he was our longest serving player yet only made 54 appearances (9 as a sub) speaks volumes.

Vayrynen has had similar luck this season, signing on a free in the summer, an experienced international player with a good reputation. He was also known for being very injury prone, and unfortunately that is the only side of him we have seen.

To be fare, these two players been released isn’t a massive shock, we have a large squad with not many good enough to come into the first team and perform. It now remains to be seen who will survive the clearout and mix it with the players that are to be brought in.

Billy Paynter has also come out in the press today stating his desire to remain at Leeds for a third season, following his two goals at the weekend against Peterborough – his first at Elland Road. Warnock though has refused though to rule out the possibility of him leaving.

It is now down to the rest of the squad to prove their worth to the team as Neil Warnock will take no prisoners in his quest to get us back to where we belong, he wants to build a team fit for promotion next season... And I for one can’t wait.

Good luck for the future Ben and Mika.... MOT!

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