First signing, not inspiring

13/6/2013

By Mike Courtney

So the transfer market is up and running and already B-Mac has dipped his toe and and landed a big fish, height wise if not name wise.

Standing 6ft 6in or 2 meters in new money, Matt Smith has become the first piece of the jigsaw for the new season. And as rumours abound that Noel Hunt is next to join on a free transfer shortly having turned down the Lions Den, B-Mac has added to his strike force. But alas I am not inspired. It may be just me but this seems like the same old same old with the arrival of a League One striker and a journeyman over
30 free transfer.

I know its early days and pre-season is still two weeks away and lots of players are still on holiday or tied to contracts until the end of June, which limits the possibilities at the moment. And I'm also realistic enough to know that we are not going to be vying for the services of Falcao, Cavani or other top end strikers. But surely we should be scouring the market for that 20 to 25 goal a season striker which is essential for us if we are to challenge at the right end of the table from the outset this season. They are out there and other clubs will also be competing for their services so I sincerely hope that GFH give B-Mac the backing he needs to strengthen our squad in the necessary areas, centre back, wingers and that illusive scoring machine.

Smith might be a good acquisition, he has scored against Premier League opposition in Oldham's cup run last season so he might be worth a punt.
B-Mac has plucked unknowns from obscurity to Premier League in the past, Dave Kitson being the comparison used in most of the stories written, and I do hope that Smith lives up to the mini hype surrounding him. But we must remember that this is Leeds and our track record in recruiting strikers of late is not the greatest. Morison hasn't set the world on fire since he replaced Becchio and one doesn't have to go too far back to remember the hope that followed the arrival of Billy Paynter following one good season in League One. We all know how that ended.

There will be a lot of pressure on the Big Guy to perform and it is a step up for him and hopefully he will be up for the challenge. We are patient fans at Leeds and he will be given time to settle and hopefully by the start of the new season he won't be the only Big signing made so he won't have to carry the burden alone. As always we live in hope and optimism. MOT Leeds Leeds Leeds

56 Comments

Jim

13/6/2013 03:41:13 am

And where do you suggest we find a 20-25 goal striker on a shoestring?

gistheman

13/6/2013 03:55:31 am

So who has told u that bm doesn't have any money to spend, because as far as I can see no one apart from warnock which he needs to get a life in the present and got out of the past as do many fans who say they support Leeds.
Well if u and the many others that say the same should remember MOT

Bluevis

14/6/2013 12:46:46 am

Eh???? What the fork are u on about????
Learn to write before you send messages!!!!!

Fran

13/6/2013 09:37:15 am

Exactly Jim could he actually name any 20/25 goal scorers?

Coleman

13/6/2013 03:51:02 am

Why can we not get someone from Spain like becchio or even someone from South America

michael brown

13/6/2013 03:53:46 am

we have to give signings a chance, that goes without saying, you are right about the likes of silly paynter coming with expectation and letting all down, plus so many more before him. but alot of blame can lie with the negativty from the stands in maybe someone like morisons case. that must be a burden on a players mind and can lead to them not performing, lets give them full backing and at least we have done our bit then, and if they still aint good enough , then get them out. mind you crowd backed silly paynter and he couldn hit barn door for us. as far as im concerned players with good attitudes and puttin in 100% will come good.anyway i have stated before we are prob 2/3 years away from that prem, so lets give brian a chance to come good.mick

Apeman

13/6/2013 03:09:41 pm

I totally agree. Why do signings have to be 'inspiring'. Leeds have to cut their cloth accordingly and we are no longer a money rich club. We are after all a bid club, with big potential simply playing in the Championship. Do some Leeds fans expect us to be signing Prem players? And if BM did sign anyone from the Prem would they want to perform in the lower elegies, especially if we were mid table by Christmas. In all honesty I think that some of us need to stand back and look at not who we a but where we are. Give BM and his signings our full support until they prove right or wrong. But please stop moaning about what you expect Leeds to do with signings, it's just negative speculation, which is no good for anyone.

13/6/2013 03:54:26 am

I think we need to trust BMac on this. He has an eye for talent and potential...probably a bit more than you or I.

burp

13/6/2013 04:01:46 am

For gods sake give the man a chance!!!!

Jordan

13/6/2013 04:33:02 am

I don't see what the problem is I think both Morison and McCormack can score 20 goal a season if they get abit of confidence in the first few games and I think smith will be good off the bench. Hunt I don't think we need if we do get him we need rid of varney as poleon could come good too we need pace on the wings a good CAM who can pass a ball and diouf maybe to back that position up. Then a good centre half that also gives the option of byram on the right and pelts at RB I really don't think where that far off I think if we buy players it will be in the last few weeks of the transfer market tbh with you. Ad like to see wells but that's just me no hunt and get wells.

bucky link

13/6/2013 04:36:14 am

20 -25 goalscorer a season is Leeds locker room

13/6/2013 04:55:19 am

Yep that's what I was thinking maybe even 2. Strikers ain't are main worry at the minute one with pace would be nice but other areas first.

Pioneer

13/6/2013 04:44:55 am

Here we go again, no wonder the crowds are dwindling, absolutley no reason to be positive for the new season. Big clubs don't get relegated and stay down for 10 years . R.I.P leeds thanks for the memories!

13/6/2013 05:11:25 am

support leeds or do 1, simples. yes im gutted where we are, yes im gutted we may not be able to sign top draw players, but what disappoints me most is the minority,who are not true leeds,they are just glory hunters ready to stab when times are hard, well this is reality,we are not prem, we not ready yet, support what we have,enjoy the day out with lads(especially aways), and realise we will get back in couple of years. we on right road now. MOT>MICK

spider 65

13/6/2013 05:45:05 am

Good riddance to ya ...if you support Leeds , you support them no matter what , Brian will give it a real go this season and we should give him time and trust his judgement !!

thecuntthatkilled kenny

13/6/2013 05:00:29 am

Ya all a bunch of northern monkeys

mick

13/6/2013 05:17:32 am

that your real name

13/6/2013 05:46:57 am

ooo ooo ooo ooo said that !!

Tom

13/6/2013 06:15:48 pm

Nice grammar shandy boy.

Caesar

13/6/2013 05:07:40 am

I think smith will be good for the club. Can't see him been much more than a sub as something different to throw on. He's 1 for the future.

The White Lizard

13/6/2013 05:11:32 am

This blog-post, not inspiring.

13/6/2013 05:52:13 am

Your the 1 who needs to do 1. And by the way take your name same with you,

13/6/2013 11:31:10 pm

your an arse, you dont follow leeds, prob never been to away game, you the sort of support we dont want, someone who will turn up when we in prem to glory hunt. do 1.

bucky

13/6/2013 05:56:03 am

Smith will get his chance,a step up in footballing level..He can score again the big boys..Leeds have recruited many players who hadn't made name for themselves..Cantona,Viduka,Kellwell,beckford...etc..
Billy panter is doing ok in league 1

13/6/2013 05:56:21 am

13/6/2013 05:57:06 am

13/6/2013 05:57:18 am

13/6/2013 05:57:36 am

13/6/2013 06:32:08 am

Matt Smith the Oldham sub... Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha strike partner Morrison Hahahahahahahahaha. With Peltier and brown , Austin, Varney,and Kenny in the team were obviously on our way back ( Chelsea are shitting themselves!

13/6/2013 11:33:22 pm

arse

13/6/2013 06:38:47 am

Please don't write such inflammatory headlines about new players !! We need to get behind the manager and his new players and headlines like this don't help anyone ! The players read these sites too !

Bluesman link

13/6/2013 06:51:53 am

Lets give the lad a chance and stop putting him under pressure before he has even kicked a ball at ER! BM is the gaffer and we need to get behind him. Whether he gets the backing from GFH and sons we will have to see. Bates needs to be gone completely and never, ever darken our fair door again. His is responsible for this mess. Now GFH, get out there and show us what you are made of. You wanted Leeds United, now get on with the job of rebuilding and get some good players in. I am happy with Smith's signing. He has potential and is a good acquisition. Now give him encouragement and support him for God's sake!

Latics r Blue

13/6/2013 07:03:59 am

Smith is a hard worker although not a 90 minute man, I wish him well and only time will tell if he can make the step up, Did Paynter and he was a prolific striker in league1 I could go on. Ie Beckford to Everton, Morrison to Norwich , Becchio to Norwich etc. etc.

Andy

13/6/2013 07:44:14 am

What are you talking about? Leeds fans are not patient and never will be - i've been one for 40 years and we all know that if Brian Mcdermott does not start winning games almost instantly, we will all be up in arms!

Howesy

13/6/2013 07:56:44 am

Back the team and manager! It's all us fans can do!

Adam

13/6/2013 08:07:49 am

Give the guy a chance, whatever happens he's signed on a free, he won't be on loads and we're only in mid-June. There will be plenty of signings before the start of the season I'm sure. Brian McDermott seems to have a good knowledge of how the modern football club should run. As a former scout he's obviously seen something in Matt Smith he likes. I trust his judgement over previous managers such as Warnock, Grayson didn't do bad to be fair with the signing of Gradel. I want to see another Gradel type come to Elland Road next.

13/6/2013 09:02:43 am

'Journeyman over 30 free transfer' Noel Hunt the journeyman who is changing clubs for the first time in 5 years ....

paul

13/6/2013 10:46:49 am

Yes tit but still past it and therefore a journeyman so get your facts right knobbhead

13/6/2013 04:32:03 pm

And how many of those "facts did YOU get right ???"

d.bell

13/6/2013 09:47:45 am

Listen if it means that BMac has signed Smith so we can get the ball to the wings and be able to get someone on the end of crosses then thats good enough for me. If Warnock had signed him then he would have been target man from defence hoofing the ball forward but with BMac i truely believe he has a bigger plan for him.

13/6/2013 10:44:30 am

Well written article and very true it is sameold same old and yet more rubbish on the cheap unproven or past it freefreebies we will be in same position come this time next yr and all u idiots who have commented on here saying otherwise do not know what you are on about bm has no money otheewise where was it in jan when it mattered

Paul

13/6/2013 12:56:36 pm

I think BMac needs a little faith shown in him. IMO best manager we have had since relegation and the obvious signings are not always the best ones. Wouldn't have picked him out myself but then that's what he's paid to do.
It is obvious though that we need some pace and delivery out wide to cater for Smith and possibly Kevin Doyle. Pennant, Thomas, Adomah, Kightley, would all be able to do that for us for not much dosh. Of the frees coming up I really hope McGugan and Kilgallon can be recruited.

13/6/2013 02:30:19 pm

Hey we will be back where we belong I get a good feeling about this season so come on get behind the boss and the team !

VikingTor

13/6/2013 04:33:13 pm

Let's give the boy Smith a chance. I do not think Brians plan is to make Smith his no 1 marksman, more an impactplayer. Time will tell if he can develop and be a real asset. Anyway, I don't think many defenders would like the sight of a fit 6,6 16 stone sub in white on the touchline, just waiting to have a go at you, 15 minutes from the end of a hard ccc match in cold november rain.

Gordon

13/6/2013 04:44:04 pm

If Matt Smith signed for another championship club after his performances against scouses last season , then came to elland road and banged one in , then fans would be asking " where was B Mc D when this lad was up for grabs ? " Free transfer -no brainer , we have to give him a chance . Andy gray , habiboo-hoo c'mon !

JDC

13/6/2013 05:22:33 pm

First signing, not inspiring? I totally disagree and believe the signing of Matt Smith is inspiring and shows that we have a manager, at last, who knows how to find up and coming talent and with his proven coaching skills will develop this guy into a player who will do justice to LUFC ... as for all the doubters who are looking for a 20+ goals a season striker with a £5m price tag, it's time to wake up boys.

Danny

13/6/2013 05:28:15 pm

Next year I hope Smith and Morrison bang the goals in, may shut some leeds fans up, we could sign Messi and some fan will see a bad point to this, McD doesnt just sign any one, he has a game plan for them, he's proved that over the years, he has ideas. more then Warnock did, just give his old friends pay packets, i wont judge McD until after two years, he's already talking long term, Leeds fans need to forget, we're not a big team any more, stop living in the past, support the team, Manager, Owners and any new players. MOT

13/6/2013 06:46:03 pm

It still amazes me to this day that people expect things to be any different, transfer wise, this season. We've probably not got a lot of hard cash to spend, and if THE MANAGER feels that these 'freebies' are good enough, for the squad, then who are we to argue? Yes we are 'the mighty Leeds' but its time some of you woke up an realised that we aren't all that mighty anymore. Back the manager, back the players. Brian will do well.

mel link

13/6/2013 07:03:38 pm

Scott Parker is now available from Spurs BREAK the bank, we desperately need a midfield playmaker.

mike McCarthy link

13/6/2013 08:59:11 pm

I honestley think B Mc will get it right for us this time a manager who looks talks and acts like a manager. he does need time given that we will do o.k
as for Matt Smith, a kind of player we need, he will cause havoc in some defences, giving oppertunities to other players.
as for been a free what on earth does that matter.
how much did beckford cost, where did Byrom, Lees,and many more of our players, learn there game, its about talent, finding it
recognising it and using it to its ability.
B Mc knows exactley what he wants, not to spend cash we dont have and finish up like we did before.

Rich

13/6/2013 11:08:28 pm

Give BM a chance with it. Negative posts like this isn't good. The new singing needs reassurance from fans in order to be comfortable in his trade. Last thing we want is low confidence in front of our fickle fans.

13/6/2013 11:37:29 pm

yep,well said

Joe is royal

14/6/2013 12:29:53 am

Good look to Matt smith, I hope you get more of a chance at leeds

90 pints an hour

14/6/2013 12:35:51 am

OMG more chance at leeds than the mighty Oldham, are you talking the piss?

14/6/2013 12:38:37 am

Matt was a squad player at the latics and used mainly as a sub for last 15 minutes, calm down !

14/6/2013 03:36:27 am

That's a real worry mate

First signing, not inspiring

By Mike Courtney

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