What next for Leeds United?

After finally gaining promotion from an unanticipated 3 year stint in league one, the question on all Leeds united fans minds immediately turned to that of “What next for us?”

 It is well documented, that despite all of Leeds United's obvious problems, Leeds have underachieved in the last few years. Minus 15 aside, the major obstacle for Leeds in the last few years has to be the pressure of one of the biggest fan bases in the country – a fan base that regularly filled Elland road to over 20 thousand fans in league 1 and regularly followed them up and down the country without fail. They have the unenviable pressure of expectation. Some would even say, delusions of grandeur. Even when the fans know that the team is not as good as the premiership days, they still expect premiership standard football.
 

It also didn't help that every away game was sold out. Leeds united remained a massive draw and every away game was like a cup final for the away fans who were not used to seeing such veracious and loyal away supporters. I vaguely remember recently reading that Leeds United have sold out every away allocation for the past 5 years(or possibly even longer). This is an amazing feat when you consider the lengths the local police have gone to, to rearrange week day matches to hopefully put off certain fans from attending.
The 09/10 season hopefully seems to be a turning point in the recent troubled history of Leeds United. Since our downfall began, this was the first forward step we have taken.

Amazing cup run

Leeds started the season with an amazing run of 12 league games unbeaten, and were a shoe in for the league 1 title.
It didn't just stop at the league. The whole nation watched as an inspired Leeds showed immense fighting spirit live in front of the television cameras. Liverpool came and had a tough time at Elland Road, eventually prevailing to sneak an undeserved 1-0 win. Off the whites went to Old Trafford and beat their most hated of enemies in front of their own fans one-nil. In the next round Spurs had an equally difficult time, with Leeds holding Redknapp's team to a draw at white hart lane. Spurs eventually beat Leeds in the replay, but it wasn't as easy as the final 1-3 score made out.
Workplaces once filled with Leeds united jokes, were once again filled with admiration and respect for the a team that sat on top of the premier league only 8 years ago.

As soon as Leeds gained promotion back to the N Power Championship, the rumour floodgates opened with immense fury. Every player, who is remotely good enough to play for Leeds has been linked with us.
The thing is, Grayson keeps his cards close to his chest – rarely see his signings coming. Somehow he always manages to pull of an unexpected coup. Nobody saw the signing of Paynter coming, much like that of Kisnorbo last season, and every Leeds fan knows how good that signing turned out to be.
So far this season, Grayson has concluded deals for no less than 6 players all being free transfers, with the exception of Collins from Preston North End.

Ken Bates is determined to do business on the cheap


Goalkeeper Kasper Shmeichel kick started the whole transfer merry go round off with him signing from Notts County on a free, followed by Swindon Town striker Billy Paynter.
Left back Fede Bessone was added to the squad from Swansea on another free.
Center back Neil collins joined for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around the 500k mark. Right back Paul Connelly joined from Derby and most recently Grayson added the signature of Lloyd Sam on yet another free transfer.

The Leeds fans seem to be getting worried that Ken Bates is determined to do business on the cheap, especially as the player who most Leeds fans want to sign will cost a fee into the millions.

That man is Gary Hooper, the longest running transfer saga of the season – the Scunthorpe striker had an impressive season last season in the Championship and many see him as an the perfect replacement
It is however, hard to imagine that Ken Bates would spend the £2.5million reportedly being branded about for Gary Hooper.
Hopefully Leeds will sign more players of championship quality before the start of the new season. If not, many fans feel that Leeds will struggle.
Nobody wants to see Leeds get themselves in debt all over again, however some cash injection would not go a miss. Leeds have amassed a hefty fighting fund from all of the cup runs and tv revenue from last year, hopefully Bates will spend a little of that on the right players to get us fighting in this league.
Another Defender maybe? An experienced CDM? And hopefully, more important than any other player – a proven striker that can fill the void left by Jermaine Beckford.
Leeds wont go down next season, but they certainly wont go up without some more championship quality players.

The future is looking bright for Leeds United. They are a club making money once again, one that has little to non debt (albeit for administration). We have had our first move up a league since all of the bad times started – and we do have a team with some quality young players.
My prediction – 2, possibly 3 years and Leeds will be back in the Premier where they belong.