Leeds manager Neil Warnock to discuss January transfers

Manager wants reinforcements following win over Spurs

Leeds manager Neil Warnock will sit down with representatives of the club's new owners this week to finalise plans to strengthen his squad after his side pulled off another FA Cup upset by beating Tottenham 2-1.

Warnock is under increasing pressure to give Leeds' npower Championship play-off chances a boost with the expected departure of leading goalscorer Luciano Becchio before Thursday night's transfer deadline set to leave him short of strikers and upset fans.

Becchio, whose agent claims he does not want to leave, played no part against Spurs but was hardly missed as goals from Luke Varney and Ross McCormack early in either half secured them a fifth-round tie at Manchester City.

Tottenham, without the injured Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor, on African Nations Cup duty with Togo, lacked firepower at Elland Road and although Clint Dempsey pulled a goal back in the 58th minute, Warnock's side deserved their victory.

"We've had a few offers from abroad and we've had one or two enquiries from England without an offer," Warnock said of 19-goal Becchio.

"I would imagine over the next two or three days there will be a lot - not just at our club, but at most clubs, of players looking to see what they can get.

"I'm no different. I'd like two or three new faces in before Thursday. Whether you get them or not, it's scandalous really the transfer window, I still don't know why we have it.

"I suppose it's good for you guys and helps sell papers."

On Becchio Warnock added: "I saw something his men put out, a little bit naughty, saying we and the board hadn't made enough effort, that's rubbish that.

"He's already our top earner and we've offered him a good three-and-a-half year deal on more money than that, so let's put that to bed.

"We offered him a cracking contract and if we can't find a replacement, he can't go anywhere whether he likes it or not.

"If we do, he's welcome to go because you only want players who want to be here."

Asked whether any Premier League clubs had enquired about the Argentinian, Warnock said: "Possibly.

"If he's going to Turkey or China or where ever it is, that would take a little bit more organising, time-wise, but (Leeds director) Saleem (Patel)'s here all week and (chief executive) Shaun and we're going to get together (on Monday) and all three days and see what develops because I'd still like to get two or three in."

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said Leeds deserved credit for the competitive nature of their performance and admitted that after conceding an early goal his side were always chasing the game.

He said: "It was difficult as we were always chasing the game and this is a difficult place to play, and we couldn't play our football as well as we could have.

"We wanted to go through in the competition, but we were knocked out by a Leeds team who were extremely competitive, and you have to give credit to them."

Villas-Boas confirmed absent striker Defoe had been injured in training, but was expected back in time for Saturday's trip to Norwich.

The Portuguese also said he would not be looking to bring in any forward cover before the transfer deadline.

PA

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: A tight game between Northampton and Bradford

A tight game could be in prospect here. Northampton have been keeping things very tight of late and ...

by Gareth Purnell

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: Feeling ill and racing in the rain must be pretty grim

I can’t ever watch games of football or rugby without wistfully wondering what it must be like to be...

by Martin Ayres

PSG and the French league must be more proactive in dealing with hooliganism

Since PSG’s exit to Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League quarter-final in April, PSG have been sur...

by Matthew Riding

       
Career Services

Day In a Page

The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

The real thing?

Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

Why bitters are back on the bar

A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...