The recent takeover by GFH Capital at Leeds United is what their huge fan base has been craving for some time. Under the chairmanship of the controversial Ken Bates, they have seen season ticket prices rise, key players like Robert Snodgrass and Jonny Howson depart for insultingly small fees and inept replacements like Michael Brown get regular games. On top of that, despite performing well under enforced austerity, Simon Grayson was sacked and replaced with Neil Warnock, a man who despite his achievements has done very little in the Elland Road hot seat to date.
The new owners are likely to give Warnock money to spend in the January transfer window, a luxury the blunt former Sheffield United and QPR boss thought he’d never experience. One of the players being linked with a move to the sleeping giants is their former winger Max Gradel. The talented yet fiery Ivorian winger left at the start of last season for French side St. Etienne and has been a permanent fixture in the side since. However, he has expressed his love for the Yorkshire side and hasn’t ruled a return.
Since the takeover, Leeds fans are a little more optimistic, and with the addition of West Brom winger Jerome Thomas as a loan signing, they have looked a little more threatening. However, a lack of creativity and leakiness at the back need addressing if they are to challenge for promotion. Despite their stuttering start to the season, Warnock’s men are 8/1 with Ladbrokes to be promoted come the end of the season. A recent defeat against Derby County stopped a mini-revival, although if Gradel and a few new faces came to the club next month, there’s a chance that they could make the play-off places if they start to gel quickly.
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