Three in, three out

What’s impressed me more than anything about Simon Grayson since his arrival is his ‘take nothing for granted’ approach and the final day of the loan window saw plenty of activity for Leeds.

Firstly, it’ll come as no suprise to most that Tony Capaldi has joined us from Cardiff City. It’s been suggested for a few days that Larry was targeting him and with Andrew Hughes the latest addition to our injury list, it makes good sense. Personally, I’ve been impressed with Aidy White whenever he’s got a game, but you can’t blame SG for covering his bases.  

Simon has also brought in Hogan Ephraim (what a name!) who is a midfielder from Queen’s Park Rangers alongside 23-year-old Liverpool goalkeeper, David Martin. The final one suprised me a little bit. I’m probably one of Casper’s biggest critics, the bloke drives me insane, but he’s kept four consecutive clean sheets and with Alan Martin on standby, I didn’t realise we were in the market for a new keeper. I guess Shane Higgs must be out for a while longer?

Meanwhile, going out of Elland Road until the New Year is Andrew Milne, Alan Sheehan and Davide Somma. Sheehan has gone to Swindon Town and with him unlikely to get much first team action, I wouldn’t be too suprised to see this made permanent in January. Andrew Milne and Davide Somma however have gone to Darlington and Chesterfield respectively, where they should pick up some much needed match experience. I’ll be keeping a close eye on them two.

Can’t take us anywhere

Really interesting piece on The Guardian website today showing what it takes for a non-league team to host someone like Leeds United. Kettering have been more than generous giving Leeds United around a quarter of the total tickets. We’ll be occupying the stand running lengthways across the pitch, opposite the makeshift commentary box where Clive Tyldsley and Andy Townsend will be.

With an average attendance of 1,600, Kettering are expecting almost four times that on Sunday which means the club need extra policing to treat the Leeds United fans like thugs and keep us in line (It’s ok, we’re used to it!) An interesting stat used by the Guardian is that on Sunday alone, Kettering will spend 40% of last seasons entire Policing costs to stage the game. Can’t take us anywhere!

Stadium redevelopment plans

There’s days when I check the official Leeds United site and I’m almost convinced Ken Bates is trying to wind us up. It’s like he gets some sadistic thrill from it or something. Maybe the wife is holding out on him these days, so we have to suffer as a consquence?

Anyway, to get to the point, the Leeds United official site is this morning boasting about the plans to extend both the North and West stand should Leeds win host city status. Furthermore, the club also mentions it’s approved planning permission for the East Stand eyesore that will also begin construction should we be successful.

It’s not that I don’t want to see Elland Road improved – although what the point would be when we’re stuck in League One and can’t fill it as it is, despite being top of the league is beyond me – it’s the Thorp Arch thing once more. How on earth can we afford to build a Leeds branch of Chelsea Village and extend two of our stands when we can’t scrape together enough money to repurchase something so fundamentally important to the clubs future? Where on earth is the money for this coming from Ken?