With the transfer window drawing to a close,
unfortunately for Leeds United ensuring players do not leave has started to
eclipse the excitement generated by the arrival of potential new recruits. In
the case of this season, although new signings Matt Smith, Noel Hunt, Luke
Murphy and Scott Wootton have generally been well received, maintaining the
services of Ross McCormack was an absolute requirement if the team is to give
itself a chance at promotion.
The news that Leeds fans had been waiting for finally
came on Friday with the in-form striker signing a new four year contract, a
deal greeted with a unanimous sense of relief. The current campaign has thus
far generated an optimistic and unified spirit amongst the fans, with the team yielding
8 points from their first 5 matches, only losing for the first time this season
to promotion tipped QPR yesterday lunch time. This start has been welcomed with
open arms, and it is undeniable that this is largely down to the form of the diminutive
Scot. With 4 goals so far this season, his marksmanship has proven vital in
turning decent performances into quantifiable success - but it is more than just
scoring goals that makes McCormack so vital to Leeds United. One of our more
skilful players, he is the source of inspiration in times of need, and losing him
would most likely have expelled a promising looking squad to another
spluttering season of mid-table insignificance. However, it is the
off-the-pitch impact of his potential sale that makes Ross’ status as a Leeds
United player so vital.
Although his
ability makes Ross a key asset to the club, it is the precedent that has been
set by retaining his services for another four years that will have the greater
effect on the team and the fans alike. Transfer activity in seasons gone by has
been bleak for Leeds United, and all too often our star players have been sold
to rival clubs for bargain prices. Jonny Howson, Robert Snodgrass and Luciano
Becchio among others all sold without reinvestment, and a former footballing
powerhouse gained the unwanted reputation of a ‘selling club’. However, since the
departure of Ken Bates, the Leeds fans are finally in good spirits; home games
are packed out (including 33,000+ on the opening day vs. Brighton) and
financial support, however miniscule in comparison to other big spending
rivals, is finally being placed into the hands of a much-loved and well trusted
manager. Having said this, all the good work of the new owners would have unravelled
should Ross have been sold; happiness would have soon turn to anger and
despair, crowd numbers would have dwindled and the whirlwind of negativity
would have gained pace yet again.
With financial fair play regulations and the
acquisition of a much needed winger to consider, it is naïve to suggest that the
club would have not at least momentarily considered cashing in on one of their
most sellable assets. It is common knowledge that ‘deadwood’ players such as
David Norris and Danny Pugh (amongst others) must be moved on for others to be
brought in, yet this is proving to be difficult. Nonetheless, selling Ross was
simply not an option if the ambitious push for top flight football is to be
realised. Though one cannot condone Boro’s attempts to sign one of the
Championship’s major talents, the money that was reportedly put forward is
considerably far off a realistic valuation, negating any credible argument that
selling would have been a viable option. Thankfully for both Leeds fans and
players, the board are well aware of the importance placed in the hands of our
number forty-four, with Managing Director David Haigh taking to Twitter saying
“The fans have been chanting ‘Ross McCormack is not for sale’, and how could we
ignore that?”. A refreshing change in stance towards the selling of our
players, undoubtedly.
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