Leeds United's Warnock Still In Hurry To Populate Squad

Warnock has said: "I want to make sure that as many signings as possible are here before we start on July 11. It’s the first day of pre-season when you want or need most of your players on board. That’s when everything starts”, and whilst I am inclined to agree with the sentiment, it does seem a bit odd if millions upon millions will soon be available for buying new players.

It's a difficult balance of course, which makes the timing of the takeover so awkward. If Warnock sits and waits, then freebies like Luke Chambers could be snapped up by the likes of Ipswich Town; but would Warnock be interested in players who played for teams that struggled to avoid the drop last season if he was absolutely certain that the transfer coffers were about to be flooded with oil money?

It's looking increasingly likely that the takeover will happen, but it's also looking to me as if the new owners will look for steady progress rather than an overnight revolution. As I warned yesterday, the gloating Leeds fans may be jumping the gun. Master Bates will be milking every last pound out of the deal that he can, and the need to take ownership of the stadium and training ground may then take priority over the purchase of players. Maybe Warnock knows this, explaining why it is still all systems go in terms of recruiting mediocrity.

It also seems a little odd that secrecy still veils the prospective owners. There has been no statement of intent, no indication whatsoever of what is planned. Why?

So everybody is still marking time, hoping and dreaming and presuming and gloating. We are billionaires may just be a tad presumptuous. We will see.