By Rich Baggott
August 1 2006

Leeds United have completed their pre-season fixtures and it's just four days to go until the season starts. We take a look at how leeds have faired in the close season with the arrivals and departures at Elland Road. Having concluded the pre-season preparations, the countdown is now on to the new season which starts when Leeds entertain Norwich at Elland Road on Saturday.

The last competitive match was the infamous play off final at the Millenium Stadium in May when Leeds simply failed to deliver. That performance illustrated well the season that Leeds had endured – a quality team with quality players that simply failed to perform at times. Of course many Leeds fans pointed the finger of blame at the door of the manager, Kevin Blackwell – others were happy to concede that the players let themselves down on the day.

Throughout the summer, fans have been waiting with baited breath for the announcements of some major signings that will lead the charge back to the Premiership – signings that to date, have failed to materialise. The early signs were good in the transfer market with some fringe players or people not rated as up to the challenge being allowed to leave but the sale of youngster, Simon Walton to Charlton upset many of the faithful. The sale of out home grown talent over the past 3 years has hurt the fans more than the loss of the ‘Big Names’ we had and to see Walton leave brought back some unhappy memories for many. In the context of where we are as a club today though, the sale is acceptable and understood by many.

Blackwell secured the services of three solid players in Kevin Nicholls, David Livermore and Seb Carolle – all three give some good quality strength to the squad but none are seen as the key players needed in the new season. In addition, Hayden Foxe has spent most of the pre-season with Leeds after a nightmare two years with injury and the chances are he will sign in the coming days providing his ankle has stood up to the test! Leeds though are still without a truly creative midfielder and little strength has been added up front to a team that struggled to find the net in the second half of last season.

Further indication that more signings are imminent was the sale of Rob Hulse to Yorkshire rivals, Sheffield United. Leeds took a 100% profit in the £2.2m deal that could increase to £3m based on the players performance but the sale has created a gap that needs to be filled.

Preseason matches have not always gone according to plan however Blackwell has not used a single settled side. The large number of trialists at Elland Road being rotated in and out of pre-season matches has not been the best preparation – although it should be noted that perhaps this is a forced requirement with our financial position – one that Blackwell and Bates cannot be blamed for.

So with four days to go until the new season, there is little news we can bring you – it is possible that before that first ball is kicked we will have a couple of major signings to the team. It is impossible to guess what our starting line up will be and it is very difficult to say how we will perform this year. In the year that Bates said he wanted promotion, Kevin Blackwell will know that a strong start to the league is imperative to keep both him, and the fans on his side!

Tickets are on sale for the match from the official website – prices are from £13 to £36