Grayson - Leeds will invest

Manager confirms new players will come to Elland Road

By James Riach   Last updated: 10th May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Grayson - Leeds will invest

Grayson: To bring in players

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Leeds manager Simon Grayson insists that the club will invest in new players who can compete in the Championship.

The Whites will be playing their football in the second tier next season after a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday ended their three-year stay in League One.

Leeds put their fans through the emotional wringer at the weekend having gone a man and a goal down at Elland Road, but efforts from Jonny Howson and Jermaine Beckford in the space of four minutes sealed a crucial victory.

Grayson believes that many of his current players will be able to cope in the Championship, but is adamant that new faces will come in.

"Now the work starts on trying to recruit players to play in the Championship for us," he told Sky Sports News.

"I think large parts of the squad will be able to cope and play in the Championship, the proof will be in the pudding, I suppose.

"But don't get me wrong, we do need to bring in a few players to make us better. We have to keep progressing as a football club, keep moving on.

"Our supporters and this city deserve a football club to be successful and we won't want to just go into the Championship next year and think our sole aim is just survival.

"We want to do as best as we can and try and bring the right type of footballers to this club.

Attractive

"I think bringing players to Leeds United isn't a problem in terms of attracting them because of the fanbase and the size of the club that we are.

"They've got to come with a realism that we're not going to be paying the ridiculous wages that we once did because we've got to make sure we have that sound financial footing."

On the future of Beckford, Grayson added: "I think there will be negotiations with his representatives, probably in the next week or so.

"If they turn around and say 'no, we're going to turn around and see our contract out and move on', so be it.

"I said that in January time, when we turned down money, that Jermaine was a big part for us. His goals could be the difference between getting promoted and staying down and obviously he got the goals.

"You do run the risk when a player's on a Bosman (free transfer) they could leave to go to another football club and if he has played his last game, well what a way to go out."

Comments (35)

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Ronnie Lee (Leeds United fan) says...

I have supported Leeds since 1969. Winning promotion on the last day of the season was a challenging time for Leeds supporters worldwide. Leeds will do well in Championship for 2010/2011. With couple of new players joining Leeds, we will hold our head high against some of the great clubs. It's going to be another great year ahead for Leeds United. Cheers....

Posted 08:02 1st June 2010

David Bradley (Leeds United fan) says...

It was my birthday on the 14th (May) & us achieving promotion was the best early birthday present I will ever get ;) I love my city & my club... I just wish we wouldn't make it quite so hard for ourselves, at times. Still, as always, every week I'll be shouting "that's my team" - but even louder now. I have to say a massive thanks to Grayson & all the players, they're a great bunch of guys. That goes for Ankergren & the other guys out of contract too & I wish you all the best in your futures.

Posted 00:46 27th May 2010

Vijay Govender (Leeds United fan) says...

I am absolutely chuffed that we in the Championshp. I have been a Leeds fan from 1973. I seen the highs and the very lows. Here's hoping with a bit more financial sensibility we will be able a solid economic base to challenge the Man U's of this world, Can't wait for Ledds v Ma. U.! WHITES FOREVER

Posted 19:46 26th May 2010

Danny Mckenzie (Leeds United fan) says...

Well done Leeds we've finally done it, first hurdle jumped now lets get back to where we know we belong, the premier league!! Hoping for a stable season we've a more than capable squad to play at the championship level. Six more signings and keep hold of Beckford and you never know! MOT!!!

Posted 19:54 24th May 2010

Mark Rowell (Leeds United fan) says...

Well done lads up we go well let's see who they bring in now Billy Sharpe would be good or Ricky Lambert would be my top two and four a goalkeep frazor foster.

Posted 19:46 23rd May 2010

Az Herring (Leeds United fan) says...

The atmosphere inside elland road the day we won promotion gave the world a chance to see the true potential of our great club, simon grayson has done a fantastic job with limited funds and deserves a huge amount of credit for acheiving this wonderfull task, i am glad the dark lower league days are over , i hope the fans are patient enough to accept that maybe a season or 2 of consolidation are needed to eventually push the club forward and back to the premier league where we rightly belong, and of course it is only right that the loudest , proudest and most fiercely loyal fans in the world see football at the highest level, the leeds united pheonix has is rising , and in my 34 years as fan of this club i have never felt prouder ,to comeback from the adversity of the last 3 years is truly remarkable, MARCHING ON TOGETHER and a massive thank you to all the playing staff for a memorable rollercoaster season LEEDS FAN TILL I DIE

Posted 19:35 11th May 2010

Paul Clarke (Leeds United fan) says...

Super Leeds are on the way back, Great end 2 a great season for the club, We have the right chairman @ manager for the club to rebuild,plus the infastructure is there within the city for a top football club @ we will get there eventually One Step at a time WE WILL BE BACK SUPER LEEDS

Posted 18:53 11th May 2010

Emma Martin (Leeds United fan) says...

We finished second...how exactly are 3 or 4 of our regular players not even good enough for league 1? Leeds United have the best fans in the world but I can understand why we're so hated when our own supporters make stupid comments like that! Jeez! I reckon our current squad could easily beat the drop next season, could see them finishing around 16th/17th. With 3 or 4 of top quality additions I think we could suprise everyone...watch out for the mighty Leeds United! MOT!

Posted 18:30 11th May 2010

Niall Mchugh (Leeds United fan) says...

Congrats to the lads...be sad to see a few faces leave that have done well for us in recent times. dont think hughesy can hold down a place in the squad nxt year, nor andy robinson. as for strikers i think regarless of beckford staying or going paynter from swindons a worthwhile investment with a serious lack of quality back up on the bench in the form of tresor kandol somma and grella? however i do feel grella has a future at the club while somma should go back on loan.

Posted 14:34 11th May 2010

Gary Bulger (Leeds United fan) says...

Well done Leeds but no chance of achieving anything next season unless they bring in at least 5 new players with much more quality than the current squad. There are 4 current regulars who just aren't good enough, even for League One.

Posted 10:01 11th May 2010

S L (Leeds United fan) says...

Great to see Leeds back in the Championship. Lets hope we can spend funds on some quality players to consolidate or even get back where we belong in the Premier league.

Posted 08:21 11th May 2010

Tommie O connor (Leeds United fan) says...

At long last, leeds should do well next year if the manager can or is let spent. I think mid table in first year would be good, and push on from there. Good luck lads

Posted 08:18 11th May 2010

White Lion (Leeds United fan) says...

Congrats to the Leeds Utd team, especially Mr Grayson. He has done a fantastic job, something Mcallister or D. Wise could not have done. Hopefully next season we will see a better squad that can go straight to Premiership at the end of the season.

Posted 02:29 11th May 2010

Damian Ryan (Leeds United fan) says...

well dont to leeds on finally getting promoted i think they need to buy at least 5 or 6 players in the summer. beckford is vital to any plans leeds have and i think with the size of club expectations for next year will be promotion again and hopefully its a challenge jermaine will wanna be part of and stay. if not i'm sure SG will find someone as sutiable to replace him

Posted 00:47 11th May 2010

John Casement (Leeds United fan) says...

if beckford decides to leave which i think is certain we will need to invest in a quality replacement. Billy Sharp or ricky lambert would do a good job. Two quality full backs are also needed.

Posted 22:34 10th May 2010

David Ali (Leeds United fan) says...

well done to everyone at our club.we do need to invest in quality players to move 4ward next season,and if we do i think we may av a sniff of the playoffs.i think we need to strenghen in defence as we dont cope with set pieces,i know paddy kisnorbo has been injured,but even when he was there we still struggled.and possibly a striker depending what happens with jermaine,i have slated him on occasion in the recent past,but he has played a huge part in our promotion,and if he does go,i wish him well.

Posted 22:24 10th May 2010

Dean Casey (Leeds United fan) says...

jason scotland out of favour at wigan and proven at championship level and keep hold of sanchez watt gradel needs to channel his aggression but nice to see his passion.

Posted 21:37 10th May 2010

Paul Regan (Leeds United fan) says...

Simon Grayson has obviously achieved a 'goal' with automatic promotion and hats off not only the players but all the staff who go un-recognised. Everyone connected with Leeds United should be proud of this achievment. Jermaine Beckford is a prolific scorer and thats down to the 10 players behind him. He is a financial asset and no doubt Premiership/Spanish clubs are now putting bids in for him. No one is bigger than Leeds United and I hope Beckford stays but if he so desires to leave then I wish him luck. I wish Beckford had the heart and dedication that Alan Smith showed when he stepped out onto the hallowed turf and played his heart and soul out game after game. I say to Simon Grayson, Jonny Howson shows the same traits Alan Smith showed so why not bring Smithy back to the place where he belongs.

Posted 21:00 10th May 2010

Ben Harris (Leeds United fan) says...

cmon leeds let go after hulse of somebody and keep becks we are leedss

Posted 20:20 10th May 2010

Mervyn ( leeds united fan) (Leeds United fan) says...

Congratulations to all at Leeds. my thanks goes to Ken Bates in particular. A lot of people are quick to criticize but in my mind if he'd not taken over when he did we'd be quite possibly still in league 1 or worse and still in a lot of debt too. As for Beckford love him for scoring the goals that took us up but can't help but think that if he'd put to bed earlier his comings and goings this season we'd been up as champions,his indecisiveness definately unsettled the team,all beit i'd be delighted if he signed a new contract. MOT!!!

Posted 20:03 10th May 2010
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