Gradel hands in transfer request

[MaxG]

Good evening gents - Leeds fan who comes in peace.

I am happy with the signing of Gradel, i think the reason why he has wanted to come to Leeds is that from day one he has been loved by the Elland road crowd and been made to feel wanted by the players and staff.

He has been used (To great effect) as a bit part player who comes on late in the game to utilize his pace when defenders are tiring.

Unless their are injuries i think Grayson will continue with this policy as i don't see him yet being a useful 90 minute player. He still is a raw talent and has got some football maturing to do.

 

[Dour]

we're back to making pension contributions to well passed it players i.e. Solano - which I see as throwing money down the plug hole.

So far, NP has done an exceptional job - so I hope that he isn't going to spoil it all by bringing in has-beens with all the financial consequences as well as potentially picking sides that run out of legs in the final stages.

I doubt Solano is a Pearson pick, really. We've had plenty of wingers on the staff and Pearson's used them ... sparingly. I reckon Solano'll get as many starts as Dickov.

 

[Blue Maniac]

Not something I recognise either. Where have you seen this outrageous prediction?

I too would like to see this.

 

[DesertFox]

I doubt Solano is a Pearson pick, really. We've had plenty of wingers on the staff and Pearson's used them ... sparingly. I reckon Solano'll get as many starts as Dickov.

Not so sure - he was assistant manager at Newcastle while Solano was there for a year, and Nige picked him (then subbed him after 57 mins :icon_lol in his one game in charge at the end of the season.

 

[Redditch Fox]

We're selling a player we never use. We've brought in an experienced player, who has skills that nobody can seriously argue our squad has already (specifically crossing and set pieces), on a short-term contract. It doesn't seem to be poor business. It could in fact be exceptional business. It could be the thing that kicks our season up the arse. It could even be the thing that makes the difference between a play-off place and a placid mid-table finish. Seems sensible from where I sit.

Unfortunately, I doubt that your hopes re. Solano will be realised.

I accept that Gradel was under-used and unproved - but he might well have the spark of talent that will turn him into a useful winger.

My fear and I have to say realistic expectation is that Solano is well, well passed his shelf life and this is going to be a piece of wasteful short termism.

We shall see over the coming 4 months.

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

Unfortunately, I doubt that your hopes re. Solano will be realised.

I accept that Gradel was under-used and unproved - but he might well have the spark of talent that will turn him into a useful winger.

My fear and I have to say realistic expectation is that Solano is well, well passed his shelf life and this is going to be a piece of wasteful short termism.

We shall see over the coming 4 months.

This is one of the first decisions where I am concerned by Pearson's judgement. I am not saying Gradel is a world beater but IMO he is an asset and offers something different, he also has youth on his side and given the opportunity to develop and flourish I think he would have been a decent player at this level.

We seem pretty one dimensional at present, and Gradel, even from the bench would have provided options and the chance to change things around. I am suprised, that given the inconsistency of the wingers in the squad that he wasn't given more opportunities.

As for Solano, I share your same fears.

 

[Blue Maniac]

Unfortunately, I doubt that your hopes re. Solano will be realised.

I accept that Gradel was under-used and unproved - but he might well have the spark of talent that will turn him into a useful winger.

My fear and I have to say realistic expectation is that Solano is well, well passed his shelf life and this is going to be a piece of wasteful short termism.

We shall see over the coming 4 months.

The key word is 'could' :icon_wink

 

[Redditch Fox]

I doubt Solano is a Pearson pick, really. We've had plenty of wingers on the staff and Pearson's used them ... sparingly. I reckon Solano'll get as many starts as Dickov.

Like you - I wondered if this is the work of MM - but as Desert Fox points out there is an NP connection.

I am well impressed with NP - but like every manager he will reveal weaknesses as well as strengths....and i just wonder if he is a bit too negative. A key strength over one and half seasons has been the defence - hard to beat approach, but at some point people are going to get a bit fed up if the football is overly dull and Gradel might be unproven and possibly a bit of a luxury, but he did seem to have a bit of panache.

I totally agree with you on your prediction on likely starts for Solano.

 

[TommyK]

I can see why people like Gradel. He works hard, and offers the occasional moment for something a little difference.

But IMO I think he's been talked up far to much. He hardly set the world a light last season in League one and i don't think he would add anything to our team this year. I would rather have N'Guessen and/or Dyer on the wingers.

 

[Hazzman]

I look it at one way, we are aiming for the Premiership...can I see Gradel as a Premiership player? No, on ability maybe but physique, no. One of the main reasons Arsenal released him as a youngster. N'Guessan for example is probably the same kettle of fish but he's tall, strong and quick. However, he's about raw as Yo Sushi's menu.

I see Solano's role as the stop-gap for the last twenty. Despite having large sections of play, we have struggled to break down teams. Send Solano on for the last twenty for the eventual set pieces etc. and when space opens up give him the chance. Reminds me of Summerbee's role in the promotion season. Most of all, Solano has always been a honest professional ala Powell, if it works the same way that's useful. Although I assume Powell is currently locked in some room at the training ground with McGivern teaching him positional sense.

 

[SJN-Fox]

Solano is only 5 months older than David Beckham and we all know what he is capable of and few on here would argue with him being brought in. If Solano has looked after himself, I see no reason why he cannot prove to be a valuable asset to the club, at least for the remainder of this season.

 

[MaxG]

I look it at one way, we are aiming for the Premiership...can I see Gradel as a Premiership player? No,

I have to agree, he seems a Champ's player at best.

But like we are doing at Leeds we are using him late on for his pace and trickery when defenders are burn't out.

 

[Darth Vodka]

Solano is only 5 months older than David Beckham and we all know what he is capable of and few on here would argue with him being brought in

i'm going to have to get the specious reasoning yellow card out there

Solano is slightly older than Beckham, who is good, therefore Solano is good?

jesus. i'm the same age as David Beckham, perhaps city should sign me?

Gradel vs Solano, how depressing is that? I remember when we had some decent players

 

[Hazzman]

I have to agree, he seems a Champ's player at best.

But like we are doing at Leeds we are using him late on for his pace and trickery when defenders are burn't out.

We have a couple of similar in Dyer and N'Guessan. N'G plays both wings and then there's Adams who IMO is similar to Gradel but can cross and has two feet.

But good luck to him as his growth as a footballer has been stopped here thanks to a lack of playing time.

And I will remember the goal at Mongs forever.....

 

[Lako42]

Let's hope Solano proves all the ever present negative brigade on here wrong then.



Not even kicked A ball and people are slagging him off, what a ****ing surprise, no wonder Gradel felt welcomed by the Leeds fans, they might have a high proportion of total dick heads but I bet they actually back their players.

 

[Darth Vodka]

Let's hope Solano proves all the ever present negative brigade on here wrong then.

he won't





(oh hold on....)

 

[homer]

What a fuss about nothing

He hardly featured last year, and we won the league
Hasn't featured at all this year and we are hovering around the play-offs

No great loss at all, really - pity we couldn't have shifted some more of the dead wood out of the club at the same time

 

[Durham Fox]

What a fuss about nothing

He hardly featured last year, and we won the league
Hasn't featured at all this year and we are hovering around the play-offs

No great loss at all, really - pity we couldn't have shifted some more of the dead wood out of the club at the same time

Quite

 

[Blue Maniac]

no wonder Gradel felt welcomed by the Leeds fans, they might have a high proportion of total dick heads but I bet they actually back their players.

Except Alan Sheehan, and I can understand that.

Seriously though, you're spot on. I believe what other clubs' fans do is 'support' their teams.

 

[tedfoxxx]

Except Alan Sheehan, and I can understand that.

Seriously though, you're spot on. I believe what other clubs' fans do is 'support' their teams.

Excuse me but we have been nothing but supportive of the likes of Oakley, McGivern, Dickov, Campbell, Brown, Neilson, Adjarevic......