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Leeds United: A nip and tuck is all that's required - Bates
Leeds United chairman Ken Bates today insisted he fully expects every "nip and tuck" required by Simon Grayson's squad to be completed by the time the club face off with Exeter City on August 8.
Leeds are about to begin a pre-season which Bates described as the most intensive of his four-and-a-half years as chairman, and despite a quiet start to the summer at Elland Road, he insisted that United's transfer plans were comfortably in hand.
The club's business has so far consisted of one signing and three senior departures – a limited amount of business which mirrors the general inactivity of many lower league teams – but he vowed to ensure that Leeds have a more reliable squad at the start of next season than they set off with on the first day of last term.
Jason Crowe, the 30-year-old right-back who is out of contract with Northampton Town, will become Leeds' first signing a week today, and Bates agreed with the assessment of his manager Grayson who stated on Monday that there was "no need for massive changes" at Elland Road.
United have carried out a slight clearing of the decks by parting company with Frazer Richardson, Jonathan Douglas and David Lucas, and Bates is hopeful that the present squad is stronger than it was 12 months ago, with a number of new arrivals to come.
Jermaine Beckford's exit from Leeds could yet weaken Grayson's striking options before the season starts, but United's chairman said: "When I spoke with Simon straight after we lost in the play-offs, it was obvious to both of us that this summer was about making nips and tucks, not carrying out major surgery.
"Of course he needs new players and he'll get them. It's all in hand.
"It's been very quiet but that goes for just about every club in the country.
"It's not that work hasn't been going on; it's just that people are away on holiday and it's difficult to make quick progress at this time of year.
"But all that matters is knowing who we want and making sure they're here at the start of the season.
"We've said goodbye to a few players already and a couple of others will probably be following them soon, but the squad is clearly stronger than it was at this time last year and the results during the last couple of months showed that.
"The players finished off the season with 11 wins, four draws and two defeats."
The major deal which Grayson is likely to need to strike is one for a new striker with the poise and ability to adequately replace Beckford, assuming the forward attracts a bid lucrative enough to take him away from Elland Road.
Bates confirmed once again that initial interest in Beckford is yet to translate into a concrete offer.
Grayson also has eyes on a new centre-back and goalkeeper with Lucas' departure confirmed and former loanee Sam Sodje is available on a free transfer and pondering his next move.
But it is likely that the bulk of Grayson's favoured starting XI next season will be under contract and ready for pre-season at Thorp Arch next week.
Bates' admitted to being highly impressed by the summer schedule drawn up by Grayson and his backroom team, taking in a tour of Ireland and throwing Leeds into high-profile games against Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley.
United's chairman said: "The players are back in with Simon next week and I hope they've been good while they've been away.
"They were given instructions about how to look after themselves and I'm sure he'll be looking at them closely.
"Anyone who's out of shape is going to have a difficult time of things over the next few weeks.
"It's the toughest pre-season I've seen in my four years here and I think we'll reap the benefits of that next season.
"Our game at Newcastle (on July 29) should pull in a big crowd up there and I don't think either club will moan about their share of the proceeds but that's less important than putting our players up against Newcastle's.
"That's the real advantage of playing Blackburn Rovers and Burnley as well.
"It says quite a lot that they want to play us because they obviously think they'll get a good game. I think we can promise them that."
A greater priority for Bates after almost five years as chairman – two of which have now been completed with the club in League One – is seeing Leeds comprehensively turn the corner of their decline by climbing out of their present division.
Grayson will undertake his first pre-season campaign next month, the third manager in as many years to lead the club into the summer, and his task is to conjure the success which Dennis Wise and Gary McAllister threatened to deliver but were unable to produce.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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