That sounds an awful lot like people were saying about the Rhinos earlier this season.

Don't forget about the competition. Norwich and Charlton, should they get used to this division quick enough, have more than enough quality to match the Leeds squad.

Huddersfield and Tranmere have strengthened very well, and they were there or there abouts last season. MK dons will be in there again. And Southampton IMO will make nothing of that 10 point deductions, I can see them been around top for Christmas.

I thought it was 15pts? I think Saints will just flop like a fish out of water and cry then die. I hope they do. I hope they strrrrrrrruuuuuggggle.

I think we'll struggle to go up, I've just been getting mixed messages from my waters, keeps telling me 'Bangarang, might not go up this year y'know matey...isn't much to say otherwise is there huh?' then I say 'I know my waters, I can feel it in my waters & bones'

Bates took over in January 2005.

In the remainder of that season:

[uSpent[/u
£1.1m on Rob Hulse
£50k on Ian Moore

[uSold[/u
Scott Carson for £750k
Andy Keogh for £50k

In 2005/6:

[uSpent[/u
Robbie Blake for £800k
Richard Cresswell for for £1.15m

[uSold[/u
Aarron Lennon for £1m
Mathew Spring for £150k
Clarke Carlisle for £100k
Danny Pugh for £250k

In 2006/7:

[uSpent[/u
£400k for David Livermore
£750k for Kevin Nicholls
£200k for Tresor Kandol

[uSold[/u
Simon Walton for £500k
Rob Hulse for £2.2m
Matt Kilgallon for £1.75m

In 2007/8:

[uSpent[/u
Bradley Johnson for £250k
Neil Kilkenny for £150k
Lubo Michalik for £500k

[uSold[/u

David Healy for £1.5m
Robbie Blake for £250k
Shaun Derry for £150k

But since then we've neither paid nor received a fee - effectively no money to spend for Mcallister or Grayson.

Over the period I make that £3.4m more received than spent. That doesn't include an amount that would more than double that for the compensation for the youth players signed by Spurs, Chelsea and Everton.

And you forgot to show Livermore as a sale also. You just did the bought.

And we are now debt free virtually, with superb attendance record - the wages are in line with the division but gate prices and crowds are not, they are way above. The coffers must be looking quite decent at Elland Rd.



Bate's lack of spending is a tad confusing.. we must look an attractive takeover proposition.. how the hell have notts county got a billionare owner and we havent'...

Na never did in the end, thought it was a nice shirt though!

The question of a massive takeover is one I ask frequently. One of the biggest cities in the country with one of the biggest average attendances, only one club in the city and debt free (i think). A profit of 7million in the 3rd division wasnt bad either.

Got a young French centre half who impressed Grayson at Grimsby. He's currently contracted to Troyes (Remember them? Uefa Cup!) but because they have been relegated to the French thirs tier he is allowed to try and find another club.

Troyes, now that brings back memories. What a boring, defensive side they were



What is it with the Wafer and the 3rd tier. Malaga went down to that level the same time as we did and now I found out Troyes are there as well.

The French trialist is Mathieu Baudry

Was that the team who beat us by a couple of goals in the 2nd leg but we went through on the away goals? Was quite a high scoring 2 games against them

No, and to be honest I don't remember a game like that. We beat them 4-2 at home, lost 3-2 away and went through 6-5 on aggregate.