Whilst we all wait impatiently for the announcement of new signings coming to Elland Road, I thought I would take a look back at manager Simon Grayson`s dealings in the transfer market since his arrival in December 2008.
If my checks are right then he has signed 43 players since his arrival, with 30 of these either originally on loan, trail or short-term contract.
When you look at the quality that some of these brought to the club, thank goodness they were not tied down to a contract.
Some of these players, I must admit, when they arrived at Elland Road I was quite optimistic about.
It is actually quite difficult to look down the list and think of more than a handful that have actually done well in their time at Elland Road.
In addition, when you look at the full list, the ones that have joined on a contract have more often than not have been released from their previous clubs or free transfers, with a very small minority costing a fee (undisclosed of course).
When you look at the side that actually won us promotion, and the side that did well in the championship last season, around half of the regulars in these sides were actually at Elland Road pre Grayson.
Will Simon Grayson pleasantly surprise us over the next few weeks before the season starts or are we once again going to be privilege to some of the dross that has arrived since December 2008.
*Full time unless stated
2008-09
Richard Naylor – Originally on loan
Mike Grella – Joined originally on trial
Carl Dickinson – loan
Lee Trundle – loan
Sam Sodje – loan
Liam Dickinson – loan
Darryl Flahavan – loan
2009-10
Shane Higgs
Jason Crowe
Patrick Kisnorbo
Mike Doyle – Season long loan
Leigh Bromby
Davide Somma – Joined originally on trial
Max Gradel -Joined originally on loan
Sam Vokes – loan
David Martin – loan
Hogan Ephraim – loan
Tony Capaldi – loan
Shane Lowry – loan
Gary McSheffrey – loan
Neil Collins – Joined originally on loan
Sanchez Watt – loan (joined again for season long loan 2010-11)
Paul Dickov – short-term deal
2010-11
Kasper Schmeichel
Billy Paynter
Federico Bessone
Paul Connolly
Alex Bruce
Lloyd Sam
Adam Clayton – Originally on loan
Ross McCormack
Jason Brown – loan
Amdy Faye -short-term deal
George McCartney – loan
Ramon Nunez – Joined originally on trial
Ben Alnwick loan – never played
Andy O’Brien – Originally on loan
Eric Lichaj – loan
David Gonzalez loan – never played
Barry Bannan – loan
Jake Livermore – loan
2011-12
Paul Rachubka
Michael Brown
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