Could a Leeds old boys reunion boost their Premier League hopes?
Not since the 2003-04 season have the injury blighted duo of Jonathan Woodgate and Alan Smith lined up alongside each other in the white of Leeds United. It was that fateful season that one of the biggest clubs in English football succumbed to the relegation trapdoor, to which they have yet to return. Next season they will again try to regain their place in the top echelon of English football, a challenge that could be aided by old boys Woodgate and Smith. Both men are now without a club after they were released by Tottenham and Newcastle respectively, meaning it’s an avenue Leeds should certainly consider exploring. However, it’s one that brings as many potential negatives as positives.
When a club brings back a former player it can work one of two ways, it can generate a buzz of anticipation and excitement amongst the fans, or it can have the complete opposite effect. Woodgate and Smith were both held in very high esteem by Leeds fans while they played for the Elland Road outfit, but they both left the club at a time when it was in free fall. Their departures were inevitable, as both were highly regarded young England internationals who had to be sold to help Leeds financial situation . However, Smith’s departure left fans enraged, as he crossed the Pennines for arch rivals Manchester United no sooner had the dust settled on Leeds relegation. So would the fans welcome him back with open arms?
The main consideration that should come to the forefront with any potential signing of Woodgate and Smith should be their fitness levels. Do Leeds want to bring two players to the club who could feasibly spend most of the season in the treatment room? Jonathan Woodgate in particular has spent large parts of his career battling numerous injuries which have ruined what had the potential to be a hugely successful career. Woodgate only made one appearance for Spurs last season, in the game with Milan at the San Siro. Smith didn’t fair much better either, he only made eleven appearances for the Magpies.
Then we come to the next dilemma in signing the two former stars, their wages. Both may have suffered with injuries throughout their careers, but they haven’t suffered financially, they have both been involved in big money moves which have seen their bank balances well looked after. They would both be well aware they would need to take a pay cut to sign for Leeds, but they would still command considerably higher wages than their team mates. The prospect of paying top wages to players who could find themselves spending more time in the treatment room than on the pitch should be a major consideration for Leeds to take on board.
However, if they managed to stay fit for the majority of the season Leeds would be enhancing their aspirations for a promotion push with two quality players, who would bring a wealth of experience to the side. Having two Premiership calibre players in their ranks would not only significantly increase Leeds promotions credentials, but it would send out a statement of intent. Woodgate and Smith experienced what were possibly some of the greatest moments of their careers playing for Leeds, notably the memorable Champions League campaign in the 2000-01 season. Such times are a long gone now, but the two men could be the catalysts in the next memorable chapter in Leeds United’s history – the season Leeds get back to the Premier League.
It would certainly be a risk for Leeds to bring Smith and Woodgate back to the club, but is it a risk worth taking? What would the fans reaction to Smith be like? Would his move to Man United be water under the bridge, or do some fans still harbour resentment towards him? Do Woodgate’s persistent injury problems make any move for him foolish, or could he reignite his career and Leeds hopes of promotion with a move back to Elland Road? These are all questions Leeds fans need to ask themselves.
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Interesting article. Would Smith be welcomed back…jury out but if we look at the fact i think he would. He left because we were relegated and he knew we couldn’t afford to keep him. He went to the shower across the Pennines because they were prepared to pay the whole fee up front and he waived his cut of the deal instead giving it back to the club. Ultimately it comes down to performance but if he produces then the fans back him.
Woody is totally different, without doubt the most gifted English centre half since Bobby Moore, a 90% fit Woodgate is better then anyone in the current England squad, sign him up
Another name doing the rounds in Lee Bowyer but sadly i think there is very little chance Leeds would be able to pay enough in wages to tempt sany of them back into the fold MOT
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Smith hasn’t been released by Newscastle – reports suggest he’s been told he can find a new club – but his name’s not on the Premier League’s Free Transfer List – (http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/14/79/0,,12306~162068,00.pdf)
But bring both back – would love to see Smith and Woodgate back in the white shirt.
Marching on Together
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I would defintiely welcome Smith back to Elland Road. Yes it hurt when we were relegated and he went to Man U but further down the line when you looked at the facts it wasn’t a simple choice that Alan made, it was the best deal for Leeds United (and it isn’t as if we didn’t need the money!), Alan gave what he could have made from the deal to Leeds and we all moved on (well most of us!) To still be sulking over Alan going to Man U, and to let that get in the way of what could possibly be a great signing for us is a bit daft in my opinion, we all know Smith is Leeds through & through and I know for a fact that he would give 110% every game he played. On a free, if he accepts reasonable wages & if he stays fit it would be a great signing. He would be a great presence at the club & would lift the fans (well most us.. I think). Bring him back home I say!
Woodgate would be a great signing…If he stays fit! (That’s a big IF!) but I think both players on Free’s, as long as wages are reasonable are definitely risks worth taking.
PS Upson?
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It broke my heart when Al left but anyone who knows him and attends games regularly will tell you he is willing to take a pay cut and get going again with Leeds. The injury problems are related to a bad freak leg break incident which could have easily ended his career. We need a tough guy like him to guide the younger players. Going to MU kept us afloat and he waived a signing on fee. Seen him at games and he does miss the buzz, Newcastle haven’t released him however so I’m not sure if we could get him.
Woody was a liability with injuries when he was with us, Alan was unlucky. Woody shouldve retired years ago but if a miracle happens and he gets fit he could be amazing at this level.
Bates isn’t stupid – for what he’d pay in transfer fees/wages he’d recoup in shirt sales with Smith, I’m sure of it, cynical but there you go! he won’t care about the vocal minority who can’t see past the MU thing
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Leeds can’t afford their wages and the fans don’t want them back. I can’t see how this could possibly happen.
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Paul Reply:
June 18th, 2011 at 7:38 am
SOME fans don’t want him back but they’re the sort that would cut off their own noses to spite their face.
Smith did what was best for Smith first, as any of us would, but then he helped Leeds when they REALLY NEEDED by waiving his cut of the transfer. Can you see many otther players doing this?
Can anyone see him playing for Leeds again and not giving 100% in every game, just like he used to!
If we’d had his sort of commitment in the run in last season we’d of been in the play-offs and that commitment is what we need this season to go up.
Bring him back!
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we would welcome smith back to all those who are still bitter i”d say who wouldn”t take promotion evan if it was with a rival company thats all he did as well as saving us money he knows where his heart his but even footballers have to earn a living
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Vocal Minority Lol, you mean the fans that actually attend games (ST), particularly the away fans?
It would divide the fanbase, and anyone thats willing for that to happen simply for a past it, injury prone player to return doesn’t have the best interests at heart for Leeds. One player isn’t more valuable than the fans.
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I think we have to bring in new guys – And maybe build a future around them. Think it´s wrong to bring in the old lads, ´cause then we´ll need new players 2 years from now. New young guys can also bring the club some money later on. MOT
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