Mad Scramble Of The Transfer Window - Lorimer

Last updated : 03 September 2010 By Peter Lorimer
Peter Lorimer writes in the Yorkshire Evening Post

We bought an awful lot of players in the summer and have been ahead of the game. I think Simon wanted to avoid the scramble and get his squad ready for pre-season, so they could get to know each other.

* Click here to watch the latest edition of The Boot Room.

We've worked hard at it and one of the hard things is not getting players in, but getting some out to make way for them.

* Click here to take a trip down memory lane with our Leeds United action replay.

I feel we've got a hell of a big squad now, which is good for the season as you're always going to pick up a couple of injuries.

The good news for us is that hopefully this little break will enable lads like Robert Snodgrass, Billy Paynter and Ben Parker to get their fitness back and almost be ready for when we start off again.

We've brought in Honduran international Nunez and we've had a good look at him in training at Thorp Arch.

It's not a case of bringing in a player and taking a chance.
We had a few Brazilians lads over in the summer and it's important you have a thorough look at them before making a decision.

We've had a bit of success down the overseas route, with the likes of Davide Somma arriving from the USA.

As for the window, I don't see the point of it for lower-league clubs, not for clubs like ours.

They can't afford to keep big squads and the window makes life difficult; although I know there's the emergency loan system.

There's no need for it at lower levels. Clubs may get stuck at certain times where they need to sell a player, maybe even to pay a wage bill and you shouldn't put a laddie out of work, should you...

In terms of the start of the season, I've been very impressed.
I thought we were unlucky not to get something from the opener with Derby. But since then, it's been two wins plus the draw at one of the fancied in Nottingham Forest.

We dug in at Watford. They have played long balls into the box for years and it's where you need your defence to come up trumps. Fans have questioned whether we'd struggle at the back, but our two central defenders and goalkeeper were excellent last Saturday.

England meanwhile start their European Championship qualifiers with Bulgaria tonight and I've been sat reading the papers about so many players dropping out already.

For me, it's the old story. When everything is not going well, some people are looking for injuries!

I think it's pretty sad; the players need to give England something to shout about after a very, very poor World Cup and get a bit of confidence back.

It seems to be some of the players certainly aren't happy with the (England) situation.