18th May2012

Here We Go Again – McCormack Rejects New Contract

by Right In The Gary Kelly's

This is a very rare moment for Right in the Gary Kelly’s but let’s start this off with a quick fire question. What do Jermaine Beckford, Aidan White, Bradley Johnson, Adam Clayton and Ross McCormack have in common? Ok you have probably now guessed that they have all rejected new deals from the club’s hierarchy in the past three years.

Many of us woke up this morning to hear the news that Ross McCormack and his representatives have rejected a new ‘improved’ contract offer.  Ross’s career at Elland Road didn’t exactly start off with a bang and he found first team opportunities limited in his first season (2010/2011). During his first assault on the Championship, manager Simon Grayson preferred to use one striker, switching between Becchio and Somma to create a strike duo that impressively notched up 30 goals between them.

Roll on to this season and the little Scot has taken his opportunity with both hands and led the line with 18 goals, making him the club’s top scorer for the 2011/2012 season.

I can fully understand his decision to reject the club’s new offer. Warnock has suggested numerous times that he sees Ross as more of an impact player next season, coming off the bench and changing the outcomes of games in a super-sub role reminiscent of Max Gradel’s early spell at the club. I therefore think many of us would understand why he isn’t keen on accepting the club’s offer; after having his best season in front of goal it would seem like a backward step for a striker heading towards his peak years as a professional. In a similar vain to Adam Clayton, speculation of Premier League interest throughout the season may also have seen his head turn a little.

Time will tell what influence this decision has on fellow Scot Robert Snodgrass. After questioning the club’s lack of ambition, seeing the club’s top scorer leave may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back

Reporter Matthew Mckeith

© 2012, rightinthegarykellys.com. All rights reserved.





Category : LUFC Games
4 Comm
  • Bubiónwhite

    Is it not better for NW and Leeds United that Ross, or anyone else for that matter, shows his intentions now rather than cause disruption at, or around, Christmas time ala Beckford, Johnson, Kilkenny and Howson? At those times the club was slated by the fans for allowing their contracts to run down and eventually walk away for free … their right of course. However, the disruption caused by those Christmas negotiations could have contributed to the loss of momentum experienced in the early part of the years in question. This way NW has taken the action he deemed to be necessary to secure extensions before the start of next season … and therefore, in the event of the player refusal, gives himself the opportunity to secure money from Ross’s sale to find a suitable replacement. It would also be fair to say that if the remainder of his signings are like Jason Pearce, we need to accept that he probably knows a little bit more than the rest of …and place trust in his experience.

    • Bubiónwhite

      Before anyone corrects me, I know that Jonny Howson was sold and didn’t walk on a freebie.

  • LeedsForLife

    Personally, I’d love to know whether NW considered McCormack’s improved offer to be good enough, or if it was set by Harvey (who I have very little confidence in, myself). I hope it’s the former, in which case I’d believe him leaving is for the best all round.

    • http://Orangemail Bluesman

      You are dead right not to have confidence in Harvey – what has he done for LUFC? The negotiations last summer were abysmal and it looks like we are going the same way. I can see that we will have a season without players! God help LUFC!!!