Gelderdender
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 Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 12:27 pm Post subject: Wise on Kandol & Beckford |
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Strike pair set for new United deals
Dennis Wise has described Tresor Kandol and Jermaine Beckford as "my future" after revealing a change of atmosphere at Elland Road has created the most potent strikeforce in League One.
Kandol and Beckford are set to be offered improved contracts at Elland Road following their scintillating passage of early-season form, and Wise is ready to rest the club's campaign on two players who have recovered from destructive starts to their careers with Leeds.
Beckford made only six league appearances for United last term and moved to Scunthorpe United on loan in January in an effort to improve his experience and his confidence.
Kandol, meanwhile, remained at Elland Road but was subjected to relentless criticism after his run of one goal from 18 games coincided with Leeds' relegation from the Championship.
Wise admitted both players were "uncomfortable" last season and struggled to cope with the negativity and uncertainty which plagued Elland Road, but having remained with United through a complicated summer, the pair have established themselves as Wise's first-choice partnership up front.
Their goals in last weekend's 2-0 victory over Hartlepool – United's fifth successive league win – took their combined tally for the season to seven, and both Tore Andre Flo and Leon Constantine will find themselves fighting for a place on the bench when they recover from injury and return to contention for a place in Wise's squad.
Leeds are so anxious to protect Kandol and Beckford that the club began contract talks with their representatives at the end of last month.
Kandol's current deal expires in 2010 and Beckford is under contract until the end of next season, but bids for both strikers are already expected during the January transfer window after Scunthorpe United failed with an offer of £200,000 for Beckford earlier in the summer.
Wise said: "At the moment they're my future, and the future strikers of this football club. Hopefully they're going to get us to where we want to be.
"Tres and Becks didn't have too much of a chance last year because there were some big hitters here who didn't really perform for this club.
"It wouldn't have been fair to sling them (Kandol and Beckford) in at the last minute and let them take all the stick. I had players with names who needed to get us out of trouble. We'd got into the situation with them, and needed to get out of the situation with them. Unfortunately we didn't.
"That's why I got rid of certain players. Certain players couldn't quite understand why I wanted to get rid of them, and why I was willing to let them go.
"But this is why – because I've got hungry young men here who needed an opportunity. They're doing fantastic.
"Jermaine was one who, when I came here, felt very uncomfortable with the whole group.
"Therefore he went out on loan. It wasn't right to use him at the time, and it could have killed him.
"It nearly killed Tres because the punters got on his back, and I had to pull him out. I was worried about Tres and we had a deep conversation about it. He's 200 times better than he was.
"I want them to have new contracts. They've started like a house on fire and they're a good partnership."
A permanent move for Beckford to Scunthorpe seemed the most probable of transfers at the start of the summer, but Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins failed to meet United's valuation, and a fresh offer is unlikely to be welcomed in January.
The forward travelled to Germany for Leeds' pre-season tour in July, suggesting his future lay at Elland Road, and longer contracts for both Beckford and Kandol would help to maximise their value and protect them from outside interest at the turn of the year.
The pair were behind David Healy, Robbie Blake and Richard Cresswell in the pecking order last season, but Wise said: "Players need to feel comfortable with the group, and with each other.
"If they don't then they don't play to the best of their ability. That's what happened last year – the group wasn't good. It wasn't a nice group.
"I got rid of a load from last year and brought in new faces because I needed to sort it out. I just needed the right group.
"It worked out okay and they've become close. It's their attitude, and what pleased me most was the beginning (of this summer).
"We were in administration and there were players not getting paid. They weren't bothered, and they kept coming in and getting on with it.
"They could quite easily have said 'I'm not coming in – why should I come in?' But they got on with it and it was great to see that. I thought 'I've got a good bunch here' and it's not about money.
"But if they keep performing, I'll keep knocking on (Ken) Bates' door and I'll keep saying 'you need to change their contracts'.
"That's only right. If the players know that you're batting on their side, it's good for everyone."
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