Leeds preparing for the worst

LEEDS goalkeeper Paul Robinson’s proposed move to Spurs this summer would appear to be the first step towards the club clearing their decks should they be relegated.

United may only be six points adrift at the foot of the Premiership with 15 matches remaining, but it would not be surprising if the foundations are now being laid for life in the Nationwide League should the worse come to the worst.

Chief executive Trevor Birch was undoubtedly true to his word in holding onto the remaining star names at the club in Robinson, Alan Smith and James Milner during the recent transfer window, giving Leeds and caretaker-manager Eddie Gray the best possible chance of avoiding the drop.

But for Premier League rules, though, Robinson would now be a registered Tottenham player, albeit still pulling on a United shirt for the rest of this season courtesy of a loan arrangement with the White Hart Lane club.

Despite the £2.5 million deal falling through at the 11th hour on Monday, Spurs have made it clear they will resurrect the transfer come the close season. With Michael Bridges stating this week, following his loan move to Newcastle for the remainder of the campaign, he will not be returning to Elland Road when his contract expires in the summer, the signs are looking ominous for Leeds.

David Batty and Jason Wilcox are also out of contract and it appears unlikely either of those players will have their deals renewed.

Including Robinson, the combined saving on wages per week for the aforementioned quartet will be around £90,000, and that is just the tip of what is likely to be a considerable iceberg for Birch this summer, if Leeds go down. There are currently six players on loan until the end of the season with Leeds - Jermaine Pennant, Lamine Sakho, Salomon Olembe, Didier Domi, Zoumana Camara and Stephen Caldwell whose salaries total an estimated £75,000.

When you add in the fact Viduka, Smith and Danny Mills the latter on a season-long loan at Middlesbrough are certain to be sold off should Leeds be relegated, that is another combined cut of £130,000 each week.

It means Birch is primed to slash a staggering £15.3 million off the annual wage bill and with the prospect others are likely to leave when you consider relegated clubs lose between £20 million to £25 million in revenue.

John Boocock, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters' Trust, said: "It would be silly to think the only way out of the mess we are now in is by staying in the Premier League.

"I could understand if plans are being drawn up for the club to be in a position that, if we were to go into the Football League, we wouldn't go into administration.

"Obviously, he (Birch) would have to dump players, although if we do get relegated I think Leeds could trade reasonably profitably. They would still be a draw when you think of the fan base, with crowds of at least 30,000.

"For me, it would be interesting to see what would happen to the likes of Michael Duberry, Gary Kelly, Ian Harte and Seth Johnson, who are all high earners.

"It is unlikely they would find another club who could give them such a comfortable lifestyle."