Ten days remain before the transfer window closes – time enough for compromises to be reached – but it appears now that Freedman's return to Elland Road is no more than a romantic notion. Assuming that Bates was as unequivocal as he sounded, that celebrated partnership has run its course.

The confirmation that United would not be bidding for the striker was disappointing, though not because Leeds were required, or obliged, to sign him this summer.
Freedman was an integral part of the League One run-in last season and a talismanic presence whose appearance at Elland Road for a second time would have raised few complaints.

It is natural to covet influential figures.

The sensible money at the start of the summer, though, said Freedman's move to Leeds was a deal with too many complications and obstructive factors. It was a sad realisation since neither he nor United were ever likely to prove awkward in negotiations, but reasons of circumstance seem to have dictated Bates' announcement that the club would not be approaching him or Crystal Palace before September 1.

The obvious problems with Freedman were his age and his personal position, factors that are beyond his control.

The striker's family are based in London and, having lived in Yorkshire in temporary accommodation last season, he was understandably unwilling to consider a second loan so far away from Palace and his family home.

But, at the age of 34, it was as unrealistic to expect that Leeds would step forward with a permanent contract which offered considerably more security than another loan at Elland Road.

As effective and valuable as Freedman was last season, United would have limited themselves to the offer of a one-year contract, perhaps two at a push.

Thirty-four-year-olds rarely pick up longer deals and certainly not in League One.

Paul Telfer, at 36, is on non-contract terms with Leeds.
Had Freedman been tied to a club and a city in the north of England, there is no doubt that a transfer would have been easier to facilitate. It would perhaps have been a no-brainer.

But if, as Bates suggested, United were unwilling to put forward an offer which might threaten to unsettle Freedman and his family without good cause – in other words, enough security and long-term prospects – then their reasoning is fair.

Nevertheless, the striker can still hold himself responsible for creating some special memories.

Those who know Freedman say he is already showing the attributes of a successful coach and, although he does not sound ready to retire, the next time he creates the impact and headlines he did at Leeds last season it may well be in a managerial capacity.

There are few more genuine or considered players in the lower leagues today.

The fact that Leeds do not expect him to return, however, is not the same as saying that United have no need for another striker.

The club seem unwilling to fall back on Freedman, but if McAllister has one piece of business left on his mind it may be the addition of another forward to his squad.

It would be disingenuous – patently wrong, even – to say that Leeds are short of attacking players, but it is the area of McAllister's pool that is weakest.

With Tresor Kandol on loan at Millwall, Leeds have three out-and-out strikers available to choose from in Jermaine Beckford, Enoch Showunmi and Luciano Becchio, the latter a player who requires time to fully adapt to the English game.

Andy Robinson and Robert Snodgrass can operate up front but seem suited to wider positions.

McAllister, potentially, is one serious injury away from a problem.
There is no pressure on United's part to spend a ridiculous fee before the transfer window closes.

There is also the safety net of the emergency loan market which arrives within a week of the window shutting.

All the while, McAllister is doubtless aware of the need to keep control of the club's wage bill.

But, if needs must, it will be a challenge to uncover a loan signing as immediately effective as Freedman was.

The striker may no longer be the man for Leeds, but boots like his take some filling – even at the age of 34.

****


Southend United drew back from an attempt to sign Jonathan Douglas on loan this week after realising that they could not afford to fund his wages.

You would hope that their backtracking saved Leeds United the token effort of waving Steve Tilson away.

While Gary McAllister's squad is overloaded with midfielders – and Douglas' position within that squad is not entirely certain – there is something warped about the idea of lending a player of his calibre to a club who are evidently capable of reaching League One's play-offs this season.

Leeds should agree to such requests on the day turkeys ballot in favour of Christmas.


****

The Johnstone's Paint Trophy is not at first glance an uber-fashionable prize, but the tournament holds solid credibility among the Football League's members.

Leeds United and Bradford City have been equally enamoured by the draw which paired them together in this season's first round, and understandably so.

A record attendance of around 25,000 is predicted for the tie at Elland Road, a figure which is on a par with top-end Championship crowds.

The opening stage of the Carling Cup did not come close to matching that number. Rather, it produced an averaged crowd of 5,000.

Fewer than 1,500 spectators paid to see Ipswich Town's victory over Leyton Orient at Portman Road, an extreme example of the imagination – or lack of it – caught by the competition.

Leeds saw a similar trend last season when their JPT tie against Bury brought in more than 18,000 fans, seven days before 11,000 took in their FA Cup first-round replay with Hereford United. It points to the fact that supporters are more inclined to part with their cash when meaningful football is involved.

For all the cliched talk of magic, the FA Cup and the Carling Cup are little more than money-making exercises for clubs beneath the top flight.

The financial disparity between the Premier League and the Football League has seen to that. The JPT is a competition which every entrant has a chance of winning.

For that reason alone, it deserves its current health.

****

A LETTER published in Wednesday night's YEP suggested that Leeds United's official website – www.leedunited.com – was not up and running at the start of the new season.

However, I am reliably informed that the revamped site has been operating as normal since August 5 and was in fact inaccessible for a period of no more than 24 hours.

Online supporters who are still unable to view the website can remove the temporary test page they encounter by pressing and holding the control key followed by the F5 key on their computer keyboards.

IER is pleased to clear up any confusion.

Ends