loanees Spurs & ex players hit as Birch gets tough

By Andy Baggott
January 22 2004

Leeds CE Trevor Birch is getting tough as he attempts to pull Leeds round. He has allegedly told Spurs to up their offer if they want to get their hands on James Milner and Paul Robinson. .

It was reported this morning that Tottenham had made a £5 million bid for the pair, although the Sun reported that Robinson and Bakke were the targets. Local station Radio Aire reports that Birch has told Tottenham to up the bid to nearer to £10 million if they want the duo. Birch ahs also cut the playing staff, with loanees Roque Junior, Domi and Camara sent packing in a cull that will save almost £1.5 million. Roque Junior is heading for Hamburg, whilst Camara and Domi are seeking legal advice. Birch is also said to be close to stopping payments to ex players Fowler, Dacourt and Keane. All are currently been paid wages as part of an agreement that ex chairman Peter Ridsdale set up with Man City, Roma and Spurs. Fowler is still apparently owed near £3 million, so the ex striker would be hit hard. Ex managers O’Leary, Venables and Reid are all been targeted too. O’Leary has already offered a deferral, while Birch has had talks with Venables and Reid. Reid has not agreed a settlement figure with Leeds as yet so there is no payment to defer. Birch has to be ruthless at this time as we only have a matter of days before administration could come….