TEAMtalk work exer and lifelong Leeds fan Tom Crowther gives us his take on the situation at Elland Road, where the takeover wait goes on.

On May 29 this year, Leeds United FC issued a statement regarding "investment for the long-term future". Three weeks have past since the statement, and although rumours surrounding the 'investment' have rumbled on, there was no further comment from the club.

Finally after 21 days of absolute torment for Leeds fans, Neil Warnock revealed the positive news that the club had signed Adam Drury on a free transfer from Norwich.

It seems that Leeds signings are like buses. You wait for one for ages and then two come along at once, as United proved the following day by completing the signing of 'Euro 2012 star' Paul Green on a free transfer.

I am pleased with the signings we have made. I don't think they're the sort of players that are going to get bums on seats like a Max Gradel would -but I think they bring bags of experience that will help bring on the younger players and bring composure during Leeds' push for promotion.

Warnock stated his aim was to bring in three or four players before he went on holiday. He brought in Jason Pearce and Leeds were expected to conclude a deal for Joel Ward soon after. The believed destination for Ward was Elland Road and Warnock wanted to sign him. Everything was looking rosy, but as you come to expect with Leeds United it's never that easy. They love to do things the hard way. Leeds couldn't gather the funds together to conclude the deal and Ward has since joined Crystal Palace.

This was all before the takeover talk but it makes you think - where has all the money gone? We got £6million for Fabian Delph, £1million for Jonny Howson, £1.5million for Max Gradel and a £1million for Kasper Schmeichel. That's a decent chunk of cash and what do we have to show for it? A redeveloped stand with no fans to fill it because they can't afford tickets and are fed up of the Ken Bates regime.

For the first time in a long time I feared Leeds would go down this season. How can you build a team for promotion when you haven't got the backing of your chairman? It's not possible. Simple as that.

The gulf between the Premier League and the Championship is growing with all the money pumped into the game. It will get a whole lot bigger when the new Premier League TV deal comes into effect at the start of the 2013-14 season.

Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore put this into context as he revealed an extra £14m per season would be the absolute minimum each club could expect to receive. The implications for teams outside the Premier League could be devastating. As relegated clubs come down with even more cash and higher parachute payments, very few teams will be able to compete with their finances. Potential investors should take this into account as Leeds United could recieve a slice of that pie if they strengthen the playing staff.

Even if Uncle Ken was still at the helm, if he splashed the cash and Leeds did get promoted he would quite easily earn that money back 12 months later.

Leeds need to act fast or the Championship will fill with teams relegated from the Premier League benefiting from this pay-out and we won't be able to compete.

With Uncle Ken unable to fund transfers promised to Warnock when he joined in February, there were rumours the boss was on the verge of quitting the club in frustration over the club's inability to sign any of the players he wanted for his big promotion push. But a meeting with Bates came and went and despite the rumours, Warnock has shown continued optimism which asks the question, is there something he knows that we don't regarding the takeover?

There is a lot of positive vibes regarding the takeover and there must be if Bates is able to push the boat out to increase the club's wage bill, but not far enough to splash the cash on a new player until the takeover talks are a completed.

Hopefully it's not if a takeover takes place and more when it happens. It will allow us to plan and invest for the future but for now, all that matters is that we have a squad with a decent shot at promotion.

One thing for sure is I would love to see Jermaine Beckford back in a Leeds shirt as a Becchio/Beckford partnership would cause havoc for Championship defences. Also, and I may get stick for this, but I would like to see El-Hadji Diouf in a Leeds shirt. He would fit in well at the most hated club in England and on his day he is a very good footballer. There is always a risk with players like Diouf but I believe it's a risk worth taking.

I always live in hope with Leeds United, like most fans.

I've seen them play a Champions League semi-final at Elland Road - but have also seen them entertain Exeter in League One.

There is never a dull day with Leeds United and I wouldn't change them for the world.

When the takeover happens, hopefully Leeds will return to the Premier League and once again re-live the glory days.

To quote Alan Smith on FIFA 12: "The Premier League needs a strong Leeds United."

I'll second that.

By Tom Crowther (@TomCrowther5 on Twitter).