Yes, the title of this thread is in reference to Bates' flippant programme notes yesterday (the headline was Only Three Points Behind the Leaders), in which he simply dismisses our poor start with a flick of his tongue. No acknowledgement that we have a big problem with our squad, no mention that we really need a win today. The thing about Bates is he does not actually tell us what his intent is with Leeds United. What is he trying to achieve? Where does he see the club in five years? In fact, where does he see the club in three years? The thing that absolutely drives me nuts is the complete lack of ambition shown by both Bates AND Grayson!! There is never any talk about promotion, about being in the Prem by a certain date. Why don't they tell us that they expect the club to be back in the Prem within three seasons, or ten seasons, or whatever they believe is realistic? It is this bumble along attitude that kills our aspirations on the pitch. The players are clearly not under pressure to achieve promotion, but rather simply seem to play as if its up to them...and that brings inconsistency. Just listen to Grayson-speak in his programme notes..."We go into the game on the back of our first win of the season, against Bradford City in midweek, and we will be looking to build on that against Boro today"...really Simon!! Do better man...it was only Bradford after all and they ran us close. No mention of the Saints game at all, or the performance. How does he close out his notes? "Hopefully we can reward you with our first league win of the season"....oh God man!!! What does hopefully mean? Why not something like "we are going to go out today and do everything we can to get a win"....or "I expect my players to get a win today"? Oh wait, of course, you are a coward, so can't expect those kind of words from you. I am beginning to sense a frustration amongst our players, a frustration that must stem from you. Where is the desire to return Leeds to the top flight? Lest we forget, Man City fell down the divisions, but they behaved like a big club and showed a clear determination to get back to the top, which they did with full houses and desire on the pitch. Newcastle did the same in the first coming of Keegan. Leeds have shown no desire under Bates, and his lack of improving the team has shown this clearly. It doesn't help that he is backed up by a manager who is clearly spineless and won't rock the boat. If Grayson stood up to Bates and tried to force his hand, he'd have the weight of the Elland Road support behind him, but his yellow bellied attitude is actually helping to unsettle the natives. So Mr Bates, only six points behind the leaders now!! So where will we be in three months time? Twenty five points behind? What then? Do you really believe this threadbare squad we have now is going to cut it? The damage you do to the club now along with your puppet Grayson will have to be suffered by us fans in years to come when you are long gone with our money in your Caymans bank account. Either give us a team that can compete or sell up and get out now. Oh, and please stop using our legends to try and get your views across in the press. Frankly, its embarrassing and it really isn't nice to see someone like Lorimer grovelling at your command.
Ive said this before, the only way to hit bates is in the pocket. Boycott a couple of games and boycott the club store. If he sees the fans are serious, he might take action. Im afraid a few hundres singing anti bates songs at Billys statue and then heading into the ground to line his pocket further, isnt going to worry him. And before the do gooders have a go at me about hurting the club by witholding finance, none of our money is being spent on the squad anyway but on the East stand, which by the way, just not officially
Correction: If Grayson stood up to Bates and tried to force his hand, he'd get sacked and then, in retrospect, the fans would grow even more restless. His attitude is the attitude any manager under Bates has to adopt at risk of their once-in-a-lifetime job being terminated. Despite that, he's clapped fans singing Bates Out and not distanced himself from protests, confirming that the players wouldn't be affected. It's not him that's unsettling people, he's the messenger for a horrible truth: that Bates will pay **** all for players and is an awful chairman for this club. Don't shoot the messenger.
Does anyone seriously think that Grayson is happy with the situation? I mean what manager is content with scrapping around for free transfers and last minute loans on low wages? If Grayson was allowed money to spend, then we'd have a stronger squad. We are linked with so many good players throughout the summer, but then we end up bringing in O'Dea on last minute loan. I read things in the YEP about how the club had written a 'shortlist' for the goalkeepers. So instead of saying 'this is the keeper I want to replace Schmeichel', Grayson gives a list of targets and then probably ends up with his 3rd or 4th choice. Way before we signed Brown, we were linked heavily with Jack Cork. But he would have cost money, so nothing came of it. I think the blame for our poor squad this season is Bates. He hasn't allowed Grayson to develop his squad in the way he wants.
Look....I understand how it can seem that Grayson is protecting his job, but that's just it!! He MUST know that this cautious approach will end up with him getting sacked anyway when the team fails to deliver. If he goes public and asks for money, or the budget to be increased, then the fans will know where to turn their dissatisfaction and maybe Leeds fans will finally take a stand against Bates. It is not unreasonable for Grayosn to expect more transfer funds at a club that is profitable and has the money available. How can it be that Forest are yet again buying another player and they have less money than us? Other clubs are moving forward but Leeds are standing still. Bates has a plan, but it doesn't seem to include the Prem. I think he is gearing up to buy back Elland Road and then eventually sell the club for a massive profit with the team still in the Championship. By keeping the club in a healthy profit and owning the ground, the selling price skyrockets and that has to be his goal. I can't see any other outcome for his miserly strategy. So, back to Grayson. He is not doing Leeds any favours by bowing to Bates, and he should be stronger, demand more money and promise promotion. By doing nothing and continuing on with this dreadful transfer policy he will leave our club in a couple of seasons as nothing but Championship mid-table at best. His lack of ambition is just frightening...and that at a massive club like Leeds United should not be acceptable.
I don't hide the fact that I hate Ken Bates but reading one of his comments I feel he is trying to lay some of the blame with Grayson and I can see his point... Before I continue I think Grayson is doing a fine job and he should remain in charge... However, Ken Bates said that he sets Grayson a budget for players, this includes fee's and wages, Bates said yes Simon can sign a player for £5 million as long as he finds players willing to play for £3 a week, he has made it clear player transfers and wages comes out of a budget he sets Simon... Looking at it the way Bates see's it - Simon signed, Bessone, Bruce, Grella, Paynter and O'Brien. He also signed several loan players that failed to make any kind of impact last season apart from Lichaj. We can't just keep taking players on 'hoping' they will make a difference. On the other hand if Bates gave Simon a decent amount of money to spend he could get a player he actually wants, a first choice rather than 2nd, 3rd or 4th. Looking at the squad http://www.leedsunited.com/page/PlayerProfileIndex/0,,10273,00.html we really are lacking in so many departments. Our first choice starting 11 are pretty good but apart from that we really are weak. So it seems a bit of a catch 22 Simon hasn't the funds to get who he really wants so he takes a gamble with someone else, they turn out to be ****e and the transfer budget takes a hit with another players wages coming out.
and that at a massive club like Leeds United should not be acceptable. ........... im sorry but leeds have never been massive and arent even considered a big club anymore. you are similar to notts forrest, once a decent team but now insignificant.
grayson is a spineless twat ---accept it or be a man resighn---and be better than him---prove u a man
boring your sounding just like Clive....this is a manager who got us promoted and to 7th last season.. shortsighted fools
Spanish, you have a point....BUT...we can't live on past "successes". The issue I have is that we are not improving this season while our promotion rivals are moving forward. I am thankful that Grayson got us out of League One, but not happy with the way we fell away and dropped out of the play-offs last season. Grayson has shown a distinct lack of ambition, and if his hands are tied then at least have the guts to say so. This continuing nonsense of signing poor quality players is killing us, and he will ultimately have to shoulder the blame when it all goes wrong. Oh, and you Liverpool fan, wakka2 (jeez, couldn't even make number 1), the fact that you are posting on our board shows what a draw Leeds United is....even while we are outside the Prem. You clearly can't read, I said Leeds is a massive club, not a top club. We are still one of the best supported clubs in the country, and have an international following, like it or not. Are you still smarting from your useless draw at home to Sunderland? And when last have you lot won the title? I am sure you will throw the Chumps League at us in defence, but for God's sake, it's not actually a League of Champions, is it? Would you have won it if every round was knock-out football against the champions of each country the way the European Cup should be? Heaven help Liverpool if they don't make the top four this season.....expect the bailiffs to come a-knocking and a nice firesale of top players so your Yank owner can make his profits to buy his kids beach houses in the Hamptons.
