Got to go on record here as saying I would be thrilled if we got promoted. But .... I really don't care if it happens this season. I mean that. I didn't expect promotion at the beginning of the season, and I still don't. I bought into the idea of the 5 year plan, and still do. If it comes early, great. If we don't get promoted this year, fine - I didn't expect it anyway. And yet I'm in the minority - it's become a demand from the fans (many of who we haven't seen for over a decade). And people are feeling the pressure. Unnecessarily. This has been a fantastic season. I've been entranced watching wonderful football, the likes I've not seen from us this century. Think on it: * We've got a world class manager * We've got a core of excellent players * We've got an exciting group of u23s being selected regularly * We've got an exciting group of u23s being being broken into first team football at a rate that suits each individual * We've got rid of considerably more deadwood than we've signed new faces * We own our own stadium again * We've got manageable debt, if any at all * We've got full houses again * We've got hope again Next season, all of the above should continue, no matter which league we're in. * We'll hopefully still have a world class manager * We'll still have a core of excellent players * We'll still have a group of u23s being selected regularly * We'll still have a group of u23s being being broken into first team football at a rate that suits each individual * We'll get rid of considerably more deadwood than we'll sign new faces. Again * We'll still have our own stadium * We'll still have manageable debt, if any at all * We'll still have hope And additionally: * We'll have some of this years u23s as regular first team squad members * We'll have a new group of u23s being being broken into first team football at a rate that suits each individual * We'll have u18s breaking in to the u23s, and possibly even breaking into the first team * We'll have a large group of players who have lived & breathed Bielsaball for a year (a subject to discuss on its own) So where is all this negativity coming from? Where is all this urgency coming from? Where is all this pressure coming from? At best we'll enjoy mid-table mediocrity in the PL. More likely a relegation battle, and sadly, losing this battle. Where will all the above be then? Love my life though. Love Leeds too. (Love the Thistle too, but that's about as close to divorce as you get. Once again, I shall be instructing them from the terraces on Saturday & hope they listen this time. The only benefit from a Friday night game.).
I said at the end of last season, I was sick to death of all the no mark managers the club's employed over the years, the money they've wasted in paying off contracts would have got us a top manager and stopped us becoming a laughing stock, because of this. What I wanted was to stop and think, get the right man pay him the right money, then more importantly give him the time he needs to turn the club around, how long this took wasn't important, just to see us progress on and off the field would be enough, getting us going in the right direction. Then we needed to add 2/3 quality additions to a decent squad of players, then perhaps add a couple more in January, if this happens, then we are well on course. Everyone needs ro show some patience, from the owners to the fans, we have a great chance to do it ahead of what I thought was possible, if we can just add those 2/3 players. If not then we have to carry on and believe next season will be the one, but tbh, we're this close, it would be a kick in the guts to miss out now.
Is it speed, is it viagra, is it whackybaka or is it just that Mrs WJ noticed you can still get the horn I actually fully agree with this and havent had a drink yet. However I will qualify this and say I worry that if we dont do it this season we’re fkced and will need a billionaire buyer to take us there
Great post WJ and wholeheartedly agree with all of it. Personally I'm very much just enjoying the moment, living in the present and not worrying about the future. If we do get promotion I'll be happily surprised and if not it will still have been a brilliant season. Of course most fans have got this weekends game as a must win, which is just ridiculous. It's a must enjoy game and nothing else in my opinion.
Spot on. Enjoy is a good word. Can't remember the last time I enjoyed a game we got beat in. Don't think it's ever happened, tbh. Until this season.
I actually disagree with this. We've developed a strong squad this season. It'll be stronger next season. Much stronger. Current players, if still here, will be more experienced in Bielsaball, and more wily with it. Our current crop of u23s active in the 1st team will not be freshmen, but capable players who can be relied on - and relied on becaise the manager knows exactly how much he can ask of them. And a new crop will be available for managed integration into the squad. I truly believe we'll be stronger next year, and if promoted, will be more likely to stay up & compete than this year's squad. And the year after that, I expect more of the same ..... .... but only if Bielsa remains. Carlos may carry it off in his absence, but I'd prefer the man himself.
.... but only if Bielsa remains. Carlosmay carry it off in his absence, but I'd prefer the man himself. That I agree with
Ive only managed to attend two games so far Birmingham and Hull. Both were not as described by bielsaball faithfull.
Another season in the champ is not a bad thing. I can see the progress you outline but to progress this window and summer orta needs to go.
Sold some last year. Can only keep following that business model for so long. Eventually he’s no longer owner is he
Ideguchi, O’Kane, Coyle, Cibiki, Ekuban, Anita, Sako, De Bock, Saiz. They are all players (9 of them) either out on loan or never likely to play for us under Bielsa, remember they’re not even considered for the U23s. It is a massive IF but if we could sell a few or at least get some finding new contracts elsewhere that’s a lot of money freed up. I’ve not included Grott or Shaughnessy if you want to throw them in that’s an entire team, 11 players. Get our walking wounded back and we really are just three good quality signing short. I’m also confident that this transfer window we will see 3 players come in. I don’t believe money is tight, I think it’s more Orta presenting Bielsa with a possible signing and him turning his nose up saying no better than what we have. I’ve noticed a lot of the linked players are pushing around 30 years of age, I’m guessing Bielsa has asked for experience confident that many of the U23s are going to provide us the future. I think we’re going for it this season or definitely next, the spanner in the works is probably that we’d budgeted for top 6 this season and Bielsa has caused the board a dilemma as they know we’ve a great chance for autos but to remain top two we must spend more than was budgeted for at the start of the season.
Ok wakey. That explains everything. Suggest you contact radz and negotiate a deal with him never to attend another Leeds game.
You don’t think money’s tight ristac? Surely we’d have players in by now early in the window if cash wasn’t an issue. Easier said than done, I know, especially in jan when everyone is waiting to see who they can get before releasing another... but still. Re the 30 year olds... if they’re surplus to requirements where they’re at, they’re generally cheap. MB has said he wants players who will be good investments and at the club for a while.. generally that means younger players, but I guess you’d call Pablo a great investment, strachan wasn’t a bad one, Chapman etc.
Of course its tight. Thats why we always have to get two or three off the payroll before attempting any kind of signing. Likely were still paying some of the wages of the ones on loan too
I have to agree with Whitejock, the problem is though that every year this league gets harder. Also the likes of Phillips could well move onto a premier league club. There has been much to enjoy even in defeat, most enjoyable season for years.
