So we are seeing debate rage about losing our best players, buying nobody and failing spectacularly next season. I can't say I see it the same way. Warnock is a sharp dude. When he went in at QPR they were in a worse state than we are now. The billionaires refused to spend money, instead their attitude was "get a quality manager in and he will make the most of whatever resources we allow him". Well, Colin built an ENTIRE promotion winning squad spending just £3m and not wasting money on inflated wages. He brought together players who were hungry, added some quality and bingo - a hard working team who wanted to win every game. The players clearly loved playing for Colin and the result was they won the league. I expect he will do a similar job at Leeds next season. It was good that he could come in when he did as it has allowed him the luxury of being able to work with the squad and assess every single player up close. Even better, he has challenged the players openly, put pressure on them in public to show they deserve to wear the White shirt next season and from that he saw who folded and who stood up. No surprise then that he says "major surgery" is needed, and that a number of players know they won't be here next season. I trust Colin, he knows what he's doing, and he will manoeuvre Bates and Harvey to where he needs them to be, and I am certain he will get what he needs. Even Lorimer finally admitted on Monday that this squad is hopeless and lots of changes need to be made. Colin is working his magic behind the scenes!! One thing I do know for certain is that Warnock is a winner, and this is his biggest job ever. All his life he has waited for a Leeds United to hire him, now his wish has come true and I simply can't see him rolling over and bumbling along. He will be developing his plan for next season, be making up his mind as to which players will stay, and be working with Bates on what funding is needed. Bates has been very tight with the cash, and it has pissed me off no end, but we have seen other clubs spend and spend and spend and get **** all in return. I have gone back and looked at Bates quotes, and one thing that stood out for me was that he didn't completely trust Grayson with money, and looking at what we have as a squad now he was probably right not to. Bates has placed himself in a difficult position. He has appointed a winning manager which sends a clear message he wants promotion next season. In order to deliver success, Bates knows he has to support his manager fully or forever be viewed as a complete idiot. How would Bates ever recover if Warnock walked out in September because of lack of support? Gates have fallen this season, and if nothing is done to build a capable squad in the Summer then the decline will continue, and Bates can't allow that to happen. Let's give Warnock a chance and see what he manages to achieve player-wise. If Snods decides he wants to go to earn bigger wages then I am sure Colin will get the highest possible fee for him and also be allowed all that money to be re-used to build his team. The most important thing is that come that sunny day in August when the season kicks off Colin has a squad that is determined, has the desire to win and every single one WANTS to play for Colin and Leeds. So Mr Bates, over to you now. You have shown intent by signing a sought after manager, no doubt promises would have been made to convince him it was the right move, now you have got to back him and let him do his thing. After all, WE ARE LEEDS!!!
Blind optimism, false hope I won't believe a word of what they say until I see them walk that walk. Sick of all the talking - we have had that for years and it has got us nowhere, and still we see people saying - back the manager, it will all be different this season. Some people have been saying that there are major problems all season. People who said that have been slated and slagged off by fellow fans and by the club (Lorimer, Gray, Kirwin, Bates, Harvey etc) and some people have been banned from attending games because they have said it how they saw it. Now that Lorimer, Bates and the manager are saying the same thing, the blame is put squarely on Grayson. What a load of baloney, yet still some "fans" believe it. What will it take to open your eyes, BS? When are you goping to get so pee'd off that you start questioning this bunch of no-marks instead of just having this blind optimism and false hope that it will all be ok this season? Make them walk the walk before you believe their talk, Billy. Even a broken clock is right twice a day, but it's still broken.
666, I have not said I believe in Bates at all. I have said I believe in Colin, and that if Bates wants things to change he must back Colin fully. I hate Bates, Harvey and Lorimer with a passion, and I would be happy for them to **** off from Leeds forever. Am I optimistic about next season? Of course I am, because we actually have a damn good manager for a change. I never ever supported Grayson because he is weak and tactically inept, but I support Warnock completely and right now I believe he will get Bates to support him. If not, even Bates can't be that stupid to not know the consequences.
Hi Billys - just back from working out my frustrations on the 5-a-side pitch. I know what you are saying, I just don't believe there will be enough backing for Warnock to build a side capable of competing. It needs to start from scratch. Then we need the backup players when others are injured or suspended (lots of suspensions). But we won't be able to get rid of the long-term contractees who are not good enough - they just won't go anywhere. I believe Neil Warnock has unfortunately given himself a poisoned chalice by only giving himself one season. He won't go out with a bang, but with a whimper. And Bates can't back him enough. A proper good manager could have come in and got something out of our players. A good manager would have made sure we did not fall outside the top 10. A good manager would have got us tactically strong and playing well. He is not doing anything different from Grayson - two CMs who get swamped, and no passing of the ball, just hoofing. What was the point exactly of swapping Grayson for this? A good manager would have got a lot more out of this group, or would have tried to do something different, like bringing in the kids and giving them a chance. That's what O'Leary did first opportunity. I don't see a light at the end of this Neil Warnock tunnel, unfortunately. Some of that blame has to land on Neil because he has gone for a one season contract. But most is on Bates. So I am completely lacking any optimism for the next year or so, and see us as more likely relegation fodder than competing for promotion.
Like your thinking. On same idea myself. Unfortunately you are probably wasting your time posting positive stuff on this forum. For the most part, it will fall on deaf ears
If it's any consolation, this is in line with my thinking too. We might be playing crap atm, but I'm soooo looking forward to the close season & next season proper. This could be the biggest close season since Blackwell was left with 2 players on the books (although I never considered Dubious Duberry to be a player, myself - more like a liability.). Not one of us knows exactly what to expect. we can all guess and hope, but at the end of the day, we all need to trust NW. Can't wait ....
There's still this idea that we never spent any money. Grayson wasted loads and under Bates we have paid out transfer fees/loan fees etc. Warnock will be given money to spend and like BillysStatue says, he has seen which current players crumbled under the pressure. We'll be a much better side next season and I expect us to be right up there.
"I have gone back and looked at Bates quotes, and one thing that stood out for me was that he didn't completely trust Grayson with money, and looking at what we have as a squad now he was probably right not to." Surely the lack of money contributes to the weak squad (as well as losing Howson, Johnson and Gradel)? A poor excuse as to why Bates did nothing to help us improve this season. 2 goalkeepers on permanents, O'Dea on loan, Brown (free), Vayrynen, Forssell and Pugh all came in September because of our depleted the squad and the fact that the transfer window was closed. Keogh covering Becchio, McCarthy in due to Lonergan injury/Rachubka nightmare, Smith in to try and improve average RB (the only natural one at the club), Delph in to cover Howson sale and Townsend in to finally try and replace Delph. No money was spent for improvement, just attempts to fill the holes left by the players that made us money.
The billionaires refused to spend money Yet in their last 2 seasons in the Championship they made a £70M loss - that's right £70M loss in 2 seasons !!
I quite like Colin. I believe he has what it takes to build a solid no nonsense team. But. TC is right is saying QPR made a massive loss whilst getting promotion, how exactly is not clear but I imagine the wage bill was not cheap. Bates will not sanction this kind of investment, so like last year we will have to wait until players realise they can not earn more money else where before signing for Leeds. Sadly, even Keogh found more money at Millwall than we were offering, so this may not end well.
OP, some people believe KB will be different because it is NW. They will soon see that KB will be KB, regardless.
Well, it looks as if Warnock is getting the ball rolling early doors. Clearly he has spoken with Bates about contracts and cash, as Snods has now been publicly offered a new deal to make him highest paid player at Leeds, and new contracts are being discussed with White, Clayton and McCormack. So, we now know of four players Warnock wants at Leeds next season, with Snods as skipper. Great news, at least it is a positive step forwards and shows intent. Warnock will not let Bates run down contracts of key players anymore, about bloody time too!! Movement I imagine would look like this: DEFINITELY GOING OR CLOSE TO GOING Rachubka, Connolly, Bruce, O'Brien, Parker, Bromby, Vayrynen, Brown, Paynter, Forsell STAYING Snodgrass, McCormack, Becchio, Clayton, White, Lonergan, Rogers, Lees POSSIBLE SOLD/FREE/LOAN OUTS Nunez, Pugh, Kisnorbo, Somma The key thing is it seems Warnock is starting to execute his plan by signing up those he wants. Looking good so far, but early days.
Nice to hear Warnock say that Bates is going to do his best to back him for next season. A good sign that Bates understands he has to commit to his quality manager or look a complete fool. Still think a lot will depend on moving players still in contract who we don't want. There are a few whose wages we will need for new signings - fingers crossed.
Billy - there is a huge difference between "do his best to back him" and "back him". It doesn't mean "Bates understands he has to commit to his quality manager or look a complete fool". It means he will "do his best" which could be that he is unable to back him at all. Please let's stop believing the talk, wait for them to walk the walk
Actions speak loader than words, I won't be going to Elland Road until I see investment in the squad. I will be happy to see 4/5 decent players added with the kids used as back ups, I can see lots going else where but if Snodgrass, McCormack or White are sold then I want to know what we received and see the money reinvested. Otherwise I will keep my wallet in my pocket and wait for Bates to move on.
Right so what's the point? NW can only be successful if Leeds is willing to lose 70m? Bates will never get in a position to lose anything? It sounds impressive to say 70m loss?
