Morning Everyone, The new season starts two weeks today, and there are some serious questions that need to be asked!!! Does Hockaday know who his best team is? Does anyone believe between now and 9th August we will sign six players? That's almost one player every other day! Why have so many players turned us down? Is it because we are finally going after some decent players, who have decided to join Seria A clubs? Would having an inexperienced coach put players off? Does the off the field antics from the last 10 years still have an impact, if so, how long will that last? Do Leeds need to put in a really good performance today? How important is it? Hockaday has already come out and said he will play his strongest side!!! Will there be any repercussions for Hockaday if the result does not go our way today? Leeds are 11/10 to win today. I'll be having a dabble on that... Any team news, post it here....
Morning elland, all I think players turning us down will have something to do with wage negotiations (I imagine Cellino/Salerno being quite tough on that front at the minute) but also Hockaday has to have something to do with it. I'm not saying your average Italian lower Seria A / Seria B player would have seen McDermott as a particular draw to a club - but they will have seen some of the reaction to Hockadays appointment, they will be aware who he is (or isn't in reputation terms) and that has to put question marks over the move. These people aren't Leeds through and through. Even if they buy into what Cellino is trying to do here, every move they make has to further their career. The prospect of training under an unknown lower league coach isn't likely to be viewed as furthering your career for a lot of players.
Morning All, 'Fraid I can't agree with you re. our coach, DU. No Italian even gives the coach a second glance when he signs. He knows that he's already yesterday's man! It's a fact of life in continental (& especially Italian) football that the coach is a ship that passes in the night, so no decision can be made based on who's coaching at any particular point in time. In trying to take something positive out of the current signing situation, I'm happy to reflect that in previous seasons, we didn't have problems signing people for all the wrong reasons - i.e. paying has-beens far too much money. So it's a good thing that we're not getting our targets - we're obviously not chucking money around like water, AND more importantly, there is keen competition for the players we're after. So it's actually a good thing that we're struggling! (if that makes sense!).
I would be happier if we had a player to build a team around, a player who is an example of what we want to be as a team. I don't mean a glory boy like McGreedytwat, or a goal poaching lazy pillock like Bechio but a midfield general like Strachan or even a blood and guts get stuck in merchant like Vinnie. The player Rudy was supposed to be I suppose. Without a talisman we are going to struggle. But we won't get relegated, there is far too much ****e in the division.
Good morning from a very sunny Cote de Bardsey to Matt Neil and co I honestly feel that we have sent the wrong message in not getting the young Italian Ita alright saying I will always get my way but it doesn't always work out like that he will have to be more flexible in future dealings remember I said that we will get some better signings in the next week or so he has to whether he likes it or not because this will have a direct effect on season ticket sales His choice of coach has already gone down like a lead balloon he has sold our best player supposedly,and now Byram looks to me like moving for a great deal of money to Southampton well that my take on the leaks which have come from one source So mc get showing the money!
If we go for any UK based players, we won't stand a chance with the Hock as he is still sen as a bit of a joke throughout English football. Wages and contracts will be an issue because continental players will soon find out that Leeds Utd no longer competes with Manchester utd in the wages market. Those players that come are here for the experience and to better themselves. They will also know that the contract Cellino gets will guarantee him profits from their sale. I believe there are plenty of continental players who are seeing something good being put together, and fancy being part of the project. Hock needs a good result today with some end product in front of goal. No more of this fitness bollox, and trying out formations we are playing Chesterfield. I fully expect Mighty and the wall boys to be very afraid after seeing our result later.
I can see what you are getting at there WJ, and thats probably the most positive and optimistic way to look at us not signing players imaginable It does make a nice change to not be throwing money at journeymen and seemingly actually be competing for players in demand from other clubs. Of course, non of that helps us at all if we still don't get a few more signings in in the next 2 weeks
Good morning Glory I think that unless we get some early results we will struggle to stay up remember we were very poor from Dec and now we will have lost our top scorer and I think sold young Byram whatever MC says if an offer of £8m comes along it will be bye bye mike
Another party today and a Barbie tomorrow I just don't know where the time goes must say I took 2 of the youngest grandchildren to Bridlingtons South beach well worth a visit 7 miles of beautiful beach and whilst I was there I was told about a village called Barmston apparently its lovely why go abroad with all that hassle when you can get to your destination in just over the hour yes we are quite fast drivers for our age! I will check it our next week as the forecast is good again
I seriously think the problem lies with Hockaday when it comes to players turning us down. We'd be better off having Carbone as head coach, someone who's played at the highest level, knows British football and would at least command a modicum of respect. Better to have him, a young Italian coach setting out on his career than Hockaday.
haha yea we do disagree alot.... But, even at my level where I'm not playing professionally I look at who the coach is and if he is going to play the style and coach the types of things I would enjoy/help my game. I have a couple coaches that I would go and play for immediately if they called me up and said they are at a different club and would like me down there. I have zero doubt that a professional player would prefer to play with a top class coach over a poor one
Phil Hay just tweeted that Cellino has said Viviani is off. Said he was due back on Monday for talks but MC has already decided and it's not happening.
I suppose it goes along with Cellino only wanting players who want to be here. But how much time have we lost chasing this one? We need more quality additions, and we need them now!
If I found a coach that wanted me to play for him, I'd get him sectioned! I still stand by what I say about the coaches, though. His reputation may indeed help secure a signing, but it won't be a great inhibitor if the player doesn't fancy the coach. He (or more likely his agent) will realise that he's on his way out in the very near future.
Eire, I have always loved you and want to have your children! Now go get the beach movie made for the troops!
