http://simonaustinsport.blogspot.co.uk/ Cellino blames Football League for Leeds' faltering form This does seem to be a tipping point in the reign of Leeds owner Massimo Cellino. While even a couple of months ago there seemed to be widespread support for the Italian (because the team was showing signs of improvement, because he did eccentric things like joining the away fans at Brentford, and because he was deemed to have been unfairly treated by the Football League), now there is a lot of doubt and hostility. With the team on a desperate run of form and just a point off the relegation zone, fans are desperately grasping for any signs of encouragement. And, at the moment, they are finding that difficult. Neil Redfearn publicly came out and said he was keen to sign former fans' favourite Luciano Becchio last week, only for Cellino to dash his hopes once he returned from Miami. Redfearn had also made veteran defender Stephen Warnock his skipper. Now the former England man is on his way out of Elland Road. Are there incoming signings to allay fans' fears? Well there don't seem to be any imminent signings and Cellino told me "we have enough players already, maybe too many." He says he does hope to bring in "a couple" of new players though. In a nutshell, Cellino doesn't think the team is "a **** team". He just believes they need stability, support and confidence. The Italian believes they were playing ok until the Football League banned him under its fit and proper rules. "Since I was disqualified from the league, we did not win a game," he told me. "I am trying but it is not easy. Players don’t come because they think I am not staying in Leeds. "I don’t think every club has got the same problems we have. It's not easy. We had agreed to sign some players but they don’t come because they don’t think I am staying. A French and Belgian player. Their agents told me that was the reason." Cellino's appeal will be heard tomorrow (Thursday) and he says he intends to fight the ban. "I think the situation will be messy," he said, a little ominously. "I know who I am and I am not a dishonest guy. When I came to England, I saw it as the country of justice and fairness. "But I am facing the same problems I did in Italy – misjustice. There are three stages of justice in Italy and until the last one, you are innocent. "I just know I am spending a lot of time and money on lawyers. I should dedicate more time and money to the club. "I know the only thing that keeps me here is the faith and trust of the fans. Otherwise I was already gone. How can I buy back Elland Road when every three months they come back with this problem? "Do you believe that I bought in Italy an American boat to save $180,000 of VAT? My money situation is not that bad. For sure it is not that. That is a way to hurt me and show I am not a fit and proper person. "There are two stages of justice left in Italy. In the records I am clear. And 75% are found not guilty after third stage. "Dolce and Gabbana were found guilty of tax evasion and after three and a half years were cleared at the third degree. I want to work and look after the team. "This doesn’t help me, the team, the fans, the coach. It doesn’t help. I am positive though and think we have a good team. "This is a young team, maybe a little tired. It is a team that hasn’t had stability. My way of working with the team is maybe a little bit tough, very aggressive. "If I had known this (the Football League ban) I would never have come to England. But I keep fighting because I can see the fans trust me. "They need to have faith and trust in someone. I cannot just give up. I have to keep fighting."
Cheers for posting that WJ, I think in general Simon has summed up the fans changing attitude quite well there. I actually felt like things might be a bit refreshing and optimistic under Cellino back when he took over, but my attitude has been changing fast. He cannot blame all of our woes on the field on the fact that the FL are following up their case against him. The problems run much deeper than that. It smacks of a classic deflection, and he's picked the FL because of his issues with them, and he knows that collectively we Leeds fans aren't exactly keen on them! We do need some fight and determination and motivation on the field, but we also need better players. (In my humble opinion).
The guy is proving to every bit as big a ****er as Bates. Those of you who fawned over him should hang ur heads in shame. That article is the start of Cellino trying to wrap himself in ludicrous football league is anti leeds bollocks. In this instance the league are right. The guy is a crook and he should be kicked out of our club, no ifs no buts.... We will take whatever happens next.
Bit extreme, there's nothing wrong with being wrong from time to time. It's starting to look like I was wrong about Cellino, and I'm fine with admitting that
Wasn't having a pop at you. I was making a point about another poster who has spend weeks ridiculing those not buying what Cellino is selling, and has a 0% success rate in being right. I will give you a clue, between 59 and 61.
I didn't think you were glory mate, was just replying to a general comment with another general one I can't begin to imagine who it was actually aimed at though.....................................
And I understand and admire how YOU make the case for the counter view. I hope you are right, just can't see it, and it looks like the argument is swinging away from your position.
As a matter of interest, who gives a **** who's right or wrong. This point scoring thing is getting a bit tedious. Surely what's important is we get some sort of stable ownership and a fl decision that will allow the club move forward either with Cellino bankrolling us or farnhams outfit, gfh or bates or whoever. One things for sure, Leeds United cannot afford many more setbacks. It's already on life support and can't afford any more plugs to be pulled. Rant over almost
I'll be honest - it's a mixture of hope & trying to understand the extraordinary circumstances that Cellino finds himself in and wondering how I'd handle it. I'd have probably had a breakdown or blown my brains out ages ago. The underlying thing for me though is that it's clear that he hasn't made a penny on the Leeds acquisition. It has cost him a small fortune. And a lot of grief. This does not sound Bates-esque to me at all, so the comparison is unwarranted IMHO.
Think you are definitely onto something there WJ, though I can see the comparisons in terms of squad makeup. I admire your optimism but even you must be wondering how long we will hold on to our better players with little progression being made from a league position point of view? I think that's where a lot of the Bates comparisons come from, rather than rampantly ripping money out of the club like our old Chelsea friend did.
What doesn't add up to me jock is Cellino is a hugely successful businessman. He grew the family business to what it is today. You don't make that sort of profits making constant blunders. Compare that to the apparent cockup he's apparently made of buying and trying to run Leeds. It makes no sense whatsoever.
When did Cellino receive his ban, 1st December? We NEVER won a game in October - We only won two games in November Oh well, knew the excuses would start at some stage, I thought he wasn't buying the ground back due to GFH now it is the FL I guess there will be many still defending him, not for too much longer, it is only going to get worse and more lies. Leonardo Pavoletti is not coming because of wages, the Belgian and French guy are not coming because of the unease about Cellino's future, Mmm I thought he only had to step down until May.
I am not interested in if he makes or loses money. He is in the priveliged position of owning LUFC and instead of using it to fuel his ego he should be trying to restore it to greatness, and by playing fecking silly games and bringing in third rate cheap **** we are not getting any better, he created the hype, and he has totally failed to deliver. Imvho
What I read suggested he had greatly expanded a family business he inherited. Can't even remember where I read it glory as I've probably read ten novels worth of mainly ****e since
The Ross £11m is sitting somewhere, no comparison with Bates? Sold our leading scorer and captain. Sold our only other goal scorer in Smith. Lied about buying the ground back Ignoring the coaches plea to strengthen the squad Transfer window arrives and we possibly and probably exit it a weaker team by selling another captain. Moans about massive legal expenses. BLAMES EVERYONE ELSE. Nothing to do with him appointing coaches we have never heard of and players who we have to Wiki
ssssshhhhhhhh!!! Don't let him hear you say that! (though I am a bit shocked how much of what I assumed was wuming from him in the early days actually was quite accurate...don't let him hear that either)
