You left out Bradley Johnson, Jermaine Beckford and Kasper Schmeichel. Do you REALLY believe Simon Grayson was in a position to publicly disagree with the chairman? He did state he wanted BJ and NK to stay shortly before they left.
I didn't leave out Schmeichal, I'm not for or against Bates in this thread. I believe Beckford wanted to go and we wanted to keep him I believe Johnson wanted to stay and we wanted him to stay but he wanted wages that he wasn't worth. It doesn't matter, I've got nothing against anyone who leaves leeds for the better. Gradel didn't leave leeds for the better and he wanted to leave. I really have no respect for him, couple that with the fact that I already thought he was massively overrated by fans and himself, I don't like those kind of people. I know Grayson wanted BJ and NK to stay and so did I but NK is not good enough for our team this year and BJ isn't anything that special Grayson said in an interview he made the decision to sell Howson. He wouldn't have said that if it wasn't true, he may have publicly agreed with it but he wouldn't have admitted to him making the decision. I cannot believe that Bates would sell a player without even talking to Grayson. People's views on Bates has been wildly exaggerated
So you agree Schmeichel was sold against his wishes? By offering him the same deal as he got when signed from non-league Wealdstone? We REALLY wanted to keep him? Is that plain ineptitude then? What was he offered, what was he worth? Massively overrated by teammates too since they voted him player of the year last year? Almost agree with you but NK wasn't good enough for the team last year. Like Ridsdale didn't talk to Venables about Woody? Which views are "wildly exaggerated?" Most seem bang on to me.
JLA, I don't know what we are arguing. Bates was stupid in some decisions. As I said, I'm not for Bates, I'm just not against him either. I won't be bullied into thinking what other people want me to, I'll form my own opinions and sadly I believe (not necessarilly you) that a lot of people who are anti-bates have been caused to think that way because of other people's more aggressive views. Schmeichal was sold against his will but I know no leeds fan that in hindsight would have done any differently, Schmeichal wasn't good enough so I don't understand the issue there Beckford wanted 15k a week from memory (I grew up with his brother and often spoke to them) and leeds were prepared to pay 8k I think. I cannot justify that in any way whatsoever, he was always worth the extra considering Schmeichal was getting 14k Johnson is an average player, may make it into this year's team but he is only worth 6 or 7k a week and I would assume that he wanted more than that and if that was the case then it was the right decision to get rid of him, if it wasn't then we shoulda payed up Yes, Gradel IMO was overrated. He has pace, thats it. His finishing is decent but not extraordinary, his crossing was nothing special, his weak foot was poor but all of that coulda been made up for it had he had good decision making but he didn't. Possibly one of the worse decision making players around. Admittedly, he isn't a bad player and he'd be in my team this season but he was not our best player that year, his goals made it look like he was better than what he was. A valuable player nonetheless though NK was good enough compared to the other players we had, we had no one else hence he was good enough. He shoulda been dropped the second Bannan came in on loan though and would have always been replaced this year regardless (or atleast I'd like to think so) Not changing my opinion, Bates would not have sold a player without talking to Grayson. Grayson always said he was involved in outgoings, we don't know how much he was involved but I really do think he probably made the final call in a lot of cases with guidance from everyone else rather than Bates picking apart the team as he wishes Heaps of views are wildly exaggerated. The view on him selling whoever he wants whenever he wants is not the case and is a view that is 'wildly exaggerated'. The same view that he keeps all the money in monaco is also 'wildly exaggerated', the view that he doesnt give two ****s about Leeds United is also 'wildly exaggerated'. The view that he doesnt care about the fans is 'wildly exaggerated'. Just because he does questionable things doesn't mean that he doesn't want the best for Leeds United. There is a difference of opinion between Bates and the majority of fans that what he does is the best for Leeds United
Nah, Im not saying your bullying and its refreshing to have a conversation with someone who actually reads what you have said and responds accordingly
Nice one chaps good to see 2 opposite views being debated with good comments on both sides. I go with Josh but can see the other side too.
Josh: arguing for the sake of it since June 2011 (or maybe earlier). I'd kill to have Maxi back. GET HIM, LEEDS.
If theres even the slightest chance we can get max back for next season Warnock should persue it! Lonners Connoly Lees ODea Robinson Snod/Brown/Clayton/Gradel Mccormack Becchio Wouldnt take much more investemnt IMO. CB & RB to be brought in if they will improve the first team and let Warnock whip them into shape.
Bradley Johnson was our most consistent performer last year, realy dug in for the last six months, The guy publicly said he wanted a starting 11 wage (not a top earners wage) Kilkenny wanted a starting 11 wage but he wasnt gonna be a starting 11 player. Gradel is by far the best signing of Graysons career. Schmeichels dog bab
If Gradel came back, then i'm sure you'd see other current players committing their future to the club. At least Gradel left for a fee and didn't wait til the end of the season, when he could have left for free, making himself and his agent a hell of a lot more money. How can people stand up for Howson/Beckford/Johnson etc, but criticise Gradel? Makes no sense at all. The only difference between them is that Gradel wasn't offered a new contract, the other 3 were.
I´d love Gradel to come back. Who cares about the reasons he left? Stop being bitter. Maybe he´s seen the error of his ways and realised he made a mistake. Absolutely fantastic player. Great pace, dribbling, good shot and finishing. Such an unpredictable player. We´ve missed him so much. I actually rate him as one of the best players we´ve had since we´ve dropped out the Prem, alongside Snodgrass and Beckford. Top player at this level and could do well in the Prem. Just thinking about how great our team was last season, with him, Howson and Johnson in the midfield, makes me pissed off about us not winning promotion and no keeping hold of them.
The article on gradel looks like its been wrote by an little kid. the way its worded suggest its bullshit from a complete amateur
Gradel's been nothing but complimentary about Leeds since he left. Absolutely fantastic player. Always gave 100%. Would definitely have him back.
no, im sure I have expressed my views on gradel before, probably not to this extent but Im sure you can find something contradicting that I have said previous. Gradel would get into our current team no doubt but he isn't the answer and I don't think we should pursue this. Although what you should ask YWBK says is right, you'd see a lot of players committing there future to the club if he does come back
Firstly, I hate this thread because it's just got my hopes up. Also, while I do believe that eventually it was Maxi's decision to leave, it was for personal reasons. He wanted to go back to the country he grew up in and be with his family. Since he left he's made it clear how much he loves the club and has always said he wants to come back at some point, if that point's now I'd welcome him back with open arms.
