C'mon chesh, it's a forum for debate and opinions, not twitter where people only write 1 liners. We need the umph and meaty bits to make it interesting reading.....
Kiwi, I have no issue debating various points, but I like to think I look at the wider picture and consider what circumstances dictate the points we're debating. For example, people on here keep rattling on about Cellino's promises. I'm almost certain that he cannot express himself as he wishes in english. I strongly suspect that his announcements are more aspirational than promises - i.e. what he's like to see achieved, rather than a binding promise, but it doesn't translate like that. He's long in the tooth in football and knows that promotion cannot be absolutely certain in any period of time, no matter what country or league you're in. I cannot believe he made a cast iron promise to us. He may be irrational, but not that irrational. Buying back ER was another one. When he spoke of that, it was before he brought in the finance gurus that exposed the real state of the club. Even selling off McContract, we still failed the FFP rules & still continue to break even at best - and that was after massive cost cutting! I'm sure we'll get there in the end, but the impression I get is that many on here would rather we went ahead with the purchase anyway, no matter the financial implications. Cellino would (rightly) be torn apart for risking our existence by achieving that lofty aspiration when we just cannot afford it. Remember Risdale? So what would you prefer - financial prudence or buying ER when we can't afford it, whatever the consequences? One other point before I forget. You have told a blatant lie in your post - Thompson was not sacked. He was suspended, and his contract will not be renewed. Using sensationalist terms like 'sacking' in these circumstances is something i would expect of the various newspapers that hate us, and abundance of lifelong Leeds-haters out there. I'm shocked that a Leeds fan can use such a term that unfairly shows our club in a bad light. Finally, about Redders player choices. He had a clause in his contract so he could play who he wanted. He did. And almost got us relegated. We had a good run which saved us, coincidentally matching Thompson's contribution to our season, then on his departure, we fell apart again. Note that Redders was picking the same players after Thompson's exit, so it does not lend credence to your point that it was only when we got rid of the Italian mob that we played well. We did, but only for about half a dozen games. Hardly solid evidence for your assertion. I also note, btw that you state that "The majority of the players were in their first or second Championship season" in one paragraph to prove a point, then further on when talking about replacing the Italians, use the phrase "in favour of proven Championship players". So what are they - proven or unproven?
Just one point WJ - Selling Ross would surely show on the next set of results or the interim report that has been submitted. We were already going to be hit with the embargo before we sold him
You're probably dead right on that one. I wasn't sure, hence the 'breaking even at best' reference to the next financial year, just to cover myself.
I would much rather financial prudence - but I'm sick of 'we'll get promoted in two seasons, else I've failed', 'I'll buy back ER as soon as I own the club', 'I won't sell McCormack', etc etc. If he can't keep his promises, he should keep his mouth shut in the first place. It may be exciting for a lot of fans to have such an eccentric personality in charge, but I'm tired of it to be honest. The man's a liability. Fair point regarding Thompson, though I don't think it's nearly as shocking as you're making it out to be, simply an honest mistake. I still maintain it completely undermined Redfearn and the team though - his impact was clear, as you yourself point out later on in your post. He didn't 'almost get us relegated'. We were dangerously close to the relegation zone at Christmas, but we stayed up comfortably in the end. I agree that Redfearn deserves as much blame as Cellino for the position we were in at Christmas - I made that clear in my previous post. Bamba and Thompson coming in, the switch from the diamond to 4-5-1, the rejuvenation of Murphy, the addition of width (albeit in the form of two full backs-turned-wingers) - all played a part in keeping us up. I think it's fair to say that Thompson's suspension upset the team - either that or Redfearn relied more heavily on him than he let on. Either way I do believe if Thompson had stayed our end of season collapse would have been mitigated somewhat. I can't prove that, obviously. 'Proven' Championship players may have been the wrong terminology - I should've said players with experience of the English leagues. Bamba, Wootton, Austin, Sharp, Morison, Murphy - all came in and did a decent job to keep us up. Morison and Sharp didn't score too many but Morison was a decent focal point to play off of and Sharp chipped in with a few goals to grab us a few extra points. The majority of the foreigners either hadn't adapted to the league properly or were not the sort of players you need in a relegation fight (Adryan in particular springs to mind).
We were nearly relegated because players were not good enough neither were the coaches. Cellino appointed them all, early signs this season are that he is looking to make ammends, I will concede that one. The first few players through the door will lay down a big marker for me then it will be how long can he (Cellino) stay out of it all
