Some terrific comments in this interesting thread about"optimism". We all seem to want the same thing but differ on the means to the end. Every year lots of fans, from lots of clubs, start with the same feeling for a new start and success on the field.
I am no different and look back at years when we were a force in the top league. That was many years ago and at a cost of reaching for the stars making the club bankrupt. Lots of other clubs are in the same boat now and will go down the tube eventually. Football today is one big ego trip for some very rich foreign owners. The rest of the 36 or so other teams in the top 2 leagues just have to dream of one day someone coming along with lots of ego and ambition to succeed.
We at Leeds are caught up with a lot of other very well supported teams who are being used as a cash cow for some dubious characters who carefully milk the club of any profits they can get their hands on. Premier football is the ultimate dream for these characters because of the Sky connection and the even bigger rewards.
Bates fits the bill and has done well out of football, both at Chelsea and Leeds. We will never know the assests accumulated by certain characters in the game (Rangers FC springs to mind) One thing remains constant throughout and that is the optimism of the fans.
So, as it stands, I am hopeful for the coming season. I have read the comments above and see the points for most being correct in their opinion of the current state of things at Leeds. I think Bates has a BIG EGO and think that he will want to prove the point of being financially viable and reaching the Premier League. I cant see it happening without backing a proven manager with enough cash to achieve this over the coming season.
Next season there will be 12 or more clubs with the same passionate fans all dreaming of the same thing. Can we do it ? I'm optomistic
