Yes, I know its stupid o'clock and the birds are still asleep, but I am really fcuked off right now. Another shambles on the pitch and a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of the mighty Watford really rubs the salt in. We have spoken at length on this board about the lack of quality and pace in our squad, how under Bates our previous managers assembled a group of journeymen pros running down their careers. Yes, Elland Road had become a bit of an old age home for those seeking a final payday, but this run of diabolical form is really pathetic, regardless. I have written before that since the takeover talks began in January our form dipped because the vast majority of players in our squad believe they won't be here next season. I am convinced that is the case now. The ones whose contracts are expiring in a couple of months know for sure they're done, and a number of those left with time on their contracts will be thinking the chance of them being at Leeds next season are very slim ... and it shows. Those lucky enough to wear the famous White shirt are committing the one cardinal sin any Leeds United player can commit ... they just don't care anymore. I'm sorry, but when the badge clearly doesn't matter anymore, that's when I have a big problem with the players. Regardless of the situation the club is in, a well paid professional needs to go out onto the pitch and demonstrate the first quality needed, and that is work ethic. Not all teams are equal in terms of quality, but one thing that every team can produce that matters is hard graft and pride in your performance and the badge you represent. This group of Leeds players are beyond that now. The news that the club is now out of crisis should have provided relief, a spark of something, but no ... nothing changed on the pitch at all. Cellino has a huge task on his hands. The squad is in desperate need of major surgery, and that is going to take a sizeable sum of money to accomplish. How much? I'd guess that if you want to win promotion automatically, at least £50m. We are not talking about a handful of new players here, we're talking at least a dozen QUALITY signings who will not only get us to the Prem, but also be capable of winning the bottom tier battle once we're there. For now though, we will have to endure the gutless "performances" this group of "professionals" are dishing up. At least they have confirmed one thing, the majority of them don't deserve to be here next season, and they probably won't be. A lack of talent you can understand and forgive, but a lack of courage and desire ... well that has no place in those wearing the White shirt. Disgrace? No, these players are far worse than that, and they don't deserve to be called Leeds United players. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
You're absolutely right. It certainly looks like that way. Old past it pro's looking for a final big pay day, though I'm not sure I'd put Brown into that Category. I know its only a replica, but I wear my shirt with pride.
Brown is being paid at least twice what he's worth and given the amount of actual game time this season, he's another luxury not needed around the place next season. If he agreed to halve his wages, might be worth considering
Brown is worth every penny we pay him. Yes he isn't the most naturally gifted footballer we have. But if players like Mowatt, Murphy and Tonge were to put in anything like the shift he does or show anything like the same level of passion for the shirt he does, we wouldn't be in thi mess in the first place.
Brown can leave ER with his head held high you cant say that about the majority of them and you are right Billy we have had too many journey men they need to go!
Brown would have played a lot more games this season if we didn't have a manager who is totally clueless. He's also fitter than players half his age, Mowatt for example, and always puts in a decent shift. He's also twice the player Austin is.
Give it a day or two guys & the violin cases will arive from Scicily, along with a few blokes in dark sunglasses and black suits. Brown may well survive given the lack of experienced options at the moment. Austin, Mowatt, Murphy, Ross and a few others may also survive. But there's going to be a few lumps of concrete in the shape of overcoats floating down the Aire river!!!
The squad is dire, I'd honestly be tempted to pay everyone off and start afresh. The only players I'd consider keeping, based on their performances this season, would be Pearce, Rosco and Smith. God knows where we'd be without McCormack this year...
McD is finished, we can all agree that's a given ... kiwi, I am not sure about Ross, this has been a standout season for him and I genuinely wonder if he can repeat this form ever again, never mind next season ... if someone put up £4m for him I'd take it, and I have a feeling one of the three promoted clubs may well make a bid of £4m-plus for him when their Prem riches roll in Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
A standout season with no midfield and no defence. Imagine how he'd do if we fixed those and he got some service and a decent strike partner?
He's scored 27 goals with next to no service. He constantly spends half the game in the centre circle, trying to create things from deep because the rest of our midfield are non-existent. He's a talisman; a creator and a goalscorer and the only true quality player we really have. Selling him would be a mistake as far as I'm concerned - we need to add quality to the squad, not strip it away.
Look, I don't doubt McCormack's quality at all, and his goal haul this season has been nothing short of phenomenal, I just don't think that mentally he will repeat ... it is going to be very hard for him to do this again next season, be it at our club or elsewhere ... do we gamble on him repeating or do we take good money and use it against the squad? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
A lot will depend on McCormack himself. He may not fancy taking a chance on another crappy season like this one again. When he looks back, I doubt there will be much about this season he has enjoyed
