That was not what Master Bates ordered! And with the purse strings pulled tight and the present team woefully inadequate - as the hammering by Forest demonstrated - it is hard to see the marriage of Leeds and Warnock lasting too long. Can two egos like Bates and Warnock share the same living space for too long before the verbal brickbats start flying?
Of course, it is the same old problem with Bates - he wants to run a football club along sound financial lines and that means shipping out your best players as soon as you get a decent offer for them, even when the sales generate very little cash in the big scheme of things.
How much did Leeds generate in transfer revenues at the end of the day? What did Gradel go for as an example? The fee was undisclosed but it wasn't megabucks and, although not Messi, he went on to score six goals in 24 starts for St Etienne, having finished the previous season as Leeds' Player of the Year. For Bates, the balance sheet looked healthier but given investment is crucial for growth, the short term gain was at a huge potential long term loss. Leeds missed out on the playoffs by 14 points - a massive final gulf it is true - but had Gradel and Howson been retained, and money been spent, the potential revenue from a season in the Prem would have far exceeded what Bates saved.
We shouldn't write Warnock off yet - he has a fantastic record in the Championship - but it may be that Leeds under Bates are destined for a long stint in the second tier of English football. We saw nothing over the final third of the season to suggest that they will challenge for promotion next season and if things are not going well by Christmas, it is hard to see anything other than an acrimonious divorce ahead. Unless Warnock is offered another job and walks out over the summer!
The problem was getting players on contracts. Gradel had only 1 year left on his contract. Nunez had 4 and didn't feature.
ReplyDeleteBradley Johnson and Neil Kilkenny left because Grayson believed he could get better. But the manager isn't the one who actually negotiates with players at Leeds.
Where's your proof of this? Maybe Gradel Howson Johnson and Kilkenny left because they were just greedy. Or just as likely because they hated playing for Grayson.
DeleteThe problem with blogs is that any clueless idiot can post them.
ReplyDeleteJohnson and Kilkenny left because Leeds would not match the money (or even get anywhere near it) offered elsewhere. This is because Bates has a one man crusade against footballers wages, which I agree with in principle, but simply doesn't work without others conducting themselves along similar lines.
ReplyDeleteYeah we had a poor season but still played west sham off the park twice I'd worry about the play off game if I was you coz I've got £50 that we'll be playing you again next season !
ReplyDeleteI think we need to forget the past, and look forward to next season. We needs 7 new faces in with pace and power including full backs that can overlap wingers with energy and good pre-season, and I'm sure we'll finish play-offs at least. MOT
ReplyDeleteBates is simply using a "profitable" Leeds United as a cash cow, with no reinvestment in the playing squad. This also includes some of the highest ticket prices, even including the Prem League. Along with undisclosed stadium and training ground ownership which is costing extortionate rents ( with the ownership highly rhumered to be Pappa Smurf himself ), and Bates legally bound to payback creditors if promotion occurs within the next 2 years ( following the dodgy administration which he instigated, and then repurchased the club ) Leeds unfortunately have a parasite at the helm who is only interested in personal gain.
ReplyDeletewhat a load of crock
ReplyDeleteYour type of manager. Old school and out of touch. I told you he was crap HF
ReplyDeleteWarnock is building his own team as his problem was that the players he inherited weren't good enough. Only half of your blog is true in that Bates sold some good players and did not invest in the team. The difference now is that Warnock wants to hit the ground running and we should should see some quality signings to replace the quantity of dross being released. The 2nd half of your blog is therefore pure fantasy. There will be no falling out as Warnock only has one season left on his contract (his choice) and wants a record 8th promotion all of his own as he holds the record for 7 jointly with Dave Bassett and Graham Taylor. If West Ham don't go up, you will see a different Leeds United team next season. One that fights for every ball and doesn't give up to the final whistle. Your blog is essentially lazy and ill informed and for your sake West Ham better go up this season or you will have a serious rival for promotion next season!
ReplyDeleteMuppet!
ReplyDeleteWhatever happens it won't be as quick as the speed with which Big Fat Sam and West Ham part company after Blackpool spank your arses next weekend!
ReplyDeleteProblem Leeds have is despite being the biggest club outside the Prem, the chairman doesnt match the ambition and gradually, the club is being overtaken by smaller clubs who will spend a fortune to get back to the Prem.
ReplyDeletePointless article from someone who hasn't a clue what he's talking about. If Leeds could pay a fraction of West Ham's wages and Transfer budget they'd be promoted already .
ReplyDeleteTake Nolans 50 grand a week for example.Even Premiership clubs cant compete.
Warnock will make Leeds very competitive next season on a fraction of West AHam budget.
'The problem with blogs is that any clueless idiot can post them.' said one clueless idiot.
ReplyDeleteLeeds had multiple injuries and suspensions and the form was in decline and it carried on from Grayson because Warnock was brought in our of the transfer market. He couldn't do much. Only a fool would judge him even slightly on so far.
ReplyDeleteSpot on Anonymous @12|07
ReplyDeleteLook guys, the aggressive response is bordering on the incredible. I say nothing controversial here, and nothing anti Leeds nor anti Warnock. My criticism is of Bates and his reluctance to invest to secure promotion. Why the vitriol? I don't like Leeds, who does apart from Leeds fans, but I haven't attacked the club in this thread at all.
ReplyDeleteI do..all the way from singapore
DeleteLets just see where they go and how Warnock will do with the club. This blog is just too early to be posted. Wait for the season to start then post your thoughts. I mean... Lol! That title... That title gave you those negative responses. Nothing has even happened yet. Dont be an idiot.
ReplyDeleteHammersfan, as a Leeds United fan and season ticket holder for over 30 years, i've read your blog with interest and i think that your comments are absolutely spot on! I wouldn't be surprised if Warnock throws the towel in before the season even starts!
ReplyDeleteHammersfan you are an idiot. Durham is right about West Ham and its fans.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to watching Blackpool beat your lot.
Gutted you hate Leeds. Believe me West Ham arent particuarly liked, except by the small amount of West Ham fans there are.
Small club with a big ego. You're a small man with a big mouth
HF, if I was. a Leeds fan I wouldn't be overly happy at another cub's blogger providing an opinion on my club, so I think you shouldn't have expected any other response. That being said there was no attack on Leeds but rather Bates who I believe Leeds fans don't exactly want to bring home to meet mother, so refer to my first point. As to Blackpool spanking us, we have already put 8 goals past them this season with a team not in anywhere near as good form as we are now, so sorry if Leeds fans statements don't exactly have me quaking in my boots. We will look forward to welcoming you back to the PL season after next, because you do belong, as a club in the top flight, but we will then give you a few of the best. JMan43
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that big mouth Durham is right about is that he is a Ginger haired Posh fan. JMan43
ReplyDeleteThanks for blogging this, I was undecided about who to support in the play off final.
ReplyDeleteSmall club from the North
v
Small club in Bangla Town.
Pretty much everything you say is correct, I think the negative responses are mainly because you seem to talk with a certain level of authority and knowledge on the happenings at Elland Road, which, to a degree you do have, however, you have omitted information about the big summer overhaul under way at Leeds, i.e. around a dozen players whos contracts were up this summer not being renewed, a further six players transfer listed, and if the manager gets his way and moves the transfer listed players on, only around ten of this season's players will be featuring in next season's squad for us in what will be a lean, versitle, powerful and hungry squad of around 20/21 players. I think your estimation that Leeds and Warnock may head to a nasty divorce could come to fruition though, already Warnock has stated he wants the majority of his players in for July 1st for the start of preseason with three or four more to added to our first signing Jason Pearce before the end of May, our chairman however has told us about how many football clubs will not pay wages for new players until August hinting that our signings will be made late in the summer so already we seem to have issues arising.
ReplyDelete