Leeds United Supporters Trust Invite The Ire of Bates

Brave or stupid? Accurate or speculative? Well intentioned or an attempt to cover their arses after extravagant claims that they knew of investors keen to purchase the club? Who knows, but the latest statement from LUST has just blown the lid off the Leeds United dustbin - and angered by the Levi court ruling, you can bet your life that Master Bates will be inviting his lawyers to run the rule over an outpouring which implies that the players are in revolt.

One thing is for sure, Warnock is returning from his hols to a club deep in crisis. If he's keeping abreast of events, he must be wondering if it is worth the headache. And that's the danger of the game that LUST are playing. As much as they may want to, they are not going to drive Bates out unless it is on his own terms. Warnock, on the other hand, may well decide to walk. His magic wand looked broken after taking charge anyway and he now has the perfect excuse to tell Bates where to stick his job. Forest must seem a much easier job at the moment and even Birmingham may hold an attraction given the present playing squad is stronger.

So as well intentioned as LUST unquestionably are, it may be that their latest step is ill advised. What do they hope to achieve exactly? What investor will be interested in a club where fans, players and the Board are at war with each other? Why would Snodgrass want to hang around now? Last season may have been disappointing but mid table obscurity is preferable to a relegation battle, and a club at war with itself usually struggles. Never mind investors, what players worth their salt would want to join if the dressing room is genuinely as disaffected as LUST suggest.

One thing is for sure, if there really is a simmering player revolt as LUST suggests, then a leader needs to step forward rather than hide behind anonymity. Say what you like about the bastards who used to wear the shirt, one thing they could never have been accused of was being meek.