Leeds Banter Archive December 19 2011

 

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19 Dec 2011 22:31:19
If we're going to change our management team we need to do it now! If Grayson goes we will have time to bed the manager in and give them some time (January) to buy new players. Grayson has done a lot for us but I think it's time for a change, for some reason Grayson can't attract quality players (either because of wage structure or team prospects). The good players he has found has been a total fluke and where are they now? GONE!! I'd prefer to see someone like Mark Hughes or Gordon Strachen in charge, both have good football knowledge and between them I think they could add some bite back into the team, attract players and most importantly motivate the team. If Bates really wants Premiership football he needs to act now (come on Bates it's time to put up or shut up). Comments please. {Ed025's Note - why would you think that hughes, or strachan would do any better, with a miniscule budget?..it is going to take time, there are no quick fixes in this league...my advice to leeds supporters is..get behind your club and manager..

Believable4 Unbelievable4

Hi Ed, I think Grayson lacks personality and although we can attract some players because of our history and facilities a lot of players will sign for a club because of the manager and his vision. I agree with you on our budget but we've witnessed mistake after mistake from Grayson (Rachubka, Gradel, Beckford, Howson- yet to sign, Lees-yet to sign, shoddy defence and the debacle that was the transfer window). Grayson has had time to put his mark on the team and I just feel we need a change of direction (preferably up the Chamionship). Not bashing team or Grayson really I just want a Leeds team we can be proud of! {Ed025's Note - theres nothing wrong with that mate...but changing a manager is a big step, especially mid season!...i say give him till the end of the season, give him and the players your full support and have a re-think after that..

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Bigger named managers can sometimes have better contacts and can attract better players. {Ed025's Note - if they were that good a manager..they would still be employed!..

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In response how long before Martin O'niell or Kenny Dalglish decided to get back in the game, there are lots of very good managers that have a proven record that could take this team forward. I heard George Graham discussing his wishes to get back in the game on talksport the other week, I’m not saying he is the answer just an example. {Ed025's Note - george graham is an example?...of what exactly!

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Now does that really require explanation? {Ed025's Note - to me it does..

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In response to that comment by ED that if he was a good manager he would be employed is a stupid comment, you prob wont post this but thats stupid, nearly every manager has been sacked so is there any good managers? mouriniho he's been sacked must be a bad manager?, martin o'neil must be a bad manager, come on theres so many think bout what your saying jeez {Ed025's Note - most managers do get the sack or leave...but the good ones are re employed very quickly.....and you think o,neill is a good manager...give your head a wobble mate.!!

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Lees signed a lengthy contract recently, 4 years i think

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Ed your clearly are the leader of the rose tinted glasses brigade maybe you got shares in specsavers or something {Ed001's Note - or maybe you just don't have a clue? Grayson has done well in his career so far, he has won promotions and then kept Leeds in the Championship, with little to no money spent. I really don't see why everyone is on his back for not storming to the title this season. The arrogance of some of the fans is astounding. You seem to think you have a god-given right to walk to promotion just because you are Leeds. This is the most difficult league in England, probably in Europe, you are doing well, try getting behind them.}

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I like you ed! {Ed001's Note - which ed? If 025 he will be excited, in his 87 years of existence no one has ever liked him before!}

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Last post that makes alot of sense

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I would not want to see Grayson sacked since I think that he will get it right; however time will not be on his side either from the fans or the chairman. As for Strachan coming as manager I hope that whoever posted this has been on the cooking sherry since no one either sane or sober would want that! George Graham-I don't know how old he is now but first time around he stabalised and rebuilt a club that was in danger of relegation and if Grayson was sacked we could do a lot worse than bring him back.

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Sorry 025! It's 001's view I like, but I'm pretty fond of 025! {Ed007's Note - Ed025 is 001's dad, their popularity must be genetic, everybody hates me :-(

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19 Dec 2011 19:52:08
If anyone seriously believes Bates will spend some money in january we all need our heads banging together.

Only way Leeds will make the priemiership is if Bates leaves

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Boring, change the record mate. Unless you're on the board and know this for fact why waste your time posting stuff simply because you don't like Bates? He isn't perfect I know but spouting the same tedious rubbish is childish. The transfer window hasn't even opened yet! Judge after that and at the end of the season

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The past don't lie mate, I'm with the original post. The Summer is always the best time to spend - and we didn't... I'd be happy with this being the case if the clubs ambitions were stated properly. I think it's really unfair to comment on how Leeds MUST be promoted and at the same time call every player requesting an improved contract greedy inspite of the fact that our rivals will happily pay them. Bates is living in a dreamland, and I'd jump onboard with not paying the money and "living within our means" if he would shut-up and stop putting undue pressure on the team and manager who have done fantastically well with the resources offered.

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I was first to respond and can see your point mate. Now I don't love Bates or anything but he has said on numerous occasions (I remember him on the radio before the hull game especially) saying there was money to spend in the summer and that the money we got for kasper for example was there for Grayson to spend. Don't get me wrong, I know he isn't the most trustworthy but I think that Grayson was at fault in the summer - we almost bought Puncheon but he went to QPR being an example. Bates may not be a saint but I think Grayson was his worst enemy in the summer (although in fairness Gradel going so late probably didn't help).

I used to work there (and no not as a steward or something equally meaningless) and can vouch for the fact that the day to day running costs are through the roof, there isn't a huge budget for transfers for this reason, not because Bates is lining his pockets - he'll make his money from us when he sells up

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Meant to add too... I completely agree though that Bates saying we must get promotion isn't doing much and that one of his biggest problems isn't always what he's saying, it's the way he says it. Stating that he wants us to gets promoted, we've got a good chance etc should be the tact not WE MUST

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How would him leaving work then? just pack up his office and sit sunning himself in monaco?
only problem with that is we have no other buyer. face facts bates is the owner, not an employee, not an appointed or elected chair, not anything else. There is only two ways that leeds will not have ken bates in charge, one is someone putting in an actual real concrete offer to buy the club, and the other is bates dying. hopefully the former will happen sometime before the latter.

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To the chap who said bring in g strachen are you mad what as he ever done in management yes ok at celtic but my 11 yr old daughter could run celtic thats one man i dont want to see manage leeds. stick with grayson see who he brings in

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19 Dec 2011 19:43:42
Brett holman from az in Holland.
Andrea coda centre back from italy.

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19 Dec 2011 14:34:45
I don't get it- Derby play a 15 yr old forward in the first team.
We got Poledon (18) scoring and creating for fun and Gimple who's a similar age getting rave reviews about his defending.
Give them a chance- cant be worse than who turned up against Watford and Reading!

Believable12 Unbelievable1

Fully agree - As the saying goes "if your good enough your old enough" (believe it was Eddie Grays phrase)
Perhaps we need a manager that believes in youth policy (shocking to think McAllister was last to bring a youth through the academy especially when we have such a good record.)

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I thought the youngest you could be so play in a professional team was 16?

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Hasnt Lees and White come thru the academy this year? The lads are being brought thru when they are ready. It's a big leap from reserve/youth to 1st team.

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I posted first.
Yes Lees and white(although he played a few games previous to this season) but in all honesty they have been 2 of the better players this season.
That being the case is a good example to bring our youth to the bench.

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19 Dec 2011 14:30:07
wonder if somma will get a look in when he is back? he is hands down our best striker, goals to game ratio speaks for itself.

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Certainly better bet than becchio-no threat whatsoever-never looks like scoring-spends half the game on the floor-shields the ball then usually loses it or gives it away looks for free kicks -not the goal.surely time to give forsell a chance.

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Becchio has hardly had a chance this season, give the guy some credit, he was great for us in league 1, he was great for us last season IN THIS LEAGUE and has proven he works extremely well either with an out and out goal scorer (beckford) or on his own (like last season). He's struggled for fitness this season and hasn't had a good run of games to get sharp in my opinion because Grayson has been playing Keogh either on his own or upfront with Ross - incidentally, I think Becchio would be a much better option than Keogh when Ross is playing - Becchio proved himself as a good supporting striker with Beckford but he also scores goals unlike Keogh. Give the guy a chance!

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Just to also add, it's impossible to compare Somma and Becchio in my opinion - both totally different players. What Somma is poor at, Becchio is good and vice versa

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19 Dec 2011 14:18:55
Just seen Jordan Rhodes 4 goals for Huddersfield on Sat. He looks a great prospect. Can finish, can head, can run in behind. I can only dream. He is young, British, full of goals and an international now. I suppose he would go for 2mill plus. I would take a chance on him if i was a Bolton or someone like that in the Prem.

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Isn't he english? what international side did he turn out for? good prospect true, but town are going for promotion and would fight to keep him. {Ed007's Note - Scotland. He was born in England but grew up in Scotland while his dad was playing up here. He qualified under the ruling that he attended five years or more of schooling in a country.}

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Its the whole scoring goals in lower divisions debate, would he fit into our system?

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The long ball system, well his fourth was from that

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19 Dec 2011 14:05:49
My team v Derby:

McCarthy
Connolly Lees O'Dea White
Brown Vayrynen
Sam McCormack Snodgrass
Keogh

Subs: Talyor, Clayton, Kisnorbo, Nunez, (Pugh/Becchio)

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Thank god your not choosing the team them, the guy who never scores plays upfront on his own lol

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Lonergan instead of Taylor and that looks a solid team

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Nunez instead of Sam. I think that when Lees and O'Dea played together they formed a good partnership at the back

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See if Keogh can do a job in midfield. he works hard enough, if he can concentrate on passing and putting in tackles he would be an asset.

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Keogh in midfield is actually not a bad shout! Works hard, not a bad passer to be fair, good in the air, strong etc - might be a bit like smith when he dropped back (before he broke his ankle at manc) - seemed to suit him well. Keogh may actually be an answer to the holding midfielder we need although I don't really fancy experimenting now - that should be what the reserves and pre-season are for and I have a feeling we won't either extend his loan or get him perm now becchio is fit and somma is getting closer. My preference would be let Keogh go and get a proven goal scorer - would be money better spent

Don't get the criticism of becchio either - look at how good he was for us last season, he's proven he can do it in this league

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Clayton on the bench?? Your a disgrace to all Leeds fans. Probably best player in the league and you put him on bench. Please don't ever post another comment. SHOCKING!! {Ed003's Note - You obviously have a different opinion then,lol ]

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I think about 99% of people would share it somehow Ed :)

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Another post about a fan being anti leeds, or not a true fan what a response people have

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It's claytons' mum ;)

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Thank god your not in charge. Clayton on the bench?!

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19 Dec 2011 13:30:00
grayson lovers dont respond but anyone who thinks a change is needed for whatever reason who would you want in to replace him...


reliable answers please....

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Although im one of these so called Grayson lovers, hes not going anywhere :) but IF and only IF coz i dont want him out, IF he ever went you would only get the usual suspects in the frame, Curbishley and what have you, the only person id like to see replace Grayson with is O'Leary but thats when 'cat in hells chance' would apply

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Glen hoddle

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Glenn Hoddle? Are you mad

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O'Leary? You must be barking mad.

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Poyet!!!0

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To the person who wants Glenda Hoddle, would you have Eileen Drewery as assistant manager? Hoddle's a good coach, v poor man manager and a bit of a nut job. No thanks.

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Owen coyle in about 2 weeks

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Firstly I'll say replacing Grayson isn't going to solve much in my opinion - he's doing well with what appears to be a very limited budget (which in fairness, is our perception and we don't know if that's fact).

However a couple of points and observatioms:

Owen Coyle would be a great shout IF he gets booted by Bolton, I feel sorry for him that things aren't going right for him just now.

We all believe that Grayson is working on a shoestring budget BUT Bates has said on a few occasions this season and in pre-season that money is there for Simon to spend, ok so Bates isn't the most trustworthy I admit but what if he's actually telling the truth? I remember him saying on the radion before the hull game that Grayson had money to spend and it was upto him who he spent it on. What if it's actually Grayson that is useless in the transfer market and he is actually the root of the problem in attracting players?

Just a thought - again I know Bates talks rubbish sometimes but what if this time he's right - maybe Grayson deserves to be held accountable and NOT Bates?

Back on subject, Owen Coyle has the right attributes having got Burnley up, I really like Poyet too - think he was the mastermind when Wise was here (but wonder if he'd leave Brighton). Whoever said Glenn Hoddle needs shooting too!

I don't think Grayson will go though to be honest, he'll at least have until the end of the season which with a couple of decent signings, I think we've got a good chance of at least being in the playoffs, I just hope we don't fade in the 2nd half of the season as we've tended to do in recent years

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Gary McAllister

Don't laugh, this is his league. (think about it?)

1) Gary always wanted to play attractive attacking football; however he didn't have the players for this (they were Wise's long ball journeymen) and was also in a hard graft rather than finesse league.
2) He tried to bring through youth players (Aidan White and Fabian Delph) and probably long term would have brought through many more
3) He didn't need a big transfer budget as he could make great signings; (Robert Snodgrass, Dougie Freedman; Luciano Becchio; Neil Kilkenny) now you can't argue that these signings didn't work
4) maybe we didn't give him enough time, I think if it hadn't being for Histon after them couple of losses he would have still had his job.
5) I enjoyed watching Leeds under him. I remember stylish football (yes he couldn't win the playoffs, but neither could Grayson or Blackwell)

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A change was needed after the first season

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No better passing manager than hoddle revie tried ti sign him once so can't be bad. eileen drewery can she play right back

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19 Dec 2011 12:19:30
Why not have this as an idea? Grayson as an assisstant manager with same pay (probs crap anyway) and someone else as manager. Then the jokers that are snodin and that other guy will go which means good coaching staff and we will still have the input of grayson. That would be my dream situation. Firstly what does everyone think? Don't have a go for gods sake. And do you think this could work?

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I've not ticked agree or disagree as I do both......... I think that Simon Grayson is the right manager for Leeds right now & for the future - with regard him accepting a role as No. 2 to someone else ..... would you accept that if someone took your job and they asked you to stay on & assist them? Besides that there would be all the associated dynamics e.g. the new Boss would have to cope with SG's apparent popularity with the fans & wondering if that in itself was a Sword of Damocles/time bomb also they would want there own support/backroom staff so to that end I disagree with your suggestion.

However I do think that some of SG's support staff are possibly due a serious review so DO agree with you on that point.

Solution 4 key signings (not including Keogh & Pugh) plus an overhaul of coaches and/or techniques/tactics lets play football instead of kick & hope we already have several good players lets let them play!

Leeds TID

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No offence but you would never get Grayson to step down to assistant, Grayson is a great manager, just needs to be backed financially.

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Graysons out of his depth and we all know it, his tactics and man management skills are diabolical and he can't condone himself when under pressure even in post match interviews he sounds retarded

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Grayson isn't out of his depth mate, yes he's made some mistakes but my god he's made changes in games where we've pulled some kind of result out of the bag when it's looked unlikely.

Grayson dropping to assistant simply would work - I can see what you're thinking BUT it would massively demotivate him, send out a really negative message that he's not trusted and would cause major issues throughout the squad and staff. I think he's doing a good job (although again, hes made mistakes and some big ones), and will improve. Changing managers creates instability, we'd have the squad getting used to new training regimes, tactics etc. I personally think that it's the coaching staff we need to look hard at, something seems to be missing there and I think a couple of proven coaches should be a major priority - that would bring on Grayson just like a proven player does with the kids.

I think we need to stick with Grayson - i'd love to see what he could do if he had a bit of cash and a couple of good, proven and experienced coached round him

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Last post Grayson has a 28 man squad, he states that he has money, he publically accepted he also had the money from the sales in the summer i.e he has a bit of cash. He chooses not to spend it, why? imo because he knows that it will bring added pressure and expectance from the fans and that in turn will bring the exit door that bit sooner

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19 Dec 2011 11:43:38
simple fact.we just are not quite good enough to warrant a play off place never mind an automatic place.unless we buy 2 to 3 players we have no chance.yes we will win fair share of tough games but then lose a draw games which puts you in the top 6 mix.please dont anyone insult me by saying what more do we want or grayson this and that.i like grayson and hope he stays but please larry and bates just give it one final push,billy sharp,wilson from liverpool,maybe rob hulse,danny rose.these people can make the difference.to be fair we have done well to be where we are with our squad.im not knocking the team just lets be brutally honest and say we will not stop where we are for much longer.please just give it a go ken

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19 Dec 2011 11:13:26
SHAMBLES!! I have to say that the club appears to be in a mess - in particular the team. Criticism of Bates and finances are clearly relevant but the one thing that matters to me is the success of Leeds United - THE TEAM! Unfortunately purely from a team point of view it is a shambles! Poor loanees, very poor tactics, an uninspired crop of players and the biggest disaster is that from what I know/suspect SG has lost the belief of the players. Once this belief has gone it's time to call it a day as points will continue to be dropped until a new man comes in(Billy Davies would be my choice) and another season down the tubes. In my opinion unless something is done now about the manager this season is toast!!
I can totally understand those who would say lets wait untill the end of the season but by then another season is lost.
I am fully aware that there is more to this than SG being at fault but its time to go in my opinion. There are those who will differ from my opinion please just accept this and move on - I'm fed up with Leeds fans having digs at eachother over differences of opinion!

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Poor loanees Pugh keogh and o'dea 3solid players there mate not world beaters but no where near the worst players in that position every thing else is bang on tho good post mate

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19 Dec 2011 11:12:10
What is with all this true supporters post it seems that whenever anyone has an opinion that asks questions of the teams performance and yes Grayson that makes the poster anti Leeds and not a true fan. I believe that everyone who takes time to post about Leeds is a true fan. People need to look at the style and manner that Leeds play in, this club has always been able to get the ball down and play, and defend under Grayson we do neither we are a long ball team at best, and our goals against ratio speaks for itself. The problem is that i don't know anyone who is available that could do a better job.
My only request is that Grayson spends the money that he keeps saying is available. By not spending money is Grayson being clever because the pressure and expectance will rise by spending, repeatedly Grayson has said its he has money available, its time to start spending it and stop hiding, his anti football tactics are the root cause of Leeds second half of the season decline. This league is terrible and that is why we are 6th, imagine what Leeds could do.
Does Grayson know how to utilise his squad as he should this for me is reason behind Andy O’Brien he has a squad of 28 players not including the reserves. We have good technical players that are left to rot, we have no real player rotation no appropriate change of players and tactics in mind of the opposition that we are playing. Under Grayson Leeds have been a one trick pony long ball hit it early up top we constantly miss out our midfield. We also lack pace in key areas.

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19 Dec 2011 11:02:33
Billy sharp up for grabs at 3m come on guaranteed goals, be a super signing I think! MOT

SSN

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No chance we wont spend £300K never mind £3million.

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19 Dec 2011 09:41:29
Aston villa in for butterfield 2m apparently come on papa smurf show some intent

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19 Dec 2011 09:28:48
I'm not a grayson hater, nor a bates hater, however in my opinion there needs to be something done about the way we are performing. I've felt for a few weeks now that something is wrong within the squad, whether it is faith in the manager, or club or whatever. I do think that all parties need to sit down and find out the core reason and fix it. If it is lack of faith in management then unfortunately, grayson needs to go as that is the quickest way to fix the issue rather than turning around an entire squad. If it's the club then bates as owner should take a back seat and appoint a chairman as the front figure. Anything else needs to be looked at whether it's the complacency of certain players or over the top pressure from the fans. I just think that with the players we have there is no excuses for our performances and to me their seems to be some kind of deeper underlying issue that desperately needs addressing.

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19 Dec 2011 05:01:30
i appreciate everybody has their opinion on Bates but lets be honest hes not going anywhere, no1 at this present time wants to buy this club so for the time being were just going to have to put up with him, screaming Bates Out at ER creates a bad atmosphere, if we create a bad atmoshphere, we lose football matches, its that simple, and the Grayson haters need to think we could be worse, we could be Blackburn Rovers, Graysons got premier league potential about him and he deserves his chance at least until the end of the season to prove doubters wrong, and we all should believe in him instead of the witch hunt by a minority

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Totally agree with you ;-)

When Bates came I thought FFS but however he has done it he has kept OUR club alive I'd still count all me fingers after shaking hands with him but for now he will NOT sell so lets cut the negative chants support the lads playing by being UNITED then when we get promoted say "Ta Ken & thanks for selling us to someone that does care & not choose to alienate the fan base with moronic generalised insults!"

Leeds TID

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19 Dec 2011 01:43:07
were in 6th in play off place and pushing for promotion, transfer window coming up and who knows what will happen, I'll support Leeds united if we was in the conference league because that's how much I love this club, yes we have a history of been a top club but that's in the past, everyone is been unrealistic, im happy to be in a competitive league when every game we could win or could lose, I think were a long way off from being a top league team like we used to be, I'm just an old guy and love my Leeds and proud of us the way we are

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Great post but would still like Grayson to go he's took us as far as we can go,

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Consider yourself on your own mate when it comes to being satisfied with conference/League one/League 2 football

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Grayson and Bates together have done a great job so far,but recent weeks have seen performances go from the sublime to the ridiculous. Beating Forest and Millwall with relative ease and then giving 2 of the worst performances of the season against Watford and Reading- something can't be right and whatever it is needs to be sorted and quick. We are still in a great position to move forward in the second half of the season if the manager can fix whatever the problem is. If he can't then maybe he has done as much as he can

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