Warnock: denial
Oh, dear. Here’s a spat that could have far-reaching consequences. Firstly Neil Warnock, fondly known as “Colin” by his legions of ex-fans, was heard on pisspoor radio station TalkSPORT to be making jovial remarks about his former player Jason Puncheon – after the latter missed a penalty against Spurs at the weekend. Colin opined that Puncheon lacked the “cool” to be selected as spot-kick man at a place like White Hart Lane. Jason was understandably not a happy bunny over this and he launched a series of irate tweets, many of which were swiftly deleted – and at least some of which appeared to make allegations possibly concerning the probity of Warnock in matters not unrelated to the appearance bonuses of players under his managership. Hell, it seems, hath no fury like a footballer dissed on the wireless and determined to bite back via Twitter.
Jason Puncheon
Warnock has since confirmed that the matters apparently raised in the ether are being “addressed on his behalf” directly to Puncheon. One senses the impending involvement of Messrs Sue, Grabbitt & Runn. It’s foreseeable from this point that a welter of denials and counter-accusations may well follow, and that at some point, the FA could wish to become involved.
Whether this gathering storm has any rain to shed upon Leeds United remains to be seen. There are those who are wondering away, in various social media, as to whether any light may be cast on the contractual situation and selection records of various un-named individuals who somehow managed to earn a living at Elland Road during the Colin era, despite a puzzling lack of form or fitness for a playing role with a major professional football club. Such are the whisperings that are always likely to go back and forth in the aftermath of hasty and precipitate tweets, especially tweets that appeared to allege various practices upon which the game’s governing bodies would be likely to look with grim disapproval – to say the very least.
Of course these matters, once put out there into the public domain, even if only for the briefest period – will have to be looked into. It’s possible to read a certain amount into the fact that the two men have worked together at the same club, QPR, and that – therefore – anything said in public might be expected to have some grain of truth in it, failing which it might be deemed extremely unwise and possibly costly, once the legal eagles (with apologies to Puncheon’s current employers Crystal Palace FC) get their talons into it.
For the sake of clarity and in the interests of avoiding any possible murkiness surrounding what is likely to be a developing story, a screenshot from the Twitter feed concerned is reproduced below. The blue touch paper appears to have been lit – it may swiftly become clearer as to the explosive potential of the detonation which could now result.
Those tweets, captured before disappearing
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
I’m sure he didn’t go to training much, but I don’t believe the rest of it. Colin has his faults, but I don’t think he does this kind of thing.
And most of his players can only get in on merit anyway – there isn’t enough money in the world to pay what it would take to get some of them into the team on anything other than the manager’s belief in them..
LikeLike
The contents of the Tweets are worryingly specific though, John. If Puncheon was just being spiteful, and making stuff up – then he has every right to be a very worried young man.
LikeLike
He will only become a worried young man if he fails to substantiate his claims/statements. When the poo hits the fan and he, (Puncheon), fails to have or gain any accurate support to ‘hold’ his claims against Warnock, his life will be a tad crap. Seven promotions and a lifetime in football can command a great deal of respect but is also quite a period to upset a few and create one or two enemies also. I’d put ma’ money on the FA having to push this one around…
LikeLike
Not that specific – who are “them”?
Even if this is true I don’t think it will get Puncheon anywhere other than court. He’ll need proof, and that will probably have to be in the form of witnesses. Fat chance.
We don’t need it though, I agree it’s worrying in that respect.
LikeLike
This is the tip of the iceberg and the Sleeping Giant will be part of it. Yes… the Titanic sank… eventually.
LikeLike
That’s well cryptic, man.
LikeLike
Just thinking if Colins’ dog is called Rosie?.
LikeLike
Go on….
LikeLike
No, it’s called Fat Paddy.
LikeLike
Things like this have been part of the game for as long as i can remember, george graham springs to mind , and there’s no smoke without fire rob , just ask mrbigwheels . !!!
LikeLike
Hello Mr O… Mr B here… I agree with what you say but are you condoning that ‘part of the game’?. Bungs , app money, etc… that’s what the man is claiming NW is guilty of. This one is current and will no doubt role on. Don’t care what happens really but I’m sure the lad has a case. Any Leeds players involvement… then that is poor but to quote you ”things like this have been part of the game for as long as I can remember”….. TRUE. Warnock will have to fight his corner carefully, may I suggest. Smoke from smoldering ashes…definitely at the mo’.
My time in football business…….. 25 years… Now retired Mr O.
LikeLike
No Mr b I’m not condoning anything that goes on that isn’t strictly within the rules of the game , just pointing out that nothing supprises me what people do or say , using George graham as an eg of “who would have thought hey” !!
LikeLike
Gentlemen – there is no smoke without fire. All add weight to shall we say “whispers” I’ve heard. Leopards and Spots……….and very much hope there will be a thorough investigation. Now there’s a thought given Shaun Harvey would naturally be involved – the plot thickens. Talksport could also say “dont need you this week”……….potential silver clouds following a very gloomy weekend
LikeLike
Sometimes there is smoke without fire – some people make things up completely out of malice.
If you want smoke, dear old Colin has strong views and one hell of a big mouth. He’s made a lot of enemies.
LikeLike
One of the things about Warnock that amazed and disappointed me in equal measure was the fact that in press conferences on more than one occasion he had no knowledge of the level of fitness of a certain player and whether he’d trained that day. How the hell can you manage a group of players and pick a team if you don’t at least visit the training field? When you think of how he also had no interest in the youth setup (lets face it he fell upon Byram by luck) and could only criticise the setup and atmosphere at the club rather than make improvements, you begin to realise what a complete and utter disaster he was. Until his signings have all gone we will still be suffering the handicap of having had him as a manager.
LikeLike
it would explain some of his selections Whats Brians excuse?
LikeLike
The dross left behind by Colin, I’d guess.
LikeLike
Then whats Brians excuse about his own signings ?
LikeLike
No doubt those pesky “London lawyers” will become involved. I also suspect that a certain Channel Island firm will have been briefed, as Bad Santa might suspect some of the club’s money that could have gone with all the rest to Monte Carlo, has instead found its way down to Cornwall….
LikeLike
I’m sure you’re aware rob , bobby Collins died today,,
RIP BOBBY
A TRUE LUFC LEGEND
LikeLike
I certainly am – one of the greats. RIP
LikeLike
although colin left a heep, Brian has signed the same amount of rubbish and fanceys Pugh and Austin as players? RIP Bobby Collins 1st capt. I watched (mixture of Giles & bremner )
LikeLike
Was it merely a coincidence the Michael Brown managed to play a sufficient number of games to trigger a clause that guaranteed him a years extension to his contract?
RIP Bobby Collins a midfield general in name & deed.
LikeLike
I think he played Brown because he felt he had to. He was never an automatic first team choice. Colin only gave him a contract at the last minute, on greatly reduced wages.
I really hope Brown doesn’t have the same deal this year. I’ve really had enough of him. The presence of him, Tonge and co. may well explain a large part of Brian’s reluctance to use his subs bench.
LikeLike