We Are Leeds
Massimo Cellino continues to divide opinion among fans of Leeds United as he goes about assessing the nature and extent of the undoubted mess behind the scenes at Elland Road. He appears to be a decisive sort of bloke, to say the least. Draconian, even – just how severe and ruthless he can be we will probably see in the not too distant future.
Right now, his work has hardly begun. But, early days though these are, it’s proper and relevant to wonder about Cellino’s long-term aims. Part of this longer-term view has to involve the question of whether or not the King of Corn knows exactly what he’s bought into. What would constitute success for Leeds United? After all, the club has been out of the spotlight for well over a decade. Surely, expectations are on a whole different level from the days when the club was at the forefront of the game?
One school of thought is that for any owner to buy into a limited view of the potential of Leeds would be a big mistake. After all, Cellino hasn’t acquired a Leicester City here, nor even a Newcastle United a West Ham or a Sheffield Wednesday. These are all clubs whose fans will happily accept membership of the Premier League, albeit two-thirds of the way or so down the modern pecking-order. At Elland Road, the club anthem is “Marching On Together” – but a shorter, more tribally-assertive chant is heard with even greater regularity. “We Are Leeds”, it states – quite simply and without qualification. In those three short words, the fans sum up the identity of a club that knows it’s out on a limb – and of those fans themselves, who expect such a massively loaded chant to be taken as confirmation, were any needed, that this is not just any club.
On the last two occasions that Leeds United has motored into the top flight, it has had a brief look around, settled in – and then taken over at the top. It actually took longer for Revie’s troops to do this than it did for Wilko’s Warriors – but the Revie dynasty compensated by lasting longer. In both cases though, there was a distinct lack of respect and trepidation as the Whites moved on up. There was no suggestion of timid apprehension. They came, they saw and, in due course, they conquered.
The top flight is, it almost goes without saying, a very different place these days – and not necessarily in a good way. But the tradition of supporter expectation goes back a lot further at Leeds than it does at most other clubs. Some ostensibly big clubs have given up on the idea of ever being champions, and one allegedly massive outfit in the north-east has even acknowledged that winning trophies appears nowhere near the top of its agenda. For that one-time giant, the balance sheet and the income that goes along with Premier League status is first, last and everything. But what sort of message does that send out to the fans? And could you see such a state of affairs being accepted at Leeds?
Whatever the contrast between the top-level environment now, as opposed to when Leeds United last breathed that rarefied air, the assumptions of the support upon attaining that level will be that the club will then set about finding the best and most effective way to the top. It’s in the DNA of Leeds United fans to want to compete at the summit of things – and a dim view would be taken of any lowering of standards, any reduction of objectives. That begs the question of what is possible – and what kind of player will we be looking to attract?
At the top end of the Premier League, there now seems to be an acceptance that the player is King – and that those demanding egos will settle for nothing less than ever-increasing pampering and worship from clubs and fans alike. The ridiculous Yaya Touré “birthday” story is ample confirmation of that. Is that the kind of thing that Leeds United fans really want to see happening in the name of their club? So the supplementary question to the main one of “What do we expect once promotion is achieved?” might well be: “Hang on – do we really want promotion at all??” Of course we bloody do!! – I hear you say, indignantly. And yet it would seem quite possible that, once promoted, our legacy of extravagant expectations could well be at odds with our characteristic, cynical suspicion of the kind of “flash” behaviour exhibited by Mr Touré – as well as by sundry other pampered, overpaid, out-of-touch egomaniacs in the self-proclaimed “Best League in the World”.
As you might have gathered, this blog finds itself in somewhat of a dilemma. The question of whether Cellino is sufficiently aware of the historical expectation levels associated with this club is one that has troubled me for a while. It is quite possible that he might be looking at turning us into Premier League survivors-and-little-more, such as Newcastle. That would be bad enough, at least on the face of it. But what if he did then want to go the extra mile and get us up there into that top four? It’s an almost impossible dream anyway; the competition would be hot and ludicrously expensive. But if we did make it – how would we, as fans, relate to the kind of players and egos that would inevitably then populate our first team squad? Would we feel any connection with them at all? Or would we long for the days of Jermaine Beckford (for the younger ones) or Gordon Strachan, or Billy Bremner (for the lucky and really lucky ones)?
Football is a competitive sport and, over time, you have to be aspirational; you have to be aiming higher. In the case of Leeds United – whether Massimo Cellino is aware of this or not – you have to be aiming for the very top. But now there is that baffling conundrum: in aiming for and reaching that summit -would we be mortgaging the very soul of the club? Look at Manchester City – how on earth can the City fans, many of whom were visiting third tier outposts of the game not so long back, possibly relate to the fact that their best midfielder appears to have the mental processes of a four-year old?
Where Leeds United are right now – stuck in the league below the top one and about to embark, we must hope, on a rebuilding of the club – is a good place and the right time to be considering what we actually want for our club in the longer term. It’s the right time and place, because what we demand now, in this comparatively normal and down-to-earth league, might just have an effect on where we end up in the next few years, depending upon the readiness of Cellino to listen. And what this comes down to is that old saw “Be careful what you wish for – you might get it”.
Does Cellino really know what “We Are Leeds” means, and the pride and ambition behind that raucously-assertive statement? If he does – is he game for trying to get the club eventually back up to that old, accustomed place near the top of the game? And if he actually manages that – in these new days of footballers with world-class talent, massive egos and wage packets, but tiny brains – would we end up thanking him for it? Or might we instead damn him?
Just what do we want? I feel that the answer might eventually lie in a radical restructuring of the game in this country, possibly on the German model of fan-owned clubs and a more affordable product for all – and almost certainly a FIFA-ratified wage cap that escapes the beady eye of the European pay commissars. That could take years and would certainly meet with stiff opposition from the current interested parties. But that sounds to me much more like the kind of environment I’d like to see Leeds United promoted into. The current set-up invites along those ambitious enough to want merely to be cannon-fodder for the “big” clubs – the likes of Southampton and Leicester. Try as I might – I can’t see Leeds United, the club or the fans, wanting to settle for that as a way of life.
It’s a conundrum alright – ambition versus dissatisfaction with what we’re shooting for. I’d love to know what Massimo thinks, and what his understanding really is of the Leeds United mentality. And I’d love to know what you think – so your views are, as ever, most appreciated.
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
Hi Rob, another good un , when Revies team where on the up the lads you could see them in the White Horse pub on a Thursday night chatting to the locals, I don’t think that would happen now but it helped the getting the crowds at ER.
Barry
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I’m glad you mentioned Newcastle rob as I think that is probably his long term goal. Contrary to some fans opinions, cellino isn’t a billionaire and we wot be able to compete with the likes of Chelsea and man city financiallly EVER. Neither will we be allowed to take on a world record debt like the scum, which would be unadvisable for any club to copy, although they will probably be alright the FA will bend over backwards to make sure they survive if their gamble goes belly up.
But I will settle for being like a Newcastle, it sure bloody beats being stuck in the championship. (or league 1 no doubt if gfh were still in charge)
Another thing cellino needs to get is just how much the media and authorities hate Leeds. I’m rather worried about how he’s conducted business through the rags. This may have worked at a nice little plucky underdog club like cagliari but leeds us a different matter.
Need to keep business in house and away from the tabloids which are looking for any excuse to stick the knife in and give it a good twist. A Fortress Mentality.
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As one of the ‘younger ones’ my ambitions as a Leeds fan may be slightly tempered but if we were to get promoted, I would certainly not mind hanging around in mid-table for a few years. It is a foot in the door, and after a few years of gorging itself on Tv money, perhaps the club could kick on to a European spot.
Hopefully the more open nature of the EPL this season will continue, and we see a few good teams tearing up the script (This will play into our hands should we reach it soon). Needless to say this involves Salford FC failing dismally again. How refreshing to see them absent from the top!
For what it is worth, Massimo seems an ambitious man and once he has driven his Ferrari into the Premier League, I can’t see him parking it.
He doesn’t strike me as a man who wants to make money, but as a man who wants to win. A man who wanted to make money could have sat comfortably on Cagliari until his deathbed, buying Leeds was a statement of ambition.
A very good article as always, frequent reader, first time commenter.
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hi rob.theres no doubt cellino is in it for the long haul,but if u look at his previous spending power at the italian club,he never spent much on players.he prefered to bring them in from the youth team,then had to sell them.thats all well and good,but free transfers,and youth players wont get us promoted.the premiership is a different kettle of fish.we would have to invest big time.has i write this,season tickets have been suspended due to a winding up petition…..oh excellent.this is leeds folks.
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Because Burnley spent millions this year. We have a top 10 academy that is only going go improve under Cellino. I don’t remember anyone saying anything about just free transfers ever, it’s called living within your means and if you want to be successful in the long term you have to do it. Still, I expect Cellino to make some shrewd acquisitions. As for spending big, not only is it not going to happen, it’s unnecessary. Southampton are flying at the moment and they were in league 1 a few years ago. They got to where they are through been a well run club with a great academy, which is the exactly what Cellino is trying to do, but we have a large ground and legendary support to help us on the way. If you stop winging and been negative, you might actually enjoy our ascension.
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Whinging is my stock in trade pal – as for “been” negative – if I went all positive with the way things are, people would think I was on acid.
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Mate I look forward to our ascension starting, tell me where I missed the green shoots. I support MC currently 100% but need to see some positive action not just the destructive side buying back ER would be a great sign of his intent irrespective of his plans for TA. I wait for the first positive signs, I bought my season ticket btw on the first day online through the zebra thing no problems
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He has Cagliari for 22 years and more or less kept them in Serie A. Cagliari being a small club on a scantily populated island which you might liken to for example Douglas on the Isle of Man. He has bought Leeds BECAUSE he sees the potential which matches his ambition. It seems to me that many blog fans just can’t accept they now have the right owner of the club and want 10 years sorting out in two months.
He knows a lot more about running a football club than all of us put together will ever know. He may be a bit wacky but for Christ’s sake give him a chance to sort everything out satisfactorily.
Does anyone out there really think he will be satisfied with anything less than aiming for the top four in the Premiership?
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Even so. money talks.
cellino does not have the money of abramovitch or the Arabs at man city.
unless the rulers of football start bringing in wage caps and stuff we aren’t ever going to win the premier league, ever.
there’s no reason we can’t one day be like an everton though, getting in the European spots, maybe getting an FA cup.
this applies to all clubs except the ones with multibillionaire owners. next season will be 2 horse race between Russian and Arab billionaires and their pet teams. (liverpool will have to contend with more fixtures)
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Leeds fans want to walk down the sea front anywhere in the world and people know that we are a team and fans who always aim to be the best. That is what pride in support means (to take a phrase from the LUFC website). Sure the premiership and money and player egos is all shine and a million miles away from the real football of pre 92 but it is all there is and while we exist we must aim to master it. One day we may get back to a place where money does not equal success, perhaps an American NFL drafts type system for academy players. Until we get back to real football we need to be the best at what passes for it.
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Have supported Leeds United for 44 years and want them to return to the top of the Premiership, in due course, which means that the financial stability of the club comes first. Am convinced that Cellino wants Leeds to be great again and he has the financial muscle to bring this ambition to fruition. However, it is not just about the money, it is about the quality of the decision making at the top. Does Cellino know and understand top-level English football? No, he does not. How can he? Therefore, his managerial and “consultancy” appointments have to be top-class. Carbone could work out. But the key issue concerns McDermott. Is Brian McDermott a good enough manager for Leeds United? He is not in the same class as Don Revie or Howard Wilkinson or David O’Leary. However he knows how to win the Championship and on the basis that humility rules, and taking into account that we have been left in a parlous financial position by the pain from Bahrain (seriously though does GFH stand for “good for hiatus” – that unfit and bad person/jailbird test is certainly on the money) we may need to “assume the position” and accept the need to continue with Brian McDermott until the end of this year. But we also need to bring in six good new players during the next nine months; one goalkeeper, one central defender (who can actually defend,please), one defensive midfielder (who can actually defend, please), two wingers (who do try to get to the by-line and cross the ball into the box, please) and an inside- forward to cover for McCormack.
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I think there is a need for caution. Man City have mortgaged their souls in the search for success. For me, the major difference between the current crop of top flight players and the Leeds of the Revie era, is that those Leeds players were a part of something much bigger, no matter what their individual contributions were. They would take one or give one for the team! The fans can identify with that. I cannot recall one player exhibiting such ego driven behaviour such as Toure. The team and the fans wouldn’t stand for it. Some players still get that. Ross McCormack understands ‘we are Leeds’, he has bought into it. That mentality is what we need to nurture. I believe team spirit and by team I include fans, management, everyone, will help to defeat those mega rich clubs made up of individuals!
If I were a Man City fan, I would gladly swap their present crop for Francis Lee, Mick Doyle, Mike Summerbee, Colin Bell et al. They knew what it meant to be part of something special and had the respect they deserved as rivals.
Let us develop our youth and nurture, adding like minded talented team players and maybe..
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Nice blog once again rob u did a really amazing thing u got me brain working with that post which has been on autopilot for a few good years now would defo be happy sitting hear In 5year moaning how pampered are world class squad is but think we would need to expand ER to double it’s size to stand a chance in the promise land due to the high cost of players wages and there sweets and soft toy allowance to feed there massive egos and with MC track record on re developing football grounds could make for a interesting future how’s ya hols
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Cellino will continue to find that owning Leeds is vastly different to owning Cagliari. He’s got to be extremely careful he doesnt do more damage than good. He certainly isnt afraid to tackle anything or anyone so we must wait and see if Leeds can survive it.
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I like Massimo and trust him to sort out our club that has had its fair share of blood suckers and chancers, (Bates, GFH, and that’s just in the last few years)
The guy has owned a crap Italian side for years and they owe no one anything so give him credit.
Its easy for everyone to question Massimo our once great club was up the creek without a paddle and he took it on.
For two things passion and profit, we are seeing the passion in sorting out our mess and when it works he deserves the profit for his hard work (I bet some on here will complain if he saves us and makes a few bob as well)
Not me so give him time and leave the guy to sort us out in his way he has put the money up when others wouldn’t so he is good enough for me.
I am one that saw our great team of Giles Clarke Jones big Jack and the rest
So in Massimo I trust and may I suggest that no one else would take us on so we should all back him to get us out of this mess.
Bryan
York
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So do i Brian but this club needs a boost quickly to get us back and running. I want MC to be able to stick the twos up to Harvey et all so much
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I have long maintained that I would love to storm the Championship (Div 2) and then reject the chance to join the overpaid tossers in the Premiership (Div 1) We could then stay in Championship (Div 2) and win it every year. Why do I think like that, what is wrong with me? In truth we would be grateful to get promoted by any means.
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Rob we need to be able to walk before we can run I know where you are coming from I feel the same I think he understands th fans passion for the club he’s says he wants to run a Ferrari lets hope he means it hang on for the ride
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We as a team has no god given right to be in the premier league.To get there and stay there is a massive task.Cellino has said what he has said and must live and die by his promises.For those expecting us in the top flight any time soon needs a reality check.It takes time
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It’s taken ten years so far, and counting.
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We would have been better off going bankrupt and starting again rather than letting vultures like the krasner consortium, bates, Harvey & gfh pick over our carcass.
Fiorentina did just that around the same time ridsdales bubble collapsed. finished this season 4th in serie A.
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Fair comparison, that. What might have been.
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Sgt Willkos Barmy Army God if only. I dream that we produce O’Leary babes again of outstanding talents. A couple of world class foreign international’s but for the most part all home grown. All playing for the shirt, all kissing the badge all going to war. (every game). Not talking about we are every other clubs cup final that’s why we keep loosing. No more excuses, No surrender we are LeedsUtd and you’ll not enjoy playing us. That would do for me 😉
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Its an interesting question rob , and I think in all honesty Cellino has not got a clue what “we are Leeds” means ,, if the past is anything to go by , and after all what else can we go by , Leeds will get promoted , we’ll have a certain level of success but it will never be enough for us, we demand , expect and feel we have the god given right to be the best,, then and only then will Cellino find out what the term we are Leeds is all about, I suspect that’s when Cellino will throw the teddy out of the cot and move on
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I guess that’s one possible future Mr O. I’m sometimes glad I don’t possess a crystal ball!
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I just can’t see him sitting in the east stand listening to the boo’s and looking at the banners saying cellino out etc , becausr that’s exatctly what’s happening at newcastle now , if Leeds are mid table in the premier league year aftet year then it won’t take long before the fans want him out , Leeds fans have always been the same rob , they demand to be the best ,, Howard Wilkinson is now seen , and rightly so , as one of the best things to happen to Leeds and yet a year after we won the league large sections of the ground were calling for his head,,
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Whatever the aims long term, to win the premiership you got to be in it first. Plainly, cellino sees the money available in the top flight as mighty tempting . Combined with our 50 year history ( pre revie as exciting as crossroads) that gives him hope. Any fool/businessman knows the potential of Leeds united. His big problem is that the club has been so badly run in recent years(as opposed to just badly run since 1904) that investment would appear to be unviable. Most Leeds fans would take 17th in the prem for a start. The point about the prem is that you have to STAY in the league to prosper.
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Rob – in fairness, we knew from the outset that Mr Cellino was going to ruffle a few feathers at our club, but naively I hoped that you would be commenting on at least the odd player acquisition by now. Nearly everyday, there appears to be headlines regarding Leeds that leave me feeling uneasy and a little confused, but I suspect I am not the only one? MOT
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Not by a bloody long chalk, I suspect.
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Rob, The expectations and the culture of Leeds is truly something to behold. To understand the mindset, the determination, the fight and the arrogance. That is what Risdale recreated a few hundred years ago, but without the financial business model or the accumen to back it up. Now with Cellino we have a completely different beast. He is arrogant and funny in his own right and does not give a toss about anyone when it comes to standing his ground – so he is halfway there. Cellino has stated that he wants to grow Leeds United. That means growth in attendance, growth in corporate, international brand, merchandising etc. The competitiveness of Leeds will therefore depend on this very issue. Cellino has the ambition snd the ability to take us back to the promised land and to challenge at the highest level. Wait and see, “We are Leeds”. There won’t be any Birthday cakes about though, it will be in the contract with the 25 days leave!
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That’s totally cheered me up 🙂 Thanks and MOT
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After the Leeds fans chased Cellino’s taxi around Elland Road, back on January 31st, I really think that Cellino then realised just what it means to be a Leeds fan and what the club is all about.
On a few occasions now, Cellino has said that the Leeds fans are as passionate as he is and that is some respect, when you consider that he doesn’t have much respect for the overpaid, inconsistent Leeds players and the out-of-depth Leeds manager.
Cellino is trying to fight fires every day to keep the club stable and is more down to earth and passionate than the cold Ken Bates ever was.
The football club needs a huge kick up the backside and Cellino is the man to do it, even if he has to close down the money draining Thorp Arch training ground.
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How can you highlight WE LONG FOR THE DAYS OF Jermaine Beckford with the likes of Billy Bremner and Gordon Strachan. Jermaine was no where near a player like the latter. He played at low level football was always going to be a low level footballer, he went onto do nothing. Ok is name was sung when he scored and did score important goals, Twice. HIS NAME WAS also BRANDED ABOUT THE TERRAES AS A USELESS by quite a few, LIKE HE WAS.
Look at What he tried to do a top level football, absolutely nothing he came up against footballers that were a different class not like Billy and Gordon. They are what we long for and belonged to the heroics of “WE ARE LEEDS”.
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God we are such a rocky ship still , mid league premiership, we cant move away from mid league championship, I cannot see any fight in us, not since we had the points deduction in league one. we had a better squad and a better mind set, and remember that was under Bates leg shagger Wise, then when it went to Macca, it all went so wrong. The blight of losing to Histon in the cup, Histon sends shivers through me still. We read other blogs telling us about our premiership charge next term, not on your frickin Nellie. We with your sense of place, with this blog Rob need to wind our necks in. I cant see a steady ship for three / four seasons. Mr Cellino, is in for the long term, he buttered our bread stating he would get his cheque book out buy back ER and Thorpe park, ha bloody ha we bought that one hook line and sinker, well some did. This club is a frickin mess all the way down and all the way up. A winding up order to contain, loosing money monthly, wage bills to stragglers and blood drawing journey men, an ex director now embezzling his employees, the Devils spawn all and one. Get behind the man, no he does not have a clue about What WE ARE LEEDS is about, he bloody well will or he wont hang about….. he will give as good as he gets, when the latin blood gets up it boils. slowly slowly or we will up to our necks in even more shit. MOT
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Rob, my view is simple on this lets focus on no 1 becoming competitive in this league 2 going up 3 see what happens then.
Right now I want to go up for one simple reason to shut up the other yorkshire clowns and haters. To put to bed any thoughts they may have that winsdee, udders fax, barnsalay or dull city have of being our rivals. If we get back up this club could fly with even a modest investment. I can’t ever see us being top 4 without something drastic happening. But if we are to be ever taken over by someone who will splash some cash it’s from the premier league not the championship it will happen.
So first let’s get to a point where we can even conceive of going up then worry about stuff after that.
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God almighty here we are in between seasons and the leeds media band wagon is still rolling on thorp arch closing( what happened to buying it) players called back early ,redundances, and all this inside the first three weeks it seems mc is sorting all the off field legalities before even looking at investing in the playing side and what are the fans talking about being in the premiership looking to europe we have mo chance if his italian way is followed when he bought caglari they were in league 1 been relegated and gone back up never bedn in europe so what makes everybody think we are going to storm the championship ghen the premier league it will take 5 years of continued investment to achieve this but we all can hope
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Not convinced about Cellino he seems to be. Unclear and sending mixed messages. Eg. He wants a coach not a manager and then publically savages McDermott for not being around to manage the club
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Hi Rob, I understand your question, why you ask it and why it is a bit of a dilemma. Personally, I’d take being in Man City’s position but doubt it will come about any time soon. That said, for now I’d settle for PL survival, hopefully giving us the chance to push on in the future – maybe with yet another new owner who sees the real potential of this club we all adore, live and breathe. We ARE Leeds!
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To be competitive in any league we need a few bloody minded bastards, we’ve had them before in all our successfull sides and we’ve got thousands of them in the stands. WE ARE LEEDS we keep on fighting and never give in, now we need some players who understand that. MOT
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What a dilemma. Keep our integrity, and stay an average Championship team, or sell our soul to get to the PL promised land?
In many ways I hate the PL, it’s full of millionaire assholes and smarmy, bent shysters. But – as Leeds, we want to be the best, so we have to give it a go – and try to be the snappy, vicious Yorkshire terrier putting the fear of God into the rest of the pampered lapdogs.
I’m really hoping MC turns out to be the well-heeled, maverick, footy-mad nutter we need to make it happen.
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Rob it was Chaucer who first wrote about the “harbinger of doom”, I am beginning to think you are about to lay claim to his title, I hope some of your fear is tongue in cheek, otherwise I may have to lay down in a darkened room and chant some Gregorian chant, and maybe occasionally get a bunch of willow branches and self harm as the flagulists did to repent! Cellinio said we had eaten enough shit, let’s hope he “got” the Leeds fans psyche early on, or we may end up throwing back at him.
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I love that my humble blog is blessed with such erudite readers – surely la crème de la crème of Leeds United fans 🙂
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In my experience “la crème” always rises to the top!
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Different breed of fans down at ER now , a lot would be happy with being a 15th placed prem side as long as Toby and Jemima still wanted to go . Those that ran on the pitch to get life bans or swore too loudly and got reported by the tartan blanket brigade will be doing other Saturday activities instead. In the last 10 years, two unlikely clubs have become giants of English football through acquiring vast fortunes, as opposed to the passionate dreams of forward thinking football men. Newcastle, a club that last acquired a trophy before I acquired pubic hair, were protesting about lack of success in 9th/10th place . Spurs (your faves Rob) had the 6th biggest wage bill and finished 6th so sacked their manager who took the job on mid season. As you say, be careful what you wish for . Cynical, moi ? That’s your job .
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There’s always room for another cynic mate.
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Great article fella
For me I am not too concerned about if my Aunty had bollocks. However, if we can manage to lure a player of Toure’s class anytime during the next ten years I will happily bake the fecker a cake myself.
MOT
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Spoken like a poet, sir.
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I agree that the game needs some sort of restructure. Maybe limit the number of overseas players on the field not just in the whole squad. This will obviously have to be a world wide ruling. Here in Australia the NRL has a salary cap structure and although not perfect by a long way it does seem to level the playing field with all teams having a chance to win the comp.
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Something has to change, or we will end up with a permanent honours cartel, diluting interest in the game as a whole.
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Rob, getting that would be like Turkeys voting for Christmas. Lets face it won’t happen all of those clubs are self interested & can pay the best lawyers to challenge any ruling.
Christ we can’t even get a level playing field in the muck of the championship, don’t believe me look at QPR’s squad & overdraft. Leicester spent massively too in the last 2 seasons as did Wet Sham and Newcastle as will Cardiff and Norwich next season.
For us its simple we need a big spender long term or we are no more than a Southampton or Hull at best.
TBH I am not sure where Cellino is going with his current actions and although I support him & understand the need to do something I am concerned.
I don’t think he realises yet just how HATED we are by everyone, the media, the authorities, other fans, hated utterly hated.
He needs to nurture and feed our internal resentment & clannish nature. Thats the only way for us to survive by breeding our nasty side. The last 3 seasons Elland Road has been dead & the fanbase is so apathetic its unreal.The club has had the life sucked out of it & he needs to do something big to kick start a new start, we also seem to be surrounded by internet trolls who counter every positive with a negative. Why should I settle for being realistic I want to be the best, whats so wrong with striving for that?.
So far though things have gone in the opposite direction from what I expected from MC. Start with the first job Does BM have a job or not, speak to each other sort it out like men
Then move to no 2, which other players are leaving
Then no 3 what players do we want to come in and so on
Surprised no one is considering flying to Dubai and committing a crime just to spend a few hours in Daves company to let him know what we think of him and GFH.
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Fascinating stuff mate and plenty of food for thought. Thanks – MOT
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Hi Rob: It’s amazing to me to read the different opinions on your site about the future of the club since MC bought it as well as the off-field issues that we have and it’s the closed season right now – imagine what this will heat up over the summer!
I’ve worked in construction management for many years in the U.S. and always feel secure when I have Italian craftsmen on the job site. They get the job done right the first time. I feel the same about MC that he has a plan to build a superior football club against any adversity – trust me he can do it.
He seems to be going about it the right way by understanding and managing the budget and ways to make the club sustainable in the future. He is proven to have accomplished that at Cagliari and with him selling them he will be able to devote his time in Leeds.
I’d sooner have MC in charge of our destiny than any of the clowns that have run the club for the last decade that couldn’t organize a piss up in a brewery.
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It’s good to hear such positivity and optimism. I wonder though if we can afford to wait for organic growth – we’ve been mouldering away in the shadows this last ten years and we need some sunshine SOON.
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Shock, horror…”Brash Blogger in Bar Bill Barney-Banished to Bridlington” Rob Atkinson deported from the Principality of Filey, North Yorkshire for not paying his bar bill in The 3 Tuns…you heard it here first chaps 🙂 Word has it he is now slumming it in Bridlington, East Yorkshire…don’t shoot the messenger!
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I’ve been back three days, slaving over a hot keyboard. I’ll be back next week though, when the weather is good again – silver wedding anniversary to celebrate!
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just being in prem. league would be great you can build from there
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You sum up the dilemma that I have about the modern game. Sometimes I look at the ridiculous transfer fees and salaries and egos and question whether I want the great LUFC to be involved in that nonsense, yet I want us to be at the top once again. Maybe football will be re-structured by the time we get there….
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As the Count of Monte Fisto points out elsewhere on this thread, existing interests are unlikely to cooperate in the process of overthrowing themselves. So we are probably stuck with the status quo – and that dilemma we both perceive. Which, quite frankly, sucks.
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If the game is about anything it’s about hopes, aspirations, dreams, however you care to term it. Most of us have seen our team play the game, at one time or another, how it should be played. There is a craving, a deep yearning for a return to compete with the best, and why shouldn’t we?Why should we just be happy just to be mid table mediocrities? Supporters of other clubs may settle for less, WE ARE LEEDS, in our arrogance we expect more and after the last ten years, you know, I think we deserve it. We had a formula once that almost got us to the pinnacle, it can work again. I want us back where we belong, to be the bogeyman team where our opponents say, oh Shit, it’s Leeds next
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Amen to that, brother
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Can’t believe Haigh gets banged up in Dubai and Bates still strolls around the riviera care and tax free. He must have more get out of jail cards than my monopoly board.Tom Bowers better update that broken dreams book with a new chapter with the latest GFH nonsense.
Sorry, went off the subject there.
Don’t really see anything to worry about Rob.We have a destiny that involves winning to PL within 2 years of promotion.it can and did happen.Look at Athletico Madrid?who saw that coming over the hill?
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You pose an interesting question Rob and my take on it is this: Personally I believe we have to go forward in strategic stages…
1 Build a team capable of promotion-this coming season perhaps-maybe, but likely not?
2 Build the academy with players of prem class
3. Improve that team to achieve prem promotion and survive in the EPL
4. Bring through academy players and some bought stars to achieve a team capable of challenging for top 6
I can see MC doing this but then comes the next gigantic step-can we compete with the rich boys for the best players
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