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Monday 18 March 2013

GFH Capital to blame for Leeds United's failure this season

Fans are now jumping on the bandwagon, anxious to shift the blame onto Warnock after the faint hopes of a play off place all but died with the defeat at home to Huddersfield. Old Big Gob is going, so he is now the convenient fall guy and bile can be vented without showing disloyalty to the club and cause.

But is this fair? Warnock was the fans' choice when he was appointed and, when I mocked his signings in the summer, Leeds fans sent hate mail, organised virtual death squads and wished cancer upon myself and my family, children included. Now those very same individuals are claiming that Warnock was not up to the job and that the players he brought in are "dead wood" for the most part. Well what did they expect when he recruited players relegated with Portsmouth, Doncaster and Coventry?

The point is, we can all be wise after the event, but very few of you were wise before it. When I warned that the protracted take over negotiations stank of something rotten, the fire of hatred flared higher. When I asked questions about GFH Capital's financial well being, I was mocked. When I predicted a maximum of £2m would be invested in the January window, I was subjected to howls of derision. When I said that Becchio would go, even as Warnock was saying he was going nowhere, burning crossed hammers blazed all across Leeds.

And now I will give you another prediction. Warnock's departure will change nothing. He has saddled the squad with aged yard dogs because that's all he was allowed to sign.

Why did Becchio go? Because Leeds would not meet his wage demands. Why did Wood join Leicester? Because Leeds could not afford his wages. And who was running Leeds by that stage? GFH Capital.

And why are Leeds all but out of the running for a play off place? Because of the lack of a true goal scorer. Since Bechio's departure, Leeds have scored twice in only three games (out of eleven) and Warnock's Wonders have not scored three in any one of those games. Indeed, it took a penalty to get Leeds to two goals in one of those three "high scoring" matches.

What happened to the transfer war-chest that GFH Capital suggested would be available in January? I distinctly remember them saying that they would back the manager and his drive to make the playoffs. Well if that is "backing", God help Warnock's successor - for with a playoff place within reach, the new Board showed a profit on January transfer fees!

Tell me, where was the sense in that if GFH genuinely harbour aspirations of guiding Leeds into the Prem? Next season, the club will start again on zero points and level with every other team in the division. In January, Leeds were hovering in eighth to tenth place, well ahead of the majority of the division. Sensible investment at that stage could have opened the door to the Promised Land of the Prem. But GFH Capital declined to make that investment. Why?

Leeds fans, in classic revisionist style, are now clutching at the straw that the Arab bank built on sand is simply keeping its powder dry, biding its time, waiting for Warnock to go before pumping in oil money. Oh yes? Then why did they let Warnock bring in Morison and Warnock Junior and why was Hell Hadji given a contract extension and why have the old yard dogs that populate the squad been given two and three year deals? If you have written off the season, write it off. If you have decided to jettison the manager, don't entrust more money to him, not a single penny.

If fact, if Warnock was always going, why didn't the club sack him? If he isn't up to the job, then appoint somebody who is whilst Leeds are still in with a shout of winning promotion for God's sake. But GFH Capital sat on their hands and prevaricated. Why? Because that was the cheapest and easiest option. Forest's new owners took action, and look at where Forest are now; Leeds United's new owners did nothing and look at where Leeds find themselves in consequence.

In truth, Leeds have achieved a par score given what Warnock had to operate with. But what exactly were GFH Capital up to between June and December when the club desperately needed stability and an injection of cash? How the hell did that deal take so long to finalise and why weren't the Arabs in a position to fund new signings if they only paid the rumoured £24m for a controlling stake in the club?

It feels slightly odd for me to be defending Warnock but I really do think he is getting a raw deal now. He is what he is and he did his level best. But GFH Capital seem like a shady outfit, big on promises and small on substance.

Will investment come this summer? I suspect only if the Arabs move Leeds on to another buyer. But as they are finding, and as Leeds fans will wake up to one day, history counts for nothing, it is the here and now that matters. Clubs relegated from the Prem will be richer still from now on and the parachute payments will dwarf anything Leeds can offer without a money bags benefactor - and Financial Fair Play will put the club in a corset anyway. The time to act was January and GFH Capital naval gazed instead. Why? Probably because they didn't have the money to do anything else.

66 comments:

  1. Bang on right.

    Excellent article.

    I am a Leeds fan but growing increasingly annoyed that a lot of fans cannot see what is going on.

    Adkins, Poyet etc - get real!!

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  2. Fair does bhoyo, you really do not know anything about LUFC or even football in general. You have not got a clue, the amount of bile you continue to produce is breath taking.
    keep blowing the moneky sunshine keep blowing

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  3. I hate to say it but your spot on,and I think most Leeds fans will agree with most of what you have written.We had a chance to have a go in Jan and the owners failed to come up with the ambition and funds that was needed to have a real go in getting back to the prem.I dont like Warnocks style of football and I also think football as moved on and left Warnock behind ie tactics,subs,ect.No matter who replaces Warnock unless they get the funds and the backing of the owners I cannot see us moving forward.

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    1. Spot on this HF speaks some sense!!

      In fact we could do with someone like him as manager!

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  4. You've said it all... and in advance of Warnocks impending book.

    I could tell you a story but you've no doubt guessed the ending already.

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  5. This BLOG stinks to high HEAVEN. Hammersfan you CUR. When we catch YOU we'll GET you! I'm FURIOUS. You RUBBISH blogger.

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    1. Why are you furious? Is it because you know I am right again?

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    2. This HF speaks sense you ignorant Leeds git! (Perth Whites MOT)

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    3. Eh,(16.58) we don't need so called supporters like you, you couldn't catch a fly you neandethereal!If you want to "catch " me contact, "lufcossie" located at a very warm place! and I'll show you what a real Leeds fan is!

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    4. You wanna come AND find me, 1658 and ILL show YOU who the BIGGEST Leeds fan is....

      You CAN'T hide either because HF will give me your IP address!

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  6. Try not to worry about it HF. Seasons over for us, new manager on the horizon, suggest you take some time off and come back with renewed vigour next season.

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  7. I think any logical Leeds fan can see that its not Warnock’s fault that they have not gone up this season!! I actually cannot remember the last time we signed a player with a transfer Fee attached to them (anything over 500k) Very dark days to be a Leeds fan these days with not allot to shout about. 10 years of this crap is really putting allot of people going each week and spending £36 for the privilege.

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  8. Unfortunately I think you are right GFH are asking for investors, but only for a minority share ie effectively no say. Who on earth in their right mind is going to buy into that?
    They are clearly looking for a buyer and a profit.

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  9. We've been here before though. It's all starting to sound familiar, get rid of manager at 18 months, promise funds for transfers in Summer don't deliver get rid of saleable asset Byram replace with cast off from (insert club in admin). make sure though you've secured a fair amount of season ticket sales prior to this tell fans you expect new manager will get more out of this squad than last. Keep new manager well stocked with Williams loanees or freebies (insert bench warmer from prem who doesn't want to be at Leeds.) Tell fans can't afford more until they come back, so there to blame for lack of investment. Stay in mid table till Christmas put story in paper prior to January expecting investment from wealthy source (insert any arab country or local businessman) no investment transpires sell whoevers left standing sack manager in Summer. Now who does it sound likes still running the club?

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  10. Careful ...you sound genuinely annoyed...almost like you care for LUFC...

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    1. I don't like banks taking the man in the street for a mug, even a street in Leeds! Seriously, I don't want any football club shafted by a foreign investment bank - not even Millwall.

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  11. Fair play, most of what you write is spot on

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  12. You told us so, we get it.

    Its too soon to judge anyone, but the fact is warnock got his tactics wrong, refused to make subs, and insists aiden white is a winger.

    We have no idea whats going on, stop making such bs sweeping claims.

    Time will tell if gfh are the real deal. Only summer will show us if your huge jump to your conclusion is correct

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  13. Hahahaha what a wanker you really are !!!! Uve been slagging warnock all this time then it looks like hes moving on so you shift the blame to the owners. Did a leeds player rape you or something as u really are a bitter wanker. Atleast have the conviction to stand by ur storries Oh and west ham fans in trouble yet again stand up set of racist coin tossing fans u have there!!!!!! Lol

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  14. Yet another post we cant argue with.

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  15. It was only last summer you said the takeover would never happen remember? takeover Tuesday and all that b0ll0cks? Now they have its just more $hit articles about GFH. All your articles are so re- active about Leeds untied, and most of them are just based on other news articles. To say you created a new site thegamesgonecrazier looking at your archive you have a massive hard on for Leeds United. Is it because of Warnock or you got a kick out of winding Leeds fans up and your hooked? Either way regardless of the bull you write about Leeds everyone knows who has the best honours list and who is the more famous and most followed ;)

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    1. Last summer I said the deal wouldn't happen anytime soon. And it didn't. I also said that any takeover would involve Bates. And...? I also said that Leeds fans should be careful what they were getting when details of GFH Capital started emerging. I think I'm been pretty spot on overall.

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  16. altenative history of recent times leeds get taken over by GFH in early july this & splash it all over the meadia leeds get 50 million warchest to storm the championship n leeds bid for a 2-3 million striker that as just had his value increased by is club to 7.5-10 mil the leeds of old would have bought him still on 45k aweek
    then even if we get promoted warnock says thanks for offer but id much rather feed mi chickens so pouyet comes in or adkins or southgate n hes says to all warnocks bigtime charley signings your not in my plans so we sell 50mil worth of talent for 7mil thats good buiness sence aint it
    this is just my opinion warnock was a stop gap manager because hes 64 n wanted to see if he could get one last promotion
    even if GFH had 10 mancity type checkbooks would you let someone spend big bucks on players & big wages then retire at the end of the season that would have been great 4 seth jhonsons signed for 10mil n all needing ops or long periods in the treatment room
    so lets not judge GHF yet lets see what happens in the closed season also some of you my need reminding the when we won the old 1st division title wernt man u 12 points clear at christmas that season n five months is a very long time in football
    PS DIDNT USE A CAPITAL M IN man u was saving ink he he he

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    1. So why not replace Warnock when you are on the shoulder of the play off pack and allow his successor to buy Wood and 2 or 3 others for £2m a piece, securing a play off place and maybe winning promotion to the Prem. And if you miss out, you have half a team ready to mount a challenge next season. If GFH have the money, why didn't they go for it THIS season as they promised they would?

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    2. The more I read HF, I think we could use him as Director of Football LS11.

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  17. Print the truth wanker, the only one's feeding from the name of Leeds ltd is pricks like you

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  18. Very astute and perceptive article!

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  19. hf ya daft sod! every leeds fan knows the prolonged takeover had a damaging effect on this season! so gfh are partly to blame,but warnock shoulders some blame too because he has bought a few dodgy players,made some bad decisions at times regarding tactics and substitutions.

    i just want the season to be over with so i can forget about it

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  20. Koh Samui Whites18 March 2013 at 18:57

    Pretty much spot on HF.There is and was plenty of us that smelled a rat from the start to be honest which i posted on many months ago.Enjoy hearing your opinion as it,s never viewed through rose tinted glasses. Q What,s the quickest way to start an argument A Put to Leeds fans in a room together. MOT

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  21. you talk a lot about "Arabs" owning Leeds but Haigh and Patel aren't. It's a Dubai based investment bank. Oil rich Arabs and Investment bankers are two very different things. Arabs don't know how to make money, they just own oil. Investment bankers know how to invest and snowball their asset, they don't just throw all their eggs in one basket within a month of taking control. I would rather have our owners than look to the future with David Gold and what is nothing more than a bit of capital and a hope that West Ham turn over a profit each financial year. Our future is on the up (much to the dismay of impatient fans like me) but it will take due course. West Ham's is going up nor down mate so stop writing about our club and write some boring shit about West Ham

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    1. Tad racist there sir. It is a bank committed to Islamic business ventures. Read the website and mission statement. The idea that "Arabs" as a race of people don't know how to make money reveals terrible prejudice.

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    2. Don't twist my meaning to side step how right I am. and what exactly did you mean by generalsing the term "Arabs" in your article so many times?

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    3. "Will investment come this summer? I suspect only if the Arabs move Leeds on to another buyer." We will just have to agree to disagree eh? Hypocrite!

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    4. didn't realise David Haigh was an Arab!
      I thought he was a caucasian from Beeston! ???

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  22. Not sure about Wood. Leicester are in free fall. Perhaps what we need is status quo and hopefully some team spirit to develop from it. That would mean Warnock staying of course. Could we be any worse off? Yes we could! Warnock hasn't become a bad manager over night so other factors are playing their part. It will all settle down eventually if you give it time but upset the Apple Cart and each time we start again 're-inventing the wheel'! Let's all just have 12 months off and see where we are this time next season. As they say, a season is a long time in football.

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  23. GFH are an investment bank the plan was always to buy the club then find solid investors !! That's why GFH told us not to judge them in January transfer window. Lets face it Bates was never going to put more money in !!! Remember it was Bates who brought warnock in . From bates point of view warnock was the only man who may have got us promoted without spending any real money !!! As for this west ham w&nker he just likes tell Leeds fans he's always right !!! Thing is he's written so much about Leeds and contradicts himself that much he can say he predicted it all when really he knows sweet F A

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  24. Shouldn't you be worrying about your coin throwing thugs charge, instead of Leeds United.

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  25. We must be only club in the world,to employ skint arabs.what a fucking joke we r.i agree hf.its going to be same next year.gfh out

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  26. Arab is an ethnicity (i.e. someone from Arabia)
    Islam is a religion (one can come from anywhere)

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  27. Your spot on there.

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  28. Love the blogs - love the comments. About 50% are willing to look in the mirror. The other 50% want to smash it to pieces. Then it's difficult to view Leeds in the cold light of day - more comfortable in the glare of the floodlights. You're tip toeing a fine line.
    But I can tell you care about Leeds HF. What do West Ham fans call you incidentally?

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  29. 1954, I am concerned about our louts and have blogged on the subject. Follow the link below. I carry the article for you anyway.

    http://thegamesgonecrazy.blogspot.ro/2013/03/idiot-louts-shame-west-ham-again.html

    Idiot Louts Shame West Ham Again

    Time and again they shame our club and time and again the club fails to take decisive action. How many "fans" received life time bans after the Tottenham game? And how many will be told never to enter the ground again after this latest shameful episode?

    I know somebody banned from the Boleyn and I have been to an away game with him. The tickets were numbered and only available through the club, but that didn't stop him buying my ticket. And he is a regular at away matches, the club seemingly unconcerned.

    It seems that the only way of triggering action is for draconian sanctions to be imposed. If points were to be deducted, perhaps the fans would self police and the club might pursue the culprits more actively.

    I hate the idea that we could be relegated because of the morons who support our club, but if that is the answer, so be it. The club must accept responsibility and take more effective action or it must take the consequences.

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  30. You could have easily started this blog with 'I'm about to state the obvious many times and repeat what 99% of Leeds fans have been saying for months if not longer'.

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  31. You criticise wet spam for not taking responsibility for thugs attending matches, yet you willingly give/sell a ticket to someone you know is banned from attending. What does that make you hf???

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    1. It makes you a bit thick as I clearly say HE bought MY ticket. That is the point. And at the time, I had no idea he was banned from the Boleyn, I only discovered when I offered to buy him a ticket for a home game. Why was he banned? No idea. Nice guy? Seemed so. Perhaps he has matured as he has grown older. But the point is, he was able to buy tickets for an away game.

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    2. Sorry, you're not thick, just boring, and not a very good judge of character either.

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    3. You've also committed a criminal offence by selling on a football match ticket......you are thick.

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  32. "I am concerned about our louts" to quote hf, but you still sold a banned fan your ticket.
    You are a hypocrite hf. Thick as fook.........

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  33. yet another long winded rant from some chap who does not even go to watch his once proud club.

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  34. did you do your half time and full time player ratings while drinking your tea yesterday sat on your favourite side of the sofa?

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  35. GFH are Bates in disguise . get this in to your heads . Any moron can fathem that!!! Stripping us all of our hard earned cash . Gates will carry on falling . Everyone has had enough !!!

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  36. i am going to have a look.

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  37. it also begs the question,why did you pretend to go to the sunderland and manchester utd games,it,s just a very odd and silly thing to do thats all.

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  38. you say HE bought MY ticket............come on thats just another lie in your long list of lies because you don,t actually go to games do you?.....it,s ok pretending to go to games sounds better if you have a pretend friend that pretends to go with you.

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  39. it,s ok writing a little blog saying this and that about the fans who support your once proud club that a hand full of people glance at every now ang again,but what are you actually going to do about it,......erm........yes......nothing..if your not part of the solution,your part of the problem.

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  40. this stuff writes itself..people in glass houses.

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  41. nothing...just a 2 minute blog,wooooooooooow thats going to do a lot.....your just so hardcore.

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  42. one big fat nothing..thats all you will do,just tomorrows fish and spam paper.

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  43. maybe you need to spend more time in your own back yard and less time going through our bins just to tells us it,s full of rubbish.

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  44. This blog is spot on. GFBates remain the problem. No self respecting manager would take this job on, unless he was desperate. The outcome will remain the same: Warnock had no chance with the GFBates cowboys in charge, and neither will the next manager. Can't wait for Warnock's autobiography ...

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  45. "West Ham United supporters arrested for racist abuse in Premier League defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge"

    How does it feel to rub shoulders with vile, racist scum?

    Speak up. Are you one of them? Do you hate jews as well?

    West Ham United = racist scum.

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  46. From your Norwegian fan and Leeds fan. I am totally agreed with you again. GFH would only put a couple og millions pund to get some good players to Leeds in January but they didnt. Lack of economics muscles. Leeds never get promoted before new owners take over and not those poor arabic owners we now have.

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  47. Good article, HF
    If there had been more investment in the team, there would have been less hoofball and a definite top six place.
    Ridsdale, Bates, GFHC aaaarrggghh!

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  48. First article you've wrote I've agreed with

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