So Friar Brian is closing in fast on Nottingham Forest's Dexter Blackstock and he looks the perfect fit for Leeds United. With Reg Varney knocking them in at a rate of a goal every 4 games, Complete Hunt scoring at a similar rate, and McRoss mcnetting them in a mcsimilar mcvein, Dexter could join a tried and tested club as he scores his league goals once every 3.88 games. And a number of those goals were bagged in a division down from the Championship of course.
But then beggars can't be choosers. News has broken of a loan to the club from a financing outfit which has a certain David Haigh as a director - and if that doesn't sound like a dodgy Master Bates like deal, I don't know what does. And Dexter Blackstock is at least proven in the division, although he is proven not good enough for promotion contenders Nottingham Forest.
Can Dexter slay opposition defenders and fire Leeds to promotion? He's got to be better than nobody so he is surely worth a gamble.
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Are Leeds United bullying Ryan Hall?
I expressed my disgust yesterday, when it was suggested that Hall had been suspended for his innocuous comments after being dropped by Sheffield United. That was bad enough.
Now it appears that he may have been suspended for a comment he didn't make himself! Now this is Big Brother gone mad!
According to the Yapping Post, the talented young winger has fallen foul of the Arab sensors because he re-tweeted a comment from a supporter (Carl Smith) who wrote, "“Ryan Hall comes on and sets up a goal from a decent cross. Something we’ve been missing all season so wake up McDermott.”
Bloody hell, so now people are being taken to task based on the opinion of others! Whilst there is criticism of McDermott here, the Twatter is about how good Hall is, so it should come as no surprise that he chose to share it with his followers. Why wouldn't you when a fan sings your praises?
It looks like victimisation to me. McDermott clearly doesn't rate the lad and the suspension is both heavy handed and designed to intimidate the boy, maybe even trying to force him out of the club.
The PFA should get involved immediately and the local MP should be making statements about how UK residents enjoy freedom of speech, unlike the people of Bahrain where GFH Capital are based.
If we can't quote what other people are saying about us, then God help us!
Now it appears that he may have been suspended for a comment he didn't make himself! Now this is Big Brother gone mad!
According to the Yapping Post, the talented young winger has fallen foul of the Arab sensors because he re-tweeted a comment from a supporter (Carl Smith) who wrote, "“Ryan Hall comes on and sets up a goal from a decent cross. Something we’ve been missing all season so wake up McDermott.”
Bloody hell, so now people are being taken to task based on the opinion of others! Whilst there is criticism of McDermott here, the Twatter is about how good Hall is, so it should come as no surprise that he chose to share it with his followers. Why wouldn't you when a fan sings your praises?
It looks like victimisation to me. McDermott clearly doesn't rate the lad and the suspension is both heavy handed and designed to intimidate the boy, maybe even trying to force him out of the club.
The PFA should get involved immediately and the local MP should be making statements about how UK residents enjoy freedom of speech, unlike the people of Bahrain where GFH Capital are based.
If we can't quote what other people are saying about us, then God help us!
Monday, 21 October 2013
Hall Falls Foul of Leeds United's Sheffield United Loving Big Brother
So yet another player has fallen foul of the Twitter Police. Young Ryan Hall has apparently been suspended by the club pending an investigation into a disciplinary issue. And the poor lad's crime? He stuck two fingers up to his temporary employers Shafting United by saying on Twitter that he would still collect his wages, irrespective of being dropped.
How bloody absurd! Who amongst us isn't happy to take money for nothing? When the bad weather cuts in and it is impossible to get into work, who doesn't lie under the duvet and think, "Bloody marvellous, I'm being paid for this!"? And it's better still if you end up having sex on your employer's time!
So if this really is young Hall's only crime, then Leeds are being ludicrously heavy handed. There is a right to Free Speech in this country which the Arab owners perhaps do not fully understand, and whilst all the players are bound by contracts which, no doubt, have clauses inserted about bringing the club into disrepute, no contract of employment should be allowed to remove basic human rights. If I were Hall, and I would fight any penalty all the way through to the Court of Human Rights!
Dear God, the lad was taking the piss out of Sheffield United, and Leeds fans should be delighted with that!
How bloody absurd! Who amongst us isn't happy to take money for nothing? When the bad weather cuts in and it is impossible to get into work, who doesn't lie under the duvet and think, "Bloody marvellous, I'm being paid for this!"? And it's better still if you end up having sex on your employer's time!
So if this really is young Hall's only crime, then Leeds are being ludicrously heavy handed. There is a right to Free Speech in this country which the Arab owners perhaps do not fully understand, and whilst all the players are bound by contracts which, no doubt, have clauses inserted about bringing the club into disrepute, no contract of employment should be allowed to remove basic human rights. If I were Hall, and I would fight any penalty all the way through to the Court of Human Rights!
Dear God, the lad was taking the piss out of Sheffield United, and Leeds fans should be delighted with that!
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Manchester United's Moyes Misunderstands Ferguson Fear Factor
Poor David Moyes, since his appointment at Manchester United he has got almost everything wrong. His latest cock up concerns the loss of the "Fear Factor" at Old Trafford since Ferguson's departure.
According to the former Everton man "the fear comes from the team on the pitch", not the manager, which suggests he really hasn't been paying attention for the last twenty odd years. It's not the intimidation of opposition players that is the issue, it is the terror of underperforming that Ferguson instilled in his own charges, and the fear of incurring his wrath that he induced in the match officials.
When Ferguson lost it with his players they sat up and listened - or received a flying boot in the face or a one way ticket out of the club if they didn't. And they listened with good reason, because Ferguson had established his credentials - he was the only man bigger than Manchester United. Who would dare to take on a man who kicked out Beckham and who kept temperaments like Keane's, Cantona's, Rooney's and Ronaldo's, for the most part, in check?
However, in the case of Moyes, there is no respect for the very simple reason that the guy is not a winner. Sure he did a good job at Everton, but Ferguson did a much better job at Aberdeen because he won trophies whilst getting a lesser club to punch above its weight - and the Manchester United superstars know it.
And then, of course, there are the referees who no longer fear demotion for upsetting the ferocious Scot. Gone are the days of an extra six minutes to facilitate a winner. Suddenly, Manchester United have to win games purely on merit!
According to the former Everton man "the fear comes from the team on the pitch", not the manager, which suggests he really hasn't been paying attention for the last twenty odd years. It's not the intimidation of opposition players that is the issue, it is the terror of underperforming that Ferguson instilled in his own charges, and the fear of incurring his wrath that he induced in the match officials.
When Ferguson lost it with his players they sat up and listened - or received a flying boot in the face or a one way ticket out of the club if they didn't. And they listened with good reason, because Ferguson had established his credentials - he was the only man bigger than Manchester United. Who would dare to take on a man who kicked out Beckham and who kept temperaments like Keane's, Cantona's, Rooney's and Ronaldo's, for the most part, in check?
However, in the case of Moyes, there is no respect for the very simple reason that the guy is not a winner. Sure he did a good job at Everton, but Ferguson did a much better job at Aberdeen because he won trophies whilst getting a lesser club to punch above its weight - and the Manchester United superstars know it.
And then, of course, there are the referees who no longer fear demotion for upsetting the ferocious Scot. Gone are the days of an extra six minutes to facilitate a winner. Suddenly, Manchester United have to win games purely on merit!
4-0! Are Leeds about to do a Reading?
Well not many people saw that one coming! OK, Jack predicted a 2-1 win but the bookies wouldn't have taken a lot of money on Leeds to score 4 goals. Loan signings? Who needs loan signings when you can rip Birmingham apart and win so comfortably?
I had the misfortune to be at the Madjeski Stadium two years back to see Reading begin their charge to the title under McDermott. Going into the game with West Ham, Reading's form had been at best indifferent, and the Reading fans I spoke to pre kick off were pessimistic in the extreme, despite our dreadful record against the Royals. And on paper their team looked decidedly average with the ineffectual Church leading the line.
Ninety minutes later, things looked somewhat different. West Ham had two players sent off - O'Brien and Collison - and Reading ran out 3-0 winners. And from that moment, Reading never looked back, going on an amazing run that tore up all the record books and saw them storm to the title.
That game was on the tenth of December, and Reading were in mid table at the time, so today's result is a month and half ahead of McDermott's Reading blueprint. Of course, one result does not make a season, and Leeds need to put a run together now, but suddenly things look a whole lot better. And unlike West Ham after the 3-0 thumping of Spurs, Leeds do not have to face Manchester City in their next game.
Huddersfield, Yeovil, Charlton and Middlesbrough are all in the bottom half of the table so it is perfectly conceivable that Leeds could now win five on the bounce. And if that happens the Leeds United Feel Good Factor Sleeper Express to the Premiership, Europe, Infinity and Beyond would be just like the Reading Runaway Train! And McDermott will be telling his charges precisely that!
Byram was back, Murphy was back, Wootton was back and Smith and Mowatt started. This was McDermott's team; the ghost of Warnock was slayed when the team sheet was posted on the dressing room door. And that must be the secret. The old nags must be sent out to pasture and the McDermott stamp must be firmly impressed upon the team.
It's only one result, but one result is sometimes all that is needed to change the thinking from negative to positive. So the train currently standing on Platform 8 could yet be heading for the Premiership!
I had the misfortune to be at the Madjeski Stadium two years back to see Reading begin their charge to the title under McDermott. Going into the game with West Ham, Reading's form had been at best indifferent, and the Reading fans I spoke to pre kick off were pessimistic in the extreme, despite our dreadful record against the Royals. And on paper their team looked decidedly average with the ineffectual Church leading the line.
Ninety minutes later, things looked somewhat different. West Ham had two players sent off - O'Brien and Collison - and Reading ran out 3-0 winners. And from that moment, Reading never looked back, going on an amazing run that tore up all the record books and saw them storm to the title.
That game was on the tenth of December, and Reading were in mid table at the time, so today's result is a month and half ahead of McDermott's Reading blueprint. Of course, one result does not make a season, and Leeds need to put a run together now, but suddenly things look a whole lot better. And unlike West Ham after the 3-0 thumping of Spurs, Leeds do not have to face Manchester City in their next game.
Huddersfield, Yeovil, Charlton and Middlesbrough are all in the bottom half of the table so it is perfectly conceivable that Leeds could now win five on the bounce. And if that happens the Leeds United Feel Good Factor Sleeper Express to the Premiership, Europe, Infinity and Beyond would be just like the Reading Runaway Train! And McDermott will be telling his charges precisely that!
Byram was back, Murphy was back, Wootton was back and Smith and Mowatt started. This was McDermott's team; the ghost of Warnock was slayed when the team sheet was posted on the dressing room door. And that must be the secret. The old nags must be sent out to pasture and the McDermott stamp must be firmly impressed upon the team.
It's only one result, but one result is sometimes all that is needed to change the thinking from negative to positive. So the train currently standing on Platform 8 could yet be heading for the Premiership!
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Leeds can take heart after Watford lose and Nottingham Forest draw
Ok, Burnley won making it six out of six, and Leicester won too. And Blackpool's victory wasn't the best result, though it meant Wigan lost. Reading's emphatic win was a nuisance it is true. But there are two automatic promotion places and 4 play off places up for grabs, so Watford's defeat was great news - though it meant Derby won again - and Forest's concession of two home points was just what the doctor ordered too. And QPR failed to win, conceding two goals in the process.
So, although Leeds have slipped down to fifteenth, a victory tomorrow could see them right back in the mix, just 5 points behind sixth placed Reading. In fact, three points could see Leeds climb to the heady heights of eighth. So if Derby can believe, why shouldn't Leeds if sitting just one place and one point below the Wally with the Brolly's Rams?
All that stands is their way is Birmingham City and Birmingham City aren't exactly Manchester City are they? Opportunity knocks for McDermott's team tomorrow, and if they don't open the door, then all hopes of a promotion push will be as good as dead. It's time for Friar Brian's Merry Men to stand tall and deliver!
So, although Leeds have slipped down to fifteenth, a victory tomorrow could see them right back in the mix, just 5 points behind sixth placed Reading. In fact, three points could see Leeds climb to the heady heights of eighth. So if Derby can believe, why shouldn't Leeds if sitting just one place and one point below the Wally with the Brolly's Rams?
All that stands is their way is Birmingham City and Birmingham City aren't exactly Manchester City are they? Opportunity knocks for McDermott's team tomorrow, and if they don't open the door, then all hopes of a promotion push will be as good as dead. It's time for Friar Brian's Merry Men to stand tall and deliver!
No news is bad news at Leeds United
Birmingham have extended Jessie Lingard's loan, Derby have taken Tottenham's Simon Dawkins on loan, Nottingham Forest have extended Billy Davies's contract and Leeds United have...well the Board and management at Leeds United have sat on their hands and done precisely nothing. Never mind a Murray, you can't Hurry a McDermott it seems.
How good is young Dawkins? I have no idea, but he has to be better than nobody, and the fact that he is on the books of Spurs suggests that he can kick a football. Based on the last game before the international break, which team is most in need of a new player or two, Derby or Leeds? So why is it Derby that have recruited first exactly?
Friar Brian initially insisted that he wasn't a fan of loan signings, but after the Derby game indicated that he would "step up the search" for somebody to bring in. But so far that search seems to have drawn a complete blank, unless Leeds are going to call a dramatic press conference today to unveil young pup Keane or old dog Keane or Zaha or whoever.
And on the subject of inactivity, what exactly has happened to the new investment that Chairman Noruddychance said was "close" some time ago now? It's in the pipeline, presumably, just like all the oil money that Leeds fans expected to pump through when the Arabs initially declared an interest in buying the club.
Leeds fans themselves seem to understand better the urgent need to bolster the team and it will serve the club right if they are as slow to get their money out of their wallets as the club are to spend theirs. When you can see the Seventies on YouTube free of charge, who wants to pay to watch a club big on history but devoid of ambition exactly?
How good is young Dawkins? I have no idea, but he has to be better than nobody, and the fact that he is on the books of Spurs suggests that he can kick a football. Based on the last game before the international break, which team is most in need of a new player or two, Derby or Leeds? So why is it Derby that have recruited first exactly?
Friar Brian initially insisted that he wasn't a fan of loan signings, but after the Derby game indicated that he would "step up the search" for somebody to bring in. But so far that search seems to have drawn a complete blank, unless Leeds are going to call a dramatic press conference today to unveil young pup Keane or old dog Keane or Zaha or whoever.
And on the subject of inactivity, what exactly has happened to the new investment that Chairman Noruddychance said was "close" some time ago now? It's in the pipeline, presumably, just like all the oil money that Leeds fans expected to pump through when the Arabs initially declared an interest in buying the club.
Leeds fans themselves seem to understand better the urgent need to bolster the team and it will serve the club right if they are as slow to get their money out of their wallets as the club are to spend theirs. When you can see the Seventies on YouTube free of charge, who wants to pay to watch a club big on history but devoid of ambition exactly?
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