Leeds Banter Archive August 20 2014

20 Aug 2014 22:38:01
I'm prepared to Give MC and Hockaday the benefit of the doubt for the moment. However I think MC lacks knowledge of the Championship and the type of player it takes to get you out of it. Furthermore I don't think it can work, at any club, whereby the CX is chasing and buying the talent he believes will do the job while the team coach has no real act or part in it. I think we have a coach who understands the Championship but can do very little to improve his side and a well intentioned CX ( the best we have had in years) who still has an awful lot to learn. MC please look at the type of team Sgt Wilko had in the championship (2nd Division) and how he utterly transformed it when we got promoted. Find someone who will kick the opposition in midfield and a winger who can feed Sharp. That would be a great start IMHO.

Tpjon
NOT sure how true it is but I saw the end of an interview with the Hock last week on TV.

Hock said BOTH he and MC put names forward for players they are interested in and a meeting takes place and everyone has to agree about the players before they are asked to join us.

(dont think he mentioned who everyone was at the meeting though, did anyone else see the interview?)

I saw that interview, the board consists of Hock, MC, ronnie corbet, bannana man, Paris Hilton and James Cordon (that bloke gets everywhere).

in all honest I don't think MC really listens to anyone as he seems very set in his ways, that said I think the players he has got so far all seem decent (apart from ajose) MC's record in italy suggests he has good eye for player

20 Aug 2014 22:28:11
Can't describe how happy I am that Fulham have lost their first 3 games!

Now now be nice :)

We've lost 2 and coulda have lost the others .

White
I really hope your not having a go at our ex-prolific goal scorer are you!

20 Aug 2014 21:51:00
The problem with Hockaday is that he is not well known or famous so difficult to attract good players. Hyppia went to old club Liverpool got Teixeira on loan and he scores against us. Now who's the rave at Forest Green.

Tell you who is not the rave at forest green. the hock they hate him and don't rate him so even if they do have a great player don't think he would play for us. aprrently the hock was a terrace boo boy and not rated by any fans or players. have to look at lower divisions

20 Aug 2014 20:58:00
Now we have signed this new striker it has to spell the end for hunt and Morrison

20 Aug 2014 20:38:48
Say the unthinkable happened and we signed Adryan for a crazy fee. Would we get a work permit for him? Is it a formality or would there be problems?

This is Leeds Utd, there's always problems!

{Ed013's Note - Bic you are full of positivity ;-)

He doesn't need a work permit, he has a portuguesse passport so no work permit issues

20 Aug 2014 16:16:59
We can't blame the Hock for everything, at some point the players need to take some responsibility because even under McDermott they all lost that responsibility and effort, if it wasn't for McCormack we would of been in serious danger. I'm going to judge the Hock when our first 10 games are up, then I'll truly know if he's up to the job but you can't judge off 3 games, I mean look at Fulham, Magath is the most experienced coach in the league and they are yet to win. I understand the frustration with Hock, I was annoyed when he was named coach but he's here now so we may aswell get behind him until Cellino throws the gauntlet down.

Well said m8
My sentiments exactly!

Yes Ditto

Agree LeedsSurrey; 10 games in and that's the marker for how Hock should be judged. We never know what Leeds team is going to turn up unfortunately at the moment we are like jeckle & hyde outfit.
Lets not forget though there are number of players who have come in and will need time to settle and Gel hopefully.

Asking for Hock to be shown the at this time is all well an good but who would we get to replace him? Who would want to manage us? British top managers don`t want to be told how to pick team or have no say who comes in. Tony Pulis would be my choice but he left Palace as the chairmain wanted to write the tune, sing the tune, and play the tune - this is what Massimo also wants to do so like I said who would want to manage us under those constraints?

MOT.

Trouble is surrey if the performances don't improve & after watching all of the games we have played this season they need to improve quiet dramatically we could find ourselves in a relegation fight, a fight that might lead to us being relegated. It is very clear Hockaday doesn't know what his best team is & the players seem to have no idea of what formation they should be playing. Cellino must take his share of the blame, we need players that are proven at this level we cannot keep getting in players from seria B, players incidentally the italian clubs don't seem to want. I find it very strange that the 3 players that could have made a difference to us, the deals failed to materialise. If you pay peanuts for players, you can only expect to get Monkeys in return. For us to be promoted within the two years as Cellino has promised he needs to compete in the transfer market.

Northumberland
I totally agree players take time to settle and get to know different aspects of each others game but I think what upsets MOST loyal fans (hope i'm write in saying most)
Is the commitment and effort that was lacking against Brighton. Against Boro we were average but most people were happy, some because we got 3 points but others because we showed a bit of passion.
THATS ALL WE ASK while this transition period takes plcae.

20 Aug 2014 21:54:24
Totally agree in the end its the players who perform but think he needs to put the players in who want to play for Leeds. Tonge, Murphy and Austin all had their chance last season and have not got any better. Cook is better than all three. I have been one of the Hocks supporters because I don't really care what he did at forest green he is with Leeds United now, but his team selection has been a bit duff If Van the man needs more match practice get him on the pitch because Murphy looks like training at times. think its time to get rid of all the dross I would not mind losing a couple of games if it was blooding new players.Bianchi must be wondering what he signed up to

"We can't blame the Hock for everything"

I agree, as it's not his fault the world is in such a state at present, but I am afraid he should take the blame for what is happening at Leeds, or at least the responsibility for it?

He is totally out of his depth here, and no matter how many people keep
banging on about giving him a chance he is the weakest link?

Goodbye!

Until we are rid of the guy we ain't going nowhere, how long are you going to give him to damage the team further?

We now have what amounts to the best squad we have had in many years and rid of a lot of the dead wood?

And we are still playing sh*te?

Nuff said, I think?

Sorry I think you can blame hock for most if not everything. same players but with pulis or revie as manager we would all be confident of going up, so it must lie with manager same goes other way whoever wins league this year if they had hock they would not go up. it is quite simple if we had a better manager our season would be better, not all hocks fault but changing him for someone good would make more of a difference than any signing. if the hock was in the opposition dug out every week we would all be far more confident of three points and that says it all for me

I thought against Middlesborough when the players were really putting their heart into it they played well at times, a lot better than they have before. Tonge seems like he's better coming off the bench, all I'm saying is I don't see the point of jumping on the coaches back, it's up to cellino and if he gets sacked I'll reflect on how bad he was but we've tried experienced managers that have own promotion like Warnock and McDermott and it didn't work. All I'm saying is let's give him a bit of time, 10 games in and I'm not satisfied with the team I'll join on the Hockaday out bandwagon. Cellino has been in football for a long time and knows his stuff and he is renown for sacking managers so maybe he sees something in hockaday

20 Aug 2014 14:17:23
{Ed013's Note - If you are bored visit the Leeds polls page and register your vote for man of the match for all the games so far this season. I know this is potentially hard to do! MOT}

20 Aug 2014 12:27:26
While watching the game last night, I just started to realise that we've been on a downhill slope since Grayson was chucked, it makes you wonder what could have happened over the past few season if we had stuck with him. At least wjen you watched a Grayson team you knew there wouldbe goals and excitement, heck in his first season he got us closer to the play-offs than any other manager since has, what does everyone else think about this?

I agree, but I think you are forgetting Blackwell got us to the final!

I agree, was sorry he went, he was Yorkshire as well!

Been saying this for a long while, Grayson was class, what he did despite having no budget and losing his best players and not being able to replace them. For me Grayson and MC would be a great duo and take us back to prem, at very least they would get us playing and get us some pride and respect back.

I think that the quality of football played has gone down hill ever since Eddie Gray stopped being the 1st team coach!
It was the best flowing football when he was coaching with the only other highlight when Gus Poyet was 1st team coach under Wise. Poyet left, Harry Basset came in and hoof ball began!
Bring back Eddie to the fold

Great idea - but with eddie always suffering from a runny nose during the winter (as seen on LUTV after match interviews) is there a risk of a virus spreading throughout the team?

I was running a hotel in lincolnshire when eddie was assistant manager to Brian Little at darlington and during the pre-match meal he was constantly looking at every player in turn and back again to see if there was any weakness in their attitude. it is something that I will never forget (no so darlington though)

Disagree re grayson
He didn't have the tactical awareness to succeed. Got a nose bleed the nearer we got to top and then just crumbled in a heap!

Not sure how you can say that about Grayson? we did far better with him in the championship than under any manager since. also think about the hand he had to play always losing best player year after year and not being able to replace them. can't comment on gray as coach I am far too young :) haha

20 Aug 2014 11:36:43
Hock does not have the team, he is cheap and that's about it, last night was awful and we will get rolled over week in week out with the level of commitment shown last night. Sorry Hock your not the man for a club like Leeds. I think the Dagenham Girl Pipers are looking for a manager, this is more your level!!

Name one top manager who would come to Leeds and work under MC like Hockaday does.

Exactly - None!

{Ed013's Note - Me?!!}

Agree with ed 013 I would rather him as manager an unporven is better than someone with such a bad record. I play a managment game as leeds just won all prem f.a, leauge cups and champs league and I honestly think that's makes me better than hock for I am untested hock sucked donkey balls at forest green and at 31 I could be seen to have potential and be up and coming! i'd do the job for 500 a week as I love the club (but want kits and training gear thrown in)

20 Aug 2014 10:28:04
Another disappointed fan after the Brighton result but certainly not dis heartened. I agree with Leeds4life what a difference a few days make, a level of commitment against Boro that brought a great result and then little commitment and we were never in the game. I am not one to bag a player but performances say that Austin's "use by date" for the Whites is truly past.

I hope I'm wrong but last night reminded me of Blackburn at Christmas last season, I felt from then that the team never played for McDermott again, for whatever reason. Not at the races last night!

20 Aug 2014 11:34:07
Must say not impressed with the team selection. All the players he picked for midfield should be on their way not first choice. Van the man Cook, Phillips, Bianchi, plus one more with Byram pushing up should be our first selections. We will miss Doukara so need Antenucci as Sharp is best feeding off others, Smith a god sub at the moment same as Poleon. Need left back, Taylor? and sort centre halfs out. Personally would play the Beast and Cooper in middle with Berardi on right. Mcdaid needs to be stepping up as well. Not impressed so far with Ajose. Bought plenty of players with more coming but Hock still sticking with sunday leaguers from last season, does he not understand whet a complete overhaul means. It means getting rid of the mentality that plagued us last season. Hope he has had his wake up call and starts picking a team that can attack, that's the only way out of league. Did not know anything about Hock when he came and was willing to give him a chance but he needs to do a lot better than this

BIGE we did know about Hock, we knew he was at forest green and they slated him, we knew he had biggest transfer and wage budget in none leauge and he nearly got religated four times. I know lots of Millwall fans who knew this and pointed it out the day he signed. straight away they all knew, so mc should know as well. it is not hard to see that the guy should never of been interviewed let alone given the job, let's not waste time and be reasonable, hock getting job wasnt reasonable so I don't see why we should put up with displays like millwall (and from what I hear brighton) if unhappy boo and let them know, cheering hasn't brought three points but getting on backs might bring change and it looks like change is needed.

20 Aug 2014 08:39:27
How many of these players have taken the Championship by the scruff of the neck and made a significant difference to LUFC?

Benedicic, Bianchi, Berardi, Doukara, Ajose, Sharp, Silvestri, Taylor, Cooper.

None!

Antenucci will be another average player who makes little impact. The transfer policy stinks! Quality not quanity is what's required (pay peanuts, get monkeys).

20 Aug 2014 10:26:43
Disagree only 3 games in.
What are you taking?
Doukara looks very good in my book.
Silvestri is a plus in any team.
Sharp is a gem.
Give the lads a chance.
My concern is the coach as I'm not happy with his team selections especially last night.

Perhaps a little premature don't you think. Maybe wait until they have all at least played in the championship!

Bic, calm down we've only played 3 championship games, wait until the end of the transfer window, and then see what happens

We have played 3 league games, scored one goal and conceded 5 (if you count Adomah's for Boro). We have been played off the park in two of those games.
We have looked miles off in terms of quality, a yard slower than other teams and confidence is more fragile than Darren Anderton!

Cheap imports have NEVER worked wherever it as been tried before. Proven, established performers are what is required. As I said earlier - quality Not quantity.

Few things, imports worked at watford and on the whole I think mc boys look ok and will get better. you can judge sharp on more than three games, the lad has been in our legaue for years and we all know he scores goals so he has to be a plus as we know from track record. Our keeper looks very good as do the other looks like they have the potential to be (apart from ajose who I think is out of depth but give the boy a chance). one thing is for sure with our a good coach team is going knowhere look at moyes a very good manager but he took man u from champs to average so what will hock do for leeds average at best maybe, by which case what would a better manager do? you could argue promotion

20 Aug 2014 13:30:47
GRow up, only Bianchi and Silvestri have played three games, Sharp scored the winner saturday and Benedicic and Taylor not even played yet

Bianchi - Looks class but struggling to get on the ball.

Doukara - fast, strong and two good goals so far

Silvestri - Looked good so far and only 23

Berardi - Looks comfortable on the ball

Cooper - Young and looks good going forward

Ajose - Looks quick but been ineffective


The rest haven't played yet!

Bianchi - Looks class (if that's class I give in!) struggling to get on the ball because he's not class.

Doukara - fast-ish, strong-ish and two good goals so far (against Accrington Stanley!). Squad player at best.

Silvestri - Looked good so far and only 23 - Agreed

Berardi - Looks comfortable on the ball -Not a great defender though. Reserve full back.

Cooper - Young (so what) and looks good going forward (but he's a defender).

Ajose - Looks quick but been ineffective (exactly)

Peanuts = Monkeys

Bermondsey. Cheap foriegn imports DID NOT work at Watford. Where are Watford now, and where are most of the cheap foreign players now.

Bic
Foreign imports got Watford to the play off finals!

The fact remains that Watford are still in the Championship and most of their cheap imports have either slipped into obscurity or gone to other leagues. Short term fixes on a shoe string budget spell failure.
Surely I can't be the only person who sees this ending badly!

No Bic the FACT is you said (look above) foreign imports NEVER work!

20 Aug 2014 08:10:01
Noticed McAllister was sat watching last night a few seats to my left - work with or replace the hock?

I thought the problem last time was the players he had at Leeds last time did not have the ability to play how he wanted. Perhaps some of the players arriving from all over the place would have the technical ability to play McCallisters way, which was how he used to play! I seem to think he can spot a player too, Snodgrass, Bechio I think he signed. Though Hock really should get few games after transfer window has closed and he can choose his best 11 and play them for a few games.

Gary Mac? no in my opinion hock is the worst manager we have ever had on paper (time will tell if that shows on the pitch) however I think no one can argue that gary mac was the worst manager we ever had on the pitch? our results under him were poor, he had no plan b and plan a wasn't bad, this was shown when simon grayson come in and showed what a real manager can do. That said gary mac had a great eye for a player but that don't matter with MC calling the shots with signings

20 Aug 2014 08:00:49
The Hock says, "I can't explain our slow start. It is a mental thing". Of course it is. All quality sporting teams and individuals have performance psychologists. Even Froch employed one for his last fight. We have a team of reasonable players who with the right mindset should perform better. My concern with Hock is he's just a coach of football skills and without understanding how to get the best out of these players mentally will struggle as we are witnessing. If MC is going to stick with Hock we have to hope a Leader emerges from the team and becomes an inspirational captain. 90% of winning is all in the mind. Oh well. MOT. I'm sure we will get it right in the next couple of months.

Bristol
Nicely put, I guess only time will tell mate.

Redknapp, pulis, adaldice, fergerson, review, wilkinson and even grayson didn't need a performance psychologists. remember liverpool and england had one and really pushed it look how they folded. all a football team has ever needed is a great manager/coach. it is all teams have ever needed and makes more of a difference than the player look what pulis did to palace with pretty much the same group and what moyes did with Manchester United pretty much same group of players. also look at holloway at the tin pot club millwall. it is not difficult to work out and has always been the case

Can't explain our slow start? Are you having a tin bath,,, it's you Mr Comedy Dave if there are mental issues in the team it's probably the players heads getting bragged trying to work out your conference tactics.

20 Aug 2014 11:48:44
Bermondsey, all the managers you mention are skilful at getting the best out of their players. They manage them individually and help the players form personal goals to be the best and make sure the players feel believed in. Holloway understands psychology of performance hence what he does with "tin Pot". I rest my case! MOT:0)

Exactly bristol a good manager needs a good assaistant and nothing else even the players are not important as they will get the best out of what they can get. we don't need a head doctor or sports phycoligist just a real manager/coach who can make our average squad (and I think average is fair) great hock could take us down a good manager would take us up after all that's there job. All the millwall fans are flying at the moment and they are all singing holloways praises not the players they know holloway is the reason they have done so well for so long now

20 Aug 2014 01:22:25
What a waste of money that was no pace no wingers n started wi four centre midfielders in a 442 what is going annternuci excuse my spelling ans adryan are good players but still ad no width and little pace god help us