Leeds United: Time to give the youngsters a go

By James Grayson (Twitter: jamesAgrayson)

Leeds United cannot go up or down. Brian McDermott’s initial job of ensuring Championship survival is done. The final two games against Brighton and Hove Albion and Watford are meaningless from Leeds’ perspective.

So this is the time to blood the youngsters coming through the academy.

The Turner brothers, Nathan and Lewis along with Chris Dawson, who made his debut against Derby County earlier this month, are just three players that should be given chances to shine.

The experience of Championship football in a non-pressurised environment will leave them in good stead for the future.

Dominic Poleon is another player who deserves a moment in the spotlight. He showed glimpses of talent in his early season appearances before his loan move to Bury.

With Academy manager Neil Redfearn (pictured above) assisting McDermott as well, I’m sure the Leeds boss will be getting pushed towards using the young players for the final two games.

But these games are not totally meaningless because both Brighton and Watford are playing for something.

Brighton are looking to cement their play-offs place, while Watford could still have a chance of getting the second automatic spot on the final day.

So Leeds do have a duty to other teams to play their strongest squads.

That is what McDermott has to ponder.

But if I was him, I would think that there is no better time to give the youngsters a run-out in the first team.

Match Report: Leeds United 1-0 Burnley

Leeds United 1-0 Burnley

by James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Cries of ‘Brian, give us a wave’ rang out at Elland Road as new Leeds United boss Brian McDermott continued to ride the crest of a wave as the Whites beat Burnley 1-0.

Rodolph Austin’s second half goal was the difference in a dreadful game – but most importantly Championship football was all but secured for next season.

The win moves Leeds onto 58 points and completes a dream start for McDermott, whose side beat Sheffield Wednesday last week in his first game in charge.

Leeds looked organised and deserved to win as Burnley seemed to be happy to take a point.

In a first half that was played at the pace of a pre-season friendly, defender Jason Pearce had a header cleared off the line before the rebound from Luke Varney hit the crossbar.

Burnley ended the half in better shape as Martin Paterson was unlucky with a chance that found the side-netting.

The crowd was subdued and desperately needed a spark.

Fortunately Leeds upped their tempo for the second half as within 17 seconds of the restart, the Whites had fired a warning shot.

El-Hadji Diouf somehow found space down the right-wing and his cross found Varney, who had the perfect chance to score his third goal in four days.

However, with the goal-gaping, Varney failed to properly connect and the ball went harmlessly wide.

The Whites had to take advantage and they did on the hour mark.

Former Liverpool forward Diouf created space for himself on the left-wing and with the ball at his feet, moved into a central position.

Upon seeing Austin making a darting run into the box, Diouf delightfully chipped the ball towards him and it only needed the slightest of touches from Austin to open the scoring.

The decibels inside Elland Road were raised and apart from one minor scare late-on, Leeds were able to hold-on without too much hassle ahead of a trip to Birmingham City tomorrow.

GFH right to bring Brian McDermott in as next Leeds United manager

By James Grayson (Twitter - @jamesAgrayson)

After the departure of Neil Warnock, there was no rush to appoint a replacement. But, the 2-1 defeat at Charlton Athletic last Saturday obviously triggered alarm bells in GFH’s heads.

The Whites are five points above the Championship relegation zone. While the situation is not desperate yet, it is concerning because Leeds are playing like a team that doesn’t look like winning a match.

Leeds have two crucial home games coming up – Sheffield Wednesday visit Elland Road on Saturday and then Burnley arrive on Tuesday night. United have to get something from both games.

With Brian McDermott set to be confirmed as the Leeds manager tomorrow (Friday), it does give everyone a huge boost.

Although the timing of the appointment, considering GFH claimed they were in no rush when Warnock left, does smell of a panic decision. However, it is the right type of long-term appointment and in the short-term, it brings stability back instantly. So GFH cannot be criticised.

McDermott has the pedigree of taking a team to the Premier League so he fits the bill. But in the short term he has to lead Leeds to safety before planning for the Premier League can be even thought about. Hopefully he can galvanise the dressing room to finish the job.

GFH should be applauded as well for reacting decisively to a potential disaster situation. They could have stuck with Neil Redfearn, but they saw the problem emerging and brought McDermott in.

McDermott must have also been given assurances over the long-term ambition of the owners and that there are funds available in the summer. That debate is for another day though – the priority is Championship survival and hopefully the new manager will ensure it.

And his first task is to revive a dressing room and get a winning team on the pitch and quickly – preferably on Saturday when the Owls visit.

Michael Brown's new Leeds United contract is staggering

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Leeds United midfielder Michael Brown must have one of the best agents in the business after receiving a one-year contract extension.

This means he will be with Leeds until the end of next season. The deal was signed because Brown had triggered a clause in his contract which said if he reached a certain number of appearances for this season, he received an automatic one-year extension.

The 36-year-old has been with Leeds since the summer of 2011 and is known for his poor disciplinary record.

But, the news will hardly go down well with Leeds supporters who must see it as a waste of funds on a player that will be likely to be unwanted by Neil Warnock’s successor.

Quite how Brown, who was 35 when his initial contract was negotiated last August, was quite able to do the deal is incredible. Why would a club aiming to reach the Premier League agree to such a deal.

Brown has been a bit-part player at times this season and will be even more so next season so Leeds have wasted money on him.

No-one in the Championship will want Brown and League One and Two clubs won’t be able to afford him so Leeds are stuck him with.

He has been a liability this season, his tackle on Scott Parker in the final minute of Leeds’ shock 2-1 over Tottenham is a prime example.  

Fortunately he probably won’t be making them sort of tackles next season as he will be watching from the stands, but he will be paid to do that.

Departed Leeds United manager Neil Warnock deserves credit

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

He swept into Elland Road in February 2011 to hero’s reception and was promised funds to take Leeds United into the Premier League. But over 12 months on, is it a wasted year?

Admittedly the foundations have been built. Leeds have a decent goalkeeper in Paddy Kenny and solid defenders in Tom Lees and Jason Pearce. He deserves credit for spotting the potential of Sam Byram and using him week-in-week-out. But Warnock was never able to bring the quality that is needed for an attempt to gain promotion.

Previous owner Ken Bates sold Warnock the club on basis that money was there to be spent. The manager then went away and drew up a shopping list. He got Pearce, but when Joel Ward slipped through the net the holes in Leeds’ promotion aspirations began appearing.

Warnock admits he thought about walking away then and only stayed out of loyalty to the fans so he deserves credit for staying put. With a different manager, Leeds may have been in a relegation battle for the whole season. Until the last few weeks, Leeds have been hard to beat and that mentality has ensured a good base of points which Neil Redfearn should be able to build on and secure safety with ease.

The arrival of GFH Capital meant Warnock could bring Jerome Thomas from West Brom. Thomas, a quick winger, added a new dimension and wins over Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough were partly because of him. Five wins out of five league games with Thomas shows the difference he made. Had Thomas stayed at Elland Road, could the play-offs have been reached?

While there no is doubt Warnock has been let down by the two boards, at times his tactics have been suspect. Warnock is a big fan of route one football and when Leeds were in a losing position, the appeared to be no plan B. And once as the play-offs began to slip away, it was clear that his interest was fading so the time was right to walk away after the defeat to Derby.

But, for all the negatives, Warnock does deserve credit for a handful of achievements. The League Cup run brought one of the most anticipated fixtures at Elland Road and in the city of Leeds for a long time. The Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup victory was a fabulous achievement so Warnock can leave with his head held high.

The real assessment of Warnock’s reign will be in a year’s time when his successor finishes his first season. If his team is added to with quality, Leeds will be a force to be reckoned with.

But while some will criticise him, Warnock should be applauded for creating a stable team and for providing memories Leeds fans won’t forget. He will feel he has done his best and there is probably no-one out that could have done a better job.

He knew how to take Leeds to take the next step, but he was held back by two boards unwilling to spend. Leeds themselves have missed a chance to reach the Premier League this season by not backing him.

Leeds United caretaker boss Neil Redfearn has to hit ground running

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Neil Warnock was fed up, Leeds United supporters had seen enough so the time was right for the two parties to part company. But while some rejoice in Warnock’s departure, the fact remains that caretaker manager Neil Redfearn needs to hit the ground running.

Leeds are looking over their shoulders. Third-bottom Huddersfield Town are only five points from the Whites and the final six games are far from easy. Relegation is a small possibility.

Now only four or five more points would probably be enough to secure safety so it is not a major panic at this stage. A win at Charlton on Saturday would almost certainly do the job. Redfearn needs the reaction he got from the players when he took caretaker charge at Bristol City last year. Leeds won that game 3-0.

This time around he leads a Leeds team that cannot win away from home so the odds are stacked against him. One bonus is that every single Leeds supporter will back the team. There will be no ‘Warnock time to go’ chants. All the focus is on the United performance.

The players who Warnock brought to the club are grafters and they need to show that and get a win for the manager who has just left.

Warnock leaves with many regrets, but he can look back on some memorable wins. League Cup wins over Everton and Southampton to his greatest triumph of beating Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.

But he has gone and Redfearn is left to pick up the pieces and he needs the backing of everything – the board, the fans and most importantly the players.

Why Paulo DiCanio must not be the next Leeds United manager

By James Grayson (Twitter - @jamesAgrayson)

Nigel Adkins’ appointment as the new Reading manager has meant that the controversial figure Paulo DiCanio is now the bookies’ favourite to take over from Neil Warnock.

But, such a move by GFH Capital would trigger the eruption of a volcano that is already on the verge of erupting. DiCanio, an admitted fascist, being given the job would upset a number of supporters and may even cause a small boycott.

Leeds United is a Jewish club in its roots and heritage and the sight of DiCanio as manager at Elland Road would be a punch in the face to its history. The success Don Revie enjoyed in the 1960s and 70s was mainly funded by rich Jewish businessmen, such as Manny Cussins so the arrival of DiCanio would be seen as a betrayal of the past.

DiCanio’s political views are not welcome at Elland Road, but is he even qualified to take on the role of leading Leeds to Premier League? All DiCanio has on his CV is a promotion out of League Two with Swindon. He has no experience of managing a Championship club.

He is too much of a gamble in a number of ways. The recently-departed Swindon chief executive described his reign as like managing with a hand grenade. As Leeds fans, we want to see our team back in the top flight, we don’t want to be reading headlines about our manager every day of the week. Swindon were a struggling League Two club when DiCanio took charge. He re-ignited interest in their club, Swindon needed someone like him. Leeds does not.  

So the message to GFH Capital, appoint DiCanio if you wish. But you will pay a steep price.

Leeds United: The runners and riders to replace Neil Warnock

By James Grayson (Twitter - @jamesAgrayson)

With Nigel Adkins on the verge of being appointed the new Reading manager, Leeds have missed out on one of their best candidates for the manager’s job when Neil Warnock steps down. Adkins was sacked by Southampton earlier this year after two successive promotions with the Saints and was widely seen as the man to take the Whites back to the Premier League.

Sports Performer accesses the other (in no particular order) candidates:

Gus Poyet – Skybet odds 7/1

Poyet is an outsider, but does have an affinity to Leeds after being Dennis Wise’s assistant six years ago. However, Poyet is in a comfortable position at Brighton and has money to spend as the Brighton hierarchy persuaded him to turn down the advances of Reading. Poyet is probably an unviable option to Leeds as it would cost a fortune to compensate Brighton.

Likelihood – Unlikely

Paulo DiCanio – Skybet odds 3/1

GFH would be mad to appoint such a character. The Swindon chief executive described his reign at the County Ground as like managing with a hand grenade. Leeds don’t the need the publicity Di Canio brings. Swindon needed someone like that to reignite the interest in their club. Leeds need a manager who will quietly get them into the Premier League without fuss. But will GFH see it that way?

Likelihood – Possible

Phil Parkinson – Skybet odds 25/1

Parkinson has done a magnificent job at Bradford City in the sense of getting them to the League Cup final. However, he has not achieved his objective of getting them promotion. The Leeds job would be a step too far for him at the moment. Parkinson also failed at Hull City when he was given a shot at the chance of managing a Championship club in 2006.

Likelihood - Unlikely

Steve McClaren – Skybet odds 25/1

As Leeds fan, McClaren could be seen as the perfect fit for Leeds. Currently unemployed after leaving FC Twente would require no compensation, which would attract GFH. But, he does have black marks. The England experience is one and the other is the calamitous short spell in the Championship with Nottingham Forest.

Likelihood - Possible

Alan Curbishley – Skybet odds 28/1

Curbishley would be a steady choice, but he has been out of the game for four years since leaving West Ham. However, he’s a respected figure and would have the backing of the players from day one.

Likelihood - Likely

Owen Coyle – Skybet odds 14/1

Coyle is a manager who likes to get his teams playing football in the right way. He took a club like Burnley into the Premier League by passing the ball and this style of play would be welcomed by Leeds fans. Neil Warnock likes to play route one football which has infuriated them. He’s available and certainly worth an interview.

Likelihood - Possible

Karl Robinson – Skybet odds 25/1

MK Dons boss Robinson was linked to the job when Simon Grayson left. But he’s still probably not ready for the step-up. Had MK Dons won promotion last season, Robinson would be a viable candidate. He’s one for the future, but he's not the man for this moment.

Likelihood - Unlikely

Gareth Southgate – Skybet odds 16/1

A likeable and media friendly guy, Southgate can talk a good game. But does his managerial credentials fit the bill for Leeds? Probably not. Southgate is someone who would impress at any interview, but Leeds need someone with proper managerial experience. He managed Middlesbrough in the Premier League, but all he managed to achieve was getting them relegated. GFH need to look elsewhere.

Likelihood - Possible

Brian McDermott – Skybet odds N/A

He got Reading up under the radar. That makes McDermott an ideal man to lead Leeds to the Premier League. Quiet and unassuming, McDermott would make Leeds a team that people like and respect and he would go about his business without fuss. GFH have to take a look.

Likelihood - Likely

Ex Leeds United man Mark Jackson on why Nigel Adkins is the man to replace Neil Warnock as Whites manager

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Former Leeds United defender Mark Jackson believes Nigel Adkins is the perfect choice to replace Neil Warnock, if the Whites manager steps down at the end of the season.

Jackson, currently assistant manager at Evo Stik Division One North outfit Farsley AFC, played for Scunthorpe United when Adkins was the physio at Glanford Park under Brian Laws.

Adkins, who is believed to be still negotiating his pay-off from Southampton, took over as Scunthorpe manager in 2006 before taking charge at Southampton in 2010.

He led the Saints to back-to-back promotions and into the Premier League and Jackson is convinced that Adkins has the right attributes to lead Leeds.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Nigel for a number of years at Scunthorpe, this was obviously before he went into his managerial post at Scunthorpe and into the public eye,” he said.

“During my time at Scunthorpe when he was the physiotherapist, you could see something in him which has brought him to the managerial table. You saw his philosophy on how he likes his teams to play, his man-management of players and the psychology which is really important.

“He is really positive in everything he does and you see in the interviews he does on Sky Sports that he really is. He’s a forward-thinking manager, a new breed of manager. He is a manager who likes to embrace new ideas and new tactics and not afraid to try something new.

“I think a manager like that is what the game needs now and me being a Leeds supporter, who has been lucky to play for them in the past, I would love to see the days when they were competing in the Premier League back.

“I think a manager of that calibre and a forward-thinking vision would be the man to take them there.”

As a player, Jackson broke through the ranks at Leeds and played 19 times under George Graham in 1997 before moving onto Scunthorpe, Kidderminster, Rochdale and then Farsley in 2007.

He has moved into coaching himself and he points to the success Adkins enjoyed at Southampton as another key reason to why he would like to see him in the Elland Road hotseat.

“There is a lot of luck in management, you drop lucky at the right time, but the way he conducts himself and the way he gets his teams playing is something I like,” he said.

“He gets all his players to buy into what he is doing.

“They may not be the most talented players in the world, with all due respect to them. But if you get them all playing a way and all believing in themselves then you can achieve things. Southampton’s achievements were obviously getting to the Premier League.

“I follow his career and I like what he does and I think Leeds United needs someone like that now.”

Warnock has confirmed in the last few weeks that he won’t be the United manager next season if the club are still in the Championship for the 2013-14 campaign.

Leeds have slipped away from the play-offs in the last two months and Warnock has openly said that he has discussed his successor with the owner GFH Capital.

Leeds and Warnock had huge hopes for promotion this year and Jackson admitted he had believed that Warnock would lead United to promotion.  

“It has not panned out the way they hoped and I thought when Neil Warnock was taken on, he was the right man for the job,” he said.

“He had a track record of getting teams promoted and I remember speaking to someone over the phone and saying that I didn’t think it was a long-term thing to get Neil Warnock in. I don’t think he (Warnock) saw it that way. But for whatever reason it hasn’t panned out this year.

“People talk about budgets, but I do think Leeds suffer from the respect of teams coming to Elland Road, a fantastic stadium, and upping their game every time. And we probably haven’t got the quality of players that we need to get us out of the Championship just yet.

“We still have a chance of the play-offs, but it is slipping away so now might be the time to start thinking about the future.”

Match Report: Leeds United 1-1 Peterborough United

By James Grayson (Twitter - @jamesAgrayson)

Leeds United’s hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs hang in the balance following a disappointing 1-1 draw with relegation strugglers Peterborough United at Elland Road.

A second half equaliser from man-of-the-match Sam Byram rescued a point after in-form Peterborough striker Dwight Gayle had put the visitors ahead on 15 minutes.

And boos rang out at the final whistle as Peterborough finished the stronger side.

The result leaves Leeds five points off the play-offs with only nine games remaining.

Leeds manager Neil Warnock had warned his players not to under-estimate Peterborough and they clearly hadn’t listened as Darren Ferguson’s men made a fine start to the match.

Gayle saw an effort cannon back off the crossbar just minutes before he held off Leeds captain Lee Peltier and fired his shot past Paddy Kenny and into the top corner.

Gayle, who has made an impressive start to life with Peterborough since his move from Dagenham and Redbridge, caused endless problems for Peltier and Tom Lees, who would have to withdraw due to injury in the first half.

His replacement Jason Pearce then wasted four guilt-edge chances in the last 60 minutes – including a close range header when the goal was gaping.

But Leeds knew they could find a way back into the match. The Peterborough defence looked vulnerable and were making careless mistakes.The goalkeeper Robert Olejnik looked a bag of nerves and was suspect with his kicking and throwing ability.

However, forward talisman Steve Morison, double goal-scorer at Crystal Palace, was being kept under lock and key by defender Gabriel Zakuani.

So when Warnock brought off Morison and replaced him with El-Hadji Diouf at half-time, it breathed new life into Leeds. Diouf allowed Leeds to attack with the ball on the ground and this caused Peterborough to start rocking.

And after a few half chances, Leeds scored the equaliser on 57 minutes.

Stephen Warnock’s corner went across goal and teenager Byram, recently linked with Manchester City, connected with the ball with his shin which took the ball over-the-line.

Leeds pressed for the winner, but it was Peterborough who nearly won the game in the closing stages.

Gayle, Kane Ferdinand and Lee Tomlin all got behind the Leeds defence towards the end, but the Whites managed to survive. Gayle also had a decent attempt tipped over the crossbar by Kenny.

Peterborough will look back on the game as two points dropped, while Leeds’ weaknesses were exposed again ahead of a local derby with Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Blackpool Victory Puts Leeds United Back in the Play-Offs Picture

Three days ago, Leeds United were calling for his head, but last night Neil Warnock had the fans chanting his name in support.

‘Warnock, give us a wave’ rang out around Elland Road as ninth-placed Leeds closed in on a crucial victory 2-0 win over Blackpool which puts them into the Championship play-offs picture.

His comments at Manchester City indicted that he would soon be leaving and supporters inside Elland Road chose to leave personal views aside and back the team to the hilt.

There was little criticism as an efficient performance and two second half goals moved the Whites within six points of Middlesbrough who occupy the last play-offs spot.

The home crowd urged their team on from the first minute as Leeds were straight at their opponents, hoping for an early goal.

Blackpool, managed for the first time by Paul Ince, were unfortunate not to score during the first half and Leeds had Paddy Kenny to thank for a three top saves.

However, Blackpool’s only threat was Tom Ince and he was well-marshalled by the Leeds defence. Leeds also had control in midfield and that was a key factor.

The teams went in at the break level, but Leeds were looking far more likely to score and on 59 minutes, the deadlock was broken.

David Norris’ sweet volley beat goalkeeper Matthew Gilks and then only minutes later, Leeds’ new number nine Steve Morison opened his account after an horrific mistake from Stephen Crainey.

That was job done.

But the question remains: Can Leeds keep the momentum going and reach the top six. Firstly they have to start winning away from home. Do that and they have a chance. Secondly and stating the obvious, they have to perform like they did against Blackpool in every game.

Leeds United: Blackpool Clash Could Represent Last Chance Saloon for Neil Warnock

The reign of Neil Warnock as manager of Leeds United is coming to an end. He admitted it himself after the FA Cup at Manchester City. It is a matter of when rather than if. If his side fall further away from the play-offs, it could be a matter of days.

Ahead of the visit of Blackpool to Elland Road on Wednesday, the Whites sit eight points from 6^th place Middlesbrough. Anything but a win and any promotion aspirations have gone for 2012-13. It will also be the start of a change in management.

The fans and Warnock himself have had enough. The supporters are unhappy with team selection, tactics and of course results. While Warnock, has been let down over the last 12 months by false promises and the inability to compete with the big-spenders Cardiff, Hull and Leicester who all occupy the top spots. Warnock knows if Leeds want to the Premier League, there needs to be heavy finance and he just hasn’t been given it. So the time is right to make a change when the play-offs are no longer possible.

The owners GFH Capital have said they want a younger manager to replace. How young we don’t know, but whoever they choose, it has to be someone with promotion credentials. Nigel Adkins fits the bill, so does Paulo DiCanio, but he would be too much of a gamble. MK Dons boss Karl Robinson is an outsider, but he has yet to achieve a promotion.

From my point of view, Adkins is the heir to the throne, but he has to be backed or Leeds will be in the exactly same situation in 12 months’ time.

Ex Leeds United man Robbie Rogers Comes Out as Gay: A Missed Opportunity

Follow me on Twitter @jamesAgrayson

It is has taken 23 years, but British football again finally has an openly gay footballer. Or they did have because former Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers announced his retirement at the same time so the reaction from the terraces and dressing room will never be known.

But the timing from Rogers again exposes the fact that no professional footballer is willing to come out in fear of the repercussions. The culture of the dressing room and the reaction from fans are the major reasons. My background is non-league football and I have never seen homophobia, but I’m sure higher up the football pyramid it is a major problem – certainly in football’s ‘trouble spots’.

It is a real shame that Rogers did not come out while still playing because it would have changed the landscape of English football. The effect would have been positive and more gay footballers would have been persuaded to reveal their sexuality. Swede Anton Hysen is currently the only openly gay professional footballer, but his decision to come out has had no effect in this country. It is going to have to take a big name to come out for there to be a ripple effect.

While at first it would be difficult because human nature says there will be always a few that would be initially uncomfortable with their sexuality – whether that is on the terraces or in the dressing room.

Homosexuality is a huge taboo subject in football, but it needs a gay role-model. If one player comes out, others will follow and homosexuality will no longer be a taboo subject.

It will happen, it is just a matter of time. However, for gay footballers and supporters, Rogers’ decision to retire at the same time is a huge missed opportunity.

Leeds United: Neil Warnock Deserves a Chance to Succeed

Twitter - @jamesAgrayson
Following the 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, Leeds United manager Neil Warnock faced renewed calls for his dismissal. But, in my view, sacking Warnock will not achieve anything. All it will do is cause needless disruption and he does deserve a chance to succeed with proper financial backing.

When he was appointed last year, chairman Ken Bates promised Warnock the funds to mount a promotion charge to the Premier League. By the end of the May, it was obvious that the promise would be unfulfilled as Warnock grew frustrated and later admitted that he considered quitting.

Now with the funds he did receive, he has been able to put together a good base with a number of workhorse players. However, the funds were not enough to add the gravitas that is needed to reach the Premier League. Leeds have no-one with something special. El-Hadji Diouf is the closest thing Leeds have. Cardiff have the likes of Craig Bellamy and that is the difference.

By December, GFH Capital finally gained ownership and expressed their desire to get to the Premier League. But for them the honeymoon is over, Warnock has been given little backing financially. He got a good player in Steve Morison but that was a player-swap with Norwich so GFH did little.

If Leeds seriously want to get back to the Premier League, investment has to be made, regardless of who the manager is. I don’t see the point of changing manager when the replacement could end up in the same situation six months down the line.

My view – judge Warnock when he gets the financial backing.