The Scratching Shed

Show me the money!

Seems like an age since Leeds were last linked with a possible takeover, but fear not, the takeover rumour mill is back in business ready to destroy our hopes once again.

The rumour goes that Chris Akers – who some may remember as chairman of the Caspian group who took over Leeds United in 1996 – is leading a consortium of Australian businessmen hoping to gain control of Leeds United from everyone’s favourite businessman, Ken Bates.

An easy link to the club given Chris Akers previous involvement, but many of us were expecting some interest once we returned to the Championship so I suppose anything is possible?

After completing the takeover of the club in 1996, Chris Akers was replaced by the fish-loving supremo, Peter Ridsdale who later guided Leeds United into total oblivion via a short stop in the European Champions League. One can only hope he has a more suitable chairman lined up this time!

Returning to work last month, still on a bit of a high from the promotion party (which I was still suffering from), the tireless Scum fans still managed to poke fun at Leeds United. To them, a pitch invasion for escaping the third tier was a bit ridiculous, and in truth, maybe it was? But after nearly a decade of demise, the pitch invasion and parties that followed around Leeds were inevitable.

After years of frustration, heartbreak and failure, we finally had something to celebrate. And yes – we probably did go a little over the top. But the fact of the matter is, that promotion was long overdue, and we all needed something to lift our endlessly tormented souls.

However ridiculous celebrating promotion to the second tier may be for a club of Leeds United’s size, I’d do it all again tomorrow. The Scum fans are welcome to laugh. After all, Leeds United are finally moving forwards again. Scum meanwhile are being knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by third-tier teams and crippling under the weight of the Glazer inherited debts. It helps you sleep much easier at night, doesn’t it?

The Scum fans are welcome to their five minutes of laughter. They know that deep down, their days of Premier League dominance are over. They know the debt which Glazer has burdened them with will eventually be too big to cope with and that multi-million pound transfers will quickly become a thing of the past. And as they slowly slip down the pecking order, Leeds United will quietly rise again.

You see, the Scum fans are easy enough to torment. They have enough worries of their own and are simply trying to deflect attention by focusing on us. It’s the same “light-hearted” banter that these two teams have communicated in for years, and it isn’t going to stop simply because there’s a division or two between us. The hatred is far too strong for that!

However, more and more over the last few years I’ve noticed that the Scum fans are wasting their breath. No matter how critical of Leeds United’s team, management or fans they may be, they simply can’t compete with the attitudes coming from within. We’ve developed such a defeated, cynical and pessimistic attitude, that escaping this rut is a hell of a lot harder than it should be.

I say ‘developed’, but it’s hardly something that’s happened over night. No other team on earth is as critical of their players as Leeds United’s fans are. Jermaine Beckford was a prime example, but even going back to our more successful time at the top, Mark Viduka endured the same kind of nonsense.

Then there’s the management. Simon Grayson moves from hero to mug at such a rapid pace, I can’t update TSS quick enough sometimes. He’s not been the only one either, David O’Leary, George Graham and even Howard Wilkinson often fell foul of the fans negativity.

I’m digressing a little here, but there’s an often cited tribe in Africa called the Ashanti’s that Psychologists have used to explain what can happen when an entire community expects something of you. Basically, the Ashanti’s believe that your personality is dictated by what day of the week you are born. For example, a boy born on Monday is said to be ‘mild-mannered and peace loving’ whilst one born on Wednesday is said to be ‘violent and aggressive’.

Of course, in a more developed society such as our own, we know the day of the week on which you’re born holds absolutely no relevance to your personality. However, the Ashanti’s that were born on a Wednesday did turn out to be ‘violent and aggressive’, whilst those born on a Monday were ‘mild-mannered and peace loving’. What the Ashanti’s and Psychology teaches us, is that when something is when everyone around us expects something of someone, that person will generally act accordingly.

So how does this relate to Leeds United? Maybe it doesn’t, but I can’t help thinking that the negativity amongst our fans sometimes fuels failure. In the play-off final against Donny for example, there were as many fans expecting us to ‘bottle it’ as there were fans who thought we would win. When a group of players pull on that famous white shirt that holds all the memories of finals where we ‘bottled it’ and they hear the pessimistic expectations of fans, maybe they start to conform to what is “expected” of them? Maybe failure was inevitable?

Conversely, you only need to look at the defiant arrogance of the Manchester United fans who believe they have a god-given right to win anything, or the kind of ‘we can beat anyone‘ spirit Jose Mourinho instils wherever he goes. You never get that kind of belief at Elland Road. There’s always an element of expected doom. We enjoy the highs, but seldom get too carried away. In truth, we always hold back a little, just in case there’s an epic fall awaiting us around the next corner.

Even now, after promotion the negativity remains. The possibility that Simon Grayson has nothing to spend makes us question our chances next term. We compare ourselves to other teams, not by looking at the strength and depth of our own squad, but by suggesting how easily the oppositions star player will tear through our fragile defence.

Maybe pessimism is an inherent trait of all Leeds United fans? All those failures are hard to forget, but are we partly to blame for those failures? Is our own negativity dragging the team down and stopping Leeds United’s success, or is the Gypsy curse/Ken Bates/deal Ridsdale made with the Devil to blame for it all?

Today marks ten years since the brutal murders of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight. The two Leeds United fans were guilty of nothing more than following their football team on our European adventures when they were attacked by Turkish thugs who still haven’t been brought to justice.

10 years ago at Elland Road

Today in Yeovil, myself and the rest of the travelling Leeds United fans will be turning our backs on football to show our united disgust at the contiued failure of the Turkish authorites, UEFA & FIFA.

Despite several swift arrests and an admission of guilt from one of the thugs responsible, the Turkish authorites have still failed to prosecute anyone for the vicious and unprovoked crimes. A lack of punishment from UEFA and FIFA for both Galatasaray and Turkey has not gone unnoticed either and our disgust should be noted by them all.

Ken Bates gave his support to the campaign on Saturday suggesting that a country with such a failing legal system should not be allowed entry into the European Union;

‘We were holding a minute’s silence before the Swindon match and it was silence not applause because we were mourning their lives after they were murdered in Turkey. 

‘I would use the word murder because that’s what it was.  

‘I’ve read a lot about it, and about what happened in the bar area where the Turkish thugs were following the Leeds fans. 

‘Where were the police? What were they doing? It’s supposed to be a pretty tough state – why was it allowed to get out of hand?

‘And why after 10 years is there no justice? It doesn’t make sense. 

‘It would suggest Turkey is not ready to be admitted to the EU and maybe that’s something the campaigners should focus on. 

‘It would concentrate the authorities minds, because if the country cannot hand out European justice …’  

Chairman of the time, Peter Ridsdale also added his own thoughts;

‘Some things that happened ages ago are etched in your memory as if they were yesterday. 
‘It was just the most amazingly awful experience. I don’t mean for me, this wasn’t about me, it wasn’t about Leeds United, it was about the families of two individuals who should never, ever have lost their lives.‘

As the appeals for justice continue from the victims families, Leeds United fans around the world are united behind their campaign. A decade on and still no justice, but the fight continues.

Christopher Loftus & Kevin Speight. Never forgotten!

Oh how naive the Cardiff fans were to think Peter Ridsdale would bring them anything other than financial ruin. His takeover of Cardiff was met with endless warnings from the Leeds United faithful. We told them he was a self-obsessed meglomaniac hell-bent on getting as much attention for himself through over-spending and dellusions of grandure as he could, without any thought for the consequences such dramatic spending would incur. Of course, they didn’t listen. The Cardiff fans were dismissive of our warning cries, thoroughly buying in to Peter Ridsdale’s dreams.

Free to good home. Contact HMRC for more details.

I’d love to sit here and write an article from my high horse whilst pointing and laughing at the Cardiff fans and typing ‘WE TOLD YOU SO!’ over and over again, but the truth is, we know exactly how manipulative and convincing Ridsdale can be. After all, we bought into his madness too.

Remember that famous quote of ‘Peter Ridsdale could sell snow to the Eskimoes?’ Well, unless he can also sell sand, I mean Cardiff to the Arabs, then things are looking a little ominous for the Welsh side as they face another winding up order.

Ridsdale’s club escaped their first winding-up order as a payment plan with HMRC was agreed when they went to the High Court back in December. It seems the lovely people at Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs aren’t too happy though and have issued Cardiff with… yes! Another winding-up order.

Ridsdale meanwhile continues to try and make everyone believe things are rosy and that the club will pay the debt to HMRC by the end of January. A quote on the BBC’s website says;

 ”We have every confidence that all monies owing to HMRC will have been repaid by the end of January.”

Whether they meet that target or not, I would gladly put money on further troubles ahead. The beginning of the quote which reads “we have every confidence” would be enough to send shivers down my spine if I was a Cardiff fan. I imagine many Leeds United fans reading this are getting the distinct feeling of déjà vu.

Having been through enough of an emotional rollercoaster ride with Leeds United to fill a Dan Brown novel, I actually have sympathy for Cardiff’s fans. As much as it amuses me to see Peter Ridsdale crash and burn once more, as we all know, it’s the fans who suffer whilst Ridsdale will swan off to sell his “dreams” to another club, quickly forgetting the trail of destruction he’s left behind. The man should be sectioned… or shot. At least that way his insurance money could be used to repay the taxpayer.

Social Networks: Don’t forget you can now fan TSS on Facebook for all the latest news from the site as well as pictures and videos of Leeds United FC. You can also follow TSS on Twitter.

Since I’ve decided match previews are about as interesting as watching people sleep on E4′s night time coverage of Celebrity Big Brother, the ‘Interview with an away fan’ series I’ve randomly done will serve as a direct replacement.

This week, with Wycombe the visitors to Elland Road on Saturday (assuming enough people can figure out how to drive in the snow) we’re joined be the co-editor of Wycombe Wanderers fan site, SMBU for what has to be one of the most entertaining interviews to date. 

TSS - Hi SMBU, thanks for taking the time to talk to TSS. Wycombe’s current form leaves a lot of space for improvement with four losses and one draw in your last five games. Not the best time to visit Elland Road, is it?

SMBU - There’s not really been a good time to visit anywhere this season. We’ve looked ill-prepared for the campaign from the opening day and though League One is seen by most Wycombe fans as our natural level, we’ve looked like League Two tourists on a minibus with bring-your-own binoculars most of the time. Obviously the trip to Elland Road was the one everyone sought out in June but while we probably thought you’d be top, I don’t think anyone thought we’d be so marooned in the mire come January.

TSS - Our top-goalscorer Jermaine Beckford revealed he wanted to leave this week and has submitted a transfer request to the club. This hasn’t gone down well with the fans of Leeds United and the chances of him playing Saturday are slim at best. Do you think that’s a good thing for Wycombe, or are you worried a defiant Leeds will go out intent on proving they can win this league without him?

SMBU - There’s nothing worse than a talented but grumpy wantaway striker. We had the same problem with Jermaine Easter a couple of seasons ago when he wept with rage at Wycombe denying him his rightful place in the upper echelons of the Premier League. How did that go Jermaine? To be frank, I’m sure whoever Leeds bring in on Saturday will still have enough to bring mayhem and muddle to the existentially ragged Wycombe defence so don’t worry on that account. Looking from the outside, it seems disappointing that he’s willing to jump ship when you’re homing in on the title but agents need their slice of pie, especially when you’ve got the central heating on all day.

TSS - Anyone in your team that we can buy to replace Beckford’s 30 a season?

SMBU - Yeah, tell Ken to make a sensational £30m bid for our entire squad and we’ll meet him in a layby near Chesterfield.

TSS - You’ve got the wrong Ken mate. Ours doesn’t spend money! As I said in my first question, you’re not in the greatest of form at the minute and lie 23^rd in League One. Is relegation an inevitability or can you turn this round?

SMBU - A few weeks it looked like we were turning a corner but a traditionally bleak Christmas (we’ve won once on Boxing Day in 16 seasons as a league club) has dumped us back in the doom zone. Certain brands of Wycombe fan may swan about town boasting about our undersoil heating but when it only allows you to lose games that could have been postponed it’s a bit pointless. I think there are enough poor teams in the division for us to make a dramatic escape but we’ll need to strengthen in the transfer window and I don’t know whether that will happen.  

TSS - Back in 2005-06, you were riding high in the league, but everything went wrong after the sad death of young midfielder Mark Philo, and John Gorman’s (manager at the time) wife dying. 21 matches undefeated turned into 6 straight losses as Gorman took time off to grieve. Gorman was later “relieved of his duties” as the club didn’t think he was in the right state of mind to continue managing the club, despite the fact he took over Northampton a few days later. What are your feelings on this?

SMBU - That was a very odd season. Some of the football played under Gorman beggared belief, all out attack and a defence made of play-dough. The deaths were an awful & bleak interlude and to see a record unbeaten run and a record run of defeats in the same season summed up the unreal nature at the time. John Gorman is one of the nicest men in the game but he came back too early after his wife died and the club probably did the right thing, for him more than anyone. His spell at the wretched shoe-goons in Northampton showed as much. It was good to see him back in the game at QPR.

TSS – Odd seasons hey? I once had a dream that we’d appointed an idiotic chairman who went crazy and threw money at over-rated players like Michael Dubious. It resulted in us going into financial meltdown and crashing down into League One… Oh wait…

Anyway, staying with management, like Leeds, you seem to go through them quite quickly. Paul Lambert and Peter Taylor followed Gorman, and Taylor has since been replaced by Gary Waddock. Is he the right man for the job, or do you wish one of the others had stayed?

SMBU – Lambert was a good manager, and turned the players that Gorman had signed into a proper unit, as evidenced by our run to the League Cup semis (indeed, Manchester City may be chipper at the moment but we’ve still been to more domestic cup semis this century than they’ve managed in the past 30 years). Taylor should be spoken of in great terms, the first manager since Martin O’Neill to get Wycombe promoted, but the football last season was like watching battery acid run down some double glazing and there were no tears when he departed in the autumn. Gary Waddock has turned things around, in the entertainment stakes at least. Even if we go down, he should be given a chance to get us back up but modern football likes to encourage relentless change like a divorcee at a one armed bandit.

TSS - Funnily enough, the afore mentioned Duberry currently plays for Wycombe. Not someone I’m particularly keen on given his involvement in the Bowyer-Woodgate incident. It also didn’t help that we paid him a ridiculous amount of money when the fish in Ridsdale’s office were on a par in terms of usefulness. The last time I saw him, he looked a little on the heavy side; Is this still the case and how is he getting on as captain of Wycombe?

SMBU – Duberry may currently be paid by Wycombe but there’s not much chance of seeing him on Saturday. He’s done more lumbering than a Canadian truck driver this season and to say the Wycombe fans are unimpressed is an understatement. He was appointed captain based on his reputation but has shown nothing but chunky thighs and the turning circle of the Austrian naval fleet. Clubs like Wycombe should be bringing through young talent and hunting through the non-leagues for rough diamonds, not paying faded stars to bring some glamour and a carbon footprint to the training ground car park. 

TSS – Another ex-Leeds player Ian Westlake also plays for Wycombe. I met him when he was younger and was always a fan of the lad. Always thought he’d do well at Leeds, but wasn’t to be. How’s he getting on?

SMBU – Bit of a panic signing by Taylor at the end of the summer and hasn’t featured too much. Has shown some nice touches on occasion but has also looked well off the pace and injury prone, plus it’s fairly clear that Waddock is keen to get rid sooner rather than later.

TSS – That’s a shame, he’s a nice lad and the talents definitely there. Guess he’s doomed to be another ‘could have been’ though. Aside from Dubious and Westlake, what other players should we be keeping an eye on this Saturday?

SMBU – Midfielder Tommy Doherty is one of the classier players in the lower leagues though has a temper on him, while wideman Matty Phillips has come through the youth team and is showing some genuine promise. We’ve also got local lad Scott Davies on loan from Reading, a youngster who started with Wycombe as a kid before moving to Berkshire in the Nathan Tyson deal, and he’s been a step above most players in the past few months, This will probably be his penultimate game, sadly.

TSS – I’m always quite interested in what other clubs think of Leeds, especially since we were voted the most hated club in football (despite our demise). What are your feelings on us?

SMBU – I always have soft spot for any big club who slip down to the third tier, like seeing a heavyweight boxer fighting at the local carnival for candyfloss and a bus fare. We were the only team to do a league double against Man City in 98-99 but they still escaped at the first attempt. You should clamber out this time and we’ll wave you on your way. Let’s be frank, Wycombe and Leeds have no history so any Wanderers fan dishing it out is skating on thin ice. Then again, it works both ways so if you start saying that a club formed in 1887 has no history then you’re just as bad.   

TSS – A soft spot for Leeds? That could well be a first! Finally, what’s your prediction for the game?

SMBU – Leeds to cruise into an early lead before the ref abandons the game due to frost on the stanchions. 

TSS – I’d be more confident in the game being called off by frost than Leeds romping to an early lead. Even when we’re on the up I can’t help but feel the next fall is just around the corner. Years of experience taking it’s toll I guess! Thanks for taking the time to talk to TSS and best wishes for the rest of the season.

With the transfer window due to open in just two days Simon Grayson may well be planning for life after Jermaine Beckford. Our number one striker has been the subject of much debate over the last week or so as the Newcastle United manager revealed he is looking into the possibility of signing Becks.

Leeds have maintained all along that Beckford will remain with Leeds until the summer unless a ‘ridiculous offer’ comes in. Whilst I’ve been adamant no club would be stupid enough to pay over the odds for a striker with less than six months remaining on his contract, this is Newcastle and if any club could graduate from the school of Peter Ridsdale financial management with honours, it’d undoubtedly be them.

That said, I guess it’s a case of what Leeds United want for Beckford. If it’s only £2-3m and not the £6m previously quoted, then it could be worth a punt for the Toon. If he can score enough goals to get them back to the Premiership, then he’d be worth every penny, but at the same time, what use is £2-3m to Leeds if we’re going to lose the only player capable of 30 goals a season?

I’ve been pretty convinced that Beckford will remain with Leeds United until the end of the season, but my feelings have changed since Hughton revealed his plans. If he does go, then Grayson will definitely be in the market to replace the goals he contributed and starting with Max Gradel is a good idea.

Simon Grayson has already extended Max Gradel’s loan to the 17th of January, bringing it to the maximum number of days allowed by Football League rules. Leicester have not allowed Max to participate in the FA Cup tie against Manchester United though, which is a bit of a shame as the lads performed well for us and the rest of the team will be talking about nothing else. Hopefully, the extension is simply to give Grayson more time to secure Gradel on a permanent transfer. If Beckford is to leave, then Gradel would be a good start to replacing those valuable goals.

Finally, it seems Grayson is also trying to secure a long term deal with Liverpool keeper, David Martin. Leeds and Liverpool have already agreed to extend his current loan deal until the end of January, but the player could be around for much longer if Grayson gets his wish. Only 23 years old and with plenty of potential, this is a good move from Simon Grayson who is clearly thinking long-term.

Just over a week until the transfer window opens and the rumour mill seems to have burst back in to life already with Jermaine Beckford unsurprisingly topping the list.

The most interesting rumour to have emerged so far is the one linking Becks with Middlesbrough, who are currently managed by our former captain, Gordon Strachan. Simon Grayson continues to dismiss all speculation however, reiterating his statement that Jermaine will be going nowhere until the end of the season unless a ‘ridiculous offer’ comes in.

Two reasons why I can’t see Beckford leaving in January; the first is that I simply don’t believe anyone would be stupid enough to pay over the odds for a striker they can sign for free in a few months time. They can even secure his services on a pre-contract once the window opens so it’d be insane to spend millions bringing him in a few months earlier.

The second reason I think he’ll be staying is kind of linked to the first. When we bought Becks from Wealdstone for the bargain price of £45,000, a clause was agreed whereby Wealdstone would receive a percentage of any fee received if Leeds United were to sell him (link is to the Wealdstone chairmans blog). I aren’t entirely sure what the percentage is, but many seem to think it’s 40%, which makes a sale seem even more pointless. Say we were to sell for £3,000,000, of which £1,200,000 goes to Wealdstone. The agents will undoubtedly take a cut as will Jermaine, so the amount of money Leeds will receive would not be enough to get another striker of any actual quality.

Elsewhere, Grayson will undoubtedly be looking to strengthen a few areas. The full-backs still concern me, but Tony Capaldi is clearly not the answer to our problems. His performances so far have been painful to watch. Cardiff are unsurprisingly willing to get rid of him though and confirmed he was available for transfer. Thanks, but no thanks Mr Ridsdale.

Elsewhere, I think the teams pretty strong and more than capable of keeping the results coming. Max Gradel is a player we should definitely move in for but I suspect we’ll extend his loan until the end of the season and look into it then. We may bring one or two in, but I suspect there will be more going in the opposite direction.

Alan Sheehan seems likely to move to Swindon permanently and trimming some of the deadwood wouldn’t hurt matters. David Prutton, Andy Robinson, Enoch Showunmi and one or two others should be shipped out for a start, however much the fans like some of them. They aren’t going to get many games and the wages of their wages will undoubtedly be quite high for this league.

So whilst I think there’ll be some activity for Leeds next month, I don’t think Jermaine will be part of it. The key now is to get rid of some of the weaker players and bring in some Championship quality ones who can perform if/when we achieve promotion. It’s all about streamlining the squad basically.

For 200 minutes of play, Leeds made hard work of Kettering Town. In a sequence of events that could only happen in the FA Cup, over two legs Leeds dominated the tie, having endless chances saved by the Kettering keeper come manager and being thwarted by the wordwork numerous times.

Last night seemed as though it was all going to plan when returning striker Luciano Becchio converted Robert Snodgrass’ shot after twenty minutes, but Leeds couldn’t kill the Conference side off in normal time. Their keeper had another great game, issuing orders from the box whilst pulling off numerous saves to keep his club in the tie. Much like the first leg, the woodwork also played it’s part in keeping Leeds United back and as the tie continued to remain 1-0 on the night, you just felt Kettering might have a chance yet.

By no surprise whatsoever, it was former Leeds man Anthony Elding that scored the equaliser setting up another half hour of missed Leeds chances and nerves in Elland Road. With the scores remaining level at full-time, the tie went in to extra time. Kettering by this point will have been happy to take a penalty shoot-out, and given their keepers heroics so far, you wouldn’t have bet against them to win it.

Grayson made a change of formation leaving Kandol, Grella and Beckford upfront in search of goals. As half time in extra time passed, a penalty shootout beckoned. Leeds’ lack of success from the penalty spot didn’t fill any of the 10,000 supporters with any confidence, so it came as a relief when substitute Mike Grella smashed a shot home from close range to make it 2-1. Unlike the rest of the team that had seemingly run out of ideas and began shooting from anywhere, without taking any time to line their shot up, Grella was patient, controlled the ball and fired home with venom.

With less than fifteen minutes remaining, the floodgates opened. By now, Leeds’ superior fitness was playing it’s part and Kettering were undoubtedly disheartened from conceding so late. Kandol added a third within a minute, before Grella got a second with a beautiful curling shot from the edge of the area and Jermaine Beckford finished off the show, finally managing to hit the back of the net after a frustrating night. His celebration showed the relief for him in scoring.

A crazy night inside Elland Road. A game that should have been all too easy for the Whites proved to be massively frustrating and Kettering did themselves proud once more. Whether the scoreline reflects the game or not is debatable. Leeds must have had fifty chances, so in that respect, I guess it does, but considering how well Kettering kept us out, maybe it doesn’t.

Beckford had a frustrating night, but Lucciano Becchio showed why he’d been missed. Elsewhere, we dominated throughout although the defence looked a little shaky at times, especially when Capaldi was brought on to try and lose us the game. Such is the mans hopelessness, I’m actually starting to think Ridsdale sent him here to mess with us. Aidy White had a good game at left-back, but had to be taken off through injury, whilst Grella will deservedly grab the headlines.

I have a theory on the late goal blitz. Our third round opponents were playing away in Europe last night in a match with the same kick-off time. Clearly, the Scum fans will have been watching that game on TV, so Leeds held off ’til it finished in order to put the frighteners in them with our four goal flurry at the end. If Scum’s defensive problems aren’t resolved before we visit Sold Trafford, I reckon we could actually get something from there.

Bates has already had his calculator out and reckons the next match will net Leeds United around £750,000. Whilst that kind of money would probably only buy one player for the Whites, it would have kept a team like Kettering in business for years. Unsurprisingly, the next round will once again be shown live on ITV. The match will take place on Sunday the 3rd of January at 1pm and Leeds United will be accepting ticket applications from 10am tomorrow.

Today brings two stories of interest to Leeds United fans. The first is Bates’ appeal loss in the Bates v Levi saga that has contiued to cast a black cloud over the club since it began christ knows how long ago. Then there’s ex-director Simon Morris. The man who wanted to takeover Leeds United not so long ago, but whom fans feared would only use the land to develop property. Few actually believed he had the clubs best intentions at heart, much like few believe Bates does either.

"Only one way to settle this now Levi. Put 'em up!"

Everything has gone wrong for the millionaire Simon Morris recently and today sees him charged with conspiracy to blackmail. Once heralded as one of the brightest entrepeneurs in our region, and at just 32 it’s some spectaculor rise and fall from grace for the former director.

Bates’ history is well-documented. Like many businessmen, Bates has always got want he wants, irregardless of the people it affects. Much like the Leeds United ownership, his business dealings have often been shrouded in mystery and brought before the courts in bitter public feuds time and again. His outspoken antics have made him a hate figure to football fans across the country, not least, a large percentage of Leeds United fans.

Of course, there’s also Ridsdale. It’s not that the mans a crook, his only real crime was meglomania. He wanted to be the greatest chairman that’s ever lived, guiding his young Leeds United to world dominance. Shame no one taught him finanical management before he bought such unnecessary players for extortionate sums.

It seems that Leeds United just attracts the wrong kind of owners. The huge potential to make money at Elland Road is probably the magnetic force dragging vultures like Bates and Morris towards our club. Whether Bates is currently doing well or not, I remain cynical. I simply don’t trust a man who insists on hiding so much. A man who insists on airing his personal disputes in public with more bad press aimed Leeds United’s way as a consequence.

Maybe one day we’ll find our messiah. A chairman who is open and honest with the fans and who wants to see us successful because he cares about the club, rather than his own bank balance. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against someone making a profit from Leeds United, but since Bates is supposedly only taking a salary from LUFC, where the rest of the cash is going is anyones guess – and in that lies the ultimate problem. The amount of shady characters we know about who have been involved with LUFC is enough to write a book on. The ones that ultimately concern me however, are those that remain illusive.

Kettering Town take two

On paper, this match is a no-brainer. Leeds have won seven of their last nine matches, drawing the other two whilst Kettering have managed just one win in the last five. Leeds are top of League One whilst Kettering play their games in the conference. The quality and amount of players at Simon Grayson’s disposal should make this game an easy win for the Whites, but as Kettering showed in the first match, they won’t go down without a fight.

Of course, there’s also the added bonus of a trip to Sold Trafford for the victors. For a club like Kettering, such a lucrative fixture could bring a massive boost to their finances. The Manu fans have been making their wishes heard lately with continuous choruses of ‘We all hate Leeds scum’ whilst the prospect of an early return to Old Trafford has dominated talk amongst Leeds fans.

At Elland Road, you’d expect us to beat Kettering. The last time anyone beat us on home soil in the League was last January and we’ve come up against far stronger opposition in that time. That said, we’ll need to guard against complacency. When teams have nothing to lose, they can often throw up a few suprises.

Addicks sense opportunity

After closing the gap to four points this weekend, Charlton’s players are already talking of catching Leeds. Whether they thought it impossible to catch us before the draw to Huddersfield or not, I’m not sure but Lloyd Sam, Charlton’s Leeds-born winger has issued a rallying call to his fellow team-mates.

By all accounts, Charlton’s 1-0 win over Southend United at the weekend was a little lucky. Not the greatest performance of the season from them, but much like Leeds have done, taking points when you’re not at your best is key to promotion.

Personally, I think Huddersfield was a minor blip in an otherwise impressive season for the Whites. Derby games are never easy, and our record over our West Yorkshire counterparts says it all really. I’m sure Leeds will regroup ahead of Brentford this weekend, where I fully expect them to take all three points and maintain the gap on Charlton. However, the title race isn’t going to be easy. Norwich and Charlton will push us all the way and no one will be celebrating ’til May.

Phil Hay’s match ratings v Huddersfield

Is 5/10 the lowest Phil Hay ever gives in his match ratings? Because for me, 5/10 for Tony Capaldi is being massively generous after the mare of a game he had on Saturday.

Tony Capaldi: Having seemed so composed at Oldham, Saturday’s match was a real struggle for the on-loan full-back Capaldi who never looked comfortable and found Pilkington a handful…5/10

The analysis is about right. Pilkington ran Capaldi ragged and he never looked up to the challenge. He looked out of his depth throughout against stronger opposition and really should have been taken off at half-time. I’d have given him 2/10, and even then I feel I’m being generous. Truly, truly woeful display for the Cardiff loanee. Maybe Ridsdale sent him in to mess our season up?

Jason Crowe: Offered less going forward than he can do and was up against a very lively character in Roberts. Failed to cut out the cross which led to the second equaliser…5/10

Offered less going forward than he can do is an understatement. He offered nothing. More to the point, he offered even less defensively. The full-backs remain a problem for the Whites and these two simply aren’t the answer. I’d have generously given him a 3/10.

Elsewhere, Snoddy gets 8/10 which is definitely right. Only man on the pitch that looked a threat for large parts, whilst Vokes is another one of those players in the 5/10 club.