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Leeds United: A fresh start is just what we need - Lorimer
Peter Lorimer.
When I think about this season, the biggest disappointment has been the lack of success among so many of the players signed by Simon Grayson.
I was considering this the other day and worked out that there’s a full team of his players who are hardly involved, either as starters or substitutes – Paul Rachubka, Paul Connolly, Leigh Bromby, Andy O’Brien, Alex Bruce, Michael Brown, Ramon Nunez, Lloyd Sam, Billy Paynter, Mikael Forssell and Mika Vayrynen.
To anyone who thinks Leeds United don’t invest or failed to back Grayson, look at that list. You’ve got 11 experienced lads there, many of whom have been in and out at best. Whether that’s their fault or his fault I can’t be certain but there was enough for him to work with at Elland Road and whatever’s gone wrong, it’s not down to investment.
Whenever a manager comes under pressure, as Simon did, you always hear rumours and comments about him losing the dressing room. I’ve no evidence to prove that it was true in this instance but I do struggle to see how a training ground where so many proven lads are on the fringes can have a happy atmosphere.
It’s highly likely that another manager coming in will see something he can work with in that group, and that’s why the decision to sack Simon had to be made. He’s goes with a very good record and the pride of winning promotion here but a fresh start is in our best interests.
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The truth is that he haven’t moved forward from last season. Our results and performances in the main have been poorer than they were during our first year in the Championship and there’s been no real sign of things changing or improving. But bringing a new manager in is a chance to make a go of a campaign which isn’t over yet. We’re very close to the play-offs and by no stretch of the imagination is the situation irretrievable.
I’d still say that having seen every side in the division, the race for the top six is wide open. I’m not claiming that we’ve been any better than a lot of the teams we’ve faced recently but no-one is looking very consistent or in particularly good form. As we’ve all thought since day one, a lot of clubs have a chance and we shouldn’t assume that ours has gone just because the last few months have been tough and disappointing.
Picking the right man to replace Simon is tough. There are so many possible candidates out there and so many coaches who would want the prestige and the opportunity of managing Leeds United.
Whoever it is must be inspirational and able to get the best out of the players at the club – to come in and see the potential in senior professionals who’ve either had no real opportunities this season or were on the fringes of Simon’s plans.
It’s not that the players currently in the starting line-up deserve to be dropped but there is more to be made of the squad as a whole. I’ve got no doubt about that. Take Bruce as an example – he was nothing short of outstanding in our FA Cup game at Arsenal last season. For many months it’s been impossible for him to even get on the bench.
Sometimes a breath of fresh air blows away old grievances and problems. It’s a clean slate for everyone, the players included. If we needed a bit of a jolt then this is it. Now let’s throw everything at these last 18 games and aim for the play-offs. It’s not impossible and no-one should think it is, least of all our next boss.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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Comments
There are 153 comments to this article
Page 1 of 11
walter wark
Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 04:21 PMWho cares what Peter Lorimer says? Ulterior motive and very sad for me as it tarnishes the player he was with Leeds. I have lost that respect for him, he should realise that no-one is the remotest bit interested in his views any more. He is assuming an allegiance that isn't there with him.
Southie_Whites
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 06:51 PMPL - Agreed that a new broom is needed at ER. BUT as usual you are way out of line - the fault for lack of investment, robbing the money for players to replace it with misguided executive boxes. Question - who is going to fill them and look at falling gates and an angry fan base. PL can only pick on SG because he cannot reply - THE PROBLEM IS - Bates and co are still there. That is where the change is needed. BATES OUT MOT.
afraidofbeards
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:02 AMI used to watch Lorimer - 90 miles an hour..... Now I cringe at the rubbish the bloated Bates mouthpiece spouts. He looked so funny in Bates Bar yanking Ben Parkers mike away when BP was telling everyone that Howson didnt want to leave Elland Rd! Sad - why does the YEP give him the space on it's pages!!??
Murf
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:48 AMDo you, by any chance live in Monaco, Mr Patton ?
StigM
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:41 AMPeter, why did you accsept to take a seat in the LUFC bord, ehy did you of all people do this ? You now only say the same as Bates, it is so sad to read your word these days. The 11 names you set up here that SG did get in, how much of an investemnt is this, how much money dod the club spend to get these in ? Yes the sallery cost maoney of course but they did not cost much in getting hold of the did it ? And why did SG get these players, he was forced to do so since SG did not get quality players in the windows, this I am sure is not only the boards foult but also SG, this is one of the reasons SG had to go. Bates is out of his knoligde I claim, he say he is building a club first and than a team. By building a club he is spening a lot of moeny on a facility the club does not own, I have a very nice nabour and I think I will paint his house and buy new windows for his house. It is a nice gesture. To invest in your stadium is a very good investment indid, but the investments in ER is just out of common sence. We all know that Bates owns Er and TA, I give Bates good and strong creditt for him as a business man and he would never spend such amount of moeny on other peoples facility, he claims he does not own ER and TA but this only makes him look foolish. The attendance at ER has dropped by 5000 now, if average ticket prices are 25 GBP than LUFC is loosing out on an income of 125 000 GBP per match, with 9 home matches left this is 1 125 000 GBP !! If the investemnt has been done on the pitch and the attendance has gone the other way and up 5000 you are looking at 2 250 000 GBP, + drinks programs etc etc. This is quite a lump of moeny to invest to build a club I would claim!!! If we are still in this league next year you can do the calculation on 22 home matches ! I simply can not see what Bates is trying to do at all, and now you Peter has joined him in this way of thinking. He is draining the club for money, it is cleare to all, it is just Bates and the bord that thinks all outside will not understand this. Even worse is that you have joined Bates in the hunt of the clubs fans, you have not called anyone morons etc yet, but by saying yes to be on the board you have in fact joined him in the way of looking at the LUFC as morons etc. This is hard for a long time LEEDS supporter to accsept, not at least to understand. MOT
OzTyke
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 10:28 PMA VERY fresh start is needed Peter, starting from the dodgy ownership and payment structures at LUFC, management, coaching personnel, the entire Board, scrapping Yorkshire Radio so that Leeds United is accessible and promoted to ALL, having a fair and open relationship with newspapers and other media (esp the BBC), let's start by buying back Thorp Arch and Elland Road, going for promotion and paying some more money back to our creditors from the CVA, and a policy of attempting to consistently improve the playing squad, and not asset stripping. The last accounts published (dated Feb 2010) show Shaun Harvey received a 16% pay rise to 174K, so perhaps the club can show some restraint and tighten belts like most fans have had too, rather than making their trough even bigger to get their snouts into.
gingerstreak
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 06:57 PMSo - Let me get this right - Peter is a member if the LUFC board.... And if i am right, he SHOULD have a say in the financial affairs (A Joke in it's self) AND be able to VETO signings IF he feels they are not in the best interests of LUFC - SO.... on that basis why is this man happy to 'Slander' Simon's name AFTER the event? INSTEAD OF GETTING SPLINTERS IN YOUR AGEING BACKSIDE, TELL US WHAT YOUR STARTING 11 WOULD BE THEN - GROW A PAIR PETER......We are ALL the wiser for Hindsight, but this man wouldnt be any wiser with a 'Crystal Ball'..... That said, i do pity Peter, the other board members and even Harvey - At least Lorimer has an opinion on the team !!! - The rest seem to have lost the power of speach !!! - Hardly surprising though when you consider that the board are simply puppets... AND as i have said before, i wasnt a real Bates Knocker, until i read the blog in October's 'Square Ball'.... This changed my ENTIRE perception of the Bearded one.... HE MUST BE REMOVED AND NOW !!!!! MOT
Sick of Kens lies
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 06:39 PMGPatton - " you'll find majority of Leeds fans are behind Bates and not with u and your conspiracy theories" - Of course they are.
Sick of Kens lies
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 06:14 PMI'll keep it simple then. Koppite - I'd expect nothing less from you, and GPatton, i'm not up graysons backside as you said i was, i liked the guy, but yes it probably was time for a change. Shocked that you (not koppite) believe this old soaks articles..but then again, someone was saying sell Snodgrass yesterday, i despair..
gpatton
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 05:52 PMSibryan1979, i don't care if over a hundred of you on here disagree with Lorimer, you'll find majority of Leeds fans are behind Bates and not with u and your conspiracy theories. You are so far up grayson's backside, you ought to come back out and admit he was a failure, instead of making excuses for him. What if Leeds finish in top six this season under a new manager, would that make you happy or not? And with these players simon could do nothing with.
armchairtd
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 03:14 PMKen Bates arm up his back working Lorimer these days!! He was one of my heros a few years ago. How the mighty has fallen. I wish he'd just retire or somebody put him out to grass! He's a disgrace in my opinion now Fresh start just what we need - hypocrite!.
original koppite
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 02:40 PMSiBry...My vote goes for gpatton speaking common sense and the rest of you being numpties.
Counte Of Monte Fisto
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 01:25 AMPeter whatever Ken is paying you would be far better spent on trying to keep some of our better players. Remember Evil Papa Smurf will be gone soon but we will not forget your betrayal of the fans, you were put on the board to represent the fans yet I have never agreed with a single comment you have made. It was time for grayson to go IMO but he was something you clearly no longer are, a genuine man who gave his best for the club even if it wasn't good enough ultimately. Good win today and weird how many players are being sent off against us recently. Cold here in Beverley tonight with plenty of snow
Sick of Kens lies
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 12:57 AM@GPatton - It's nothing to do with you having a totally different opinion - of course you are entitled to your opinion, as i am too; but before you spit your dummy out, please quickly scan through all of the 100+ comments on here. I think you will find, that it's YOU in the minority and not me. Do it, and you will see what i am on about... Is it all of us that are ALL stupid, or just you that's super-intelligent on your own ? I'm sorry (i know we totally disagree), Peter Lorimer talks absolute rubbish in these pieces, in fact he has done for a while now.. As i have said read everyone elses comments, it only seems to be you that believes the COBBLERS that he talks - Leeds legend or not, he's full of it.
gpatton
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:58 PMWhat makes you so mad comment 118,138 is that anybody who dares to have a opinion different to yourself must be wrong. Let me tell you, you are in a minority. Think yourself tough on here, keyboard warrior spouting your vitriol, no facts, no nothing. Peter Lorimer, true Leeds legend, something you'll never be. When Ken Bates talked of the morons, he wasn't wrong. No wonder nobody likes us. And they don't dislike us for Ken Bates, it's for people like you.
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