By Adam Walker![]() At the end of the day everyone will have their opinions and although many people disagree with what I believe to be true about our beloved club I also know that some people are agreeing with me. There are many doubts I have about the forthcoming season for Leeds United. I just can't see us challenging the bigger teams in this division. I can't see Elland Road becoming the fortress it once was. I can't see us getting promoted. And before you call be pessimistic I'd like you all to consider a few things. Firstly, the Championship is one of the toughest, most demanding leagues in the world. The prize from escaping this vicious league is a spot in footballs most prestigious fixture list and the chance to play some of the biggest teams in the world on a weekly basis. So every team will be doing their best to get to the promised land. There are big clubs in this division, not just ourselves. The likes of Bolton, Wolves and Blackburn who have come down, are still very strong and pose a serious threat. These clubs haven't lost many players after coming down and they will be among the favourites for an immediate return to the top-flight. Then there are your strong teams such as Blackpool, Birmingham, Brighton, Burnley, Cardiff, Leicester, Middlesbrough and of course Leeds United. Every team I've listed is capable of getting into the play-offs, no question. I also have to look towards the new boys of the division from League One. I believe Sheffield Wednesday are one of the favourites to push on and gain promotion. Simon Grayson looks to have everything under control at Huddersfield and looks to have a strong side. Charlton also could damage any promotion contenders challenge as they have a solid back-line and a well organised team courtesy of Chris Powell. The Championship season also consists of forty-six games which is not easy for the players physically and can take its toll as clubs often dip in and out of form throughout the season. I guess it just depends how quickly teams find their feet after a poor run of results. The adaptability of a club and squad is what will win a team promotion from the Championship .I don't believe the squad we have will have the right bond and willpower to do that, although Neil Warnock could have the leadership skills to change our fortunes in a bad run. I look around at the squads of our Championship rivals and I am in awe of some players. There are some real stars in this division. Snodgrass was one of them before his ill-timed departure and there are many more throughout the division. I look at our squad and I don't see the individuals to take us forward like the other teams have. I know Warnock is looking for that player, but I don't think he's looking in the right places. The squad needs a good balance of quality and quantity as we have a very small squad at the moment not including fringe players/youngsters. I reckon Neil has gone for a strength in depth approach, although the numbers aren't coming in, which is what the club desperately needs at the moment. We've now signed ten players since May and out of those ten I'm very happy with three signings and the others I'm reserving my opinions for. The three I'm happiest with are Paddy Kenny, Jason Pearce and Lee Peltier. These three players have played well in the last few seasons and signing them was brilliant. I would like to say Austin too but he seems to versatile for my judgement yet. I've watched him play for SK Brann on YouTube and I also streamed a game over the internet to watch him in closer detail and he was playing a central-midfield role well. Although he is said to also have a knack at playing at the back so I'm unsure where Neil will be playing him since he has signed Norris and Green to cover the central-midfield area. Ashdown is a safe backup goalkeeper so I guess I'm content with that signing. The other players we've signed I'm not so sure about but I hope Neil can get the best out of them. If Neil decides to play a 4-4-2 formation this season I reckon we will need to sign wingers for both flanks. White and Varney does not excite me in the slightest. White can't cross a ball to save his life and Varney is getting old and looked pretty poor against Preston. This brings me onto the performance at Preston. The game ended 3-1 with Lees, Byram and White grabbing the goals. Lees' goal was great, a good turn and a smashing volley. Nice one Tom. Byram's was a poorly marked corner and a volley on the end of that too. Well put away though, it must be said. Aidy's goal was a rebound so there isn't much to say about it to be honest. The game was a drab one though. If these are Warnock's tactics for the Championship they will not work. The back four, hoofing the ball up the field to McCormack and Becchio, who lose the ball quickly to an interception or easy tackle? Are we being serious? Becchio as we all know doesn't go for the ball when this tactic is introduced, he falls over and begs for the referees sympathy. Ross tends to trap the ball well but nothing ever comes of it after that. Like I said in my previous blogs, we need a creative midfielder. Someone with a bit of flair and the eye for that killer pass. The through ball to Ross so he can tuck the ball away in the bottom left-hand corner. I'm awaiting this player and until we get him, I will not be satisfied. You may not like what I'm about to say but I can't see us getting promoted at the moment. We'll do well to come in the top half I reckon. All our Yorkshire rivals apart from Barnsley and Hull City will do better than us this season. I can guarantee it. At the end of the day, I'm gonna be honest to myself and I honestly don't think we'll get promoted. I guess I'm just a realist, and that doesn't mean I won't be backing the team this season.
15 Comments
Barry Hughes
10/8/2012 06:09:40 am
Excuse me But lets get one thing straight there is no bigger team in the championship, also we can include most of the premiership, I am sick of the negative attitudes on the internet sites lets get behind the team and forget about whoever may own our great team.
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Henryv
10/8/2012 06:45:32 am
I will be positive Barry:-
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No
10/8/2012 07:09:05 am
Big team once....many many years ago . 1970's to be precise. I love Leeds Utd and have done from being a small boy on the terraces to the man I am now, the past has gone and can't be changed, all we can affect is today....and maybe tomorrow. I hope Warnocks gameplan works, I really do, but time will tell!
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Adam Walker
11/8/2012 12:05:26 am
The size of your team doesn't get you to the Premiership Barry.
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Tare
10/8/2012 06:51:47 am
Adam I respect your comments because you justify your opinions and that is a real basis for any debate in any of these LU sites and forums. This summer has been everything else BS and related issues than the real issue the Whites on the pitch. So my answer and arguments comes here;
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Lufc forever
10/8/2012 06:53:05 am
Good article, I totally agree mate, there just isn't enough flair and creativity within the squad, and whilst the takeover saga is ongoing there's no way in which Warnock can add these players. Becchio doesn't seem the player he was, and McCormack can't do it on his own, there's no goals in the team. Let's just hope this takeover is sorted SOON! I will support the team no matter what, but we need better players, and for them we need new owners... MOT
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Sprake
10/8/2012 07:12:34 am
I belive you are spot on with this one and I agree with you as things stand at the moment.
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Barry Hughes
10/8/2012 07:46:21 am
Forget the take over N W knows what he is doing and I realy am expecting a good season he does need a few more in one way or another he will get his men.
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gary
10/8/2012 08:53:07 am
you cant forget the take over mate we still need 3 or 4 players bud and the only way it looks like we gonna get them is through the take over, bates sold snodds for 3 million and it dont look like he gonna even give nw this money, he has signed lee peltier since them at 600,000, wheres the rest going in his back pocket we need a pacy winger fast striker and an industrious midfielder and the only way it looks like were gonna get them is from a takeover, so we need them or this guy is right were a middle of table team as it is, i went to most pre season games and we were ok until we got into the final third and i hardly ever saw a decent through ball to the strikers why not ? cos there not quick enough if it was to happen but i think just 3 more top players needed and possibly a stand in replacement centre half, he should not have to sell pugh and rodgers when he just got 3 mill for snods , but tight arse is not bothered if we go up or not he dont love the club, its not in his heart , so mate as you can see we do need the takeover to happen, and very quickly--like next week and get maynard in or craig m smith or even beckford fast before we fall behind the leading pack
LeedsForLife
10/8/2012 07:55:31 am
Adam, you cannot guarantee any such thing, and it's silly of you to say that. You're right, though, when you say you guess you're a realist, because you are basing what you've written on your own opinions and predictions, not upon reality - so a guess is all it can be.
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Asim
10/8/2012 08:18:11 am
So what you're implying is that Southampton were actually a premier league side playing in league 1 because after all when they came up with their below average players they walked through the championship. Please admit it we are ready for the Premier league, you don't need flair, you just need graft and committment and a system to work to. Too much negativity and this is why we fail every year, the doom merchants start pre season and so the players and manager have no chance. MOT.
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Adam Walker
11/8/2012 12:14:21 am
Southampton were a quality side last season. Adkins had them all organised and had a great team. He had a great spine to the team with Lambert to finish off almost every move they made. Southampton's players last season and our players today are on a whole different scale.
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Tare
10/8/2012 08:52:11 am
If you have read my postings, I have always said that we will promote this very season so this Soton was just a sarcastic note they had not anywhere PL class players in that race for PL but as you said graft, belief and a TEAM spirit and maybe a little bit of flair. Tare
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Ashley
10/8/2012 04:53:07 pm
I agree that we may struggle to challenge for a top 6 spot through lack of creativity but I think u worded the start of your article Bolton Blackburn and wolves are better teams there not bigger clubs than Leeds some would argue we're bigger than all 3 of them put together
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Henryv
11/8/2012 03:20:40 am
LUTV subscribers - I need your help.
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