Interview with a Leeds fan: Russ Vernon

By Andy Gregory

Name: Russ Vernon

Tell us a bit about yourself:
I'm 20 years old live in Rotherham with my mum, dad and sister and a big football fan.

How long have you supported Leeds?
12 years, been going to games since 2001

What is your favourite memory?
Champions League Season, Beating Scum, Winning Promotion from League 1

Favourite player past and present?
Past: Lucas Radebe
Present: Sam Byram or Luciano Becchio.

If you could bring one player from any era back to the club, who would it be and why? 

It's got to be the one and only Chief aka Lucas Radebe, to help strengthen the defence which I believe is what is needed.

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Best goal scored by a Leeds player?
Beckford v Scum as the ball was running away from him and he still managed to score.

How would you sum up our season so far?
As the song MOT goes, "Ups & Downs".  We started off well but since then we've dipped in form and are without a win since October 6th in the League.

Which player has impressed you most this season?
So far it's got to be Sam Byram the young defender who has bursted onto the scene at the start of this season, he's done brilliantly at the back and on the wing.

Finally some good news today on the takeover front, what do you make of the news that Bates will continue as chairman until the end of the season and will then become President of the club?
It's been going on far too long now and I'm very happy to see it finally come to an end. I think it will be a good idea for Bates to stay on as chairman until the summer so he can show the owners the ins and outs of our beloved club. Glad he will not be running our club anymore and I wish him the best as president of LUFC.

If it was possible to bring a few players in before the loan window shuts, who would you like to see join us?
Matt Kilgallon, Jonathan Obika & Diego Arismendi



How would you describe our current team?
Good attacking and bad defending

We’ve had a poor run of results of late, including heavy defeat to Watford and last week’s loss to Millwall... Where do you think it’s going wrong? Do you think we’ll turn it around?
I think it's going wrong as we're getting people sent off etc. I think now the takeover has been completed we can turn things around with a few decent quality players in the squad.

Where do you think we will finish this season?
Before the takeover I would have said 15th with takeover top 6.

What is your view on Neil Warnock’s time at Leeds so far?
We could have done better under him, we've slipped futher down the table since he joined than where we were when Simon Grayson was in charge.

Which game are you most looking forward to this season?
Huddersfield, Sheff.Wed & Barnsley.

Score prediction for the Crystal Palace and Leicester games?
Leeds 2-3 Crystal Palace & Leeds 2-1 Leicester

What team would you put out on Saturday?
Kenny; Byram, Peltier, Lees, Drury; Diouf, Brown, Tonge, Hall; Becchio, McCormack.
Subs: Ashdown, Kisnorbo, Green, White, Pugh, Norris, Gray.
 
Anything else you would like to add?
Premier League Here We Come.

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Thanks to Russ for taking part in this weeks interview. If you  would be interested doing an interview, or would like to find out about other ways you can be involved with our site, then check out our "Have your say" page to find out how... MOT

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