Interview with a Leeds fan

Welcome to week two of interview with a Leeds fan. This week we are talking to Mat Gregory who has answered our questions and given his views on all things to do with the club.

How long have you supported Leeds?
I’m 33. Says it all.

What is your favourite memory?
Favourite non-match memory is middle school. Coming home every night on the top deck of the school bus with everyone singing Leeds songs ‘...should I be Chelsea, should I be Leeds, here’s what she said to me, etc...’ Lots of Vinny-V haircuts knocking about then too. Well good!

Favourite matchday memory is probably Mark Viduka 4, Liverpool 3 in 2000. I was there for that one and, despite what came later, it was an exciting time. He couldn’t half move for a fat lad too! (when he wanted to)

Favourite player past and present?

Tomas Brolin anyone? No, this is a tricky one. I think I’ll have to be boring - but very honest - and say Lucas Radebe. Don’t want to sound cliched, but he was the perfect professional, a cracking player and a proper captain. Deserves to be remembered as one of the best to wear a Leeds shirt.

It’s difficult to pick someone from the current squad, partly because there are so many new players, and partly because most of them are crocked already. Pearce is looking good, I’ve been impressed by El Hadji and I’m also enjoying Paddy Kenny being in the team, although so far Austin would be my favourite out of the new bunch.

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If you could bring one player from any era back to the club, who would it be and why?
Ok, I’d like to say Radebe again, and I’d also like to say Vinny Jones (just so I could get the haircut - I wasn’t allowed it first time around) but I’ll try to be a bit more creative. It’s an almost impossible question to answer (it’d be hard to pick a best 11), we’ve had some amazing players over the years, although I’d have to pick someone I’ve actually seen play, so it’ll be from the Wilkinson era onwards. Any one of Wilkinson’s midfield four could easily get my vote, as could the likes of Kelly or Martyn from the O’Leary days, but I think I’m going to go back on my word and say Radebe again after all. Reasons above, plus our current squad desperately needs the leadership, composure and class that he possessed.

Best goal scored by a Leeds player?
I was there for Yeboah’s rocket against David James and Liverpool, so for sentimental reasons I’ll pick that ...plus it was a right goal!

A protest against bates was held outside the ground before the Hull match and during the game in the south stand. Do you think this is the best way to support our club?

This is a topical one isn’t it. Firstly, I think that we have to see it in context. I don’t think that there can be one Leeds fan who isn’t frustrated by our current situation, and the situation we have been locked in for the past few years. After years in the wilderness we got out of League One and had the makings of a good young squad that simply needed building on. That didn’t happen, the opposite happened, and while I’m no businessman it’s clear to me that the hefty ticket prices we pay and the sums that players were sold for don’t necessarily reflect what’s been invested in the playing squad.

We now have a manager capable of getting us out of the Championship and who, even given a modest budget, could put together a team good enough to challenge. The truth is that he obviously hasn’t been given that budget, although he’s done amazingly well to bring in some good quality pros, so the current situation is doubly frustrating (a frustration that is clearly shared mutually between manager and fans).

So, all that said, I completely understand why everyone is angry and desperate for change. However, although I share the same sentiments, I don’t think that the protests during a match do anything to help. When it’s jumping Elland Road is like nowhere else: it’s the last place opposition teams want to be, and it can inspire even average players in a white shirt to play like world beaters. In our current predicament - i.e. half of the first team in the treatment room - that’s what we need home games to be like. At Leeds, the fans can be the difference between winning and losing a game, we can push the team on and transform performances. However, we’ve all been to games recently when, even before a ball has been kicked, the atmosphere is pretty dour and negative, and I don’t doubt for one second that ‘Bates Out’ protests do more damage to our team and our chances of winning a game than they do damage to the current Chairman. The ‘Pen for Ken’ campaign was great, and a very Leeds thing to do, but for me we need to make a decision at matches: what’s more important for the next 90 minutes, getting behind the team (whoever is wearing the white shirts) and pushing the lads on, or chanting about a chairman who more often than not isn’t even there. Easy for me to say, I know, but for me that 90 minutes every Saturday is about nothing else other than supporting the eleven players wearing Leeds shirts. I'll moan about Bates for the rest of the week!

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What effect do you think the protests and chants during games have on the chairman and the team?
Effect on the team: no question about it, it can’t be good for the team.
Effect on the chairman: I really don’t think he’s arsed.

Another Tuesday night defeat, making it 1 win, 8 defeats and 1 draw out of the 10 weeknight matches in 2012. What do you think the problem is with these midweek fixtures?
Tuesday night or not, I think that if we added some more quality to the squad and built on what we have already, then we would be able to put out a team that could be consistent any day of the week. Problem is now that, even before the injuries, we don’t have enough quality options on the bench to change things when it’s not working, or enough competition for places in key areas. Not Warnock’s fault, as I said earlier, but the money just isn’t there. A bit of financial investment would sort out most of our problems, including the Tuesday night jinx.

Do you think the takeover will go through and why?

Yep, I’m sure it will happen at some point. Ken’s not going to be around forever and, given the usual lack of communication or respect for fans, the fact takeover negotiations were announced on the official site, and have since been discussed directly by Bates, indicates that he’s clearly looking to get shut of the club. However, I don’t even want to think about WHEN it might actually happen. I’ve gone through the same rollercoaster of expectation that a lot of people have: excitement, followed by frustration, followed by excitement again, followed by apathy, frustration, cautious optimism, more excitement, more doubt, etc, etc, etc ...until I don’t know and am trying not to think about it. I’ve come to disbelieve ever rumour and tweet I see regarding the takeover, but can’t stop looking for them either. I desperately want it to happen soon, and I desperately want it to be one of the 'good' takeovers (e.g. Man City-style rather than Blackburn), but what will happen is anyone’s guess. Fingers tightly crossed eh ...until the blood stops circulating in them!

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We now have injuries to quite a few first team players and Warnock has been searching the laon market. Where do you think we need to strengthen most and who would you like to come in?
We need 1-2 strikers, a couple of midfielders, a winger or two and possibly some competition at centre back (although that would be a luxury at the moment)

If the takeover is completed, which two players would you like to see join us in January?
It depends on the budget, and how much the new owners would be willing to invest. We definitely need some pace and trickery, but wouldn’t like to put a name on it. Just someone with quality and flair, and someone who can regularly find the back of the net. If only Tomas Brolin hadn't retired!

Where do you think we will finish this season?
If the squad stays as it is, then I think at best we’re looking at 5th or 6th (which would do, considering what’s going on at the moment). I just think that there are a lot more twists and turns to come yet this season, both on and off the field.

What would you say are the main differences between Warnock's team and Grayson's team of last season?

Grayson’s teams couldn’t defend and, despite his achievements at Leeds, towards the end he didn’t really cut much of an inspirational figure. There were also some very wayward moments in the transfer market, and the bringing of loan players who were either not played, or who were very questionable when they did play.

Ok, so injuries have spoiled things massively so far, but before that I saw Warnock’s team shaping up as a far more organised, consistent, passionate, hard-working and balanced side - more likely to pinch a 1-0 win than get caught up in a spectacular 5-5 draw. Hopefully, once we get everyone back fit, the clean sheets and effective, professional displays will come - which, with our current budget , is the way that we need to shape up this season. Warnock is a very assured and experienced manager who knows this league, and I think that this will be reflected in his team as the season goes on.

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Which game are you most looking forward to this season?
Leeds V Huddersfield

Score prediction for the Forest and Everton games?
I think we’re going to struggle in both given the current squad/injuries. My heart says we’ll beat Forest, but my head says 1-1 ...especially if Becchio is injured.

Against Everton I think that we’ll rest so players so might just lose out on that one, but only by a goal or so (although again, I’m quietly thinking that we might nick it)

Anything else you would like to add?
Yep. Get on these:

Thanks to Mat for taking part in this weeks interview, if you would like to be asked the questions in next weeks edition, please contact us ..... MOT!