tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55291687936076083422024-02-19T06:24:34.512+00:00Fear and Loathing in LS11A Leeds United blog rife with rantings, match reports and a whole load of weird shit... that's about it!Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-16063851220004887622012-11-19T17:16:00.001+00:002012-11-19T17:16:53.288+00:00Another home grown LUFC product moving on... <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After 10 and a half months and more site visits than I ever dared contemplate, the time has come to move on..</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgcYKCzOkqTFgJXm2qbxwJvOEVkRJ28DBtJwvjB3dNPJQuBK_IhHGTUqLwuvbUnS5vF0WcFmHswuvC7rWX6T3Ad8RJT_vZs07rgt-5R3VFQiD5UNDANarHy6zv-5YxPC6iK7MF37YuTk/s1600/F&L+Moved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgcYKCzOkqTFgJXm2qbxwJvOEVkRJ28DBtJwvjB3dNPJQuBK_IhHGTUqLwuvbUnS5vF0WcFmHswuvC7rWX6T3Ad8RJT_vZs07rgt-5R3VFQiD5UNDANarHy6zv-5YxPC6iK7MF37YuTk/s1600/F&L+Moved.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've not given up on moaning and talking drivel you understand, I've just chosen to do so from a shiny, pretty, almost professional looking, new home. So to anyone who's visited in the past, a big 'Thank you', and to you and anyone else who's just stumbled upon this site by chance, here's a small plea to visit my new pad...it's rather easier on the eye, I promise!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just click <a href="http://fearandloathinginls11.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">here!</span></a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See you on the other site,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adam </span></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-59636188818280685542012-11-11T12:54:00.003+00:002012-11-12T00:19:38.396+00:00Leeds United 1 Watford 6<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Before I set off to yesterday’s game, I tweeted to remark
that I felt I could now identify with how condemned animals (vile or otherwise)
must feel ahead of that final journey to the vet… if only there was some
footballing equivalent to a lethal injection at Elland Road. Imagine if you
were able to come in, take up your place, and on the signal of the referee’s
whistle you were put to sleep and sent to a happier place, but then could be awoken from
your slumber at full-time so you could retrospectively mourn the loss of
another 3 points. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Admittedly, it’d completely defeat the purpose of going
to the football and might undermine what could be construed as a hugely
ambitious series of object lessons in character building for Leeds United supporters,
but how many more tortured spectacles can one fan base be subjected to? While
most tearful, grief-ridden parties are able to say goodbye to their beloved
creatures knowing their pain will be over in an instant, Leeds supporters had
to witness an episode akin to the drawn out death throes of a road kill casualty,
doomed from the initial impact of that sickening collision, but unable to pass
into the eternal void until a succession of desperate blows had followed and beaten
the final embers of life out of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can’t say I’ve ever had to undergo the traumatic act of
‘finishing off’ an animal that’s been left, strewn across on the roadside after
a coming together with my front bumper; but the analogy still rang very true with
me, having brought back to mind an email that was read out on an ‘Adam &
Joe’ radio show, several years ago. The topic of the day was accidental animal killings
– a relatively strange subject for lunchtime radio, I grant you – and it
initially inspired a relatively light weight response about trodden on frogs,
budgies in vacuum cleaners and the like, until one correspondent disclosed an
encounter with a knocked down rabbit and his attempts to inflict a mercy
killing. He detailed in length the trauma and tears he suffered as he rained
down blows with a tree branch, and then finally a rock to put the rabbit out of
its misery…an ordeal that lasted for a full 20 minutes. The presenters delivered
the tale in a tone that alternated between horror and hysterics as they came to
terms with the spectacle unfolding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzC0Ton_qCH0YfQ9-kkUbFXxtQl9BMIGL44Tz9qigbNb3-HbKRKNth5dNs201dY3FPoGoD4BRi51Z92_ONyXbYuJ4JuV0fDgIjWD36WYOsSJN4R-mkhpvRbB47Kpx2cZZEV9GjXLHTeY/s1600/IMG_2774%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzC0Ton_qCH0YfQ9-kkUbFXxtQl9BMIGL44Tz9qigbNb3-HbKRKNth5dNs201dY3FPoGoD4BRi51Z92_ONyXbYuJ4JuV0fDgIjWD36WYOsSJN4R-mkhpvRbB47Kpx2cZZEV9GjXLHTeY/s640/IMG_2774%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Arena of Tortured Souls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fast forward to Elland Road, 10<sup>th</sup> November
2012, 3.28pm; having spent the best part of half an hour, playing around with gay
abandon, creating chances, seemingly existing in a bubble of innocence,
shielded from the harsh realities of Championship life, the creatures of the
Leeds United starting XI are about to experience another world shattering
awakening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until then, it had all looked so promising; true, Aidy
White had filled his time confirming that he was just as hopeless playing on
his natural side as he was on the right, while Michael Tongue exhibited the
mobility of an asthmatic ant with a hamstring injury, but otherwise, good.
David Norris had side-footed against the post from 12 yards after excellent work
from Austin and Byram, while Varney had spurned a fine one-on-one opportunity.
Leeds were on top and the 3-5-2 system offered promised. Then it happened…that initial sickening impact!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Watford broke, Matej Vydra the speeding, oncoming
vehicle, his deft exchange with Alex Geijo leaving Paul Green as the startled
rabbit in the headlights; the ex-Derby man, rendered dazed as he hopefully
raised his hand towards a sympathetic linesman, but redemption was not
forthcoming and he was left to stagger, limply in the general direction of the
goal as Vydra buried his opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The fatal wound was inflicted, now the prospect of
enduring the long drawn out suffering as Leeds died on their arses. Step
forward Jason Pearce to inflict the first blow with that tree branch; Geijo
again the tormentor as an ill-timed lunge was greeted with a red card – Warnock
was to claim it only worthy of a booking, Pearce though appeared phlegmatic and
offered little protest…at least he would not have to endure any more of the pain first
hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paul Green was also spared further torture, becoming the sacrificial
lamb as Tom Lees joined Peltier in the centre of defence; Leeds had started the
game boasting three centre halves, but now had two who could only muster three
good eyes between them. The Kop greeted the decision with howls of derision…White
and Tonge had inexplicably survived the cull.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Come half-time, Warnock retreated back to the persona he
knows best. Gone was the shrugging and quiet reflection and back was the shouting
and the throwing of the kitchen sink at the problem. White off, Diouf off;
Brown on, Hall on; no substitutes left to fall back on – to hell with the consequences!
This was to be a famous day, a turning point in the season…oh f**k! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two minutes into the second half, a corner. Rodolph
Austin, positioned on the fringes of the 18 yard box leaps in a token effort to
block the cross and falls awkwardly; suspected broken leg; the tree branch beats
down on the limp, twitching body of Leeds United one more time, delivering a thundering blow. A writhing Austin departs Elland Road via the North West tunnel, and with
him, any dreams of recovery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The remaining 9 huddled together, wondering how a barely cohesive system with 10 men could be adapted
to accommodate one less – the 3-2-2 formation was born, the kitchen sink retrieved
for another offensive, unaware of the horrors to follow…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSD_5XBU4XJLdwaUGzRe5q_2kppyNKjYFQALlKQy_riSKb6BPeCEiYH4avgkYJxN3qzHsBUsmiTxhdt2jDsbLtGDQfwXqcDrPapYhPVE8_e2gRJWuM5Y47Urs3TnhFsDAtn9_kzYxMtk/s1600/Watford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSD_5XBU4XJLdwaUGzRe5q_2kppyNKjYFQALlKQy_riSKb6BPeCEiYH4avgkYJxN3qzHsBUsmiTxhdt2jDsbLtGDQfwXqcDrPapYhPVE8_e2gRJWuM5Y47Urs3TnhFsDAtn9_kzYxMtk/s640/Watford.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6 (SIX)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took another 10 minutes, but it finally happened; the
change of weapon, as Watford disposed of the tree branch and picked up the
metaphorical rock; Abdi, leaving Brown flat on the turf and drilling past Kenny
to make it 2-0, began the sequence of unrelenting, fatal blows. Yates then
curled in a free kick, a strike delivered with a nonchalant pleasure. Then a
brief flicker, perchance that fabled glimpse into the afterlife before the
final passing, as a possessed Varney hunted down Dooley and Ekstrand – a penalty
his reward, duly converted by Tonge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Warnock exploded within the confines of his technical area;
spewing profanity-laden rage from the extremes of the dash-lined perimeter in
the direction of the fourth official. Yes, the game was over, but why no second
yellow card for Ekstrand? It was as if Warnock needed a captive audience from
somebody in authority as those inhabiting the prime executive suite in the East
Stand had been paying little attention to his cries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Within 3 minutes, Vydra left Warnock wondering why he’d
bothered, tearing through a patchwork backline to chip over Kenny to make it
4-1; the last rites were being delivered, the lifeless carcass of Leeds
United was ready to be committed to the ground: ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
But still the blows continued. The referee showed no mercy, deciding that
putting everyone through a further 10 minutes of added time <i>was</i> absolutely necessary. Murray obliged
the official’s twisted desires with aplomb, sweeping home from 25 yards – the quality
of Watford’s finishing was more akin to the Champions League than the
Championship…it’s like everyone, to a man, was lining up to dance on the newly dug cemetery plot. Then Troy Deeney (yes,
Troy Deeney) thundered home in the closing seconds to confirm as much; his knee
slide a fitting playground style celebration for the playground scoreline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoDZvrQQQjl0yvvcToJiZKg36B-foH0_yBFa7iiCz_SxxbWs7hSGLBewkkOVJ6IHQFSWqMFj9CVyPhtG7ni2M9QAfg-ICQKDh8W0fEHgUt9HgYGQnR3rp3dP1pCbnSwL-8HtOhLpldoo/s1600/IMG_2772%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoDZvrQQQjl0yvvcToJiZKg36B-foH0_yBFa7iiCz_SxxbWs7hSGLBewkkOVJ6IHQFSWqMFj9CVyPhtG7ni2M9QAfg-ICQKDh8W0fEHgUt9HgYGQnR3rp3dP1pCbnSwL-8HtOhLpldoo/s640/IMG_2772%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">N11: 2.55PM - This used to be the home of the hardcore...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">During the post-mortem, the ever likeable Gianfranco Zola
couldn’t help but sympathise with Leeds, speaking of how bad fortune had so
served to undermine any hopes of a result. Supporters were even made wait up
until almost 1am to re-live the whole sorry spectacle on the Football League
Show. It wasn’t long ago that a Leeds humiliation such as this would be
headline news for all the gloaters…even they seem to have got bored of it all
now. The Leeds fans certainly are – ask any of the 18,000 or so who had the
stomach for it…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-5904144864928695922012-11-07T21:14:00.001+00:002012-11-07T21:29:10.736+00:00Lamentable Leeds lacking leaders at all levels<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last weekend, I devoted some time to debating whether to
buy a ticket for the forthcoming cup tie with Chelsea; I’d avoided the previous
two rounds having made a conscious, principled decision to boycott the games –
I’m very much in the “No more dough to Monaco” camp; I’ve not spent a penny on
food and drink at Elland Road in over 2 years, and don’t intend to do so again
until Ken Bates has left the club. Having bought a ‘United for Life’ season
ticket back in the days of Krasner, the League Cup provided me with my first
opportunity this season, to draw a line in the sand over attending home
matches; a chance to register an individual protest that would actually hit
Bates in the pocket.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Shrewsbury and Oxford, I chose to go to; the takeover was
still in the days when “imminent” seemed to mean “imminent”, but come the
Everton game, my patience was at an end. In truth, it could’ve been a harder
decision to make; after all, the League Cup fails to inspire much excitement
and the live television coverage ensured I missed little, other than the
prospect of standing in a half-empty stadium. Southampton was a harder call, I
had no alternative way of watching the game, but then again, the opportunity to
watch a club we played last year, fielding their reserve side hardly promised
an enthralling spectacle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But now Chelsea…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In truth, it’s not a game I would ever fancy our current
side to win, but still…Chelsea. An 8 year hiatus from the Premier League has served
to ensure that such clashes that reignite deep-seated, traditional rivalries
are few and far between, so the opportunity just to sample the pre-match buzz
again was starting to do battle with recently established principles. That was,
until last night at Turf Moor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8sTA7DTDN2D2KSUw5FAxLMr3HZTjUY-TuXVHkT_Rc8Hi-ZHLwm1jIO7c6PBAK6Sak02owx52YC5CBXbvxfrRnUvWAfDlLo50uix7Nj9ojTVqWWQPt1e44jlbAHrPqZsVnQkCdlJsEAI/s1600/Austin+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8sTA7DTDN2D2KSUw5FAxLMr3HZTjUY-TuXVHkT_Rc8Hi-ZHLwm1jIO7c6PBAK6Sak02owx52YC5CBXbvxfrRnUvWAfDlLo50uix7Nj9ojTVqWWQPt1e44jlbAHrPqZsVnQkCdlJsEAI/s640/Austin+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Goal waiting to happen...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Under any other regime, I’d have already secured my
quarter-final ticket, I would’ve also snapped up my seat for the two previous
rounds – no thought would’ve been required; just another unconditional act of
devotion towards my club. If you’re a supporter, you back, you follow and you
invest in your club, regardless of the fixture. However, what the Burnley game
reinforced in no uncertain terms is the fact that Leeds United no longer
resembles a football club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Football clubs are sporting institutions. By definition,
such bodies are both formed due to, and are sustained by, a passion to compete,
a desire to achieve the absolute maximum possible, a continued quest for
self-improvement and progression within their field, and ultimately the glory
that comes with it. Those at the top, who dare to dream, inspire others to do
so – to follow by investing heavily, emotionally and financially, into shared,
collective ambitions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Under Ken Bates, such synonymous traits have long since
been cast out from the Elland Road philosophy. Leeds United is no longer about
football; its primary function now is to provide a mouthpiece, a soapbox, an
audience for a man whose outdated bile, few would otherwise choose to listen
to. Football has long since been relegated to a side show; a means to an end, a
necessary evil that must be sustained at the lowest possible cost, in order to
keep one man’s ego and public profile intact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The tragic fact of the matter is that attitudes have
become ingrained; Peter Lorimer has long since opted for his 50 pieces of
silver over any loyalties to those who paid to watch him, but the spectacle of hearing
Eddie Gray prostituting himself out for a pay packet, gets sadder with every
passing week; a man who is part of the fabric of the club, forsaking the old
mantra of “Side before self every time” in favour of his bank balance. You
wonder how Billy would feel. The likes of Gray should be revered, not reviled,
but it’s nigh on impossible to defend his stoic defence of his employer when
even Thom Kirwin has gone out on a limb to criticise the club. From top to
bottom, at every level, Leeds United screams “balance sheet” and not football
club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And now finally, that attitude has crossed the final
frontier – the Leeds away end; while too many home games to mention in recent
years have been anaesthetising affairs, away trips have always provided for
infinitely better match day experiences. Even when on the pitch, the team get a
pasting, there’s always the comfort of being part of a boisterous Leeds army to
provide some solace from the day. That was far from the case last night; in
fact, there was barely a whimper throughout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite the ludicrous nature of the never-ending takeover
saga; that supporters can see our prospects of a successful season receding
with every wasted, passing day and regardless of the fact that both the club
and GFH appear to view the fan base with utter indifference, there was barely
an utterance of dissent last night; a couple of short lived bursts of “Bates
Out!” was as expressive as the crowd got.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some who preach the need to support the team to the point
of excluding any hint of protest may rejoice, I was rather more concerned;
people should be livid with the situation, desperate to vent their fury, but
last night it really just appeared that nobody cared any more – those in
attendance still remain passionate about the club, but no longer have a cause
to fight for or to believe in; if Leeds won, nobody was kidding themselves
about a promotion charge, while defeat would be just confirmation of what
everyone suspects – that Leeds are a club going nowhere. As in the boardroom,
affairs on the pitch have become almost incidental. But even the news the
masses have longed for may offer little solace. If Bates goes …so what? Do GFH inspire hope? Not at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In many respects, this feels like the lowest period in
our 93 year history. There’s no belief in those at the top, in the heroes of
yesteryear, in the players of today, or the guardians of tomorrow. But while
the buck ultimately stops with the owner, the club is currently lacking
leaders at all levels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the pitch there are seldom few who are showing
themselves as being fit for the fight; take out Kenny, Pearce, Peltier and
Byram from the line-up at Turf Moor and there was nothing left. There are many
players who are simply not good enough for a mediocre Championship side, let
alone Leeds United. There are others coasting along, content in the knowledge
that their place in the team is under no serious challenge, while others
exhibit the body language of men who bought into a vision, into promises of a
bright, post-Bates future, only to discover it to be a sham.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In short, the team, rather like the fans, remain
committed but just don’t have a cause to galvanise them. Like us, they’ve been
patiently awaiting the big name reinforcements since July and the assembly of a
promotion challenging squad, and like us, they’re beginning to wonder if
another season is going to be frittered away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While Neil Warnock must feel sickened to the core by the
whole affair, it is now time for him to step up to the plate. Football sides
are very much a reflection of their manager’s personality and philosophy, and
Warnock has always been painted as a fighter; the man in the tracksuit,
shouting and bawling from the touchline at his players, officials and anyone
else who’ll listen. Warnock immediately won fans over back in February with his
straight talking, no nonsense approach – it almost felt like he was one of us.
In recent weeks, his reactions to most poor results and questions of possible
signings have involved much philosophical sighing and shrugging of shoulders… while
it’s possible to emphasise with his takeover fatigue, such responses no longer
reflect what we as supporters want to hear. Simon Grayson ultimately allowed
himself to become part of the problem at Elland Road by toeing the line, accepting
repeated failures to honour promises; his vastly experienced successor has no
such excuses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo5UBHCR2s98GlZVaXhjDcyuQDtLjZahbpN4QnXa78uA1aQqY1JvnCGdzpd46H4j4ktIaVld32mIo60rNiyo83H1NxwO8NTC8_YHFtA65ZQvKX7yOuKqnbOB7LEddEjTyIlEgeSLbIJ8/s1600/WarnockB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo5UBHCR2s98GlZVaXhjDcyuQDtLjZahbpN4QnXa78uA1aQqY1JvnCGdzpd46H4j4ktIaVld32mIo60rNiyo83H1NxwO8NTC8_YHFtA65ZQvKX7yOuKqnbOB7LEddEjTyIlEgeSLbIJ8/s640/WarnockB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Talk is (very) cheap, at the moment...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now is when Warnock should be fighting his corner,
demanding some degree of backing – if this takeover is so incredibly close, WHY
can’t funds be released to secure loanees? The team and the supporters need
some impetus and belief, and while those at the top continue to be so
spectacularly negligent to these ends, that doesn’t excuse our manager.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Warnock may also choose to consider some of his
selections and tactical choices. While broken promises over ‘marquee signings’
have undoubtedly left him a long way short in terms of the quality and strength
in depth he was seeking, there are still players being inexplicably afforded
chance after chance, while others are simply not being offered the opportunity
in their preferred positions. The continued involvement of Danny Pugh sends out
all sorts of wrong messages about the standards players have to meet in order
gain selection. In midfield, Michael Tonge, despite barely having played a game
at Stoke in 4 years is an automatic selection, while Michael Brown, offered
reduced terms to reflect his status as a fringe player is back as a regular
starter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although out of position, Aidy White has proven himself a
complete waste of space – being Leeds born and fast, doesn’t make him a great
player; the ability to pass, shoot, cross or beat players would certainly help
though. More pressingly, what White’s right-sided midfield role also does is
deny the team its best wide attacking outlet, by pushing Byram to right-back,
which in turn has often resulted in Peltier on the left. To those more educated
in tactics there may be method behind the madness – I can’t see it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The result of the tinkering, the lack of competition, the
shrugging of shoulders is what was seen at Burnley – Leeds have certainly been
dominated more, but have rarely been quite so awful to watch. Long diagonal punts
and little else was offered from an attacking perspective and the inability of
the midfield to keep the ball, confounding and depressing in equal measure.
People have questioned whether the defence this season is actually any better
than before…I’d urge them to consider how long Leeds spend without the ball and
reconsider their statement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just before half-time, I received a text message from a
friend – it was like a Godsend, as it ultimately offered me a distraction for
the remainder of the evening; I took the opportunity and found far more to
interest me in those light hearted exchanges than any of those I’d paid £30 to
see. It really shouldn’t be like this…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So while Bates, Haigh and Patel continue to undermine our
latest campaign with their pathetic posturing and attention seeking, and should
be the targets of any ire, it all comes down to Warnock in the meantime to drag
matters back on track; he still enjoys an exalted status as a man of the fans,
but if he wants to continue to do so it’s time he did right by us, by his
players, and by himself. Performances are his domain, if he wants his players
to put up a fight and for the supporters to stand up and be counted then he
needs to do so too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s high time that Bates and GFH were brought to account our boss; for pressure to be applied. It may cause more yet more anger and acrimony, but surely anything…anything,
has to be preferable to the apathy of the present? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-90289832069443015362012-10-28T12:16:00.004+00:002012-10-28T12:17:15.790+00:00Leeds United 0 Birmingham City 1<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Imp of the Perverse; we all possess one; that
metaphorical demon that hovers by your shoulder, whispering words of temptation
into your ear in an effort to entice you into performing acts that you know to
be wrong. It’s a concept that was popularised by Edgar Allan Poe and that
transcends all mediums of modern storytelling. It’s that little voice in your head that might
urge you to jump when looking over the side of the skyscraper, or poke your
hand into the workings of some heavy industrial machinery…or buy another ticket
for a Leeds United game.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While fundamentally a literary construct, used to define
such irrational temptation, this demonic inner voice is often afforded visual form;
most commonly it appears as the classic, red, pitchfork wielding devil, often waging
ideological warfare with an opposing angel who’s busy chewing off the subject’s
other ear. But the Imp can also take on a human appearance, take the case of
Eminem doing battle with a principled Dr. Dre’s physical embodiment of Stan’s “muthaf**king
conscience”, back in the time when he was still relevant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4osANvrU1QLx6ZxGYWDbbNa5vqygqCzECU6qBv8i-j2rAcQA8q2gQCvYyaw7JOAfEkD_a_0yly5ZCw-wpemBUrI_BeHC71kjqKzXC8x2pStnDrYVoIHPHa9RjqhKm9rPMm8loElNxUY/s1600/Letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4osANvrU1QLx6ZxGYWDbbNa5vqygqCzECU6qBv8i-j2rAcQA8q2gQCvYyaw7JOAfEkD_a_0yly5ZCw-wpemBUrI_BeHC71kjqKzXC8x2pStnDrYVoIHPHa9RjqhKm9rPMm8loElNxUY/s640/Letter.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please, please, please...oh, pretty please!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This week, step forward Lee Peltier, commandeered by the
LUFC hierarchy to become the club’s own Imp. ‘Pelts’ put his name to a letter addressed
and emailed to members, pleading for their attendance at the Birmingham game; a
desperate measure by the commercial department made in the face of tumbling
attendances to stem to the exodus. Only 17,484 had passed through the
turnstiles at Charlton, further affirmation that the promises of so many not to
return while Bates remains were not merely empty threats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Few heeded the captain’s words as a paltry 22,152 (barely
20,000 of which were home supporters) turned up yesterday. I was amongst them,
but as a 20-year season ticket holder I had no dilemma to ponder as my money
had been long invested/squandered many years ago. My personal Imp had been
banging on to me about buying tickets for the upcoming Southampton game on
Tuesday - a principled stance about refusing to endorse Bates’ tenure through
any further cup ticket purchases had seen me resist to this point…after
yesterday it appears that even my Imp has sacked off selling the spectacle of
watching Leeds United as a hopeless cause. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pEkrzJSI_J7hOT7BhMXdw9RvW-hxI2y2_US-aAxQpSfNSlW0MN4LORbzoRiJGfilh_vCMzsQW6WEzCNy49UU0Cp7niK4qislsIvftKvCvM60jjYwIQlu26D1lc7VKDPg2VgQKieVvZ4/s1600/IMG_2735%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pEkrzJSI_J7hOT7BhMXdw9RvW-hxI2y2_US-aAxQpSfNSlW0MN4LORbzoRiJGfilh_vCMzsQW6WEzCNy49UU0Cp7niK4qislsIvftKvCvM60jjYwIQlu26D1lc7VKDPg2VgQKieVvZ4/s640/IMG_2735%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tickets for Southampton are still available...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Elland Road is supposed to be a place where you can lose
yourself, win, lose or draw, for 90 minutes; where life’s other troubles are
forgotten about and superseded by joy, despair, outrage and countless other
emotions. Standing in N11 for the Birmingham game was an anaesthetising
experience, even the biting autumn chill didn’t register; the more depressing
and niggling troubles of everyday existence that ought to be sidelined, became
a refuge in which to retreat, just as a way to escape the grim realities of the
football – sadly, this is becoming the norm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the post-match phone-in, Eddie Gray spoke of the abysmal
atmosphere in the stands and the need for the crowd and the team to inspire
each other. Predictably for a Yorkshire Radio phone-in, the main issue was
sidestepped. While fingers can be pointed at the performance of the team and
tactics of Neil Warnock, the main problem does reside in the stands, not the
Kop though, but in the shiny new executive boxes to the East. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Apathy exists at Elland Road before a ball is kicked not
because of Warnock, nor the players’ efforts, but because Leeds fans have
nothing to buy into, nothing to believe in. Nobody believes the current side
are capable of challenging at the top end of the Championship and the prospect
of a takeover, that back in August would’ve sparked street parties, seems
likely now to predominantly inspire relief over Bates’ departure, above any
tangible excitement about the club’s future. Back in August, a new regime would
doubtless have added 10,000 to the next home gate – you wonder now whether
25,000 gate to herald any ‘new dawn; would be out of reach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The conduct of David Haigh’s since his intentions became
public has done little to inspire; his bold promises of missed deadlines, crass
public statements, his willingness to trample over LUST for his own purposes,
his need to create and engage an audience of sycophantic slags on twitter that
hang on his every word, despite the fact he never offers them anything of
substance…oh and the complete secrecy regarding funding – Leeds fans have
suffered nearly 8 years of bullshit David, you’ll have to forgive the growing
scepticism. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back to the pitch though, where all our pre-occupations
should be, but where so little is happening to keep us pre-occupied. That Neil
Warnock stated following the defeat that he was less upset than he was after
the Charlton performance is a clear pointer to where the club stands. The “two
or three” players “badly needed” since August remain so, and with the
confidence gone, the team have little quality to fall back on as a get-out in tight
games.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The return of Danny Pugh, like some footballing bogeyman
that just won’t die is a damning indictment of Leeds’ strength in depth, as is
Warnock’s perceived need to persist with jaded Rodolph Austin who at the moment
looks more suited to playing behind Clyde Wijnhard in the Masters side, rather
than the Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whether Warnock has currently better options open to him in
the middle is debateable, but some of his other tactical decisions are rather
more open to question. If Lee Peltier was a regular at right-back for (a far
stronger) Leicester last season, why is he not playing there now? Having <i>finally</i> vacated the left-back slot he
was back in the centre of defence, and was hopeless. Moreover, to allow the
switch, the more solid Tom Lees moved to right back – for a player who looks horrified
every time he’s expected to run with the ball, it’s ploy that continues to
baffle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHA2RsVdWZlZZm6gYX_uV7wZrBFqxjJsSnxyuLYtqs0xaaFT2K5N5_ti-I7smMBGjIWOod-l4e6hZUO_mvS4vgdovwy_SRrIWaviDbjuTL7QZojq1Ij2BPSz6SzbTUqwyrJVDLEBkBoA/s1600/King&+Petier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHA2RsVdWZlZZm6gYX_uV7wZrBFqxjJsSnxyuLYtqs0xaaFT2K5N5_ti-I7smMBGjIWOod-l4e6hZUO_mvS4vgdovwy_SRrIWaviDbjuTL7QZojq1Ij2BPSz6SzbTUqwyrJVDLEBkBoA/s640/King&+Petier.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Peltier, typically on the backfoot</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Moving on to the midfield, the ghosts of last season linger,
the pedestrian triumvirate of Austin, Tonge and Norris, nullified by a
Birmingham side that passed and ran through them, at times, almost unopposed; while
Becchio, up front, again an cut an anonymous figure. While 11<sup>th</sup>
position in the league is not an utter disaster, you do wonder where the team
would be, were it not for the emergence of Byram and the arrival of Diouf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Inevitably, it was those latter two who combined for United’s
one moment of quality in the game, the latter unable to direct a fantastic
diagonal cross towards the bottom corner, allowing the keeper the chance to
save. Shortly afterwards, the visitors delivered the killer blow; a quick ball
out of defence by Murphy, a smart dummy by King that flummoxed Pearce and then
an incisive 30 yard strike by Leroy Lita. Nobody closed him down, Pearce
choosing to point at the unmarked Burke down the left, rather than throwing
himself towards the ball, while the reliably anencephalous Pugh backed away
from a position in which he could influence matters to his more comfortable
retreat of ‘no man’s land’. Much as in the stands, nobody chose took responsibility
on the pitch… defeat usually follows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-1Q6y9DbJy7tSCaLTwaRrZuq1Di1B5HYrA47BX1rZkRxx4-oc1ZWmeua5Rh2W9YWyiaYEIy254LUXJWR-fRssvCGRjl1OBY4m8GRNh7Nw6WhxKu3pN2Ydlsk3BmMbSBaZRUkVZYELqc/s1600/Warnock_2851927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-1Q6y9DbJy7tSCaLTwaRrZuq1Di1B5HYrA47BX1rZkRxx4-oc1ZWmeua5Rh2W9YWyiaYEIy254LUXJWR-fRssvCGRjl1OBY4m8GRNh7Nw6WhxKu3pN2Ydlsk3BmMbSBaZRUkVZYELqc/s640/Warnock_2851927.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Resigned handshake</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In response, Leeds offered very little; the keeper was
barely troubled and a rusty looking Ryan Hall had little time to affect matters
in his brief cameo. Upon leaving it was hard not reflect upon the fact that over
in Greater Manchester, Dominic Poleon had made it two goals and two assists in
four starts for Bury – it seems even Kevin Blackwell is capable of getting one
up on Leeds United these days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-26771989160436414502012-10-20T20:43:00.002+01:002012-10-21T10:49:11.392+01:00Sheffield Wednesday 1 Leeds United 1<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Having endured 5 interminable months mired in a malaise
of takeover speculation, Leeds United supporters have long been craving for the
day when the club would finally move to make a bold public statement on the
back of a matter that would dominate the national football news. That actually happened
last night, and how we wish it hadn’t. Rather than bringing tidings of a
potentially exciting future under new owners, the club instead were very
quickly moving to condemn the actions of one idiotic thug who just 30 minutes
previously had brought shame to Leeds United and the game as a whole.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is with this low life, with whom we must start, for as
much as I loathe to afford him any more attention than absolutely necessary, it
is utterly inescapable that it was his despicable, cowardly intervention that
pushed the evening from the bounds of a depressing, unpleasant spectacle and
into the national spotlight. I can only hope that when he is brought to
justice, he receives the harshest permissible punishment; this must include a
prison sentence and hopefully (assuming anyone would employ him) the loss of
his employment. A football banning order will immediately mentioned as a matter
of course, and a lifetime sentence should obviously be the verdict, but ultimately
such impositions are futile and almost impossible to make work in practice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Indeed, it seems the individual is already subject to one
such order. This revelation, along with his identity had already been published
and had spread like wild fire across twitter by the time I was leaving the
stadium. This was very much a pro-active move by Leeds United supporters and
the wider footballing public – it is important that the few key positives from
the evening are not overlooked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just how much coverage will be given to the incident in
the press, and what the ultimate responses of the relevant authorities to the
matter will be will become clear over the coming days and weeks, and while a
part of me can’t help but wonder, that because it’s Leeds United, the issue may
be afforded more serious treatment than it might be otherwise, I for once would
quite happily tolerate my club becoming the whipping boys again, if we can
finally get this issue addressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the pitch assaults are a deeply concerning trend in
modern football; as a Leeds fan I’ve twice witnessed Leeds players becoming the
victims of such callous acts; Shane Lowry was punched during a pitch invasion
that followed the final whistle at a JPT Northern Final tie in Carlisle in 2010
and 9 months previously, Casper Ankergren was confronted by two Millwall fans
during the first leg of the play-off semi-final at the New Den. Most recently,
former Leeds player, Alan Smith was also set upon by several Huddersfield Town fans
at the end of another play-off tie. After initial uproar (to varying degrees),
little in the way of serious action followed – hopefully last night will mark
the moment where the line is drawn and a very strong message to all is sent
out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last night was not just about that one incident, there
are many parties that should be ashamed and made to account for their actions;
sections amongst both sets of supporters are plainly culpable, but arguably
even more damaging was the conduct of those placed in the roles of greater responsibility,
both at Sheffield Wednesday and in the media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfu4xH3MVky4ShFUBumRPP5h8hlpDbKo0lLX_YgjZ-8rB1SfFUIs_B9-MDW-QatRbyXhtlhaSgwVNoxwBmoCP7iJIZdHfUYv-WKnQ5tGCthuZfFK-B4kv6vuLraToXaXUiQSHoF2CqbQ/s1600/no1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfu4xH3MVky4ShFUBumRPP5h8hlpDbKo0lLX_YgjZ-8rB1SfFUIs_B9-MDW-QatRbyXhtlhaSgwVNoxwBmoCP7iJIZdHfUYv-WKnQ5tGCthuZfFK-B4kv6vuLraToXaXUiQSHoF2CqbQ/s640/no1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While nothing will or could ever excuse, or in any way
justify the behaviour of the low life at the centre of proceedings, there is
little doubt that the chants from a section of the North Stand about the deaths
of Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus completely turned the mood in the Leeds
end in an instant; a relatively flat, resigned atmosphere giving way to fury
and outrage. Although hearing such chants is sadly by no means a rarity, to be
confronted by hundreds of people joining in was rather more so, the fact that
it was Wednesday fans – who are regarded quite favourably by most Leeds fans in
comparison to those from other Yorkshire clubs – only appeared to add to the
shock, and at that stage a number of supporters lost their heads and as those in
the North Stand responded, bottles and coins rained back and forth. While it’s
a sad fact that distasteful chants will almost inevitably continue amongst some
less desirable elements in such a tribal sport, lines <i>have</i> to be drawn somewhere and mocking the dead is way beyond any
line. Throwing missiles is a similarly unforgivable; I had a friend stood by
the corner flag who like most, was at Hillsborough with the sole purpose of
enjoying the game, not to be struck in the face with a coin – I dare she is one
of far too many victims on both sides. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Following those exchanges, it was plain to all in the
Leeds end that any equaliser would inevitably be celebrated with exaggerated
gusto, including an inevitable pitch invasion by a small number of idiots. With
temperatures boiling over, the stewards that typically travel with the
supporters would have been well placed to advise the Hillsborough staff to
prepare for such a possibility…they couldn’t as Sheffield Wednesday had advised
them their services would not be required. That’s not to say the incident would
not have still occurred, but I might question whether a man capable of such a
cowardly act might’ve been so bold had he not been afforded a degree of ‘safety
in numbers’ by the other dozen or so idiots who ran onto the playing service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Doubtless, many home supporters will refer to role the
distasteful and libellous chants against Dave Jones in the first half played in
souring the mood, while Leeds fans would then question why it’s acceptable for
the continuous barracking of Neil Warnock and the singing of songs about Paddy
Kenny’s wife – the fact is, there are no moral victories to be had by any fan
on either side who engaged in any such chants. Just because Neil Warnock is
able to laugh off the abuse he receives, doesn’t make it any more acceptable.
The plain fact in this regard is that it takes two to tango and blame should be
apportioned at both sides for creating the atmosphere that prevailed; the
greatest condemnation however, should remain for that one individual and he
alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of course, individual interpretations of the amount of
blame that should to be apportioned to each group of supporters are as subjective
as they are futile, and will doubtless vary according to where people were sat
and their individual team loyalties, however my main motivation for
committing my thoughts are to do with concerns elsewhere; namely the conduct of
Dave Jones and the role of Sky TV.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When asked about Leeds United supporters, Jones said “They’re
all vile animals, all of them”; it may have been a statement been made in the
midst of emotion, but it was also deliberate and considered, and undisputedly so,
as when the Sky interviewer asked him to qualify a previous remark that he was
tarring all Leeds fans with the same brush, he confirmed as much. He also made
an incredibly poorly judged remark that attempted to frame the abuse from the
stands he received as a having parallels with racism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This latter remark is troubling on a number of levels;
firstly to hijack what is currently another huge issue in football in an effort
to employ it as some form of point scoring device in what has become a long
running personal agenda, born out of a number of such exchanges (ever tried
just dismissing it, Dave?) is pretty reprehensible; secondly, to describe the
actions of a group of supporters as akin to racists following his other
statements almost redefines the essence of hypocrisy – to be clear, my
understanding of racism, or indeed any other form of ‘ism’ whether sexism,
ageism, fascism or whatever else involves employing negative, hateful and harmful
comments and attitudes towards people, designed to label, undermine or
persecute them, based purely on their membership to a particular group,
regardless of how accurately these views reflect any truth…going back to his
sweeping generalisation about Leeds supporters all being vile animals, I’d
suggest he has some explaining to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Short of issuing an apology and a retraction, having had
time to reflect, Jones should be on an FA charge. While the incidents during
the game will see to it that the next clash is deemed as high risk, for one of
the managers to make comments that will clearly fan the flames and incite even more
ill-feeling is grossly irresponsible. Had a player made such remarks, his words
would undoubtedly be condemned publicly by his manager (albeit with a caveat
that his reaction was “understandable”) and subjected to ‘in house’ discipline,
at least. Who will Dave Jones answer to? This is a man in an esteemed job at a
highly respected club and as such, should conduct himself in an appropriate
manner; a right of reply should never be denied, but a measured, dignified
response that reflects his position should be expected, rather than Neanderthal
ramblings that place him at the same level as his detractors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jones is far from alone in receiving questionable abuse
from supporters; he need only look to his counterpart on the right last night
for proof of that. While Neil Warnock is a phlegmatic soul and a completely
different personality, lessons can be learned from his ability to find
perspective in the face of abuse. There are also countless footballers who have
suffered similar (and in some cases, worse) than he, and yet almost every
single one of them, despite their relative level of immaturity have dealt with
it in a far more laudable manner; as much as I dislike many of the senior
England players, none of them have reacted to criticism in quite such an
incendiary way. I’ve seen many Manchester United players subjected to all
conceivable insults at Elland Road, but none have reacted like Jones; on the
other side of things, like Jones, Lee Bowyer was cleared in his trial, but
still hammered every single week by opposing fans, even he never flinched,
merely satisfying himself with a hand to the ear whenever he scored – if even
Bowyer can show so much resolve, surely Jones should be capable?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The fact is, such a critique has a purpose; like most
Leeds fans, I find Sheffield Wednesday fans to be arguably the most amenable amongst
our Yorkshire rivals, but even they have a hardcore of ‘fans’ with a hatred of
Leeds that often seems to surpass their love of the Owls come match days; I
spent an hour or so in a local pub, and while I emphasise there was never any
hint of trouble (us Leeds fans went incognito), every song was anti-Leeds,
rather than pro-Wednesday. Jones’ comments can only help increase that
demographic, validating everything they believe about the club 30 miles up the
road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The final criticism needs to be levelled at Sky TV; while
it was hard to disagree with anything said in the commentary box or studio said
in relation to the conduct of supporters last night, the company’s ability to dictate
every aspect of the football calendar at a whim really demands to be called
into question. While Sheffield Wednesday versus Leeds typically hasn’t
attracted the proportion of morons that some other derbies have, the wisdom of
re-scheduling the game for a Friday night remains questionable in the extreme.
In a month’s time, Leeds visit Huddersfield...again on a Friday evening – every season, Saturday fixtures
have been brought forward to lunchtime kick-offs at police advice, which in my
experiences has been a very sound move. So why do Sky seemingly even have to
power to veto police decisions these days? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In some ways I guess I’m not wholly free of guilt myself;
I revel in the universal hatred of my club throughout Yorkshire. Even when at
our lowest ebb, the thought of other supporters celebrating our every setback
at least reassures you of Leeds United’s continued relevance. As sickening as
conceding the opening goal was last night, the pathetic sight of men in their
40s making a beeline from their seats in the South Stand to gloat, was still
amusing…and to be honest, I don’t want to lose that. It’s what makes following
Leeds United unique and our fanatical devotion to the club so incomprehensible
to others. But with that comes a tightrope, a thin line that was crossed last
night. Mocking “We all hate Leeds Scum” chants has proved to be by far the most
effective way of diffusing the ire of confrontational fans in many stadiums,
but ‘Istanbul’ chants will understandably always be something incredibly difficult
to show restraint in the face of. Playing the ‘bigger man’ isn’t easy, but it’s
every fan’s responsibility (on both sides) to do so. If nothing else, at least
after last night football should be one step (or banned supporter) closer to achieving that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh, and by the way, we drew 1-1. Cracking goal too by
Tonge…what a shame it was lost in the fall-out!</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-66986026475435772212012-10-07T09:20:00.001+01:002012-10-07T10:54:30.839+01:00Leeds United 1 Barnsley 0<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Leeds United teams don’t do derby games; that’s been a
general rule of thumb at Elland Road for longer than anyone cares to remember.
For years now, too many such fixtures have conformed to an all too familiar and
depressing template, where the Whites come face to face with a club and a
following that care passionately about playing us, in stark contrast to our
utter indifference towards them.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While it’s reassuring as a Leeds fan to be regularly
reminded of the hatred we continue to generate amongst Yorkshire’s lesser
lights, regardless of our status; it has become a real problem on match days.
While Simon Grayson achieved much during his tenure, motivating his starting XI
against the likes of Huddersfield, Hull City and Sheffield United wasn’t
really his forte...then there’s Barnsley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivndK6wxSq70BpTxch0LkGpsWgltB3yEUGYH_Zy9NZL_Rxx4rjwNYNXthhXtjVxyEz9K8g32r6cXTl5ldwQJLLPS8auAelZcal8oxiLSBq1btPQx8_Nd51xsd8HzijIX_8ROFm5iJ1gZY/s1600/IMG_2669%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivndK6wxSq70BpTxch0LkGpsWgltB3yEUGYH_Zy9NZL_Rxx4rjwNYNXthhXtjVxyEz9K8g32r6cXTl5ldwQJLLPS8auAelZcal8oxiLSBq1btPQx8_Nd51xsd8HzijIX_8ROFm5iJ1gZY/s640/IMG_2669%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Becchio scores, Leeds lead, Hill flips...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the basis of the last couple of seasons, I’ve come to
look forward to a clash with Barnsley with the same sort of relish I’d expect
ahead of an encounter with a proctologist; consecutive hidings at Oakwell and
surrendered home points – the default sensation come the full-time whistle in
such clashes has been “utterly p***ed off”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then there’s Keith Hill, a man not so much sporting a
chip on his shoulder, rather a full sack of King Edwards; again in the build-up
to the game, he was sniping away, warning of gamesmanship on Saturday, calling
for strong refereeing and the like. It must still eat away at the balding, Bolton
born cockalorum that he was never considered for the Leeds post ahead of
Warnock, having made a play for it back in December when he suggested how much
better the club would’ve been faring had he been in charge. Hill didn’t get the
job though (thank God!) and with Warnock now at the helm, the suspicion prior
to kick-off was that the halcyon days of regular triumphs for the Matalan
Mourinho and his contemporaries would finally be at an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq-IrEjuPQH-WYPpD6fXmbNySOVYfO0au4nfoo0rL8taR_RvA1gyQU-uIoEBlvSfA4p4q-prNhclvrVemUyWjU_YjnPQj79QJzTIjTdO4U936XSTxm3rmTpmvm_Mn8ZMHTj1YGTmmouM/s1600/Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq-IrEjuPQH-WYPpD6fXmbNySOVYfO0au4nfoo0rL8taR_RvA1gyQU-uIoEBlvSfA4p4q-prNhclvrVemUyWjU_YjnPQj79QJzTIjTdO4U936XSTxm3rmTpmvm_Mn8ZMHTj1YGTmmouM/s640/Hill.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Self-appointed football martyr</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>That</i> was the
theory, albeit the logic looked worryingly flawed during the opening 20 minutes
as Barnsley started strongly and the established derby pattern bedded in. Leeds
struggled to cope; Austin and Tonge seemed unsure about their roles, neither of
them pushing forward to support the strikers with any real conviction, but both
abdicating defensive responsibilities. Having twice failed to prevent Kevin
Davies from scoring at the Reebok, Austin now stood motionless as Jacob Mellis broke into the box after only 4 minutes, only to steer wide when it
seemed easier to score. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stephen Dawson and David Perkins (again) were running the show
as the visitors stroked the ball around as they pleased; on 7 minutes Barnsley
were almost through again, only a clumsy challenge-cum-air shot from Jason
Pearce was sufficient to halt progress – it was ugly, it was desperate, and
matters had to be addressed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hope is currently a fragile concept at Leeds and the
sparsely populated East Stand – a monument to the consequences placing greed
above ambition – served as a reminder of the underlying unrest that lurks
around the club. Yet, as productive as the self-imposed exiles of the masses
may be in nudging Bates towards the exit, it is also a shame that the players
currently wearing the shirt are denied this support, as if nothing else, they
are unequivocally committed to the cause, and will ultimately give any side a
game...and today all it took was a change of system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Leeds adapted to a 3-5-2 formation; Peltier moved towards
the middle to become the left-sided centre back of three, while Aidy White
dropped back from the midfield to play at wing-back. Suddenly the home side had
much more of a solid look about them; Leeds had more bodies in the middle of
the pitch, where previously they had been overrun and the problems caused by
Tonge’s tendency to repeatedly drift infield from the left, exposing Peltier in
the process, were addressed. As such, the game became a far more even affair,
albeit with the exception of one superb Diouf cross headed over by Becchio, the
threat offered by Leeds was relatively minor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnXpjvxdeascRBRN-jripkirUHdmf9BLqQBHvyoHTem0ByOzna0vpt57YtIKADo9sWLW-yXOaGJGxT8L3_VZNgqXTkmEB3W9dMb8fJnXa-kjQF1_1oqXMHMp2he_aXTiQlYRU1wgS6WE/s1600/Barn1-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnXpjvxdeascRBRN-jripkirUHdmf9BLqQBHvyoHTem0ByOzna0vpt57YtIKADo9sWLW-yXOaGJGxT8L3_VZNgqXTkmEB3W9dMb8fJnXa-kjQF1_1oqXMHMp2he_aXTiQlYRU1wgS6WE/s640/Barn1-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9th of the season</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That Leeds took the lead was quite a surprise then, even
if the source was rather less so; while Stephen Foster’s decision to end Lee
Petier’s run from deep with a body check that bordered on an assault was
undeniably a foul, whether it took place inside the 18 yard box was another
issue entirely. Becchio appeared duly unconcerned about the validity of the
decision as he dinked in from 12 yards. By his own admittance, Neil Warnock
didn’t watch the penalty being taken, which seemed a shame, as doubtless the
sight of our Argentine forward getting bollocked by our manager for trying to
be “flash” while still celebrating the goal, would’ve made for a priceless spectacle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ehl3U4hzioMSy5pwC20UgVnmaIic0NMwuJV_VXv2lcXQ7abTnj0-f1IhBxad_I9J1tO6ozspnT1oDgUomkHAl5LA5q6yL8kQCTIt7D3Hd3m_2ZYsLleP_o0ewo3jMNYCoNLRZb3qVLI/s1600/IMG_2671%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ehl3U4hzioMSy5pwC20UgVnmaIic0NMwuJV_VXv2lcXQ7abTnj0-f1IhBxad_I9J1tO6ozspnT1oDgUomkHAl5LA5q6yL8kQCTIt7D3Hd3m_2ZYsLleP_o0ewo3jMNYCoNLRZb3qVLI/s640/IMG_2671%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Costs less than Berbatov..."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a bitter pill for Barnsley to swallow and things
got a little too much for Keith Hill shortly afterwards. Today’s dismal referee
of choice, Darren Deadman, having harshly booked Becchio on the back of cries
from Barnsley fans, then immediately found himself also playing up to the home
fans who demanded retribution following a nondescript Craig Davies challenge –
Hill responded by attempting to start a stand-up row with an entire section of
the West Stand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Come the second half, Leeds began to look a little more
comfortable, helped by increasing familiarity with the new system and the early
introduction of David Norris for a sluggish Tonge. Chances were few however,
and the majority went to Barnsley; the best of the half went to Marlon
Harewood, who with the goal at his mercy, side-footed back in the direction of
Paddy Kenny, who was able to fling himself at the ball and save at full
stretch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sStFL4rpXPuxQH0EHyIjR3VyjAzvQnelqnsqHMaIDn_1DEkHr4yF21RS4BGn-tb4kQAnNJ83KWznY08O8PTallA-tRiXImZPGT0P5tob99Hw0HzMsdf3aN2qOyooARzHiUtqunknPDE/s1600/IMG_2677%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sStFL4rpXPuxQH0EHyIjR3VyjAzvQnelqnsqHMaIDn_1DEkHr4yF21RS4BGn-tb4kQAnNJ83KWznY08O8PTallA-tRiXImZPGT0P5tob99Hw0HzMsdf3aN2qOyooARzHiUtqunknPDE/s640/IMG_2677%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Diouf: staging his one-man forward's show</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As Barnsley became more desperate and Michael Brown (not
for the first time) was christened a w**ker by the away support, Jason Pearce
(not for the first time) found using his body as the last line of defence to be
a wholly effective tactic. As time ticked by, Leeds found themselves
increasingly reliant on Diouf as a sole attacking outlet who obliged
magnificently; the Senegalese striker’s use of the ball, his ability to retain
it and where possible, bring others into play was an object lesson to all those
around him and a reminder of what it’s like to have a top class experienced
player at Elland Road...and it’s been a while! As Diouf jogged over to take a
corner he’d just won in the dying minutes, those in the Kop and the North East
Corner rose as one to acclaim him and he responded in kind – the unlikeliest of
love affairs is in full bloom!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Barnsley were still afforded one more gilt-edged
opportunity, but could only muster a weak header after Austin again lost his man at a set piece; this
time though, mercifully, it wasn’t costly. So come the final whistle, the
players and Warnock were able to celebrate and reflect upon a terrific
fortnight for the club that has brought a cup victory over Everton and 10
points from 12, all in the midst of an injury crisis! Warnock left the pitch
all smiles; in contrast a sulking Keith Hill made for the tunnel stony faced,
left to curse a combination of bad fortune and the referee. If looks could
kill, Darren would be a dead man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtka4XoyaVXPr11HMAUNgcwj2ZPxqhxfXA80g8AZ7WzvLN7W7RmlvX_vPTqordhMKaq7DZmv5pvAP7w2gcfvB6ILS1F8h7CHaonlqIdbCwlZmgkOpH8h_91v_aR1VA55n1FAyaNjPoSbQ/s1600/Warnockb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtka4XoyaVXPr11HMAUNgcwj2ZPxqhxfXA80g8AZ7WzvLN7W7RmlvX_vPTqordhMKaq7DZmv5pvAP7w2gcfvB6ILS1F8h7CHaonlqIdbCwlZmgkOpH8h_91v_aR1VA55n1FAyaNjPoSbQ/s640/Warnockb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Default clenched fist mode...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the post-match interviews, Warnock claimed not to have
a clear view of the penalty incident, stating that he would need to see a
replay before passing judgement; Hill was in no mood to play the diplomat
however, openly lamenting the decision…while skirting over the inability of his
forwards. He did try to remain measured and typically noble in his criticism though, saying: “I better be careful, I’m not a
rich man…I’m rich in values, but not with cash”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Barnsley fans surely shouldn’t fear a relegation battle
while under the stewardship of such a self-important, righteous leader and will doubtless take comfort from his unrepentant parting shot: "I don't hide. I'm Keith Hill; 6 foot 1, 16 stone, was 13 stone. I don't hide! - Kevin Blackwell, you may just have a soul mate!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe derbies <i>are</i> gonna be a whole lot more fun this season...? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-64629018332414230972012-10-03T18:32:00.003+01:002012-10-04T15:26:52.212+01:00Bolton Wanderers 2 Leeds United 2<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When the Reebok Stadium was opened back in 1997, in many
ways it provided a blueprint for the future of English football stadia
development; its striking design, whilst clearly influenced by the nearby
McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield, was set at a more ambitious level; its
specification reflecting more of an M&S level of standards, as opposed to
Matalan. The lucrative, big name stadium naming rights and the vast commercial
and development that surrounds it – both at the time, relatively novel
concepts to these shores – now form an integral part of many a new scheme.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjD3XI3lhOoUYTgmepc6yqSyf_pWdizn8KbxMBnDdof7RcrxaxKkSzopMzChYbvIjH-2EZVTg1vLLMse9yxaSrWLaCik1BoYoyR8sOF2ZdktRlT2JvKeM4AhBdZXO5JdQ9O0ZMf-Fb_J0/s1600/IMG_2637%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjD3XI3lhOoUYTgmepc6yqSyf_pWdizn8KbxMBnDdof7RcrxaxKkSzopMzChYbvIjH-2EZVTg1vLLMse9yxaSrWLaCik1BoYoyR8sOF2ZdktRlT2JvKeM4AhBdZXO5JdQ9O0ZMf-Fb_J0/s640/IMG_2637%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Planet Reebok</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was fitting then, that 15 years on from its opening,
the Reebok and its surroundings is still able to bring to mind futuristic
visions. The approach to the ground last night immediately inspired thoughts of
the dystopian, post-nuclear modernity of 2019 Los Angeles, as depicted in Blade
Runner. The incessant, torrential rain from above and the hazy precipitous mist
rising up from ground level; the garish glare from a seemingly endless vista of
brightly illuminated signs, an offensive, commercial, multi-sensory attack on
the senses, courtesy of a roll call of multi-national food, leisure and retail chains…maybe
Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich is even closer to what Philip K. Dick had in
mind than anything even Sir Ridley Scott could muster?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgR3AbqzhwM3iZRwW_TJsCeFRADU2cBsqm2HAeFVpBYOmaDy9aVI9VH3rw_PJJDBWwLqrpGlmt5UqMTXj9K-LiKEpn1tKU95-QGzAOHol9J79bNMQWJeEN6r7cjBjK5Q4dAmH9guIcUrQ/s1600/IMG_2641%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgR3AbqzhwM3iZRwW_TJsCeFRADU2cBsqm2HAeFVpBYOmaDy9aVI9VH3rw_PJJDBWwLqrpGlmt5UqMTXj9K-LiKEpn1tKU95-QGzAOHol9J79bNMQWJeEN6r7cjBjK5Q4dAmH9guIcUrQ/s640/IMG_2641%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">KFC on the doorstep... as not all progress is lamentable</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The reference to Blade Runner is not made idly, as the
central premise of the film regards the humanity or otherwise of Harrison Ford’s
character, Rick Deckard. In the opening weeks to the season, it could’ve also
conceivably formed the cornerstone of a debate over Rodolph Austin; despite the
rigours of a hugely demanding schedule, the energy levels of our Jamaican have
never appeared to waver; returning late from the US to face Nottingham Forest, a
jaded performance was expected, yet as injury time approached, he was still
there, embarking on a lung busting run from the half-way line, just to win a precious
thrown-in; Everton then surely, a step too far? No! Somehow he was even more
immense. Bristol City? No problems; Warnock didn’t even consider the need to
give him a breather at 3-1…and this is all before we consider his superhuman
shooting ability.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So is Rodolph actually a machine? Is he some kind of
android or replicant being, a perfect athletic prototype, masquerading as a
mere mortal with a penchant for kicking footballs and footballers <i>really</i> hard? Well,
tonight finally put paid to the conspiracy theories, he is human…and he ain’t
too clever at tracking runners from set pieces. Handed responsibility for
nullifying the Kevin Davies threat, Austin twice lost his man (like tears in
the rain) and ultimately because of it, Leeds lost the opportunity to claim an
unlikely 3 points.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In truth, although fingers had to be pointed at Austin,
Bolton’s opener had an air of inevitability about it almost from kick-off; the
home side had started at a strong tempo and not for the first time, having
matched Leeds for effort, the opposition’s superiority in the midfield became
painfully apparent; Rodolph looked on bemused as Bolton passed around him and
spread the ball about quickly, stretching Leeds at will; with Tonge slow to get
into the game and Michael Brown under the constant threat of admonishment by
referee, Phil Dowd, who was seemingly on a mission to nullify Brown as a
participant in the match, it was unsurprising that the home side gained the
ascendancy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most decisions made by the officials varied between the
baffling and the petty, and almost all favoured Owen Coyle’s team; they did
little to help the cause, and brought chants of “Cheat!” from the away end and a rather more choice selection of words from Warnock in the technical area, but when the key
Leeds tactic for the half appeared to be to “hit f**king Becchio!” whenever in
possession, it was hard to look beyond lack of ideas in the team as the root
cause of the difficulties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The opening goal took 14 minutes to arrive; Davies’
header being greeted by a coordinated celebration (akin to something from a
Disney movie) in the ‘Bolton corner’ as ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ boomed from the
PA – I wonder if Dick anticipated that particular nightmarish development in
sporting arenas? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8ho80Ga167ddH_UMZmTOHsPkNyYJDg2uEYGyYH7IoBMWTVbBg5_Nx-3Mia5mZ_hcnNyu06fmWLjKcaFjy0qXf_EPi6fOOdkZ89lX9uZ8lajphORl_uXIavWfCyZvfkXqKsil5UUjKCI/s1600/1-1by.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8ho80Ga167ddH_UMZmTOHsPkNyYJDg2uEYGyYH7IoBMWTVbBg5_Nx-3Mia5mZ_hcnNyu06fmWLjKcaFjy0qXf_EPi6fOOdkZ89lX9uZ8lajphORl_uXIavWfCyZvfkXqKsil5UUjKCI/s640/1-1by.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dream on Hughton...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bolton continued to dominate after the goal and Phil Dowd
continued his policy of obliging the home side with a string of free-kicks; Kevin
Davies and he appeared to be on almost uncomfortably good terms, to the extent
I feared at one stage, a second Davies goal would’ve been honoured with full-on
fellatio in the centre circle. As it was, Leeds (somehow) scored the next goal,
and fittingly, the Whites’ only potent attacking outlet during the half was
there to head in Diouf’s free kick. While Sam Byram’s continued brilliance will
no doubt attract suitors come January, rest assured at least, that he’s already
too good for Norwich!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ5SGcDqOi5YzRiG6NY0FQmL7T8oWg9Q17uOo4Ds67aVjNdHWWG2MfE4is2hcmxAFhLkziE7bK0smc_r4keAwJ1J-bVkEzpj33bg3o5wwE4nT57RkpD_ausq4hA4O3qofh9OLLFkMg_I/s1600/IMG_2651%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ5SGcDqOi5YzRiG6NY0FQmL7T8oWg9Q17uOo4Ds67aVjNdHWWG2MfE4is2hcmxAFhLkziE7bK0smc_r4keAwJ1J-bVkEzpj33bg3o5wwE4nT57RkpD_ausq4hA4O3qofh9OLLFkMg_I/s640/IMG_2651%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Becchio...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Within minutes of the second half starting, Byram was as
it again, floored in full flow by Stephen Warnock. It didn’t seem the most
convincing penalty shout, but Sam has noticeably developed his ability to win
fouls – maybe another plus of Diouf’s presence? Becchio strode up to the spot
and sent Bogdan the wrong way…2-1! The Argentine savoured the opportunity to
celebrate in front of over 4,000 Leeds fans and much badge grabbing, shouting
and head nodding ensued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQJe0USTfEGSaZUTrbizKCYwV4g2hympcmZT3zMS_iD91Y9CGUdh0DP_n59-MweaQtIJtVxU8uboHuOvbWUdFa86EGYQuvR2BSNha_nBPDjgiVeoGs8PSj74xtGbXakwWBHAhMBljjNQ/s1600/2-1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQJe0USTfEGSaZUTrbizKCYwV4g2hympcmZT3zMS_iD91Y9CGUdh0DP_n59-MweaQtIJtVxU8uboHuOvbWUdFa86EGYQuvR2BSNha_nBPDjgiVeoGs8PSj74xtGbXakwWBHAhMBljjNQ/s400/2-1b.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...2-1!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The quick fire goals knocked Bolton out of their stride
and they struggled to create in open play after that, offering a threat almost
exclusively from set plays; for Leeds, Diouf put in a fantastic shift, some of
his hold-up play and close control, sublime. Sadly though, Leeds were to give away
one needless corner too many and Davies – a man who sports a plot of forehead real
estate, large enough to build a farmstead for a Playmobil family – was never going to squander the opportunity to
square the scoreline, via his cranium.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuPAoL8thIGUmIOLPyragSvfps9T2hAqBNyxigLwYOkRkFXYUGQxs7UupdD1LIoFMOe8U_g5czWRZKzJRa1nlxnRKUxFGPqZ-M-cOKreKve5xPMFiyHzi3ehWafNcJ5qYpPTuoKx3Shw/s1600/2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuPAoL8thIGUmIOLPyragSvfps9T2hAqBNyxigLwYOkRkFXYUGQxs7UupdD1LIoFMOe8U_g5czWRZKzJRa1nlxnRKUxFGPqZ-M-cOKreKve5xPMFiyHzi3ehWafNcJ5qYpPTuoKx3Shw/s640/2-2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bugger...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After the equaliser, Leeds looked content to close out
the game, yet in the dying moments of injury time, a slick passing move afforded
Diouf space 25 yards out; his curling effort clipped the face of the crossbar -
a perfect finale to the evening denied by the woodwork, though it would’ve been
very harsh on Bolton. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Leeds fans were quick to forgive Diouf his inaccuracy,
the Senegalese striker reciprocating adoring applause, before blowing kisses to
the masses. Warnock was also quick to forgive Austin; shouldering the blame
himself for the goals…Rodolph is human after all! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, a very unlikely 3 points thrown away in the likeliest
of circumstances, but still good point nonetheless! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-47604695861397626702012-09-30T10:49:00.002+01:002012-09-30T10:50:00.596+01:00Leeds United: The 7 Final Itch<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For those who buy into the concept of karma, the takeover drama that has dominated our thoughts for over 100 days can only end with a successful resolution; a handover of power that with it, will bring ambitious, altruistic owners with a commitment to success on the pitch and a desire to embrace and engage, rather than alienate the supporters off it. Having suffered Ken Bates for over 7 and a-half years, it follows that a period of contentment and success is now due to redress the karmic imbalance. Surely?</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, that’s the theory, and for my own sanity, I’m going with it…well, maybe – in truth, karma is probably a load of old bollocks. After all, we are talking about a game in which an (alleged) racist, disabled parking spot stealing adulterer (etc.) is still lauded as the man who should be leading the national team; where the most graceless leader of men in Western society presides over a team of perennial winners, and where Danny Pugh is still able to gain steady employment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But, <i>if</i> just for once, the footballing Gods drop a payload of good fortune onto the green fields of LS11, then maybe, just maybe, we can finally stop bemoaning our cursed luck at boardroom level and go back to what we do best and return to lamenting what goes on for the 90 minutes each Saturday (and the odd Tuesday, Wednesday…and Monday, Friday, Sunday – cheers Sky!) on the pitch; it’s high time that the referees, The FA, the opposition – hell, anyone else but Ken f**king Bates lie at the root of our problems at any given time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With that in mind, I’m going to start the ball rolling early and ask the question: “When the hell is Leeds United next going to win a major final?” I consider this a good place to start as – victims of mental scarring from the Ken Bates, apart - those who’ve shared in the common experience of witnessing nothing but misery and heartache on these occasions is surely amongst the largest demographics amongst our support.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How many readers hold treasured memories of the magical 1989/90 promotion season and the remarkable title triumph that followed only 2 years later? Show of hands? Ah yes, lots of you – wasn’t it just the best? Okay, now the rest of you; how many of you have at least some recollection of the brief, short-lived, glorious promise of the O’Leary era? Excellent! Squandered promise, but great while it lasted all the same, eh? Right, now who remembers a glorious day out watching the Whites triumph at a final? Ermmm…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s been 39 long years since Leeds last triumphed in a final of any sort of description which means that the few people who can answer yes to that last question – I’m not flattering myself that I’m writing to a wide audience here – are quite possibly same people who are just starting to take notice of Michael Parkinson as he tries to sell them Sun Life Assurance policies; they may have even pondered whether to take Argos vouchers or a pocket camcorder as their free welcome gift. Yes, it’s been <i>that</i> long!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">39 years and 7 finals and nothing to show for it, nothing but countless generations of Leeds fans, ruthlessly conditioned into expecting failure on days where above all others, winning is everything; and through all those finals there is one common theme, that our every turn has undermined the quest for glory – conspiracy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH916EJ3nPwqwygbkaJvGJFkLJKpg3byMONflruwQR_Kvp6aPesmc5CGsTNVY2Kzgs1fzfARZZgFofdsoyLWd_odgMpQov6rsXGMZ4OrwGeO4ZWBajtBlGJnT2XfUqOc7oMn-bxEQ4fo/s1600/73Sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH916EJ3nPwqwygbkaJvGJFkLJKpg3byMONflruwQR_Kvp6aPesmc5CGsTNVY2Kzgs1fzfARZZgFofdsoyLWd_odgMpQov6rsXGMZ4OrwGeO4ZWBajtBlGJnT2XfUqOc7oMn-bxEQ4fo/s640/73Sun.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>That</i> save</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over the four decades it’s only the nature of the conspiracy that has changed; back where it started, at Wembley in 1973, it was the innocent spectacle of one man colluding with fate to have the game of his life in denying the Whites glory; “plucky” Second Division ‘no hopers’ Sunderland, came to Wembley, saw fit to score a goal then camped in the defensive third of the field while Jim Montgomery spent the 90 minutes looking like a goalkeeper plucked from ‘Pro-Evolution Soccer’ rather than streets of his own town. His double save from Cherry and Lorimer still has the ability to taunt today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Cup Winners Cup Final, held 11 days in Thessalaniki, was a whole different ball game however; Leeds, in their only ever appearance in the competition faced up to Italian giants AC Milan… and the referee. To describe the refereeing performance that night as “questionable” would be akin to terming Hitler’s foreign policy as “dubious”; before the game, Johnny Giles revealed he heard whispers over lunch that the team “couldn’t win” the game, no matter what they did. As it turned it, they did everything…and they didn’t win; having gone behind in the 4<sup>th</sup> minute to a goal scored direct from a free-kick (an indirect free-kick having been awarded), Leeds would go on to be denied three clear-cut penalties and two more “borderline” claims.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Rnwoz6jfhofQrDs6cyDydo0_tNvLsaFH5u1v8RX154Vm6oVKK1DLycyERdY5Nlu_xxZ59qLiJc7FhqjhzpPmhK1s2ajrnQGHen5P_qTIGkS1dxHefEfZ3YFldA8L9I9X4uLKo_2fAJM/s1600/73Milan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Rnwoz6jfhofQrDs6cyDydo0_tNvLsaFH5u1v8RX154Vm6oVKK1DLycyERdY5Nlu_xxZ59qLiJc7FhqjhzpPmhK1s2ajrnQGHen5P_qTIGkS1dxHefEfZ3YFldA8L9I9X4uLKo_2fAJM/s640/73Milan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before the acrimony...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The locals responded to the performance of local official Christos Michas by chanting “Shame! Shame!” from the terraces and come full-time, so incensed were they, that Milan’s lap of honour had to be curtailed as a barrage of missiles rained down onto the players. In contrast, the Leeds team were afforded a standing ovation. The referee was subsequently investigated by his own FA on suspicion that he’d taken bribes from the Italians, while UEFA swiftly banned him from officiating at any future international club fixtures. Despite the fall-out, UEFA refused Leeds’ request for a replay and opted to sweep matters under the carpet; the ill feeling however still remains, with Yorkshire & Humberside MEP Robert Corbett as recently as 2009 lobbying UEFA with a 15,000 name petition for the trophy to be retrospectively awarded to the club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1975 most famously of all somehow threw up an uncannily similar scenario, albeit this time it was two rather than three penalties, inexplicably denied, albeit to that tally you could add a long-range Peter Lorimer goal, also famously chalked off. At the centre of the whole affair this time, two men; the referee again (this time, Frenchman Michel Kitabdjian) and Franz Beckenbauer, the former overlooking the latter’s penalty box indiscretions, and then paying heed to his desperate prostestations for an offside flag – seemingly it was only those two and the linesman in the entire stadium that picked out Billy Bremner as positioned illegally as Leeds celebrated the opener.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjtcofYi3fABpI_cPe_hNlMMBUupXmC0r1YXdddJe37rFCVvJjkZYB_zkqKCnBRCP4o2mj1mMhfWROrPQwP55XDbYzjHmOyAgI2rRl21y9DvNPMG1voRkQoZsX3c4jX7QJYas2O3lPys/s1600/75Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjtcofYi3fABpI_cPe_hNlMMBUupXmC0r1YXdddJe37rFCVvJjkZYB_zkqKCnBRCP4o2mj1mMhfWROrPQwP55XDbYzjHmOyAgI2rRl21y9DvNPMG1voRkQoZsX3c4jX7QJYas2O3lPys/s640/75Bay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(not a) Penalty!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With Leeds still shaken, Bayern struck two quick goals; the game was gone and in the stands, heads were lost as seats were ripped out and hurled onto the pitch. At the full-time whistle, Beckenbauer was moved to say “In the end we were the winners, but we were very, very lucky!” It was the end for Revie’s old guard and remains Leeds’ last European final, it was also Kitabjian’s final appointment. Defeat in the Mestalla Stadium cruelly denied David O’Leary’s side the chance to exact revenge 26 years later, although karma has seen to it that Bayern are still paying the penance for that evening against other English clubs; Scum’s 1999 triumph and Chelsea’s recent victory, the least sweet tasting retribution possible? If karma isn’t a load of bollocks, then it sure it some sick, twisted son of a bitch!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mercifully, I’m too young to have had to live through the injustices of the 1970’s, my heartbreaks like many others’ are confined to these shores; while the conspiracy line still holds true, it’s been rather a case of our own players conspiring against themselves by performing like ***** (feel free to insert your swear word of choice) that has undermined most subsequent finals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The only exception to this rule was back in 1987, in the dark, dilapidated surroundings of St. Andrews on a Friday night; the first ever play-off final had gone to a replay and this godforsaken shithole in the West Midlands was where the destiny of an epic season was to lie. It was the last time that a Leeds team actually ‘turned up’ for a final and when 9 minutes into extra time, John Sheridan struck the most considered, measured and sublime of free kicks into the top right hand corner, a 5 year exile top flight looked over; 16,000 Leeds supporters rejoiced as he manically raced towards the main stand and punched the air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYQRE7riSlODoCnIMroISXDDr-nqmHICFes7bXVSKJuDu8O3BEnA6sBQAu_Y8FWRK39t0Zbv6hSz5xlqVVGqw2FMsTHJI1f2nTyEvXFPpyu-sBsDFFKi1PgQvPEM1knUbWUUEQ8AKf_s/s1600/leeds-squad-1986-1987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYQRE7riSlODoCnIMroISXDDr-nqmHICFes7bXVSKJuDu8O3BEnA6sBQAu_Y8FWRK39t0Zbv6hSz5xlqVVGqw2FMsTHJI1f2nTyEvXFPpyu-sBsDFFKi1PgQvPEM1knUbWUUEQ8AKf_s/s640/leeds-squad-1986-1987.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The class of '86-87</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That could’ve been it, it should’ve been it; even the Karma Fairy seemed to have her eye on this one – as uncharitable as it seems in retrospect, even the loss of Brendan Ormsby just before half-time to a cruciate injury appeared like some form a divine retribution for a young boy, still smarting from the moment <i>he</i> cost my club an FA Cup Final appearance just 6 and a half weeks previously. Nobody reckoned on mediocre centre back with a mere 4 goals to his name in a over 200 games; who would? 113 minutes on the clock, Leeds only 7 minutes away from a return to the promised pastures of Division One…117 minutes on the clock and suddenly Peter bloody Shirtliff is on a hat-trick. Screw you Karma Fairy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The indescribable agony of ’87 is as good as it’s got over the last quarter century; our next final set the template for what we’ve now become depressingly accustomed to. That was in 1996 and the Coca-Cola Cup final against Aston Villa, Wembley playing host to possibly the most depressing showcase game experience of the lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Quite how the team got to Wembley in the first place was somewhat of a mystery; performances had been universally awful for months and without the kindest of semi-final draws, pairing Leeds with Second Division Birmingham City, the cup run (stagger) would most likely have ended at that stage. I don’t recall anyone travelling down to the capital with any degree of optimism. Howard Wilkinson had the aura of a dead man walking, patience was wearing thin, and Tomas Brolin, brought to the club in sea of hyperbole and flash bulbs had been inexplicably outcast to the fringes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkuT7ttKk1Da63c-42YCnuPqiWqB0_OLZzScmUz55Sc719ABlxIG6wzpxdTSjN-rVawniDdSoXRAlMULGkv1jfDZq_jL9cNpzKmZQD53VmyCboDomvPNasR62P9Y03KPlhJYaINYE7_A/s1600/96Villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkuT7ttKk1Da63c-42YCnuPqiWqB0_OLZzScmUz55Sc719ABlxIG6wzpxdTSjN-rVawniDdSoXRAlMULGkv1jfDZq_jL9cNpzKmZQD53VmyCboDomvPNasR62P9Y03KPlhJYaINYE7_A/s640/96Villa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Humbled</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many thought the game represented the ideal stage for Tom, but not Howard who left him in the bench to accommodate teen winger Andy Gray. Ironically Gray was the only positive from a shambolic showing as Leeds were battered 3-0. Anarchy ruled in the stands as chants of “Super Tomas Brolin” rang out from the Leeds end, but by the time Wilko relented it was already too late and tragically, the man who 4 years previously had delivered the title ran a gauntlet of boos as he departed down the tunnel at full-time; Bill Fotherby, well aware of his manager’s work behind the scenes stood loyal, but with supporters denied the same full picture, his departure seemed inevitable from that moment; a 4-0 home drubbing by Scum in September – capped ironically by a penalty from another maverick talent he wasn’t able to handle, in Eric Cantona – proved the final straw.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The drubbing at the hands of Watford at the Millennium Stadium was every bit as scripted. Despite presiding over one of the most mind-numbingly awful seasons of football ever seen at Elland Road, Kevin Blackwell had somehow guided Leeds to the final. He had many doubters and their every fear was realised upon hearing the team news – Kilgallon moved to left back and an untested 4-5-1 formation. A tortuous 90 minutes ensued and for the only time in my life I left the game early; as the board went up to signal injury time, I took that as my prompt to leave, so little there seemed to be worth acknowledging from that XI.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoJKb_3t5-rX9ayRBRMmiQu_Y4QPgrjMva-Ohq3ARUwrz7wVOXWKG6Fzcrb3ptLqNkck6O99l-N4E8oa52jeY-6TD7SPWBSrqDdch82aKeCQSxUcvwAIPhv8HFa7tHSJYmmYjlll_qMw/s1600/2006Watford.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoJKb_3t5-rX9ayRBRMmiQu_Y4QPgrjMva-Ohq3ARUwrz7wVOXWKG6Fzcrb3ptLqNkck6O99l-N4E8oa52jeY-6TD7SPWBSrqDdch82aKeCQSxUcvwAIPhv8HFa7tHSJYmmYjlll_qMw/s640/2006Watford.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Abject</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Doncaster…well, you get the picture! The only difference this time was the existence of a true belief that Leeds would finally triumph; having started the season with -15 points and overcome such a mountainous penalty, along with the loss of Gus Poyet and the presence of Dennis Wise and Dave Bassett, it seemed McAllister’s men simply <i>had</i> to deliver the fairy tale ending, especially after the drama in Carlisle. An estimated 57,000 Leeds supporters had managed to acquire tickets by whatever means possible to witness finale, while tens of thousands more were denied as Doncaster suspended their general sale at the Keepmoat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And for what? Another abject performance, where not a single player, bar the outstanding Ankergren turned up – 1-0 may have flattered the team, but that was of little consolation in the queues at the tube station as fans congregated, a mass of broken men, James Hayter’s 48<sup>th</sup> minute winner and John Ryan’s shit eating grin, the only two images burned on their retinas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeRUfPnpj41WNjcL5qF1-6iKYWkeIKQdnxxi3JyazdZWZKrngmQbGOkh9cNZAr77rLTPDeOBfuDCDBtjAIZe4wiuZjC0x3s3Loa5oW-CPPBPty5fCStiXFcjgsm63clU15osW_GJYuHw/s1600/2008Don.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeRUfPnpj41WNjcL5qF1-6iKYWkeIKQdnxxi3JyazdZWZKrngmQbGOkh9cNZAr77rLTPDeOBfuDCDBtjAIZe4wiuZjC0x3s3Loa5oW-CPPBPty5fCStiXFcjgsm63clU15osW_GJYuHw/s640/2008Don.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Flying in the face of fairy tails <i>and</i> logic!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So will this seemingly endless stretch of misery ever end? In my dreams it will do, and it will happen next May at a packed Wembley Stadium against Cardiff City. Automatic promotion? Pfft, you can stick that, I demand drama! As things stand, it seems inconceivable that we can finish in the top six without a takeover, but if a bidder can shift Bates, then surely anything’s possible – even winning a final!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To others such a denouement may seem fantastical, but then again I have just spent over 2000 words pondering the existence of fairies…</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-42871346742284243022012-09-23T12:57:00.001+01:002012-09-24T17:01:33.051+01:00Leeds United 2 Nottingham Forest 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Come 4.57pm yesterday afternoon, the Leeds players left the
Elland Road pitch elated, Neil Warnock was f**king thrilled, and around 22,000
of those in the crowd were of a similar mind. It’s important to
remember these things at a time when matters on the pitch almost appear to be a
mere sideshow, a support bill, for the epic TOMA soap opera that rumbles on,
seemingly indifferent to the needs on the team.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKUoWwp9Hef630T749cPkDDkxvdXF-rT11l8YWOlf0dVBz0nt0CdNBlJn-vzexi9zXWNlyfKxUyPYSBIShiIyZHj3wUBBn5geXhvtYtvQXyusw_d32K5rxl6yhxgnQ4JcDC02OlcQi-g/s1600/Warnock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKUoWwp9Hef630T749cPkDDkxvdXF-rT11l8YWOlf0dVBz0nt0CdNBlJn-vzexi9zXWNlyfKxUyPYSBIShiIyZHj3wUBBn5geXhvtYtvQXyusw_d32K5rxl6yhxgnQ4JcDC02OlcQi-g/s640/Warnock.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everything we need from the touchline...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Victory was worth celebrating; although it came against a
club, the likes of which Leeds United should expect to regularly beat at home,
it was achieved against a team we had little right to expect victory against.
While 11<sup>th</sup> position in the Championship is, and should always
remain, a long way off an acceptable state of affairs, it’s a credit to Neil
Warnock that we even occupy such a modest place within the league hierarchy; 6
of the 7 sides we’ve faced so far have boasted superior (some, vastly so)
line-ups in terms of quality than Leeds can muster, it’s only the determination
and discipline installed into the side that has been sufficient to see us get to
where we are at this stage. Although the manager has come to resemble a broken record,
stating after every game that “the players gave everything” – it is not said
without justification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alas, as much as the back-biters and snipers may have you believe
otherwise; as much as the fabulist tweets of Duncan Castles may lead those
willing to believe them, into cul-de-sacs of mis-truths; as much as it would be
nice, just for once to forget about it, the only undeniable truth of the here
and now is there is <i>no</i> avoiding takeover
talk, simply as, it is that and that alone that continues to hamper the
progress of this football club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5Ob_jHviDG04yP7HwbQEbTKOjOTnuLYRO_MtoSKUpCFadVos3GPtNGQXmLbqLVFaxaAvjixbWMovYEJzrZnwm_gY56lkWR3vuBu-XQeEagwGjyEyRfCsrFzDiV42KHi_rOddPz60xv8/s1600/BatesLUTV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5Ob_jHviDG04yP7HwbQEbTKOjOTnuLYRO_MtoSKUpCFadVos3GPtNGQXmLbqLVFaxaAvjixbWMovYEJzrZnwm_gY56lkWR3vuBu-XQeEagwGjyEyRfCsrFzDiV42KHi_rOddPz60xv8/s640/BatesLUTV.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Look into my eyes..."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mercifully, it appears that even
Bates is getting fed up of the whole affair, or at least the increasing
agitation it’s bringing him, so he finally chose to break his silence before
the game. Under his stewardship Bates has ‘educated’ the supporters into
believing the process of reviving the club to be a process of “slow arousal”
leading to eventual orgasmic fulfilment; this, on the surface at least
represented the polar opposite as the trailing tweets from Yorkshire Radio
and LUTV staff, hinting at something major, stirred the online community
quickly to the brink of climax, only then to be left flaccid by a barely
coherent monologue that merely represented a progress report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was a classic Bates performance, the usual splenetic
ramblings against LUST, and more recent enemies, twitter and Phil Hay. There
was also the priceless revelation that part of the delays in talks could be
attributed to it just “being too hot in the Gulf” during the summer to
negotiate. Little in the way of new information was brought to light, but at
least it was now afforded the rubber stamp of officialdom, and the fact that
Bates himself chose to go public, suggests admittance on his part that the sale
<i>will</i> now go ahead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nvfwLkMSkDlM-0nqYfn_6_tTB8DMiNArsvslwLRbJ-Cp6Kmy0RJaUy7_iFuunHJ-B9SvM9q3VcKgDMlowuxWkPalR2g1OI9O2SYJZ0DIImd0jsFjruSiUu5oRpTnJYtJkmpV9cfBu1M/s1600/Bidders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nvfwLkMSkDlM-0nqYfn_6_tTB8DMiNArsvslwLRbJ-Cp6Kmy0RJaUy7_iFuunHJ-B9SvM9q3VcKgDMlowuxWkPalR2g1OI9O2SYJZ0DIImd0jsFjruSiUu5oRpTnJYtJkmpV9cfBu1M/s640/Bidders.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Four of the key players from the bidding team</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whatever way it was viewed, it represented a positive
development, a fact reflected by the pre-match mood inside the stadium; the
meek rendition of ‘Leeds, Leeds, Leeds’ that has become commonplace, giving way
to a far more impassioned diapason chorus from the Kop; the buzz, so reliant in
recent times on performance, in place for kick-off. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All that was missing was a
decent musical accompaniment for the players’ entrance – what the anonymous
piece currently in use does to stir the emotions is beyond me. While ‘Eye of
the Tiger’ is clearly quite dated, it evokes memories of when a trip Elland
Road represented every visiting player’s worst nightmare, a time where
every player and every fan would be “at it” from the first minute to the last;
it’s a piece indelibly connected with our last promotion campaign and perfectly dovetails
with the abrasive personality of our current manager. Ironically, for a man obsessed
with hotels, Elland Road has been the most hospitable of places for teams for
the most part of Bates’ reign. Perhaps such a retrograde move may just be a small step in the right direction?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqV0q0iMAOejN1eVYGCxk5gOl4ENZk1ICuTjJSM20RMxn1t18-t-F2ZwvFRSIoJeb12baNZzmpLh5OXfpuUg8VkFBOHjRPFU683cNCE8A9mlT6m5V3vJPKX-9oUMhvRWbTuqtQUk28RE/s1600/Becchio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqV0q0iMAOejN1eVYGCxk5gOl4ENZk1ICuTjJSM20RMxn1t18-t-F2ZwvFRSIoJeb12baNZzmpLh5OXfpuUg8VkFBOHjRPFU683cNCE8A9mlT6m5V3vJPKX-9oUMhvRWbTuqtQUk28RE/s640/Becchio.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Becchio...1-0! (Again)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Regardless, the players mood matched those in the stands
from the off as they dominated the first half. Becchio and Diouf caused a
shambolic Forest backline no end of problems and the patchwork Leeds midfield
somehow wrestled control of the game. As such, Becchio’s 14<sup>th</sup> minute
opener was no surprise, perhaps only his method was, finally scoring by the way of
the boot, rather than his head, seizing on a loose ball following good wide
play from Diouf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At that stage Leeds were rampant, on 25 minutes they doubled the
advantage, this time Becchio’s hesitancy when presented with a clear sight on
goal benefitted debutant Dominic Poleon who raced onto the loose ball to lash
home from 16 yards and Elland Road was treated to the sight of a delirious teenager
racing to the bench, as if to say “F**king hell! Look what I’ve done, boss!!” –
Warnock responded with applause then a warning that a bollocking would be
imminent if he didn’t get his head straight. It was a glorious moment, but an
isolated highlight however from Poleon, who on the basis of the rest of the
game still looks some way off being a genuine option over 90 minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzuWSIV8QnwLQ3oMqKqpAfvpJTNguuHB01O1hgkEDeN4KHASBPrM_81emgknGpTUyCeHj_qRkzwQpSo2ZIPxqllCJKSoliuBbSDBjt3NQExOG4z_TxxmqmJx3u3utpMLMsQJNRAtDjOk/s1600/Poleon20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzuWSIV8QnwLQ3oMqKqpAfvpJTNguuHB01O1hgkEDeN4KHASBPrM_81emgknGpTUyCeHj_qRkzwQpSo2ZIPxqllCJKSoliuBbSDBjt3NQExOG4z_TxxmqmJx3u3utpMLMsQJNRAtDjOk/s640/Poleon20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Teenage dreams...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Shortly afterwards, Becchio had a chance to add a third in front
of a boisterous South Stand, but side-footed over from 6 yards. It was an awful
miss and could’ve killed off Forest at a stroke, as it was it provided the
lifeline the visitors needed ahead of the second half.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After the break, Forest came out a revitalised outfit; the
introduction of Lansbury and McGugan changed the game as the Leeds midfield
four, comprising two 19 year-olds (one a striker on debut), the rusty Michael
Tonge and Austin, became the weak link many had feared. The visitors started to
dictate play, and perhaps unsurprisingly for a side who have Camp at the back
and Cox up front, proved rather more effective as an attacking unit. That said,
most of their most threatening moments came from corners and throw-ins,
including the goal, where Paddy Kenny came for a ball he just wasn’t able to see in
the glare of the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Warnock made changes, substituting the injured Peltier and
the struggling Poleon; it was just a shame it had to be with Aidy White and
Luke Varney, the former of whom appears a lot better without the ball than with
it, and the latter who just resembles a startled deer, every time the strange
white spherical object arrives in close proximity. Forest continued
to press and Kenny twice over redeemed himself with superb saves from McGugan’s
curling effort and Cox’s close range lob.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RBV_IIaZ3hBNF8qzgQQDUswlSBqdGZad5S_bxRDzy0sDJ4Biwq3AkuHKBHIQWVHWIeSkhJOs691GXkYvAtdvChHs6nyI7vPFTKDA69V1wLsZErsJDk06gtxpEVE0vuWwSE4tfrnGaXM/s1600/Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RBV_IIaZ3hBNF8qzgQQDUswlSBqdGZad5S_bxRDzy0sDJ4Biwq3AkuHKBHIQWVHWIeSkhJOs691GXkYvAtdvChHs6nyI7vPFTKDA69V1wLsZErsJDk06gtxpEVE0vuWwSE4tfrnGaXM/s640/Forest.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Under the cosh</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Andy D’Urso decreed that an inexplicable 6 minutes added
time were justified, it was easy to fear the worst; then something quite
remarkable happened… Leeds suddenly adopted the hitherto unseen appearance of a
team confident in their ability to see out a game, spending the majority of the
closing stages collecting throw-ins and corners in the Forest half. Diouf
especially, who’d been exemplary throughout along with Byram, played
a key role. That said, the man really at the heart of matters was (again) Austin; his lung
bursting run in the 90<sup>th</sup> minute from his own half to the corner flag
was a joy to behold; a man who should be in no physical state to jog, somehow
sprinting beyond all, then still possessing the strength to nonchalantly push
away any defender who dare try and dispossess him – eventually as a third
opponent moved in, he settled for a throw-in by the corner flag and the ground rose as one to acclaim him. Our beloved Jamaican had set the “No surrender” tone
for the closing minutes and the team as one, followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When the final whistle blew, a jubilant Warnock hugged Austin
as if he was his son, then ushered his other charges in all directions to acknowledge
the support; it’s been a long time since the club has had a manager who’s so in
tune with the supporters. We can only hope that very soon we’ll have a man
blessed with similar qualities applauding with approval from the chairman’s seat
in the East Stand, and with it, ataraxia can replace the acrimony, and once
again, the football is all that everyone is talking about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-87882264581899284792012-09-19T19:48:00.000+01:002012-09-24T17:01:49.638+01:00Leeds United 2 Hull City 3<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Ashdown, Kisnorbo, Pugh, Brown, Gray, Thompson, Poleon</i></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These are the players that made up Leeds United’s bench
ahead of Tuesday night’s league game with Hull City; if anything should bring
home the current state of this football club, maybe it is a glance at this list
of names. While Jamie Ashdown appears on first impressions to be a very sound
back-up goalkeeper, concerns have to be raised about the quality of outfield
options; even during the darkest times of the League One era, I’m not convinced
that the club ever fielded a bench as weak as the one Neil Warnock had to
muster for this game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjV3aQCKax4MzzDNDNShvPhUYOBVgvGypz4ycqdXBboUZVYXsV-ggPbAFsR-tw9X9tU_0KlMfzduKCbUfJV6eDRd9BecEFwtyQzoq6Sct6M004DwbtUsKM94kqh6KTQIizvK0JVaeMLU/s1600/BatesO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjV3aQCKax4MzzDNDNShvPhUYOBVgvGypz4ycqdXBboUZVYXsV-ggPbAFsR-tw9X9tU_0KlMfzduKCbUfJV6eDRd9BecEFwtyQzoq6Sct6M004DwbtUsKM94kqh6KTQIizvK0JVaeMLU/s640/BatesO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pretty clear message</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I would have to confess my first reaction upon discovering
who the substitutes were, was to work through the outfield players and conclude
the following: too old (and injury savaged), hopeless, too old, too old, too
young and too young; Ken Bates’ rhetoric – and that of those who follow his
lead on club station, Yorkshire Radio – about the manager possessing a strong,
competitive squad, both in terms of numbers and quality, exposed as an utter
fallacy. While some may wish to make a case for Poleon being deserving of a run
in the side, the truth is, teams that challenge for titles, automatic promotion
spots and even just play-off places do not typically find themselves relying on
a completely untried teenagers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As it is, Neil Warnock is already finding himself leaning
heavily on another young prospect, who like Poleon, was not even on the fringes
of the first team squad at the end of last season. In Sam Byram, it appears
that the club have unearthed a new gem from the Academy, his fearless and
enthusiastic performances have so far been one of the highlights of the season;
but rather than being nurtured and eased into first team life – the new boy
looked after the experienced pros, it already seems that this young lad is having
a huge amount of responsibility placed upon his shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead of being allowed a degree of freedom, Byram along
with Rodolph Austin has suddenly found himself as one of the key men in the
engine room. With the wholly ineffective Luke Varney (and at times, the almost
equally ineffective Aidy White) on the left, and now the desperately off the
pace Michael Tonge (1 Premier League start in 4 seasons at Stoke) completing
the midfield quartet, the side find themselves relying on an 18 year-old and a
new to the English game, Jamaican who Warnock would ideally like to rest
following his international commitments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With that in mind it is no wonder that Leeds are currently
struggling; while the results show on the surface that every league game has
been tight, with every victory and defeat being by the odd goal, in truth only
exceptional goalkeeping displays by Paddy Kenny in Cardiff and Blackpool
glossed over the huge dichotomy in class that was evident on both occasions.
While the opening day victory over Wolves offered encouragement, it was
achieved against a side that took over an hour to get into gear, and as much as
supporters were left to bemoan the referee’s role in denying Leeds a maximum
return against Blackburn, in truth, it was a game that the visitors should
really have killed stone dead before El Hadji Diouf provided the Whites with a
foothold in matters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMHxlf2RkXqLpb5PntWt4NVw0TDkCjNXziuGfP5bKJP3HoSSa2FQBWPKU_nDhscKKYxjXWTJVdOxjRMsP-Lc5JZYL1Cvv8drAv2V7fWvrAVjrSmpcyWmifVUP8zmGE0bRbt9VgNmbjtE/s1600/Maynard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMHxlf2RkXqLpb5PntWt4NVw0TDkCjNXziuGfP5bKJP3HoSSa2FQBWPKU_nDhscKKYxjXWTJVdOxjRMsP-Lc5JZYL1Cvv8drAv2V7fWvrAVjrSmpcyWmifVUP8zmGE0bRbt9VgNmbjtE/s640/Maynard.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And we have to settle for Luke Varney...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last weekend, Craig Bellamy left the bench to set Cardiff on
the way to victory, then minutes later, Neil Warnock saw his “Number 1 summer
target”, Nicky Maynard, win the penalty that condemned his side to defeat.
Blackburn had given a debut to £8m Jordan Rhodes the Saturday before; Blackpool
were able to field Tom Ince and then bring Matt Phillips off the bench to turn
victory from the jaws of defeat at Bloomfield Road…Warnock is expected to
compete with a budget (now completed exhausted) that has allowed him to set his
aspirations no higher than Andy Gray and Luke Varney.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The fact is, Leeds United are a club going nowhere, its fan
base left with nothing more to do than to pray for the moment that they can
once again start to go somewhere. What is clear is that will not happen without
a change of regime: new owners with a new philosophy of putting football first
and wholly willing to back their vision with financial muscle. Even as things
stand, Leeds United should be a much more competitive outfit, but an inhibitive
wage structure and player budget, put in place so as to prioritise building
projects, serves to ensure they cannot even now hope to compete for the cream
of the emergency loan market.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Add to this equation, the losses to injury of Paul Green and
David Norris from the midfield, the experienced Adam Drury at left-back and
most crucially, the confirmed absence of Ross McCormack for up to 2 months and
Leeds suddenly have the look of a bottom 6 outfit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Still though the chairman chooses to preach to those naïve enough
to swallow his increasingly inconsistent and nonsensical programme notes, his
problem now however, is that he finds himself writing sermons to an
increasingly small congregation of believers. Too many times has Ken Bates
cried wolf, too often has he insisted that his is the way and then emphatically
failed to deliver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsdCp6aBKHuKHOdl63CInFQJWFlS2oItXeR3UiMlXznPGD7XjkL_dN0cGer9V85AOZzFSnkxaJyJOM6wbCvriaiXtxulCh74ceVths7feKCjhTuJsscNSQBKyEPSa8XerOzIEDpcf95U/s1600/BatesOut2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsdCp6aBKHuKHOdl63CInFQJWFlS2oItXeR3UiMlXznPGD7XjkL_dN0cGer9V85AOZzFSnkxaJyJOM6wbCvriaiXtxulCh74ceVths7feKCjhTuJsscNSQBKyEPSa8XerOzIEDpcf95U/s640/BatesOut2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Independent thinking</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The pre-match protest outside the East Stand by the same “morons”
Bates is at pains to dismiss, week upon week as being of no concern to him was essentially
just another simple reiteration of discontentment amongst what is (contrary to
opinion) a largely articulate and well informed hardcore; while the ingeniously
placed LUST advertisement on the lamp post outside the executive entrance,
merely another PR masterstroke by an organisation that offers to supporters,
the accountability and communication, never afforded from those running the
club. Such actions are nothing new, albeit the clustering of supporters in the
South Stand for the game displayed a more organised element of independent
protest, somewhat necessitated by the anguish of nearly four months of playing
the takeover waiting game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">None of these actions are likely to have concerned Bates
more than they might normally do so, however, what may do was the verdict of
the wider fan base, reflected in the attendance. Barely 12 months on from the
last Elland Road encounter with Hull – which was incidentally another early
season Tuesday night game, played against a similar backdrop of discontent of
acrimony following a pitiful summer of investment in the playing staff – the gate
had dropped from 22,363 to 19,750; a fall of over 2,600. Bearing in mind that
the Hull City fans travelled in greater numbers this time <i>and</i> the fact that this season’s game was deemed ‘Category B’,
meaning that adult tickets were in general, £5 cheaper, this represents a
continuing trend of support sharply falling away – even allowing for more
player sales (and who’s already wondering whether Lees, Byram or McCormack will
still be here in February, should Bates remain?); it seems Bates can do little
to sustain his tenure with income dwindling so drastically and future season
ticket sales mortgaged against the cost of the East Stand redevelopment work.
Surely an end is in sight?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the meantime, the action on the pitch continues to
accurately reflect the lack of ambition shown off it. True to work ethic that
Neil Warnock has installed, the side started quickly against the Tigers,
dominating the opening 20 minutes and took a well-deserved lead from the
penalty spot; Becchio stroking home following a trip on Diouf. But, as things
tend to go at times like these, one mistake was all that was needed to let the opposition
back in, the hugely ineffectual Tonge tamely rolling the ball left from the
edge of his own area, rather than taking the no nonsense option of launching it
upfield or into the stand, allowing the rather more impressive Hull loanee,
Elmohamady (55 starts in 2 years at the Stadium of Light) to run on to the
loose ball and smash it home from 20 yards. From that moment, Hull were in the
ascendancy; Leeds, having created a number of problems by getting the ball
forward quickly to Diouf and Becchio, who’d been afforded the luxury of staying
up front due to Steve Bruce’s decision to opt to play three centre backs,
suddenly found themselves chasing shadows; Austin and Byram, essentially
carrying Varney and Tonge were never in with a chance against a 5-man midfield.
Six minutes on and Tom Lees lost Faye, free header, 2-1. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPZodN612ktEskqMmPQJvwMkvFmBs5XESC54opUPNhFychjNnafm2YGcIP0f1YUUyS5g6hSwWBWI6GiSfVF6Q38EHxWHmoXiPF5wEvcjjFtxbBrX-4pTvaozz5-K5egEZ5tqEdwtiWSk/s1600/2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPZodN612ktEskqMmPQJvwMkvFmBs5XESC54opUPNhFychjNnafm2YGcIP0f1YUUyS5g6hSwWBWI6GiSfVF6Q38EHxWHmoXiPF5wEvcjjFtxbBrX-4pTvaozz5-K5egEZ5tqEdwtiWSk/s640/2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2-1</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the second consecutive home game, Leeds were there for
the taking, but rather like Blackburn, the visitors seemed to lack the killer
instinct to press on and finish off their opponents. While Blackburn had fallen
apart following Diouf’s goal, Hull simply set the height of their ambitions at
holding up the game at every opportunity, taking the sting out of any token
momentum Leeds could muster – there wasn’t much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once behind, Leeds in general lacked creativity, players who
could pick passes and a sense of positivity, only Diouf could oblige on all
three counts, Austin and Byram on the latter. Most troubling was the complete
and utter lack of pace in all areas of the pitch; indeed Aidy White, the only
starting player renown for pace appears so incapable of using it to any
constructive purpose, he may as well not have it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing emphasised the deficiency more than the introduction
of Dominic Poleon just after the hour mark; his first two contributions were to
run at players, and the team, suddenly afforded a new dimension picked up the
tempo. Sadly it didn’t last as 15 minutes from time a corner for the home side
turned into a break for the visitors, Leeds were hopelessly stretched at the
back and Koren was able to steal in unmarked at the back post, rounding off the
sort of fleet footed attack Leeds are just incapable of, to tuck in the third
and seal the points.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Andy Gray grabbed a late second for Leeds as the referee’s
assistant was preparing to deliver the news of there being 5 minutes stoppage
time; that brought a brief surge of excitement but never looked like being the
pre-cursor for a dramatic equaliser. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On paper, 3-2 looks like a narrow defeat, but nobody was
fooled. Unless the club comes under new ownership very soon, a repeat of last
season where the team effectively found itself anchored in mid-table with
nothing to play for by March may yet prove to be more aspirational than we dare
contemplate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-41128546674125279622012-09-02T12:53:00.002+01:002012-09-03T17:02:15.633+01:00Leeds United 3 Blackburn Rovers 3<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“As one door closes, another opens”, so they say – it’s a
pity the same doesn’t apply for windows; Neil Warnock could certainly be
forgiven for thinking so as he woke this morning to reflect on another afternoon
that defied all logic at Elland Road.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deprived of the marquee signings he’d tailored his summer
recruitment campaign around, and not "holding his breath" over any incoming loanees, Warnock currently presides over a team that has
the battling qualities of potential title winners, but a squad that possesses the
quality and depth of mid-table strugglers. Ambitions for an entire campaign hamstrung
at board level by one individual, incapable of either running the club
sustainably enough to support his manager or predisposed to put any of his own
money in, yet seemingly unwilling to let others do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EDLb8amRgDzF02lg9oPynFAyBuq1zjNbQlPNqu63cqZ_ri3zub51hOWKH21HvQIW2jFb9o-guELPzNyDKCba144qGt-0v4WnmltoDTZv8aJLGqy0F1rkTWXk6T9gyf9w8XCjS898wjE/s1600/BBBates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EDLb8amRgDzF02lg9oPynFAyBuq1zjNbQlPNqu63cqZ_ri3zub51hOWKH21HvQIW2jFb9o-guELPzNyDKCba144qGt-0v4WnmltoDTZv8aJLGqy0F1rkTWXk6T9gyf9w8XCjS898wjE/s640/BBBates.jpg" width="526" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bates' latest spin on the takeover...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of course, Ken Bates was busy spinning a different tale;
his own solipsistic take on matters in the programme proving not only a
complete contradiction of everything that’s previously been stated about the
takeover, but also an astonishing exemplar of hypocrisy of the highest order.
Dear old Ken suddenly needs to feel assured the ‘investors’ can provide proof
of funds; he wants to know who they are, whether they are ‘fit and proper
persons’; he’s suddenly curious about their business plan and their reasons for
investing in the club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xn7EexFx7bktuikSvRyWnCU9nuisZe3nXfM3VfeAFfMk61pVC3WcvSAL4xkrJwwDcfhShbrXzmUyRpx0r2sr11b1_N-8dDOdKtyjx778Zq2ElRoxcEangzTfL4b4FnG4Yiw8Mlt10Z8/s1600/BBState.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xn7EexFx7bktuikSvRyWnCU9nuisZe3nXfM3VfeAFfMk61pVC3WcvSAL4xkrJwwDcfhShbrXzmUyRpx0r2sr11b1_N-8dDOdKtyjx778Zq2ElRoxcEangzTfL4b4FnG4Yiw8Mlt10Z8/s640/BBState.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...it seems to be rather at odds with the official club statement, doesn't it?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This rather flies in the face of the official club
statement on the website – a place we are constantly reminded, provides solid facts about the
club – that revealed back in June that a period of exclusivity had been granted
to the bidders after discussions had left the club “very comfortable they had
the financial resources to support the club” and satisfied that “they will no
issues satisfying the Football League’s Owners and Directors test”… something
really doesn’t tally up in Bates’ rationale, now does it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In truth it was quite amusing to see our chairman try and
paint himself as a man of integrity, whose main interest was to ensure he left
a positive legacy; how he’d absolutely refuse to hand any controlling interest
over to a party until he was completely satisfied with their credentials. I can
only imagine all those years he’d spent happily representing owners he claimed
to know nothing about have been forgotten since he bought the club back
off them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Still, there seems to be plenty of supporters out there,
only too willing to swallow the latest shovel load of horse shit that Bates is
dishing out, especially with two ex-players from the greatest ever Leeds side seemingly
only too willing to validate it all. While Peter Lorimer already stands several
miles beyond the boundaries of redemption for selling his soul for a fistful of
Euros; Eddie Gray now appears to be emerging from the shadows of the club’s
premier Gaberlunzie, religiously reiterating the propaganda in the face of all
logic – please stop it Eddie, you’re so much better than that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t6NOO-w7gNR3JKHEgP0UwYoOOgRDn5W1KSU8ep_IdY0YVme3Dl-DtafIMFCciCX0R21S_qjjPMxX9ZNBV4-o1DZdpxreknSkyPLSG7Uz-fQ88t1BQ_ChXQ56jeC1xA-sUuOXI7104eg/s1600/IMG_2532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t6NOO-w7gNR3JKHEgP0UwYoOOgRDn5W1KSU8ep_IdY0YVme3Dl-DtafIMFCciCX0R21S_qjjPMxX9ZNBV4-o1DZdpxreknSkyPLSG7Uz-fQ88t1BQ_ChXQ56jeC1xA-sUuOXI7104eg/s640/IMG_2532.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A rather paltry 24,000 at Elland Road - a reflection on the board rather than the manager</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Insanity off the pitch was reflected in the madness on
it, come 3pm. The huge ovation afforded to Paul Robinson as he made his way
towards the goal in front of the Kop, a reminder of what the club used to be
and could be again; the reciprocated applause and ‘Leeds salute’ an acknowledgement of a special time in his career and a deep-rooted love for the place. Meanwhile,
up by the centre circle stood Jordan Rhodes, his presence, openly mocking any
claims that Leeds will ever be any kind of force, even at this modest level
under the current regime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For 35 minutes the harsh reality of the situation was
plain for all to see; Leeds struggled to stay in the game. The decision to pair
Diouf with Peltier down the right hand side, ruthlessly exposed as the former,
charged with tracking Markus Olsson failed to do so twice; the first time
Olsson charged unopposed into the area to drill the ball home, on the second
occasion he set up Gomes to sweep home and double the advantage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTxTi09tBjCDwHqDmKulYNoeBqhc-HevjvtwkP79Enp3fdAHYsqo0QQh_5td4tFquoYdhIjN94H_koi7b8oqtDVmfCOvmuwnhxdNNJQsy4JV2W18P8IlFRvAyEvW908on6hscJSe_UYU/s1600/BBPed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTxTi09tBjCDwHqDmKulYNoeBqhc-HevjvtwkP79Enp3fdAHYsqo0QQh_5td4tFquoYdhIjN94H_koi7b8oqtDVmfCOvmuwnhxdNNJQsy4JV2W18P8IlFRvAyEvW908on6hscJSe_UYU/s640/BBPed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chasing shadows</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At that stage it was painful to watch; the Kop stood forlornly as one, like a
collection of parents, watching their young charges playing a big game against
another school, looking on in despair as the kids from the other place with
their privileged backgrounds and Adidas Predator boots cruelly exposed the
shortcomings of those beloved to them, all while the referee laughed, smiled
and obliged the tormentors as they toyed with the beleaguered Whites. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But then two things changed and with it, so did the game;
with the near lifeless carcass of Leeds United almost pleading for a mercy
killing, Blackburn decided to drop back rather than strike a decisive blow,
while in the absence of anything more constructive, Leeds adopted a new tactic
of pummelling high balls in and around the 6 yard box at high speed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Success was almost instant; after a couple of close calls, Norris' Saturn-bound punt had Becchio and Diouf bearing down on Robinson upon its eventual return to Earth; the
ball was fumbled and eventually, several toe pokes later, Diouf put Leeds back
in it – it was an eyesore of a goal, but ANYTHING would do at that stage. From
that point, Blackburn crumbled; minutes later only Robinson’s fingertips denied
Diouf a second as the visitors clung on for the interval in a game that should’ve
been over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0s_n7f-Frr5X7S6OWhKTvabETfeZ_N_tJnZqucN4ulb-eR8Ts1qWcPwHxcumM3qn8IHRmBohET9MYYx6Eljx5fdNPq5jHI3gS-7wj8PGCRZhtotRUIYdWg1BiOY-UrzUQV5Z2REjnK8/s1600/BBRoss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0s_n7f-Frr5X7S6OWhKTvabETfeZ_N_tJnZqucN4ulb-eR8Ts1qWcPwHxcumM3qn8IHRmBohET9MYYx6Eljx5fdNPq5jHI3gS-7wj8PGCRZhtotRUIYdWg1BiOY-UrzUQV5Z2REjnK8/s640/BBRoss.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bang! 2-2</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The pattern continued in the second half; as a spectacle it resembled today's Leeds United taking on last season’s XI, so lamentable was
Blackburn’s defending. A simple long ball wasn’t dealt with and McCormack hammered
in a shot that swerved passed Robinson to put Leeds level, then shortly
after, another deep cross caused panic and Becchio’s header somehow evaded the
keeper – 3-2: cue pandemonium. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That should've been it; Blackburn were in pieces and cries of "Kean out!" rang out from the Kop more audibly than from they did from the West Stand, it would’ve been it too
had Pearce’s header been allowed to stand – few people could understand why it didn’t.
It wasn’t of over course, not while Neil Swarbrick had a role to play; I was
still bawling expletives from the back of the Kop over his ludicrous decision
to award a free-kick against Tom Lees following Morten Gamst Pedersen’s pushing, as Ruben Rochina back-heeled in from the resultant corner with 7 minutes
remaining.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMBYiNf4Z7jRm1kBBm6tEA99Y9Vuz3oXNa6WmRbKOz9ahmNKCxh26qsoFiuGEnsnE-pBAqAVKe1gMkILV37NFolUXv1WSQll6slLxEhiwJM1Kbz6Z1BXbj7DktR6ZA064sRA2cNNNd6Y/s1600/BBLees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMBYiNf4Z7jRm1kBBm6tEA99Y9Vuz3oXNa6WmRbKOz9ahmNKCxh26qsoFiuGEnsnE-pBAqAVKe1gMkILV37NFolUXv1WSQll6slLxEhiwJM1Kbz6Z1BXbj7DktR6ZA064sRA2cNNNd6Y/s640/BBLees.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tom Lees: faultless throughout, regardless of what the ref may claim...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was the worst and most costly of a multitude of mystifying decisions made by a referee who spent the entire game trotting
around the pitch like a Brylcream smothered show pony and a last gasp
opportunity squandered by Diouf in the dying moments ensured he wasn’t to be
spared the wrath of Warnock; come the final whistle, rather than walk towards
the Kop to applaud the home support, Neil waited, and waited, and waited some
more, until the official, surrounded by a bevy of minders made his way towards
the tunnel. Fingers were pointed vigorously…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Warnock later branded that final decision as “embarrassing”;
even that seemed fairly charitable, though maybe the referee was merely trying
to fit in with the spirit of another perplexing day. At 3.35pm the home support
were desperately looking at a damage limitation exercise; by 5pm many were fuming at being
denied a win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Logic has long since departed LS11.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-71670145359220666642012-08-29T16:47:00.000+01:002012-08-29T18:41:45.817+01:00Leeds United 3 Oxford United 0<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The League Cup is a competition that holds little
interest for me; it’s always been very much to the FA Cup what the UEFA Cup
used to be the European Cup and is now even more so to the Champions League: a
poor a distant relation. It seems to me at least, that the League Cup – or to
be correct, the Capital One Cup – exists these days for a single purpose; as a viable
option in the pursuit of silverware for the Premier League ‘never will be’
brigade; a route glory for a Stoke City (actually, scrub them, they were turned
over by Swindon), Fulham (oh hang on!), ermm… it really does seem like nobody gives
a shit about the Coca-Cola…? Carling…? Oh yeah, Capital One Cup.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Actually no, I take that back. There’s always Liverpool,
a club that appears to assemble teams of such astonishing mediocrity, that the
practically annual salvation provided by a fortunate Wembley win in this
competition just about sustains the belief on Merseyside that the club remain a
big player, come every August that follows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyECa9CdFa5aKE_XhkRI0V8oyveY3MZVxH5yA-gW6AnUanIzpioZ3CnhG6xCrFMQ3fI1S4YhctxX31_3xyrbdc5VZ4ISuyPMYg8WnLPMYW_YTTKMVMB0EioF7AGbv3aUFQ83xF9LiIOOU/s1600/IMG_2527%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyECa9CdFa5aKE_XhkRI0V8oyveY3MZVxH5yA-gW6AnUanIzpioZ3CnhG6xCrFMQ3fI1S4YhctxX31_3xyrbdc5VZ4ISuyPMYg8WnLPMYW_YTTKMVMB0EioF7AGbv3aUFQ83xF9LiIOOU/s640/IMG_2527%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The magic of the (Capital One) cup</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fair to say then, the pilgrimage to Elland Road was not
undertaken with an overwhelming sense of excitement and anticipation of what
was to follow. Year upon year of standing in a two-thirds empty Elland Road,
barely engaged in a football match that the whole world – playing and
management staff included – appear indifferent to and regularly concludes with a
depressing defeat is enough to stifle even modest expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With this in mind and the thought of lining Bates’
trousers with another £12 for the pleasure of standing witness to it all,
looming heavy in the mind, there had to be to something worthwhile to be had at
the end of it; something that allowed the trip home to be made untinged by
self-loathing for pissing more money into the despot’s deposit box for little
or nothing in return – Sam Byram, I salute you!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TrIuZp0s2wILqE1G60n856l_B4bDXwXEFqaBf0S74dI5GWRucGq5dDMdKZonoVTEuOIQ8rW5S1zpKOyCapMbw6MyM0F8tw5cMWymYMbuiQVPFVQr3Y9ytNmp_yGDywhsOE6hMlXt4yg/s1600/OxB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TrIuZp0s2wILqE1G60n856l_B4bDXwXEFqaBf0S74dI5GWRucGq5dDMdKZonoVTEuOIQ8rW5S1zpKOyCapMbw6MyM0F8tw5cMWymYMbuiQVPFVQr3Y9ytNmp_yGDywhsOE6hMlXt4yg/s640/OxB.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Transfer deadline: Friday - 11pm</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With 33 minutes on the clock, young Sam received the ball
with his back to goal and spun on the spot, before nudging the ball between two
approaching defenders, nipping between the pair, and then from an angle,
chipping the goalkeeper from around 12 yards. It was a <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xt50lp_leeds-3-v-0-oxford-utd-28-08-2012_sport?search_algo=2"><span style="color: blue;">wonderful goal</span></a> and
instant payback for a lot of the intolerable shit that this competition has
served up over the years. Such was the quality of the goal, had it come from
Rooney or Van Persie in a Champions League tie, you’d imagine that Gary Neville
gone way beyond the point of “GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL!!” and to the moment of
total abandonment as he reached the absolute point of a shuddering, ground
shaking climax, showering a profusely hyper and sweaty Alan Parry with so much
celebratory seed that his co-commentator resembled a painter’s radio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, it was a special goal – especially for a lad
primarily considered a right-back, and prior to Preston, not even involved in
the first team squad. The buzz was such that those who were there rushed home at
the final whistle to relive the moment, while those who'd only heard of it were
already there, posited in front of Sky Sports News. It was never shown; in
fact, as it turned out, Sky didn’t even bother to send a camera to Elland Road.
Sky Sports: “Because Every Goal Matters” – MY ARSE!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The only real shame was that such a goal should
arrive on a Tuesday night in a League Cup tie against lower league opposition, as having an empty South Stand as a backdrop did Byram’s effort rather a
disservice. Still, at least Sam was in good company, as 6 minutes prior Rodolph
Austin also notched his first for the club against the same backdrop. Another
fine effort it was too; the Beast drilling in from 25 yards, the exact direction
of shot seemingly immaterial to the man as he struck home, safe in the
knowledge that the keeper was merely an object placed to help deflect the ball
towards its inevitable destination. A joyous celebration ensued as a leap from
Rodolph, and a spontaneous rendition of “Rodolph Austin’s having a party, bring
your Rizlas and Bob Marley” of sufficient voracity on the Geldard to ensure its
widespread adoption as chant of choice, marked the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6JBpVcv1S-b7m32XUBL9wRkWn4Z6EulOxE-nEwF2tpPfFyAc3nyPk19o36zI6S0YXT3syeWZ1gzK9J6_VwgICZt78d1lUyrK1VrDmSswLg4qTn2ABwZ-n1Jw0ILlpXkQKrHFRzvyfgE/s1600/OxR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6JBpVcv1S-b7m32XUBL9wRkWn4Z6EulOxE-nEwF2tpPfFyAc3nyPk19o36zI6S0YXT3syeWZ1gzK9J6_VwgICZt78d1lUyrK1VrDmSswLg4qTn2ABwZ-n1Jw0ILlpXkQKrHFRzvyfgE/s640/OxR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bring your Rizlas and Bob Marley...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The lead flattered a Leeds side that had struggled to get to
grips with confident looking visitors, but from that point onwards, it was
pretty straightforward stuff and shortly after Byram’s contribution, Diouf
could have killed the tie dead, but his shot was beaten away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second period continued in the same vein as the first
had ended as Leeds dominated; Austin, freed to break forward more often due to
the presence of Brown almost scored with an outrageous bending effort from 35
yards that clipped the bar – some players shoot on sight, Rodolph appears to oblige
upon command, seemingly letting rip whenever the cry goes up from the stands.
Then as tradition on the evening dictated, it was Byram’s turn again, this time
he also failed to oblige with a finish, fiercely volleying Drury’s cross wide
from 8 yards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VMqqr6D6mTM293biIa3hsogsiVDYcTmY-kGnXhr4PJ3OG6-mQu8wADGL_5IEMgyYhuEz1j2L0fOhnSOh1I8B_Hchiax4qM0uqBAYrImzXhrFmWnhpSToR3z2duH6mCnBaref8N8u0iA/s1600/IMG_2530%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VMqqr6D6mTM293biIa3hsogsiVDYcTmY-kGnXhr4PJ3OG6-mQu8wADGL_5IEMgyYhuEz1j2L0fOhnSOh1I8B_Hchiax4qM0uqBAYrImzXhrFmWnhpSToR3z2duH6mCnBaref8N8u0iA/s640/IMG_2530%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Second half pressure</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A third goal did arrive on 73 minutes as a second
sighting of a smiling Tom Lees was logged in the space of 7 days, an angled header
into the bottom corner putting a seal on the victory. Even the begrudging
acknowledgement of El Hadji Diouf’s superb cross from the right couldn’t
diminish the significance of such an event.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So all in all, not a bad night; certainly far better than
anticipated both in terms of result and performance – all that and one <i>very</i> special moment via the right boot
of Sam Byram. The feelings of self-loathing and naivety could be set aside and put
on hold for another journey home… although that couldn’t be said of one
particularly heroic caller to the Yorkshire Radio post-match phone-in. Having
opened with the classic fawning praise of Eddie Gray gambit to place the hosts
at complacent ease, the man in question then proceeded to brand Bates corrupt,
declare the squad weak and label the radio station ‘Propaganda FM’ – Eddie floundered,
ummed and ahhed, then mumbled his default line about the game being “all about
opinions” before his co-host finally rescued him by cutting off the incognito
dissident.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As Tuesday night showed, twice over, sometimes you’ve
just gotta be there… </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-13735288735590712842012-08-24T20:08:00.003+01:002012-08-24T21:54:16.040+01:00#Pen4Ken: My letter<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In recognition of the ingenious new campaign to alert our chairman of discord at his continued reign at Elland Road (and of the letter being almost impossible read from a photograph), here is my contribution to the #Pen4Ken campaign...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO90JOfgiR8f6nI7y-efN89OdKY7I0VM-6EQgnRymSARcT0V5te1uOI9CfrGUa0t72ojlHyztAX3oGOI-ibVjgMpT4w8MK6KkzINTgxG6mJPMNgIgmZRDbjvYWbZ-b0zgyvtkPDzW1AY/s1600/IMG_2515%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO90JOfgiR8f6nI7y-efN89OdKY7I0VM-6EQgnRymSARcT0V5te1uOI9CfrGUa0t72ojlHyztAX3oGOI-ibVjgMpT4w8MK6KkzINTgxG6mJPMNgIgmZRDbjvYWbZ-b0zgyvtkPDzW1AY/s640/IMG_2515%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>24<sup>th</sup> August 2012<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Dearest Ken,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I hope this letter finds
you in rude health and with your appetite for despotism undimmed by the passing
of another pre-season.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Please find enclosed with
this letter, a pen for your personal use; something I always regard as
invaluable to have to hand, in order to fulfil trivial day-to-day obligations,
such as completing the Daily Star crossword, or signing documentation to
confirm the completion of multi-million pound takeover deals. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>You should also find
within, a colouring pencil for Mr Ben Fry; a small gift that should help to keep
him entertained as he fills the hours, waiting for your next Yorkshire Radio interview.
I would very much appreciate it if you could pass it onto Ben with my regards;
I did ponder sending it separately, but I think both you and I recognise the
folly of needlessly extravagant expenditure.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Before I go further, I
feel I must apologise for the quality of pen that I offer you; there was a very
fine selection of high quality, sought after writing implements available in
the marketplace yesterday, but being that people typically don’t do their
business this early the week, I thought I’d leave my purchase until stationery
suppliers were making less outlandish demands. Sadly, it appears that the more naïve
members of the letter writing community have given in to the exorbitant prices
being quoted, leaving very little to choose from.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Please however accept my
assurances that the pen in question, regardless of its age, appearance
and the lack of interest expressed in it by other shoppers is still more than capable
of doing the job it has been selected for. The owner of the stationers in
question has also offered me guarantees about its suitability for purpose –
needless to say, if this proves not to be the case, please inform me of your dissatisfaction
and I will gladly alert the wider fan base to that person’s betrayal by publishing
the address of his establishment on my blog and discretely urging readers to
harass both him and other members of his immediate family.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Rather like those morons,
dissidents and sickpots, I am writing to urge you to sell your stake in Leeds
United FC and perhaps find another group of supporters to alienate. Rest
assured, this doesn’t represent a damning judgement on my part of the job you
are doing, but like some of the investors who you’ve spoken with in the past, I
find myself intimidated when visiting Elland Road these days; some of the men
in the Revie Stand have even taken to using swear words in reference to you – I
can only imagine how discouraged potential bidders feel when they hear repeated
pleas for new owners.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>It would also seem the
insignificant Trust organisation that you speak of appear to be gaining greater
influence too; can you believe that they would now have some people believe
sources other than the official website, match programme and Yorkshire Radio
for the truth on all things Leeds United? Whatever next?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>As much as it pains me to
say it, I fear the end is nigh, so I can only hope you choose to leave before
these undesirables try and taint the magnificent job you have done. If I can
ever do anything in return to repay you for the last 7 years, by offering yourself
a similarly, wholly substandard service over a seemingly endless period of
time, at an exorbitant price, then please don’t hesitate to contact me. I shall
be only too happy to oblige.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Here’s hoping this letter and
the other contents reach you safely. I hear that local postal delivery office
in Beeston has been employing a lot of immigrants of late, so you can never be
sure what sure what they might decide to pocket for themselves. Can you believe
we – well not you, obviously – pay taxes to cover their benefits? No, me
neither? <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Yours sincerely,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Adam. x<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-15463656179179695312012-08-22T18:54:00.003+01:002012-08-23T11:40:33.172+01:00Blackpool 2 Leeds United 1<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The final Tuesday in July was a good day; I was in
Cornwall for Leeds United’s pre-season tour; the previous evening the Whites
had kicked-off their itinerary with a comfortable 6-0 victory against Tavistock;
it wasn’t a great game, and at times it was a bit of a struggle, but it was
early in pre-season so there was little reason for concern. Before that game,
Leeds had confirmed the signing of four more players, while Robert Snodgrass
was one of the first squad members to disembark the coach at Langsford Park,
calming fears of a move away from the club. With the takeover seemingly
imminent and the prospect of ‘marquee’ signings, the future was finally looking
positive.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I spent that evening in Newquay; sat out with a couple of
ice-cold pints of Cornish Rattler cider – hugely recommended, by the way –
basking in the baking heat, under unblemished blue skies, drinking in
everything around me as well as the contents of the glass afore me; the golden
sands, the rocks, the stunning clear blue waters as they stretched out towards
the horizon and the pale callipygian girls, pink from a day’s beach activities,
who paddled in them; the sounds of the waves gently lapping against the shore,
the faint waft of fish and chips… an idyllic experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbjVlUlxUoGxbsjrTU20IJx88JbSR5Xap3ipP0Ic4-gBC4zg45HGfoBzDCmeKqSesPJd8VlmiSGTGNAIx4mybCxCqJvTPepJtgzz-mkAp9I2gu6HPqSrVvp1r-qZEXkLsRPTOsbX0tSM/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbjVlUlxUoGxbsjrTU20IJx88JbSR5Xap3ipP0Ic4-gBC4zg45HGfoBzDCmeKqSesPJd8VlmiSGTGNAIx4mybCxCqJvTPepJtgzz-mkAp9I2gu6HPqSrVvp1r-qZEXkLsRPTOsbX0tSM/s640/IMG_2485.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blackpool: Not quite Newquay</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Four weeks on and now we’re here in Blackpool and the
exciting new future we’ve been waiting to embrace at Elland Road <i>still</i> hasn’t
arrived, nor have any major signings (bar the completion of Austin’s move),
while Snodgrass has enrolled in the ex-player’s pension scheme over in East Anglia; the
frustration, anguish and unanswered questions all remain; all that is different
now are the surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blackpool is hardly Newquay, and while the weather’s
fair, the sands seem that little bit darker, the sea a bit grimmer, those
glorious bikini-clad English roses have made way obese women in ill-fitting
t-shirts and leggings, while any sounds from the sea are drowned out by the
dual carriageway that separates the pub from the beach and the distinctive
smell of cod and haddock, lost in a melange of kebab, pizza, ‘Southern fried’
chicken, donuts and candy floss aromas – back to reality!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFZVvH8XnaMtwsAWTNxPzc09f6u6LbfG9IscC_gPBLoEaBf4FC3zCsloC5l3ZFSaStcW_dXSE0jZJ46PLMBj9cAGvqtT0dJrsdMtDCCkEJlX0qil5ODW5d-CCh4aLmTmy7AXL29QAPlk/s1600/IMG_2493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFZVvH8XnaMtwsAWTNxPzc09f6u6LbfG9IscC_gPBLoEaBf4FC3zCsloC5l3ZFSaStcW_dXSE0jZJ46PLMBj9cAGvqtT0dJrsdMtDCCkEJlX0qil5ODW5d-CCh4aLmTmy7AXL29QAPlk/s640/IMG_2493.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Point? Yes please!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They say a week in football is a long time; well the past
28 days of following Leeds United’s off the pitch activities have seemed like
an eternity…and wholly unproductive to boot. The trip to Bloomfield Road at
least offered fans the best possible barometer with which to measure on the
pitch progress; with the end of season trip to Cardiff being United’s only away
game since our last visit to the seaside; there could’ve barely be a more
effective gauge of Warnock’s pre-season work.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In truth, there couldn't have been a sterner test
at such an early stage; while Ian Holloway’s side aren’t amongst the bookies’
frontrunners for an automatic promotion slot, the side have been together for
some time now and few changes had been made during the summer. Moreover, the pace
and movement that typifies their style of play is exactly the what Leeds
currently lack. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yNr2fnDPGNXnb2LDpiEFjJB72B7-F8bz-sfRL6aZ1TDb3NqYv8jLAXsdt6IfnQmve6yjC4anYIPEIBLHKVldWqKN8kF1Cv8N6bkhIINM3x0ms5hj40bxv0AjlEZAKyd_lXpO6Z9jIjw/s1600/BPLEES.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yNr2fnDPGNXnb2LDpiEFjJB72B7-F8bz-sfRL6aZ1TDb3NqYv8jLAXsdt6IfnQmve6yjC4anYIPEIBLHKVldWqKN8kF1Cv8N6bkhIINM3x0ms5hj40bxv0AjlEZAKyd_lXpO6Z9jIjw/s640/BPLEES.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ok, maybe a win...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Logic dictated that a draw would’ve represented a fine
result; a victory only likely as the product of a ‘smash and grab’ job, built
on a heroic defensive rear guard action, and for a while, it all seemed
possible. Having dealt with early Blackpool pressure, Leeds took the lead; Tom
Lees powering home a Ross McCormack corner – suddenly a huge result seemed
possible; even Tom was moved to smile. So, to the tick sheet for the classic
away performance: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Weather early storm – TICK<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Score (set play desired method) – TICK</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So far so good, and now on to coping with the home side’s
response… and Leeds did, just about, making it to the interval ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now was the time to address the issues; while Leeds led,
they only did so on the back of number of fine Paddy Kenny saves and the
performances of Peltier, Pearce and Lees. Everywhere else the home side were
comprehensively outperforming their opponents. The ball didn’t stick when it
was hit forward to the front men, while the midfield, seemingly running about
dazed in a ‘no man’s land’, were completely peripheral to proceedings. Matters
on the pitch had to be addressed, but they weren’t and eventually it cost us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The most sickening aspect of conceding the equaliser was
the manner in which it came; just as supporters were wondering whether sheer
good luck and determination at the back would prove to be enough, Luke Varney
undid 75 minutes of toiling in an instant. Having failed to prevent the ball
running out of play for a throw-in, he inexplicably stopped it from rolling away;
Stephen Crainey took advantage, galloping into the void of empty space vacated
by the out of position forward, playing a one-two to bypass an exposed Sam
Byram, before squaring to Nouha Dicko to equalise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1J70c8ZmFLxtDAT7OoBF3IfTb41gGWkSDH-LUDv2aknEY5PqrQMpQLgh-Y_6JypHYMzn6s6cqo5Hr_E-qOJcu8cSTqW9ncyjlo8LPIN4UBvcWp3p9UAhsMkyeonvsafN5PpkCchTg5E/s1600/BPWIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1J70c8ZmFLxtDAT7OoBF3IfTb41gGWkSDH-LUDv2aknEY5PqrQMpQLgh-Y_6JypHYMzn6s6cqo5Hr_E-qOJcu8cSTqW9ncyjlo8LPIN4UBvcWp3p9UAhsMkyeonvsafN5PpkCchTg5E/s640/BPWIN.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Game over...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The winner was as inevitable as it was swift in its
arrival; substitute Matt Phillips, stroking home after a Byram slip let Tom
Ince storm to the by-line unopposed. Seconds earlier Warnock had sent on Danny
Pugh for a woeful Aidy White, his introduction almost seemed a valedictory
acknowledgement that the game was gone, even at 1-1.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In truth, I would've been able to empathise with such logic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Come the final whistle, there were few positives to be
had; perhaps the most philosophical view was that at least we got away with only
a 2-1; even allowing for the crossbar’s intervention, Leeds were only a
‘Rachubka’ away from shipping 5 goals again, and it wouldn’t have flattered the
home side. On reflection, the game did at least affirm the belief that we now
do have the makings of a very solid backline; Peltier has been especially
impressive in his short time at the club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hU4Wf1p64_sZH2acwnoXChkAj8gdyp_O-Yjk9l64L3ltcn1FO_EJkfY3Vq5b4ta7PKMQ1Br3GfhGXeb5qbJlNm2KK4jKtoph7ODer21hJXP5cVOfAw9M5Ha0NgG553_jteXhTqE2b7w/s1600/IMG_2480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hU4Wf1p64_sZH2acwnoXChkAj8gdyp_O-Yjk9l64L3ltcn1FO_EJkfY3Vq5b4ta7PKMQ1Br3GfhGXeb5qbJlNm2KK4jKtoph7ODer21hJXP5cVOfAw9M5Ha0NgG553_jteXhTqE2b7w/s640/IMG_2480.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We can all hope...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The problems lie with all the questions that were posed
beforehand, those that the game was hopefully going to provide some reassurance
about – it didn’t. Blackpool’s pace, fluidity and speed of movement not only
exemplified everything the Leeds side currently lacks, but also ruthlessly
exposed the new look midfield. While Warnock was especially critical of the
front four in his post-match interview, and in fairness Becchio and McCormack
didn’t hold the ball up effectively, those playing behind them, to a man, were
abysmal. Norris was anonymous; Austin, so effective on Saturday was reduced to chasing
shadows throughout; Varney’s only contribution of note was his role in the
equaliser, while Aidy White contributed absolutely nothing going forward; though very effective on the run, White seems incapable of beating an opponent from a
standing start, his passing too was woeful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Warnock himself should not escape examination either; his
tactics were baffling. With the Leeds team already struggling with width, where
was the sense in having White start the game on the right of midfield,
especially when it necessitated Peltier also playing on his unfavoured side of
the pitch to accommodate the move? With Tom Ince’s attacking prowess likely to
be a key factor, the decision seemed all the more mystifying, especially with
Adam Drury sitting idly on the bench. And where was Michael Brown? With the
midfield so embarrassingly over-run and Austin really struggling, surely
somebody with his experience was needed out there in the middle?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So not the best night out…rather like 90% of recent
Tuesdays on the road with Leeds United; yes we can defend, but not necessarily
yet as a unit, while as an attacking force, we’re a long way short of the mark.
There’s now only 9 days remaining of the transfer window remaining and one only
man standing between the club and a concerted push for promotion that the
arrival of two or three big money, pacy, creative players can herald.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seems like we’ve been here before…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-54660398836648180062012-08-19T12:55:00.005+01:002012-08-19T20:40:51.286+01:00Leeds United 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"O Middle Eastern bidder, Middle Eastern
bidder, wherefore art thou Middle Eastern bidder?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By the hours of mid-morning, rumours were abound of an
appearance by Leeds United’s very own Romeo Montague at Elland Road; the elusive,
secretive figure(s) at the heart of a summer of TOMA-related torture, finally
stepping out from the shadows of anonymity to reveal himself/themselves to an
already love struck public; the man/men who would be at the forefront of a
revolution marking our transformation from a failing, ‘small time’ property developing
business back into competitive, ‘big time’ football club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0PzYYovX9d11Fy-PaBv4nGXFgLZBm6jqkod-WNCEjyoWXAXeSTebJnjIVjIGjjgx4Lo8GU-yBJuZ8BI6Xj1kZ_kLot_jxumqyVU8ydLKPcXWHBuKSp3_M1jzQ6RL7mmK3cac2I41GrU/s1600/Sheikh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0PzYYovX9d11Fy-PaBv4nGXFgLZBm6jqkod-WNCEjyoWXAXeSTebJnjIVjIGjjgx4Lo8GU-yBJuZ8BI6Xj1kZ_kLot_jxumqyVU8ydLKPcXWHBuKSp3_M1jzQ6RL7mmK3cac2I41GrU/s640/Sheikh.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Weak at the knees yet?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Any dreams of the hero(s) of the piece, parachuting
down from the skies, landing on the centre spot to sign the papers just ahead
of kick-off were to be cruelly denied; but we’ve learned to harbour modest
expectations at Elland Road these days – a decade of abject misery does that to
people. However, it seems he (as it turned out, it was just one) was here,
and if the photographs and the scientifically groundless work of the WACCOE
facial recognition team are anything to go by, the man in question was a
certain Sheikh Sauod Bin Adbulrahman Al Thani: sports fanatic, vice-president
of the Qatari Olympics bid and member of the family that bankrolled the
successful World Cup bid and are worth a cool $85bn – “Dare to dream” indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a sudden, perverse reversal of roles, the Leeds
support found themselves cast into the role of Romeo; gazing up at very their own Miss Capulet as their suitor looked out from their elevated East Stand executive box balcony vantage
point. It mattered not to those below that this new love of theirs wasn’t a
beautiful brunette, with pale silken skin and wispy hair that daintily danced
on the breeze, for marriage into the Al Thani family also brought with it the promise of eternal happiness and riches…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BsHnB8YFj7KpnUGIgLJiBhicY0eUcVAu37zsjp59CtJuWCgpKtdQsr5ixozYLNtEShHrRf98KMHrgSAYLOsKHH2M10FTg3itMcqbZ1RzR29MWjcNygsTjlMgAGewHNSxPKYGYjl_l1A/s1600/IMG_2474%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BsHnB8YFj7KpnUGIgLJiBhicY0eUcVAu37zsjp59CtJuWCgpKtdQsr5ixozYLNtEShHrRf98KMHrgSAYLOsKHH2M10FTg3itMcqbZ1RzR29MWjcNygsTjlMgAGewHNSxPKYGYjl_l1A/s640/IMG_2474%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been too long...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And so it began, a new courtship; the Leeds fans on their
best, vociferous, supportive behaviour as they tried to consummate a bond between
a Yorkshire footballing dynasty and one from a distant land, while a diminutive
fella sporting stubble and shades exchanged niceties with Ken and Susannah. But
are we finally close to the line? Is the altar in sight? Well Andy Couzens
claims the deal will go through in the next 24-48 hours - and who are we to
doubt someone who played a handful of games for us in the mid-90s? - so that’d
mean we’re now entering the fabled “Two and forty hours” period ahead of the resolution
of the tale… let’s just hope we avoid the unpalatable spectacle of thousands of
grief stricken supporters plunging daggers into their midriff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway...avert your longing stares from the stands and on to the pitch as suddenly a game was about to intrude upon the centre stage and a
new league season kick-off; the buzz in the stadium a stark contrast to the
mood as a defeat to Leicester brought the last campaign to a close. The first
starting XI of the campaign featured 8 debutants, 7 of whom were summer
signings – testament to the exhaustive work carried out in by Neil Warnock since April
28<sup>th</sup>. Finally (give or take a marquee signing or three) the man in
charge was able to field something approaching a team formed in his own image; players
that will compete for every ball, that won’t go missing during games…now bring
on the pace and flair!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From the first whistle, everything promised was delivered
in a lively opening half; Leeds started at a tempo and didn’t relent. At the
back Pearce and Peltier, starting only their second game as a defensive partnership,
keeping Doyle and Ebanks-Blake very quiet throughout the 45 minutes, while 18
year-old Sam Byram, after a shaky opening, slowly started to dominate Ryan
Jarvis. In the midfield, Austin, Norris, Green and Varney worked relentlessly
as Leeds gained the upper hand, and yet, it was down to the remaining three
players to deliver the defining moment of the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHNKLgFGTWAP2PrtPNrVHfxZwHrhbQiNtW5Fc-kxG4FiP4Ts0VVzNEdkKHf4U8G0XuNSsjBsF3ihcw8zlPY5k56tCfWXS6Ac_2h2Mb4G6_foUJxKQnGK-dB0exIS6dFlWcPuKC1bw9QI/s1600/WBecchio+1-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHNKLgFGTWAP2PrtPNrVHfxZwHrhbQiNtW5Fc-kxG4FiP4Ts0VVzNEdkKHf4U8G0XuNSsjBsF3ihcw8zlPY5k56tCfWXS6Ac_2h2Mb4G6_foUJxKQnGK-dB0exIS6dFlWcPuKC1bw9QI/s640/WBecchio+1-0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Defining moment'</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Collecting the ball in his own area, Paddy Kenny struck a
glorious long pass straight to the feet of Ross McCormack – a ball of such
quality that Adam Clayton would’ve still been dining out at Nando’s on the
strength of it, come next Spring – who in turn killed the ball dead with a
single touch, before striding down the left and delivering a perfect low cross
for Becchio who provided a stooping heading and diving celebration reminiscent
of the Millwall play-off tie – 18 minutes in, 1-0! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was just reward for a United side that had already
gone close moments before through McCormack and earlier in a goalmouth scramble
that produced blocks aplenty, the ovation at half-time suggested that few home
fans had any complaints.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQv2uDDrdXbFWHCtRg5gB6uWoncd_PINoobhfQgFA0h4wtFwLxV0078kTfvJraY5nnweE2UzcjDDVaBvNAmIz65Z5quklWi6z2lEZ4BkQT1437DHgap5l7q_JBzf2XsytEe2NQvHTh0qk/s1600/IMG_2478%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQv2uDDrdXbFWHCtRg5gB6uWoncd_PINoobhfQgFA0h4wtFwLxV0078kTfvJraY5nnweE2UzcjDDVaBvNAmIz65Z5quklWi6z2lEZ4BkQT1437DHgap5l7q_JBzf2XsytEe2NQvHTh0qk/s640/IMG_2478%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A rare late Leeds corner</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second half was a rather different affair; initially it
was more even, but as the Leeds midfield started to feel the effects of the hard
running they’d put in, Wolves wrestled the initiative and spent the final 25
minutes very much in the ascendancy. While the undeniable work ethic running
through the new line-up is once again creating a Leeds side that fans can
identify with, the issue of a quality will ultimately define our season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the visitors dominated and gaps inevitably started to
appear, the team became their own worst enemy; while Wolves patiently kept hold
of the ball, looking for openings, Leeds consistently wasted possession when it
was presented to them, looking for long passes that weren’t there to be made –
as much as it pains to admit it, there was only Diouf who effectively kept hold
of the ball in the closing stages. When Leeds were awarded a corner in the 82<sup>nd</sup>
minute, Becchio gestured to a member of the crowd to keep hold of the ball for
a few seconds… that summed up the balance of play at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFolEv9HPecAGR3FW5tH8z9zW62xgvlBh19exyRfvFjnExkZkd2sjV9tRKz6nlhKHjXsCi0_rZkTUj20p_jgB-1Tho2hPajlwwrYcwRnmlKxb87SIFVupn_KkqKhYiRGVeQAPdZX6E2Y/s1600/WRodolph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFolEv9HPecAGR3FW5tH8z9zW62xgvlBh19exyRfvFjnExkZkd2sjV9tRKz6nlhKHjXsCi0_rZkTUj20p_jgB-1Tho2hPajlwwrYcwRnmlKxb87SIFVupn_KkqKhYiRGVeQAPdZX6E2Y/s640/WRodolph.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Man, beast, cult hero...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But United held on and collected what could represent as
huge 3 points, against what on paper is arguably the strongest side in the
league. Peltier embraced the captain’s role while the outstanding Pearce played
like one regardless. In Byram we have a potential star, while in Austin we
seemingly already have another; the way he deposed Kevin Doyle of the ball in
stoppage time, then while still being held, slid tackled Doumbia to win a
throw-in was a joy to behold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So all in all, a very positive start to the new season; it
makes you wonder just what Warnock might achieve if our ‘Juliet’ gets his arse in
gear and these two star-crossed lovers can be as one... <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-60804243025972005692012-08-15T16:11:00.000+01:002012-08-15T16:21:26.673+01:00Norwich City: Nobody Cares, We Don't Like That!<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Norwich City Football Club – you’ve heard of them, yes?
That’s right, those guys who play in yellow and green somewhere due east of
Peterborough! You care passionately about it; investing time and emotion into
following its fortunes from afar don’t you?... What do you mean, no? NO?!
NO?!?! I'm not having that; it's just crazy talk!!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0Fs06WiZxHBUgS7o6DS_TZzi8wJ_9y5FZGaT2XoF8YaSasQ07rODqP9rVxzjBCWmcYven9vArmmQklZ3FaNDA04j5GkVxK-htPyHgKJ8GAcDfJLBVs3AXgiQjJN-rb2xDj8h7p5p2EY/s1600/NOrSnod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0Fs06WiZxHBUgS7o6DS_TZzi8wJ_9y5FZGaT2XoF8YaSasQ07rODqP9rVxzjBCWmcYven9vArmmQklZ3FaNDA04j5GkVxK-htPyHgKJ8GAcDfJLBVs3AXgiQjJN-rb2xDj8h7p5p2EY/s640/NOrSnod.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ugh!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, at least that’s what our East Anglian friends would
have you believe, having spent the past 12 months or so desperately trying to
validate their status as followers of a big and important footballing
institution. The recruitment of Bradley Johnson, Jonny Howson and most
recently, Robert Snodgrass to the ranks, have sparked a cycle of gloating
exercises that have almost bordered on hysteria: “You are our feeder club!”
have been the cries of supporters, seemingly hell bent on convincing themselves
that promotion to the Premier League undermines all logic and asserts Norwich
City as some sort of football monolith, casting its imperious shadow over
little Leeds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoaHdxen0pj-PWW6Q458T9Arx_30cQyn_YwAn5-1yTzHNEjcknnBw8BBcI9ScahyclwHpMHWAn9augLTcc1PM1rdGmFa3bgEmwjI0Z7UJ55Z5Hy4dIZ4Z1TC2bpuD2_BaBx9OCpu9OBU/s1600/IMG_2423%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoaHdxen0pj-PWW6Q458T9Arx_30cQyn_YwAn5-1yTzHNEjcknnBw8BBcI9ScahyclwHpMHWAn9augLTcc1PM1rdGmFa3bgEmwjI0Z7UJ55Z5Hy4dIZ4Z1TC2bpuD2_BaBx9OCpu9OBU/s640/IMG_2423%5B1%5D.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The 'Yellow Army at the KC Stadium, just days after the club <br />boasted of taking a following of 600 to Milton Keynes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It matters not that Bradley Johnson was out of contract;
it matters not that the current regime couldn’t wait to push Howson - soon to be
a free agent - out of the door for any significant transfer fee, nor the fact
that Snodgrass’ patience finally run out dictated his exit. It matters not that Premier League
football, greater exposure and huge wage rises, rather than the cache of the
club dictated their choice, nor did it register that Jason Pearce, untainted by
the ‘life under Bates’ experience, chose a move to Elland Road over one to East
Anglia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskr_bugCXLYqyCVrWKxJXq9okNDnU-_RwudcDazmSk8xT3bkazEdiPh4P5nLLO9CeVKxEpRVXm7FVcvmjSxLCbS9O-_cg1iCM2jjM-vpoUYTHv1WJW0s_ghU7d0q9vJr62lydiC-CuO8/s1600/NorHow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskr_bugCXLYqyCVrWKxJXq9okNDnU-_RwudcDazmSk8xT3bkazEdiPh4P5nLLO9CeVKxEpRVXm7FVcvmjSxLCbS9O-_cg1iCM2jjM-vpoUYTHv1WJW0s_ghU7d0q9vJr62lydiC-CuO8/s640/NorHow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pay rise, shop window, no Ken Bates - no brainer</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In common with us all, Norwich City supporters like to
believe their club matters, and for whatever reason, they also seem to <i>really</i> want to matter in the eyes of
Leeds United fans. They want… no they <i>have</i>
to feel special – they want to believe that every goal they score is
soundtracked by the resentful gnashing of teeth back in Yorkshire. They need
not waste their time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX605lo678bTwi1SZLPLLaeDMBfurbw4orlMnmpLVb3645s-RZ9DEMTy7ZdOyZIPk2T5TySXWgxyUH7xL2IORdbeCcLUV8kvv2tPLLWW0vdTXAYddm9OFBRdRiQ7Kkn0RzRIynOZzlEAE/s1600/NORJP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX605lo678bTwi1SZLPLLaeDMBfurbw4orlMnmpLVb3645s-RZ9DEMTy7ZdOyZIPk2T5TySXWgxyUH7xL2IORdbeCcLUV8kvv2tPLLWW0vdTXAYddm9OFBRdRiQ7Kkn0RzRIynOZzlEAE/s640/NORJP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Untainted by Bates experience...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I admit, I’ve not been completely immune to the
inflammatory tweets and message board posturing; and yes, Norwich City do
occupy a slightly more prominent place in my thoughts these days; no longer
regarded as an inoffensive, even pleasant irrelevance, but more an innocuous
irritation these days – but rivals? Hmm… file alongside Huddersfield and
Barnsley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The actions of Norwich City supporters are symptomatic of
those with a “small club mentality”, resentful of having to occupy a lower
strata within the historical football aristocracy. Perhaps <i>still</i> seething over the perceived “media obsession” with Leeds
during the League One promotion campaign – a point alluded to more than once by
Paul Lambert who claimed their title barely registered a mention, comparative
to our final day victory over Bristol Rovers – the East Anglians have taken
every opportunity since to re-position themselves in football’s pecking order.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s an inarguable truth that Norwich currently enjoy a
more elevated status; a position perversely distorted by the obscene finances
of the Premier League, that in the blink of a summer, transform a club’s
ability to compete. But status by definition is a transient mode of existence;
a temporary thing dictated purely by performance and results – if we were to
claim that Norwich City is a huge club on the basis of their membership of the
top division, do we afford the likes of Wigan Athletic, QPR, Reading and Fulham
similar reverence?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_tTdoxkaOSqejEWP9Va91rXW0M7UbTYqWA-j7-d7IummtbwlwkXrX7DkeIxgsJ-LVlFNIU6MqXSH9fL1BFMKLrNx6EXUWjuNqRGcrZIRD-ETC5zJP_sb8mDKUT9qcRTrQL5Kk7MJtuc/s1600/Beck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_tTdoxkaOSqejEWP9Va91rXW0M7UbTYqWA-j7-d7IummtbwlwkXrX7DkeIxgsJ-LVlFNIU6MqXSH9fL1BFMKLrNx6EXUWjuNqRGcrZIRD-ETC5zJP_sb8mDKUT9qcRTrQL5Kk7MJtuc/s640/Beck.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Full house, big game atmosphere...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Standing is something else entirely. To supporters
(putting local rivalries and one-off ‘crunch games’ aside) it’s a club’s
standing that matters; that dictates the anticipation they afford to any given
game. Who outside Ipswich ever gets excited about Norwich rolling into town?
Maybe the odd Colchester fan…and let’s be fair, deep down, that must hurt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As a League One side, would the draw of Norwich City be
sufficient to sell out FA Cup ties at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane inside
hours, or at the Emirates the following season as Leeds did? Was that based on
the quality of team we could field or our league position? No, it was simply
because we are Leeds United. Ultimately, while all clubs can enjoy temporary
periods of relative success, it is not what primarily defines their standing;
that’s tradition, support, potential and mentality. It’s why a meeting with
Nottingham Forest will always excite far more than a clash with Wigan, why I’ll
always take a game at Hillsborough over one at the Madejski Stadium and a clash
with Wolves rather than Fulham.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of course, that’s not to say that I wouldn’t rather play
Norwich than Wigan, Reading or Fulham, just that I wouldn’t get the sort of
buzz that’s synonymous with a visit from the likes of Scum, Chelsea, Arsenal,
Newcastle and Liverpool. Many supporters, across the country still get fired up by the prospect of a
game against Leeds, regardless of our status – whether they care to admit it or
not, it’s wholly evident in the stands – and that is the crux of the matter.
The larger footballing public remain indifferent towards Norwich and bar another
Sheikh Mansour arriving on the scene will continue to be so. Even when not
rated, Leeds will always remain hated, perversely something that is coveted by
many.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Regardless, Norwich City’s fans fight the good fight to
convince themselves otherwise, labouring under some hopelessly insular
misconception that the rest of the football is in the wrong. Even on a wider
level, city chiefs are currently considering a new approach to marketing the
place to tourists and investors, adopting the slogan: “England’s Other City” –
another “Hey look at us, we’re significant!” cry if I ever heard one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_3PqmcfA6ncNVIRi5MJaw9qh0DvYfkwvu0TNzAyKfTpvfdI14_rDIG778G7NjZPrUPT1fjmO7WF9aDpK0QSFUr03ZzbwRJQ29TShTf2QMW59oC6L_IlU5NUrqSzQ3_O_6ttRRu9taE4/s1600/NORPL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_3PqmcfA6ncNVIRi5MJaw9qh0DvYfkwvu0TNzAyKfTpvfdI14_rDIG778G7NjZPrUPT1fjmO7WF9aDpK0QSFUr03ZzbwRJQ29TShTf2QMW59oC6L_IlU5NUrqSzQ3_O_6ttRRu9taE4/s640/NORPL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Big(ger) time Charlie</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whether they care to admit it or not, life is as good as
it’s ever likely to get at Carrow Road. Should Howson and Snodgrass blossom,
they will move on – that is Norwich’s place in the scheme of things; ask Paul
Lambert, now comfortable in a new job…and also reportedly an applicant for the
Leeds vacancy back in February. For all their mocking, they <i>remain</i> a feeder
club, and not just for the very elite within the league, but the second tier of
clubs: the Newcastles, the Sunderlands, the Villas; their lot at the highest
level is ultimately to survive, rather than thrive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The blueprint is unmistakeable – while the fan base is
decent even at Premier League level, it is no more than that, and any club that
openly boasts about taking an away following of between 500 and 600 to a
friendly clearly holds limited aspirations. Then there’s the goal music –
F**KING GOAL MUSIC!! If there’s anything that defines a club’s standing, it’s
goal music! While a dislike for Manchester United will always remain deeply
ingrained and their sickening drive to milk the corporate cash cow,
particularly distasteful, I can never foresee the day that they start marking
every goal with a blast of Bellini’s ‘Samba De Janeiro’ (surely the worst of
all goal music), ditto for all the other giants of the English game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZFb1VyM7LN7DklkvHrqjt20i6W3T9MIo6Yx53YJMoXJc0xja03-5aJSAcZRb4RDgdUP713NiALE1sPblpr3uk-w4SvoKeRXQsUB1Woeqzvy2RxQ8-eklgXdi5-V1fC9sGqFQeiDn85A/s1600/NorwTin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZFb1VyM7LN7DklkvHrqjt20i6W3T9MIo6Yx53YJMoXJc0xja03-5aJSAcZRb4RDgdUP713NiALE1sPblpr3uk-w4SvoKeRXQsUB1Woeqzvy2RxQ8-eklgXdi5-V1fC9sGqFQeiDn85A/s640/NorwTin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing screams 'tinpot club' more than goal music...well, apart from this!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While we’re on music as well, reference has to be made to
‘On the Ball City’; apparently the oldest of all football songs, and one the
club has claimed as its own. Notwithstanding the fact it was penned for a team
of teachers before being adopted some years later; one look at the lyrics begs
the question, “Who the hell would want to be seen dead singing it?”:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kick off, throw in,
have a little scrimmage,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Keep it low, a
splendid rush, bravo, win or die,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the ball, City,
never mind the danger,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Steady on, now’s
your chance,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hurrah! We’ve
scored a goal!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">City! City! City!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh, and what the hell is a scrimmage, by the way?!?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Other aspects of the club’s history offer little else to
impress. Norwich City are a club that list such footballing luminaries as Nigel
Worthington, Efan Ekoku, John Newsome and Darren Kenton in their ‘Hall of
Fame’; they’ve even set aside a place for Delia Smith – now I know that Leeds
fans have tolerated enough from our own publicity seeking gobshite of a
chairman, but openly celebrating his contribution…? There is a limit!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDQUNEOOa4OdBEcF7lL6o1HhIbqATaUdDLHQ9Gf0tW7Sx78Aw4uslVH8oGMWVS2YEqG33yhf7BHZgkYk4agTL6wtpy5Rmbz1xMrs7_GarZyhl5LR4irf8KXzSrXJFYlpOzZ99AAeXFco/s1600/NorEE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDQUNEOOa4OdBEcF7lL6o1HhIbqATaUdDLHQ9Gf0tW7Sx78Aw4uslVH8oGMWVS2YEqG33yhf7BHZgkYk4agTL6wtpy5Rmbz1xMrs7_GarZyhl5LR4irf8KXzSrXJFYlpOzZ99AAeXFco/s640/NorEE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Efan Ekoku - Norwich City legend!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A look at the honours list does show two League Cup
triumphs, although it should be noted that the first came in 1962 against a 4</span><sup style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
Division Rochdale team in a two-legged affair, watched by an aggregate crowd of
under 31,000… it’s fair to say, the competition really wasn’t ‘all that’ in the
early days. By 1985, the re-christened Milk Cup was a different kettle of fish,
albeit it took an own goal and a Clive Walker penalty miss to ensure a 1-0
triumph over Sunderland – both sides were subsequently relegated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What by popular consensus remains “the pinnacle of Norwich City’s
history” is the 2<sup>nd</sup> round UEFA Cup defeat of Bayern Munich in 1993…
yes, you did read it right: 2<sup>nd</sup> ROUND! Just to provide some
prospective, the high flying Canaries were able to give a debut to Ade Akinbiyi
in the return tie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcsR27kr4JUUOzYuMAGGhajE4ZX5LBbKPWtxdR3OAXOZosXt-9XB47dw696VTsGexRrqlQK1Vqu5bHNab-cWcaDCFsZ4bvyx2N3szrPSClk3dbdb6d2KVniuFqdySb5KandlsLjEjQuk/s1600/NorAP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcsR27kr4JUUOzYuMAGGhajE4ZX5LBbKPWtxdR3OAXOZosXt-9XB47dw696VTsGexRrqlQK1Vqu5bHNab-cWcaDCFsZ4bvyx2N3szrPSClk3dbdb6d2KVniuFqdySb5KandlsLjEjQuk/s640/NorAP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ah-ha!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So there we have it; a club from a city more popularly
feted for its mustard, a turkey farmer with a speech impediment at the centre
of an avian flu outbreak and a pedestrianisation scheme immortalised by Alan
Partridge, than its football team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Enjoy the Premier League ride Norwich City; while I can’t
deny I’ll have a little laugh to myself if it all ends in May, just don’t
expect me to care less either way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-55717032068860885292012-08-12T11:52:00.003+01:002012-08-12T12:05:46.919+01:00Leeds United 4 Shrewsbury Town 0<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Having endured an outrageously extrapolated summer recess, a
tortuous 15 weeks made all the more unbearable by the takeover saga, here it
was at last; a chance, if just for 90 minutes, to do what we do best, to put
aside concerns about the long-term future of Leeds United and concentrate on
finding more immediate ‘on the pitch’ concerns to despair over.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg792yj9uu6bQpnLg9yWjYesBI8-sz0PsapzvA5HMLjGNgSB5FzHKZAz8HT1oRvLXo-kIKRzGXs7CVv29soU7ntnMzQGD1i7GUp4vB23CRcnHbSdCsmt4vDpiiFTTeAuwnxTc3-_tKJlh4/s1600/IMG_2430%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg792yj9uu6bQpnLg9yWjYesBI8-sz0PsapzvA5HMLjGNgSB5FzHKZAz8HT1oRvLXo-kIKRzGXs7CVv29soU7ntnMzQGD1i7GUp4vB23CRcnHbSdCsmt4vDpiiFTTeAuwnxTc3-_tKJlh4/s640/IMG_2430%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">18,000+ for a Capital One cup tie...makes you wonder how many would turn up if Bates went!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Working under the financial constraints that continue to
shackle every manager under the Bates regime, Neil Warnock appears to have
accomplished some sterling work in the transfer market during the summer. His
planning so far has been faultless; his first signing was the defensive
lynchpin the team have do desperately lacked since Kisnorbo ruptured his Achilles
over 2 years ago, and in Drury and Peltier has added a degree of ‘know how’ and
class… words very rarely uttered in dispatches about Darren O’Dea and Alex
Bruce.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Behind those we now have Paddy Kenny, proclaimed by Warnock
himself as his most important signing – it would be hard to disagree: after
watching over a long procession of keepers, all of whom were ticking time
bombs, accidents waiting to happen – none more so than last season’s pair – to have
an able AND confident last line of defence is the most novel and welcome change
of the lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the midfield a flurry of inexpensive, unspectacular new
faces initially padded out the squad; not names to excite, but competitive,
reliable and hardworking; the very antithesis of Clayton and Pugh. More
recently, David Norris was brought on board to add a little attacking intent,
then along came Rodolph… add Luke Varney and suddenly we no longer have a team
of pushovers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFo74KxMIwK0rfelpFTF-mafcAObvCk0MyaqxqafE5p5UjjfpQac3WD-yu867jGDic207TxUevUPrXGZfYnZt7SgRxgbyditsz63RBBwqk7UUZyhKkAJmyK9ZAYQPIbhq5s-bkw8JVy0/s1600/LUFC4PK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFo74KxMIwK0rfelpFTF-mafcAObvCk0MyaqxqafE5p5UjjfpQac3WD-yu867jGDic207TxUevUPrXGZfYnZt7SgRxgbyditsz63RBBwqk7UUZyhKkAJmyK9ZAYQPIbhq5s-bkw8JVy0/s640/LUFC4PK.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Tentative" opening..</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So we’re now solid and competitive (oh, and rid of Andy O’Brien),
we now just need match-winners…ah, bugger! Sadly this is where the manager’s
plans have fallen down – through no fault of his own, it must be added –
players who win games by scoring goals, creating them for others, who excite:
these players cost money, serious money… yes, even in excess of the £500,000 we
forked out on Danny Pugh! While defensive solidity and a competitive streak are
a pre-requisite for any Championship side with designs on promotion, class wins
games; while it’s not inconceivable that a collection of unremarkable grafters
could scrape a play-off berth, candidates for top 2 slots have pace, creativity
and goals in their line-ups. We have McCormack and little else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This shouldn’t have been an issue; having sorted out the
defensive side of things, having built a competitive midfield unit, Warnock
should’ve been spending the last few friendlies integrating the marquee
signings he’d planned his summer around. Snodgrass is gone, yes, but one pacy
forward (Maynard? Beckford? Cox?), a similarly quick wide player on the right, </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> because I’m greedy, an exciting
young attacking midfielder to revel in the freedom afforded by Rodolph’s anchor
role, then suddenly the squad would be looking </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">very</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> good… it’d be almost as if we’d replaced everything that our
woeful contract negotiations track record has forced us to sacrifice over the
last 12 months.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But we haven’t, and nobody seems to know whether Warnock
will ever have the chance to do so; so here we find ourselves, the first
competitive home game, and there he is, warming up on the pitch – El Hadji
Diouf! Sadly now it seems that needs must and if Leeds want to recruit a
forward with a degree of pedigree, this is once more, what we’ve been reduced
to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtOjDw-ZknnXClkVruLJ5bCjIH0cL7t2QwezE8T0gsIN-qoNuuZt1cd9U7LOHNZF4niTEkFXpk_p_CP6FqeJs96DQQ2ERkyjWYABVqkYXPAVX1nk-wW-0PoVnZpar5REcXrDUFCHFCz4/s1600/LUFC4B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtOjDw-ZknnXClkVruLJ5bCjIH0cL7t2QwezE8T0gsIN-qoNuuZt1cd9U7LOHNZF4niTEkFXpk_p_CP6FqeJs96DQQ2ERkyjWYABVqkYXPAVX1nk-wW-0PoVnZpar5REcXrDUFCHFCz4/s640/LUFC4B.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1-0</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So here we are again, it’s not even kick-off and Elland Road
is divided; the need for more firepower is clear, but few supporters would’ve elected
to recruit a man who’d most likely rank below a vivisectionist in a ‘Humanitarian
of the Year’ poll. It’s not the best omen to kick-off a season with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mercifully, every other aspect of the afternoon was more
positive. While Diouf’s inclusion on the subs bench predictably drew very
audible booing, the absence of Pugh, Connolly and Paynter had me somersaulting
inside. Tom Lees was absent, but that allowed Sam Byram – impressive at
Deepdale – a start (he impressed again), indeed amongst the first XI there were
8 debutants; while most felt such a drastic turnover of players was needed, I’m
sure many doubted it would be achieved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the terraces, the mood was mixed; very positive towards
the players, but tinged with the desire to express anger at the ongoing events
at boardroom level. ‘Bates Out!’ chants were regular throughout, along with a
fresh ‘Shoes off! Bates out!’ variation; while Paddy Kenny’s new ode quickly
attainted cult status…sadly “Sausages and Burgers at Warnock’s house” has yet
to make the transition from the pre-season tour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the pitch, a slow start allowed Shrewsbury a couple of
early chances and afforded Kenny the opportunity to prove his worth; Leeds on
the other hand were sparked to life by the opening goal; Becchio slotting in
from 6 yards after Austin’s long range effort reached him via the keeper’s
fumble and the defenders stray leg – try telling Rodolph it wasn’t his assist.
The advantage was doubled within 6 minutes, the assist McCormack’s, the goal,
Varney’s after more charitable defensive work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZbbXAB0b3Nia9fOBiDT4Ajr8MSTz-5y08jNppDEz55mrkcN8-PU37ega8xmPZoruqxzZ5Zvcz_-zn__YV2xQLR8Tv2FGBxYI7LN9zRyTSax2oeq0jwK95lvwtN11nI3HHDm-wAI7QiQ/s1600/LUFC4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZbbXAB0b3Nia9fOBiDT4Ajr8MSTz-5y08jNppDEz55mrkcN8-PU37ega8xmPZoruqxzZ5Zvcz_-zn__YV2xQLR8Tv2FGBxYI7LN9zRyTSax2oeq0jwK95lvwtN11nI3HHDm-wAI7QiQ/s640/LUFC4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sign him up, sign him up...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The second half was fairly comfortable and put beyond doubt
mid-way through as Norris struck home Varney’s knock-down, then McCormack hit home
a penalty on 70 minutes; his little signing gesture celebration in front of the
Kop, hopefully a hint of positive forthcoming news. The four goal cushion was
the signal for changes, including Diouf; his introduction receiving the
expected mixed response – a word of advice though, if you do insist on abusing
Diouf, then do so from the safety of the stands, he looks like he’s been doing
some serious weights this summer!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3EUo7bVgwqUHO1rtnPNS_LVi4TVRYp-pKVf4xYaAU_A7nE6RH56adHZLJIoWE4vYw4r7xSvvTNhIxSfIWo_syTz2w_XCUrAyZwu0NXv0HdO1Ygr5CDGtjdk2AvYvgG2RQh1TJSZwTtE/s1600/LUFCWD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3EUo7bVgwqUHO1rtnPNS_LVi4TVRYp-pKVf4xYaAU_A7nE6RH56adHZLJIoWE4vYw4r7xSvvTNhIxSfIWo_syTz2w_XCUrAyZwu0NXv0HdO1Ygr5CDGtjdk2AvYvgG2RQh1TJSZwTtE/s640/LUFCWD.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grit your teeth...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In his 15 minutes Diouf showed some nice touches, but a lot
of rustiness too, barely ever threatening to go past a defender, although off
the pitch, when warming up and at the final whistle, his efforts to appease by
repeatedly applauding the Kop were evident; chin up El Hadji, Barry George had
few friends at ER until he revealed his LUFC affinity…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-62873070538255274012012-08-08T19:04:00.003+01:002012-08-08T20:03:52.209+01:00Burton Albion 0 Leeds United 1<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“We can’t see a thing!
We can’t see a thiii-iiing! We’re Leeds United; we can’t see a thing!”</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That new addition to the LUFC arsenal of away day ditties
rang out from the terrace at about 8.15pm last night, as the vertically poised
element of the Leeds following passed collective observation on the difficulty
on watching a football game while partially sighted, due to the trivial matter
of the star that sustains life on Earth making its daily passage below the
horizon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHCHFYgOxLcInoETLSV40PLxbL-j_Tr_kdm_db5GV_MAZ1tCLR0th0HpSIV_tXUcRiSk4StqI2etNxCaQ2Y_skMIYsOqFJFpf6_gnIaSmW_32zzjz9yZz7zFn3RrVedJbglZIR2LbaMk/s1600/IMG_2390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHCHFYgOxLcInoETLSV40PLxbL-j_Tr_kdm_db5GV_MAZ1tCLR0th0HpSIV_tXUcRiSk4StqI2etNxCaQ2Y_skMIYsOqFJFpf6_gnIaSmW_32zzjz9yZz7zFn3RrVedJbglZIR2LbaMk/s640/IMG_2390.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Sun and Bates - common ground?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not ones to ponder the awe of nature or contemplate the
relative futility of our comparative existences, the next move by some were
to condemn; “The Sun’s a c**t! And so is Bates!”... well, I suppose a 50% hit rate isn’t all that bad – ask Billy
Paynter. The more astute observations followed; the predominant theme being
that the Sun may have inadvertently done us all a passing favour – they had a
point. Last night wasn’t great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqh-WB4P9-a2-qD6ioYCYnAYFT4Vgo3TLciHA8QhJlYA20q_GIY7T3mAIyWhL9-2TCH4iDpVCmZYepUKrjTe8j3dQjg9QbjTelGDSvc-rfEpXNnKgC29JbJcU_V3NBICNNa4CRaUHsQzc/s1600/IMG_2379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqh-WB4P9-a2-qD6ioYCYnAYFT4Vgo3TLciHA8QhJlYA20q_GIY7T3mAIyWhL9-2TCH4iDpVCmZYepUKrjTe8j3dQjg9QbjTelGDSvc-rfEpXNnKgC29JbJcU_V3NBICNNa4CRaUHsQzc/s640/IMG_2379.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Bates Out!' at The Beech</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As seems standard, the away following justified something
rather better; around 2,000 Leeds supporters in a crowd of 3,127 was enough to
ensure that the preceding record of outnumbering the home support at every
ground was maintained. Most of those who travelled seemingly headed towards The Beech prior to the game; the 20-30 man queues at the door to get inside to
the bar suggested so. It was also a pre-match location for the faithful ‘Bates
Out’ banner that now appears to be gaining a celebrity status of its own;
several people posing for photographs, basking in its reflective – if slightly
soiled and stained - revolutionary glow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The stadium like its surroundings is a strange
juxtaposition of the old and new; the traditional and modern; heritage and
ambition. Built in 2005, it shining outer modernity stands in stark contrast to
the adjacent, dilapidated Pirelli plant that bequeathed it its name and inside
the theme continues; while the club is (thankfully) another notch on the Pukka
Pies outlet roster, for those rallying against the corporate face of football
ground catering, there is reason to rejoice – faggots are on the menu…yes, you
did read that correctly; while the stadium is very much 21<sup>st</sup>
century, the menu is at least in part, rooted somewhere between the wars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqckODoTRLS096zx1T24XzKsXjc6dr0S0uXg-GlTlRyvr7G9FmmQmTdBL-fEW1wJg-r0vr0oo6Va7ots7skCr8nKSvUsAMe6z6MFbtnBpuXt2wHKtM7_xblM2kRn2k1DcE38aKPQnDWYo/s1600/IMG_2382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqckODoTRLS096zx1T24XzKsXjc6dr0S0uXg-GlTlRyvr7G9FmmQmTdBL-fEW1wJg-r0vr0oo6Va7ots7skCr8nKSvUsAMe6z6MFbtnBpuXt2wHKtM7_xblM2kRn2k1DcE38aKPQnDWYo/s640/IMG_2382.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deep in the heart of 'Anvil Country'?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Move on to the terrace though and an even greater
divergence; gaze to the left and there’s an impressive stand-long, row of
corporate boxes, but gaze straight ahead, just to the right of goal and there
it is, a hoarding that reads ‘Anvil Hire Ltd’ – what is this?! Is there really
a market for hiring anvils in contemporary Britain? I can’t recall seeing
anvils being given prominent listing space in the Jewson catalogue. What do
these people do for a living? Are the suburban dwellings around the stadium
just a façade and beyond the immediate surroundings, Burton is a medieval
settlement…I probably gave this a little too much thought, but as I say, the
game wasn’t all <i>that</i> great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But there were positives to be taken; particularly in terms
of possession; in the opening half hour, Burton probably had the sum total of
about a minute in the Leeds defensive third; Varney's close-range strike deserved on those grounds, if no other; indeed</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> over the course of the night, Burton only really stretched Paddy Kenny a couple of times. There was also a small
matter of a couple of debuts to consider and while Lee Peltier settled in with
a degree of ease against modest opposition, albeit without showing much of his
attacking menace, this was always going to be Rodolph’s night.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjv1Wc-FsRqWiubjAIETaHkytsVHryqyjeosWVhnWRBK8Jo0TY69wrZJsYc-4-TEJ6nYTo6aqTM7up3NYRKnBMSsyusuOVNZGzwTffmPntoe0EsskpAEH3wzR5YIoG8VdhDUXT8nXLR8/s1600/IMG_2394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjv1Wc-FsRqWiubjAIETaHkytsVHryqyjeosWVhnWRBK8Jo0TY69wrZJsYc-4-TEJ6nYTo6aqTM7up3NYRKnBMSsyusuOVNZGzwTffmPntoe0EsskpAEH3wzR5YIoG8VdhDUXT8nXLR8/s640/IMG_2394.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A rare attack instigated near the touchline</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mercifully Rodolph didn’t disappoint – hey, he probably considers
such a concept alongside failure and Maroon 5 as an unfamiliar and very unwelcome
bedfellow. His first notable touch was a cushioned pass that travelled at light
speed into the advertising hoarding; we hadn’t exalted him on grounds of subtlety!
However, the most enduring memory of his first start arrived shortly before the
interval, as already grounded, he somehow conspired to make a raking challenge
on an unsuspecting Burton player – his opponent stood and looked down,
bewildered, as the referee employed the tried and trusted pre-season ‘have a
quiet word, when a booking might otherwise be in order’ approach, the Leeds
fans cheered… a legend was born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That said, to only discuss our new Jamaican Juggernaut’s
physicality would sell his first appearance a little short; he looked
immediately comfortable in his new surroundings and very much up with the pace
of the game; his passing was decent and in stark contrast to the archetypal
Leeds player, he was composed when on the ball… and he saw plenty of it. I don’t
know whether to put that down to the amount of ground he covered, the positions
he took, or just a general fawning air of deference that obliged that ball to
constantly gravitate towards him. In truth, I think it was most likely a case
of the ‘New Cool Kid at School Syndrome’, where a new achingly popular boy (bonus
points for previously residing abroad) arrives and everyone falls over
themselves to find favour with him. “Santa’s number 1” indeed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRgQvsHTpgU6Fp-AZktKMQfLOSog4vERIzBk3yV9HlYhWk4SN3V1jKQt_4kfe6K_Zyq1qshHhFbhNSpidfe6ZrGyi2OeD4Tm14WDXN0B6bl8DOGbq3C1t4yliyJIeSP-2maT9pSR9Ybk/s1600/IMG_2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRgQvsHTpgU6Fp-AZktKMQfLOSog4vERIzBk3yV9HlYhWk4SN3V1jKQt_4kfe6K_Zyq1qshHhFbhNSpidfe6ZrGyi2OeD4Tm14WDXN0B6bl8DOGbq3C1t4yliyJIeSP-2maT9pSR9Ybk/s640/IMG_2408.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Number 4 is f**king shit! Number 4 is f**king shit!...Number 21 is f**king shit! (repeat to fade)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">David Norris on the other hand seems to be suffering as a
new kid on the block; he knows he has a position somewhere between midfield and
attack, he just isn’t quite sure where yet – nor is anyone else. Mind you, he
lacks Rodolph’s ‘aura of awesomeness’ and he’s come from down south, and from
an impoverished background… it’s gonna be a harder transition. In fact it’s going
be very tough up top, full stop. While Ross really must stay, he hasn’t the
pace of say…a Max, and can’t beat people like him or Snoddy, dragging people
out of position and making space for others, making runs from midfield like… you
get the idea! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sadly at the moment, going forward, Leeds possess the creativity
and invention of a Money Supermarket commercial; until the arrival of a wide
player and striker makes Neil feel “epic!”, scoring the goals needed to win
games may be this season’s big problem.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-21294821556854558312012-08-05T12:09:00.002+01:002012-08-05T16:35:50.630+01:00Preston North End 1 Leeds United 3<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Back at last, after 15 long weeks; the archetypal Leeds
United away experience!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As utterly glorious as the <a href="http://ken-demange.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/110-days-of-torture-in-review-cornwall.html"><span style="color: blue;">week-long tour of Cornwall and Devon</span></a> was, there was something altogether more familiar and comforting about
visiting Preston. The sunshine, hospitality and novelty of the South West
giving way to the cramped trains, designated ‘Leeds pubs’, designated ‘home
pubs’ assuming ‘Leeds pub’ status, bemused onlookers, glory hunting Chelsea and
Scum fans in replica shirts caught unawares while out shopping (where else
would they be?) and the odd nervous looking policeman – we’re straight back in the
provincial city swing of things!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI3HHpySbxI59fse1oE_b0HwWWnChMLDTP1JEjuyH4U1jPhUrXC105-SSFCukDLBfUfKV6kQRSFzzV01n_leRjK3Daclh5yrFLDb2xgJ1oSpJ5oDmFhdtPRB4SypIDYJ6Y01IJqo17jI/s1600/IMG_2345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI3HHpySbxI59fse1oE_b0HwWWnChMLDTP1JEjuyH4U1jPhUrXC105-SSFCukDLBfUfKV6kQRSFzzV01n_leRjK3Daclh5yrFLDb2xgJ1oSpJ5oDmFhdtPRB4SypIDYJ6Y01IJqo17jI/s640/IMG_2345.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Add The Assembly, Preston to venues welcoming the banner...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite affording visiting supporters the biggest and
most central pub in Preston, The Assembly, the police’s best laid plans were still
shot to pieces by not adhering to the first commandment of the LUFC travelling faithful:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>“Thou shalt congregate at the largest Wetherspoon’s Inn to
be found in the settlement playing host to thine team’s clash” (Book of Away
Days – 2:1) </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Predictably then, many headed to The Greyfriar just over
the road, much to the dismay of many who’d already congregated there: Preston fans,
shoppers looking for a relaxing drink and meal, those police positioned outside
who thought they were getting an easy afternoon’s overtime and the bar staff, who were no
doubt having to offer apologies to innocent customers, suddenly affronted by beer showers
and songs eulogising about a League One striker’s legendary penis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Still, the police were able to execute their plans of
clearing the city centre seamlessly by offering the lure of a free coach
service to the ground…and yes, I did mean coach – we’re talking air conditioning
and all mod cons here – with the <u>full</u> police escort service; passing through
red lights, traffic held back in both directions to provide a clear route straight
to Deepdale… It seemed wholly over the top and unnecessary, but at the same
time there was something extremely gratifying to be drawn from the disdainful
looks on local faces as we passed by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIWZ91E5LI-4PlTZlTjk4LDnESs3z1BzwhW2c34XKGKAOMQwnDSeNuMy-IRjdcFLFY31CygA2n31p-wOYbY_6Skb1jKvgLBZVXfnhlxEKoya1kUSj5uKBEe-mU645TGjtghgm3RyJ3yE/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIWZ91E5LI-4PlTZlTjk4LDnESs3z1BzwhW2c34XKGKAOMQwnDSeNuMy-IRjdcFLFY31CygA2n31p-wOYbY_6Skb1jKvgLBZVXfnhlxEKoya1kUSj5uKBEe-mU645TGjtghgm3RyJ3yE/s640/IMG_2353.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...and the away end at PNE.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Onwards to the kick-off where thankfully the degree of
familiarity withered somewhat as the team took to the pitch. Although Leeds
kicked off the game with six faces familiar from the last campaign, the
presence of Drury on the bench, Peltier in the stands, Rodolph somewhere
between LS11 and Kingston and the promise of a couple of big name arrivals to
follow, the chronically needed reconstruction of the squad has progressed far
more efficiently than most had dared to expect. With Brown already afforded ‘protected
species’ status by Warnock and Kisnorbo’s appearance sadly resembling more a
charitable act than another step in his rehabilitation, it would seem that only
McCormack, Becchio, Lees and White look regular starters from last season’s rag
bag collection of inept professionals… arguably only a Snodgrass short of the
ideal case scenario?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Problems still remain with the squad; a team that starts pre-season
a Howson, a Gradel, a Snodgrass and a Paynter (ok, let’s scrap the last fella)
down on last August with only Luke Varney to fill the void, are always likely
to struggle to retain the attacking fluidity of 12 months ago and the opening
half hour stood testament to that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKlbpIj0fUoeDqFMLol9gyQM9B0GAO-qa0eiHi-0qLvH1iM7Toy2ZtTL_zfs1cyl8wgP77bOSzhxG4JOnZKUqAOWjzk0v3rqtQrSVktw4qwOcJVMMYbc1MI7Ce1SyFt1qw-nVE7n7EIc/s1600/IMG_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKlbpIj0fUoeDqFMLol9gyQM9B0GAO-qa0eiHi-0qLvH1iM7Toy2ZtTL_zfs1cyl8wgP77bOSzhxG4JOnZKUqAOWjzk0v3rqtQrSVktw4qwOcJVMMYbc1MI7Ce1SyFt1qw-nVE7n7EIc/s640/IMG_2359.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Paddy Kenny's having a party..."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That said, on the plus side, there is suddenly a spine to
the side; contrast that to last season, when that axis of awfulness, Clayton
and Pugh, tentatively sauntered around the midfield battlegrounds of the
Championship, carefully avoiding any sort of conflict that may lead to getting
any of those troublesome grass stains on their immaculately clean kits. The
opposition may suddenly discover that the simplest form of attack no longer just entails running straight down the middle of the pitch. Finally we appear to
be moving toward a situation where the default defensive mode isn’t “stretched”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the 31<sup>st</sup> minute Tom Lees woke the travelling
thousands from the slumber – induced by the lack of action and significant alcohol
consumption – that was starting to kick in, controlling Luke Varney's nod-down in the
penalty area and volleying past Stuckmann. It was the signal for a lively end to a half that had been notable to that point, mainly for Paddy Kisnorbo’s half
hour run-out (I wouldn’t expect to see many more) and a solid showing by the
new Paddy in town, heralded by the emphatic embedding of “Paddy Kenny’s having
a party, bring your vodka and your Charlie!” into the 2012/23 campaign
songbook. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGS7Ggu-KTkvpMfVFpKZeeLfiuBxmVtQ2BWO0oW_90Pk5CwnA_gCJkZIaiUlqK_MR4Oq_fNdy_lSY1p-gXWdeO0r_UvLOC7QBQPr5dN50muE8ZcDBWcp6xzON0FhtOZPqdXleoCmLLBSk/s1600/IMG_2363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGS7Ggu-KTkvpMfVFpKZeeLfiuBxmVtQ2BWO0oW_90Pk5CwnA_gCJkZIaiUlqK_MR4Oq_fNdy_lSY1p-gXWdeO0r_UvLOC7QBQPr5dN50muE8ZcDBWcp6xzON0FhtOZPqdXleoCmLLBSk/s640/IMG_2363.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deepdale: home to League One football and Billy Paynter's only goal on the road for LUFC - Grim!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In common with the other pre-season games thus far, Leeds
started the second half slowly and for a short while at least, memories of
last season came flooding back; not least when Preston squared matters, then
even more so when the dark, if none too intimidating spectre of Danny Pugh
appeared on the touchline. True to form, our utility man (footballing code for ‘shit’)
inspired a first outburst of profanity within 30 seconds of his arrival, making
an apologetic attempt at stopping a Preston winger on the run. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH7J5fy4tue_hB-STbIT5cSitE23Qa2cUpi3JGrRV0ahXloFEGQPh1tD9ahXcYMztXPVCBzfVXk8SzFn-ovAYuDhN_S3X_nbSHQqIC0R8AmGOcgl-QDhsm77fmKSrddfocHQ9kcqWwKA/s1600/Snoozer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH7J5fy4tue_hB-STbIT5cSitE23Qa2cUpi3JGrRV0ahXloFEGQPh1tD9ahXcYMztXPVCBzfVXk8SzFn-ovAYuDhN_S3X_nbSHQqIC0R8AmGOcgl-QDhsm77fmKSrddfocHQ9kcqWwKA/s640/Snoozer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The 'Danny Pugh effect'</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For a few
minutes, I did wonder what the hell I was doing here, spending a Saturday afternoon
at great expense in the Billy Paynter End at Deepdale, watching a friendly game
involving Danny Pugh, while back in the real world, the nation was indulging in
a mass orgy of sporting celebration, bathing in the golden shower of medals
Team GB were spouting forth from the East End of London – the whole spectacle
was enough to induce one younger lad into an almost comatose state of apathy…
alcohol may have been a contributing factor, but to suit my petty agenda, I’m
still laying it at the feet of Pugh!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIgcgcf4zf3GybEv73-DObrbbCP2XnfrK6akv93GXOoJJgjnWLLQBXihtg-WfKYz4h3d_4dyFC1FECffAogotni2twz6xJOT-6mEdjPF44HsqQC45bXY62u1e3irf99zC94NyHTXGHf8/s1600/IMG_2369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIgcgcf4zf3GybEv73-DObrbbCP2XnfrK6akv93GXOoJJgjnWLLQBXihtg-WfKYz4h3d_4dyFC1FECffAogotni2twz6xJOT-6mEdjPF44HsqQC45bXY62u1e3irf99zC94NyHTXGHf8/s640/IMG_2369.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Full time, and a moment for Paddy Kenny to ponder the fact that the away following was triple that managed by the Blades at the same stadium for a play-off semi-final...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mercifully, following the pre-season template, Leeds
picked up again as the half wore on and on 66 minutes Sam Byram smashed home from a
corner to restore the advantage. Then on 80 minutes, for the second time in 12
days, it happened; Aidy White delivered from a position of promise, drilling
the ball beyond the goalkeeper’s despairing dive into the bottom corner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Come 4.50pm, all was well with the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bring on August 18<sup>th</sup>…</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-78251250264681993252012-07-30T19:19:00.003+01:002012-07-30T23:45:17.340+01:00110 Days of Torture in Review: The Cornwall Tour Diary<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Like any manager who’s spent a long time in the game,
Neil Warnock has his own tried and trusted methods of working: coaching staff,
scouts, players and carefully laid plans that he religiously puts his faith in
as integral parts of his quest for success on the pitch. From the outset, a
tour of Cornwall and Devon sounded like the best of ideas, both as a key early
stage in pre-season preparations for the players and as an inspired destination
of choice for a massive influx of Leeds fans, keen to satiate their needs for
meaningful football action, sunshine and excessive alcohol consumption.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QIN0SQJXqHX1y3fHXKL46Gb_EMDtytC5gY_WxmAMb8MJqr_LDucURLw2hUZhW6bhgzBtXXL4PJ3bLQtK_O51YdP-Nu9EITRYnDFwwnF-rzrnwOUuuds2i05K2D9EdoND2Cn-7m6zTMU/s1600/BonminW.jpg-large" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QIN0SQJXqHX1y3fHXKL46Gb_EMDtytC5gY_WxmAMb8MJqr_LDucURLw2hUZhW6bhgzBtXXL4PJ3bLQtK_O51YdP-Nu9EITRYnDFwwnF-rzrnwOUuuds2i05K2D9EdoND2Cn-7m6zTMU/s640/BonminW.jpg-large" width="640" /></a></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thankfully, and rather unlike Danny Webber, Warnock’s conviction
in his beliefs paid off gloriously as a week of pouring over TOMA rumours and
scratching around for news on signings gave way to hugely memorable – at least,
as far as drunkenness permitted – 7 days of fun in the sun, football and way
too much Cornish Rattler…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So in a break from the relentless stream of cynicism, I
present: ‘110 Days of Torture – The Cornwall Tour Diary’…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sunday 22<sup>nd</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My best laid plans for an early start are rather
shot to pieces by failing to set the alarm and waking at 8.30am with the
packing to start. A frantic operation of collating clothes, gathering key bits
of information for the trip, like where I was driving to, and trying to piece
together the whereabouts of certain bits of camping equipment then took place
to the soundtrack of the ‘Leeds United’s Greatest Hits’ album… even in the
midst of blind panic, I couldn’t escape the notion of just how awful a song ‘Football
in a Yorkshire Rose’ is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWn1w1grJSPu0TiHP4CFJlR5q34vxdjsolWg-xDGkqA_aruyTDNlVjkddNnOBRp3R-LUNmF17VuE_KMz9tl9SNeT_ANsaPDuqiHM6qcnoNg-rA_YUbZlwdvxF9DnB7c5abMnYbcWQs8w/s1600/Smurf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWn1w1grJSPu0TiHP4CFJlR5q34vxdjsolWg-xDGkqA_aruyTDNlVjkddNnOBRp3R-LUNmF17VuE_KMz9tl9SNeT_ANsaPDuqiHM6qcnoNg-rA_YUbZlwdvxF9DnB7c5abMnYbcWQs8w/s640/Smurf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By 10.15 it was finally time to leave: Tent – CHECK!
Clothes – CHECK! Tickets – OH FUCK!... back to the house – CHECK! Ready to go?
Ah, wait… ‘Bates Out’ banner – CHECK! Parcel shelf Smurf – CHECK! Time to hit
the road…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The journey down to Bristol was a pleasant affair, even
the evil menace of the A42/M42 failed to slow progress. Refueled on junk food
and E-number loaded carbonated drinks, I returned to the car at 2pm ready for
the final stretch… Hmmm, final stretch; from an initial fleeting glance at an atlas, you’d swear that Bodmin was just down the road from Bristol, so on goes
the satnav – estimated time of arrival – 16.45! There it was in all its LCD
clarity, 2 hours and 45 minutes - Jesus Christ! Just add me to the list of hopelessly deluded
Northerners with huge misconceptions about the proximity of Bristol to the
heart of the West Country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I finally arrived at 16.30 (to hell with the satnav and
its draconian compliance with speed limits) and having set up camp, set about
exploring the locality. The evening rather embedded my philosophy for
sightseeing; rather than diligently research online, rely on blindly choosing
destinations from a map or through twitter recommendations – very well
it worked too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtkwQh7o7pfBwFAgv-nj_stN_P4Z6RCc1uFo-7Gcfg5hCsx9y8Q38DcaaG3xmW7wBd6EAg-ySIatjWRMDxM8rOSYEkTS44h6Tqbv2naiuaKmeIDA-GAKE7T2zWlBSxy2Ud_a4oa7OWto/s1600/CharlesSun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtkwQh7o7pfBwFAgv-nj_stN_P4Z6RCc1uFo-7Gcfg5hCsx9y8Q38DcaaG3xmW7wBd6EAg-ySIatjWRMDxM8rOSYEkTS44h6Tqbv2naiuaKmeIDA-GAKE7T2zWlBSxy2Ud_a4oa7OWto/s640/CharlesSun.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Charlestown was the closest place to St Austell I could
find and not a bad little introduction to tiny coastal villages; it also
boasted the Rashleigh Arms – the first of many recommended watering holes. It
was also the place where I first consummated my love for Cornish Rattler pear
cider. I’m not typically a man who goes for the pear variety of cider, but
wanting to literally drink in the local culture, I only had the option of that
or the ‘cloudy’ variety – as I tend to go by the mantra of “If it’s not
transparent, avoid it”, it was the only choice to make. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1joilbCsNzY2vi4JY9wONRwkNeyxLNxbaAC6r4t4YkPLClVxz5TPQO0dCzg-2WFoVFMqZCUrjVX4v5uMVGQkRu8ESwDwPdjz7lioJNNHAT4_hwoiGosmcSSm8q6LRiiR5o5PNtMtd630/s1600/Mevagissey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1joilbCsNzY2vi4JY9wONRwkNeyxLNxbaAC6r4t4YkPLClVxz5TPQO0dCzg-2WFoVFMqZCUrjVX4v5uMVGQkRu8ESwDwPdjz7lioJNNHAT4_hwoiGosmcSSm8q6LRiiR5o5PNtMtd630/s640/Mevagissey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The second port of call was the twitter nominated fishing
town of Mevagissey; another stunning late evening destination and inspiration
for my idea to torment the housebound hordes who’d chosen to work rather than
visit the South West for the week. The jealously laced reaction to the tweeted
snaps ensured that I wasn’t going to relent for the remainder of the week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Monday 23<sup>rd</sup> July</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With the game not kicking off until 7pm and the need to
drive necessitating that I stayed away from the pub for most of the day, a trip
to Newquay beckoned. After being conditioned to resorts on the East Coast
throughout childhood, it’s hard not to be a little overwhelmed by the Cornish
coastline, especially the sea itself. The waters in this part of the world were
something only really spied in Bounty commercials back in the 80s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy-_v1iCi5Bu9hHaTBt6wJdP6VsD5LKK3CEYLaPMSVKCz9dgH5nk0QjLMZOtbuQPp3K156iEzU5WCS6SyDUCawTiPqs2LhZyp6G1kyRPYGF_yIZjGhU40hT886DQ0I8WhI0Hb9joM0E0/s1600/Newquay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy-_v1iCi5Bu9hHaTBt6wJdP6VsD5LKK3CEYLaPMSVKCz9dgH5nk0QjLMZOtbuQPp3K156iEzU5WCS6SyDUCawTiPqs2LhZyp6G1kyRPYGF_yIZjGhU40hT886DQ0I8WhI0Hb9joM0E0/s640/Newquay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Newquay appears to have a dual identity, by day it serves
the families and surfers, by evening, going on the appearance of the main town,
it transforms into something akin to Magaluf. No wonder coffin dodgers appeared
to be a little thin on the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Come mid-afternoon it was time for the trek to Tavistock
and one of the few undesirable aspects of the week – cyclists. Cyclists!
F**king cyclists?! I’m not usually adverse to the pursuit, but what sort of
sub-breed decrees it to be a great idea to spend an entire holiday cycling the
narrow roads of Cornwall? Coastal paths, yes; I can understand coastal paths or
any designated Sustran’s routes. But what sort of sadist gets pleasure from
nearly killing themselves, embarking on a steep hill climb in the blistering
heat, while a half-mile tailback of traffic, led by an increasingly irate 4x4
driver crawl behind them, awaiting for a passing opportunities? I’d personally
like to ban caravanners from all minor roads during daytime hours…now there’s
another for the list!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKYKfJjs4D7MmQ4LANtNsmIqDmcsHMsNU2PYuu6gzpclAR56cQr_BNBdYCvluHrQKam0g6lD1N32MlzTgNBKuG8ihYt2ipxLlC4Uv4ePQruAa0A6sOFeQtJoTr-aHJM-mtqP1zPUzf_E/s1600/TavisSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKYKfJjs4D7MmQ4LANtNsmIqDmcsHMsNU2PYuu6gzpclAR56cQr_BNBdYCvluHrQKam0g6lD1N32MlzTgNBKuG8ihYt2ipxLlC4Uv4ePQruAa0A6sOFeQtJoTr-aHJM-mtqP1zPUzf_E/s640/TavisSign.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tavistock itself was a welcome breath of footballing
fresh air. First of all, on arrival I was guided by a chatty steward to the
parking spots at the local primary school…oh and that’s free parking by the
way! I was then directed to the ground where the clubhouse was serving beer and
a barbecue had been laid on – I could get used to this!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0y88pO7O9YRXcFlS0MRBumg-Nl0SNddIJSO404m3KrJv1_uaccbUM4jVquRQUt-cvKraH2m1xFkifdQhByortfncozXHS6je8J-75W69T8R9fRRp-I_XPkR9hYGV3_auIqinEz-_Wtc/s1600/TavisBates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0y88pO7O9YRXcFlS0MRBumg-Nl0SNddIJSO404m3KrJv1_uaccbUM4jVquRQUt-cvKraH2m1xFkifdQhByortfncozXHS6je8J-75W69T8R9fRRp-I_XPkR9hYGV3_auIqinEz-_Wtc/s640/TavisBates.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The ground (it feels wrong to use the word ‘stadium’ in
respect to homes of Tavistock or Bodmin) was as welcoming as expected. The beer
was cold and the barbecue…well, that turned out to be a burger van, but let’s
not split hairs, okay? Within minutes, Warnock had arrived, family in tow,
revealing in part his motivations for choosing Cornwall as the tour destination.
As he stopped to chat with supporters, sign autographs and pose for photos, the
team bus pulled in and drew the crowds away. Was <i>he</i> on it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HY_nNZEoMiqmAGGE9q9prti8_EzFyNfwjMoDXiV1pwaHJ3SwzYmAcfjXSu2qS1Yv106paSKsKIW4STMdLxQk9gOMsnOEvT5uxso4nFZG4Th4exUgQ5rbuufuGNpCxbBvrPVmBS38O6U/s1600/TavisSnodA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HY_nNZEoMiqmAGGE9q9prti8_EzFyNfwjMoDXiV1pwaHJ3SwzYmAcfjXSu2qS1Yv106paSKsKIW4STMdLxQk9gOMsnOEvT5uxso4nFZG4Th4exUgQ5rbuufuGNpCxbBvrPVmBS38O6U/s640/TavisSnodA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As it was, Snoddy did disembark. Photographic proof of
his presence was tweeted, the timelines went mental as the news spread and all
was good with the world. As I returned towards the bar I encountered Leah and
Liam for the first time; long term twitter associates and part of the match day
crew who’d pay host to the drunken antics for the three upcoming fixtures. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe09qI5RdzENNDdqSoW71Ri7_lrnkVyN-FSQ-Qicw6aiPO1EC4Ia9pChxRdrDvQMAW_MoYr6tyrB6dJvv8EeM57vPVm_b_4_bJtmLgt2pIu8PpjKVJqx9SOmHJnCsWyl5taHCMmhMa9Bs/s1600/TavisThorno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe09qI5RdzENNDdqSoW71Ri7_lrnkVyN-FSQ-Qicw6aiPO1EC4Ia9pChxRdrDvQMAW_MoYr6tyrB6dJvv8EeM57vPVm_b_4_bJtmLgt2pIu8PpjKVJqx9SOmHJnCsWyl5taHCMmhMa9Bs/s640/TavisThorno.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While
the most lasting first impressions of people are usually through constructed
through their words, actions, personalities or maybe looks, Liam’s was in the
form of his stomach – an object lesson in why sun tan lotion should be employed.
His appearance of his stomach online caused quite a stir, even prompting one
twitterbot to warn him of the very real dangers of him having contracted skin
cancer...much to his concern. It was certainly a talking point and there was
plenty of time to discuss it as the icredibly misguided decision to employ
three bar staff was hopelessly exposed. “It wasn't like this for QPR!” claimed the
barmaid…it wouldn’t the last time we’d hear that during the week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_332We1540TSTtJU_HsB-b4RfGkCNBCJP8bYBkjHYicsRZ7491IIEPvuK2FtxJLX1_y4YJYoBxpi4loidi03VjRJK-UrBKdrT4NfWN5d0CZTAVxYbUGcmhO1PZZJHF3-cfl-XFAEtbSE/s1600/Tav+Line+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_332We1540TSTtJU_HsB-b4RfGkCNBCJP8bYBkjHYicsRZ7491IIEPvuK2FtxJLX1_y4YJYoBxpi4loidi03VjRJK-UrBKdrT4NfWN5d0CZTAVxYbUGcmhO1PZZJHF3-cfl-XFAEtbSE/s640/Tav+Line+up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For the opening half hour, the game was a dire encounter, the
kind where either something special or a mistake would be needed to break the
deadlock. As it was, something almost inconceivable sparked the game into life;
Aidy White ran on to a throughball, kept his composure and calmly slotted the
ball past the goalkeeper – a real “I was there” moment! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFT7suZy8HzQrRrUfrCvKrh7kPu05Hk8j2lvDWwayDUS1xvBhgrbB1QXrV_aOGk7ij4z_q89tX3_gUoFIQSGk5xlynM8Q5iVqCtF9UKksfAdeY4k-E6fSYv7kMzj1gKn5PhwcdLhwhi0/s1600/TavisSnodG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFT7suZy8HzQrRrUfrCvKrh7kPu05Hk8j2lvDWwayDUS1xvBhgrbB1QXrV_aOGk7ij4z_q89tX3_gUoFIQSGk5xlynM8Q5iVqCtF9UKksfAdeY4k-E6fSYv7kMzj1gKn5PhwcdLhwhi0/s640/TavisSnodG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That moment was the spark for the Whites to dominate the
remainder of the match. Paul Green’s tap-in effectively killed the game as a
contest on the stroke of half-time and as Tavistock tired, Leeds started to the
rack up the goals; a very sharp looking Dominic Poelon scoring a superb fifth,
moments ahead of slipping Zac Thompson through for a sixth in the remaining
moments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Tuesday 24<sup>th</sup> July</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Open training session at Duchy College this morning. However,
before that there was a small request to fulfil in Bodmin involving the ever present ‘Bates
Out’ banner and the away dug-out… very worthwhile opportunity, I’d say!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUzhqoxmY2Vqskwlfbd48F-ObBWf1OUtKT3TKZTv-9b49kfKx77JTtLvG0f3zz4Q6khZn8iQteDtM7xfHE3tws2gS71wRYupNehXLj_njeak9wrIgRZRUR8LeDx93SWgGQy6jLayHEE4/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUzhqoxmY2Vqskwlfbd48F-ObBWf1OUtKT3TKZTv-9b49kfKx77JTtLvG0f3zz4Q6khZn8iQteDtM7xfHE3tws2gS71wRYupNehXLj_njeak9wrIgRZRUR8LeDx93SWgGQy6jLayHEE4/s640/IMG_1323.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Onwards to Duchy College; now I’m sure nobody was
expecting something akin to Thorp Arch, but then again, discovering that a
field within a field constituted the facility, was still something of a
eye-opener. The arrival of the team coach is always a fascinating exercise,
acting somewhat as a gauge to the popularity of individuals amongst the playing
squad. It was noticeable that Danny Pugh, one of the first off the coach was
able to make a totally clean getaway, straight down to the training pitch. You
had to feel for poor Billy too; he looked up, more in hope than expectation on the off-chance that some kindly soul would call him over with a request for a photo
or signature…but no luck. Off he trudged away, shoulders hunched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjfWEBuKpuezauMEV-2ZbHJPFyTTvEwTrqjuTdXYmqu6m_fgzrcOmFtPly8OGbRH6M2W80Ey3OoDDAtK668yVcRYhL2JhqHFzbcvzbTG1ROeG4WeNiZaCwbxLe8Ct-N4fgzspJAqgnss/s1600/DuchyRR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjfWEBuKpuezauMEV-2ZbHJPFyTTvEwTrqjuTdXYmqu6m_fgzrcOmFtPly8OGbRH6M2W80Ey3OoDDAtK668yVcRYhL2JhqHFzbcvzbTG1ROeG4WeNiZaCwbxLe8Ct-N4fgzspJAqgnss/s640/DuchyRR.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One man who didn’t struggle was therobbierogers.com, he couldn’t
possibly, for in Liam, he had his own superfan/stalker lying in wait, just
hoping for that one cherished moment with his hero. He had come prepared: he
was donning his own custom designed Robbie Rogers t-shirt and was now ready to
reveal himself as the man who can’t let a tweet from the American master of metrosexuality pass without comment…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADpFdXjrCV-ep_dJbvN_L-UGGWeTXt6OJ5FNZDVT8m6bnJynHiNFlimI6JNbj3TSNUpbeHnsnAl8EghYxwT2MfveqOo89IWFKat7rhjgtvYOIk8qLskwmmJYcMmC2c_t4OBI_94E_dtU/s1600/DuchyThorno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADpFdXjrCV-ep_dJbvN_L-UGGWeTXt6OJ5FNZDVT8m6bnJynHiNFlimI6JNbj3TSNUpbeHnsnAl8EghYxwT2MfveqOo89IWFKat7rhjgtvYOIk8qLskwmmJYcMmC2c_t4OBI_94E_dtU/s640/DuchyThorno.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Remember the saying, “Be careful what you wish for”?
Well, Liam got his wish, he finally spoke (he may have even slyly touched) his
hero, revealing his devotion and his t-shirt, ready for the prized autograph –
Robbie’s reaction? “Oh no!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Seeing a man crushed is a discomforting spectacle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrRWaVCIPDFFW65YflyMokD6N8I-xjE4uAO9awW-VfTl1NxTkQYGMLjLgIHrPKewqiqx_HLmpE0vRXHq0oxHlzuHcLpAzGakBeMfqTFNs-ZZ-hCZJzYUSTHl0Wy_luAwiiGxEo-sCdkw/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrRWaVCIPDFFW65YflyMokD6N8I-xjE4uAO9awW-VfTl1NxTkQYGMLjLgIHrPKewqiqx_HLmpE0vRXHq0oxHlzuHcLpAzGakBeMfqTFNs-ZZ-hCZJzYUSTHl0Wy_luAwiiGxEo-sCdkw/s640/IMG_1347.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The training session had been underway for 10 minutes before
the call went out for Snoddy. He was still signing autographs on what must’ve
been the most awkward of walks, knowing what was imminent. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRF8kax3e-TRwTznYg7d6YKPwJ37cbixlM181JRJJoLVgYaZR1hea-vB_0zvlj2FcJXWkOtXwV05Ta94iyIFhodhyMw9YmFuSlIX8SHdUBKBco4JX6NDOOC0eaptkWbeL1BVMmUyHfLSI/s1600/DuchyPK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRF8kax3e-TRwTznYg7d6YKPwJ37cbixlM181JRJJoLVgYaZR1hea-vB_0zvlj2FcJXWkOtXwV05Ta94iyIFhodhyMw9YmFuSlIX8SHdUBKBco4JX6NDOOC0eaptkWbeL1BVMmUyHfLSI/s640/DuchyPK.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Still, he wasn’t the
last to show; Warnock again arriving with the family, cooly sauntering down
during the warming up exercises, donning shades, resembling an aging Terminator
on a Saga holiday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapJDXIlsMcgv63B5usVATsHn29YZoEnrf2BV37rgXEZF4J4oTucY-fJjxDRWWMFFYR5MksmSqFNbeXcE1TIXb1p2AqKsrsixh48qJu7KghgN5oLCxyMztuTYqS4q2gO807fNIyV7GHXo/s1600/Duchy7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapJDXIlsMcgv63B5usVATsHn29YZoEnrf2BV37rgXEZF4J4oTucY-fJjxDRWWMFFYR5MksmSqFNbeXcE1TIXb1p2AqKsrsixh48qJu7KghgN5oLCxyMztuTYqS4q2gO807fNIyV7GHXo/s640/Duchy7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Following some stretching, light jogging and passing
exercises came the main event, the goals moved inwards for a game of 7-a-side
as three teams alternated for the entertainment of the 400 or so spectators,
who were sat around on the grass. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Warnock officiated, passing on a mixture of praise and constructive feedback. “Don’t watch his eyes, Paddy!” he screamed as Snoddy came out on top in a 1-on-1 – his final goal in club colours.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zjiBMu1pc6-RMwuAKClb0IHconr0PzNn84b_wwODVbgU6hylKry2a7kzhv2fyhwoy1T24uPM4-422mMVZBC4U5MdSeCMeVhbwLCBePQN93t2oej7oQrHep4ELxR_Z6eJhJhsIvTlXa8/s1600/DuchyVan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zjiBMu1pc6-RMwuAKClb0IHconr0PzNn84b_wwODVbgU6hylKry2a7kzhv2fyhwoy1T24uPM4-422mMVZBC4U5MdSeCMeVhbwLCBePQN93t2oej7oQrHep4ELxR_Z6eJhJhsIvTlXa8/s640/DuchyVan.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After the exertions of watching others run about, the afternoon was all about exploration; while Carlyon Bay seemed to be a case of way too many steps for a beach blighted by way too much building work; the newly adopted strategy of relying on blind punts and twitter recommendations continued to pay dividends.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADQp9vuipGpm70Js1Ojr8GpBg6Ajh0imHXzuGqjLFqyoP9S7GXJpIE92x4AXG_zaEBdZ0YOsyVMIW70_EqJtpI9CFbRX_hHUaJITpF26Wn0DoY35yWhY5nSyLp4jxg8o3PoaSDe-tAa0/s1600/Fowey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADQp9vuipGpm70Js1Ojr8GpBg6Ajh0imHXzuGqjLFqyoP9S7GXJpIE92x4AXG_zaEBdZ0YOsyVMIW70_EqJtpI9CFbRX_hHUaJITpF26Wn0DoY35yWhY5nSyLp4jxg8o3PoaSDe-tAa0/s640/Fowey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fowey, was another fantastically picturesque
harbour town offering a huge bay, a beautiful secluded beach and a castle…
suddenly Whitby wasn’t seeming all that unique! <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Following a few hours there, it was onwards to Looe; the quickest way there was via the car ferry – a 60 second trip across about a 200m stretch of water for £3.50! That’s like nearly 6p per second…pah, Whitby does have a bridge at least! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighW48wDxfTxSgOfBeCJlFdM3WbtwRJAEAxvxZ_3DTSxrOaLhdscwXVXIWNBL0jXajJonnUI-kufMBloDYg2kvoa3zwcUJK6tkKA2oDS-B_j4UrgGSQKSojNwPRKBOeBROOGI0gRZWkuQ/s1600/LooeH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighW48wDxfTxSgOfBeCJlFdM3WbtwRJAEAxvxZ_3DTSxrOaLhdscwXVXIWNBL0jXajJonnUI-kufMBloDYg2kvoa3zwcUJK6tkKA2oDS-B_j4UrgGSQKSojNwPRKBOeBROOGI0gRZWkuQ/s640/LooeH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That said, so does Looe, another stunning harbour town – yes, there are a lot of them! – a place also noticeable for its beach, a statue of a beloved seal by the name of Nelson (a regular visitor to the harbour for many years) and one rock that I was particularly fond of to the west of the bay...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIE0cvnN5DtoXUFbgZQ6Bn-dK3NthKLZJoVIhsn12hvxK3k0CG06rn2b5oMTmNPMfAq7tBOCXz1jYAw-j14NLdUOZSR6pPp2iNo4Luj45wlyYF6-4dr1ZYLCWKel4VkN-ZM8AcEsuI94/s1600/LooeIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIE0cvnN5DtoXUFbgZQ6Bn-dK3NthKLZJoVIhsn12hvxK3k0CG06rn2b5oMTmNPMfAq7tBOCXz1jYAw-j14NLdUOZSR6pPp2iNo4Luj45wlyYF6-4dr1ZYLCWKel4VkN-ZM8AcEsuI94/s640/LooeIsland.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was so content sitting upon it, surrounded by the sea, drinking in the
view, the disappearance of the rocks ahead rather passed me by as a sign that
the tide was coming in; the journey back to dry land was rather hazardous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Wednesday 25<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bodmin beckons; a long day of drinking! Time for another
quick trip out first though; this morning Port Isaac: </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a tiny fishing village on the west coast and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">location for TV show, Doc
Martin (apparently). It didn’t
disappoint, albeit the regular stream of middle-aged couples in sensible
walking shoes, each politely inquiring if I knew where Martin Clunes’ house was
got a little tiring.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQ0QSPt-0Z_LJ6GPtbUU98g3O8wSDdo5ZHvzzGmM4BwEa8dKHH8gaJl19vZjXRGvlcWlYup3sdlBqQimgA3Vp-6YSY3ufhf0Q8HlItLjVTeDqXOGRvxzPUKk_d6XHIX6aR0HWIDtJd1o/s1600/Port+Isaac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQ0QSPt-0Z_LJ6GPtbUU98g3O8wSDdo5ZHvzzGmM4BwEa8dKHH8gaJl19vZjXRGvlcWlYup3sdlBqQimgA3Vp-6YSY3ufhf0Q8HlItLjVTeDqXOGRvxzPUKk_d6XHIX6aR0HWIDtJd1o/s640/Port+Isaac.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Having time to spare, I did intend to spend half an hour
exploring the adjacent Port Gaverne, but a message informing me of Snoddy’s
departure to Norfolk for talks changed all that. When a bar offering free wi-fi
is yards away, suddenly the folly of holidaymaking is cast into perspective. It’s
not how I ever pictured receiving such gutting news; I fully expected to find
out one day while at work, or more probably see it suddenly appear on that ‘Sky
Sports Breaking News’ banner on SSN – I grown to hate that banner; like a
yellow conveyer belt, intent on delivering endless misery to Leeds fans, ‘breaking’
endless misery at that. Ah well, back to Bodmin – at least the ‘Bates Out’
banner will be in vogue!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTDK3pJv-OxcjbMbOYoFDQQXTEZ3HkuZmvV5NYmEOLzGRpGbTC2J_xfcE3RNhC7Q1h51X7bYbdbqAb0upR3EUq3Mcf34XBLMzzzkslLwTAGq_A5Tckp5vagx-zBVTQgTIahWnLc_kkAY/s1600/Bodmin+Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTDK3pJv-OxcjbMbOYoFDQQXTEZ3HkuZmvV5NYmEOLzGRpGbTC2J_xfcE3RNhC7Q1h51X7bYbdbqAb0upR3EUq3Mcf34XBLMzzzkslLwTAGq_A5Tckp5vagx-zBVTQgTIahWnLc_kkAY/s640/Bodmin+Group.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The banner was to prove very much a welcome decoration, that is except with Wetherspoon’s big wigs; having arrived early afternoon to secure a prominent
fence position, one of the junior members of staff was instructed to come out and
request its removal – apparently at the behest of Head Office, who'd noticed it through the medium of the
all-seeing security cameras. It was like being a part of the dystopian world
foretold in George Orwell’s ‘1984’ – seems that he didn’t reckon on Bodmin
being 28 years behind the curve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdlX9Fs-lnz_0XY1fjNCefjkUIo7RaUbDarDIj5JDUYGamODIx-Dztsdlb9DMJRzLDOWJgl6HFBu2g3hMiuyCV93jXdqTcHvi6ggCZeZBNhWKEp4TLUnYDYKJ7Po8cH3LK7AUvkrL1sY/s1600/BodWarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdlX9Fs-lnz_0XY1fjNCefjkUIo7RaUbDarDIj5JDUYGamODIx-Dztsdlb9DMJRzLDOWJgl6HFBu2g3hMiuyCV93jXdqTcHvi6ggCZeZBNhWKEp4TLUnYDYKJ7Po8cH3LK7AUvkrL1sY/s640/BodWarn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Needless to say, as the alcohol consumption rose, the
venue became ever livelier; a new request not to drink on the grass as it
contravened the licence was met with a chant of “We’ll drink on the grass, we’ll
drink on the grass, f**k you Wetherspoon’s, we’ll drink on the grass”, more
football specific collection of takeover chants followed, including “Sheikhs
in! Bates Out!” and “Oh, Sheiky, Sheiky, Sheiky”… to the tune of the ‘Hokey Cokey’…
Eventually, cider fuelled bravado led to increasingly provocative posing with
the ‘Bates Out’ banner in front of the security cameras before it eventually
returned to the fence – nobody complained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SlfSeRbsYx5nWv_l4hZmFDQQARb4bg3p-XdxQy8dvTxRZSih3KZuqjB_nRejbb12Wa95sbpnWj7W9JRPbaDFi7GMd_Wu5UG0zfxJkwzBVNLc_Z6kxUw2p2Xataws10hGkbnA3lPzX1o/s1600/Bodmin+Line+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SlfSeRbsYx5nWv_l4hZmFDQQARb4bg3p-XdxQy8dvTxRZSih3KZuqjB_nRejbb12Wa95sbpnWj7W9JRPbaDFi7GMd_Wu5UG0zfxJkwzBVNLc_Z6kxUw2p2Xataws10hGkbnA3lPzX1o/s640/Bodmin+Line+up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Asking for recollections of the match would be a fairly
pointless request of a man who told those asking back at the campsite the
following morning that the game had finished 2-0 (as opposed to 4-0); though
hazy memories do remain of getting a prime position behind goal for the ‘Bates
Out’ banner and Robbie Rogers’ refusal to pose with it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88VhyphenhyphendAI09BrkINyB8rQSl6N1ZiFyARC0EEeJcr4ks5eQmL8FwvOVWNMQGixVMz9J-gW355jOiagw8GFGSTDKyir-ICpuhvAiPuHh6EfejSuJWm2ipFeXEi86wOtGZAZHHB2fo-4e_Rc/s1600/Bodmin+KO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88VhyphenhyphendAI09BrkINyB8rQSl6N1ZiFyARC0EEeJcr4ks5eQmL8FwvOVWNMQGixVMz9J-gW355jOiagw8GFGSTDKyir-ICpuhvAiPuHh6EfejSuJWm2ipFeXEi86wOtGZAZHHB2fo-4e_Rc/s640/Bodmin+KO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A spot in front of
the fence but behind the goal also became the perfect place from which to
launch the “Andy’s going grey” chant, and for one of the party, a certain Matty
Powell, to score a goal during the game, relieving the Bodmin keeper of the ball
as he lined up a goal kick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRp8-3_Ai-cSQxt0_J_ee45yS1MBbm5fSTwO4jMzGIO3f8xCMnVrfOZSgdmnopJg_BZeATSiiQuAl4XWTsfj6f5_91fA0oYE_tLxyL2l6up1lUkIvpnhXt8B3QFNuJk5yaeSOUD5dfPdg/s1600/Bod2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRp8-3_Ai-cSQxt0_J_ee45yS1MBbm5fSTwO4jMzGIO3f8xCMnVrfOZSgdmnopJg_BZeATSiiQuAl4XWTsfj6f5_91fA0oYE_tLxyL2l6up1lUkIvpnhXt8B3QFNuJk5yaeSOUD5dfPdg/s640/Bod2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The post-pub journey home was certainly interesting. A
seemingly short walk into town left a degree of misplaced confidence, fuelled
rather by excessive alcohol consumption, about making the return also on foot. I would say walking 4 miles on
predominantly unlit 60 mph ‘A’ roads at 11.30 is quite an experience, but
compared to the final mile on tiny country lanes in thick mist, that was
nothing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Thursday 26<sup>th</sup> July </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The one football free day, so time to hit the road and
six destinations to do in 12 hours! First up Penzance, a bit like every seaside
town used to be like in the 1980s (minus the raw sewage on the beaches back
then), but with lots of pirate stuff. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0votXsH_eHLMs2DLzq55yOik4T_V4VPNIZKExTW_vhyphenhyphenAsB5LkkEcafTGMs93JMhAz3ASupGFy0cK-Cs_Fovt4Tkp2JR74j33h1gGq2zzjqIZ0VCIFogxVGpZJyMr-ThioFCHo0MI6Ne4/s1600/Penzance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0votXsH_eHLMs2DLzq55yOik4T_V4VPNIZKExTW_vhyphenhyphenAsB5LkkEcafTGMs93JMhAz3ASupGFy0cK-Cs_Fovt4Tkp2JR74j33h1gGq2zzjqIZ0VCIFogxVGpZJyMr-ThioFCHo0MI6Ne4/s640/Penzance.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To immerse myself in the history of the
place I thought it only fair to call at one of the genuine pirate pubs; very
authentic it was too, very convincing decor…shame about the Dirty Dancing
soundtrack on the jukebox.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C_hF6rTulUVWI0n0F6SMKwxQVHs76kYz89UX8zoK4-OaorKhUm92KA_NUGUIb3bM3ESxXiE5FlC_QALcv9HXFZO_SVdpxwbqqv_GjlgnpwctgBcdW_fO-2A2JvHQm0XUNlk71l0Vikw/s1600/Porthcurno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C_hF6rTulUVWI0n0F6SMKwxQVHs76kYz89UX8zoK4-OaorKhUm92KA_NUGUIb3bM3ESxXiE5FlC_QALcv9HXFZO_SVdpxwbqqv_GjlgnpwctgBcdW_fO-2A2JvHQm0XUNlk71l0Vikw/s640/Porthcurno.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next to Porthcurno, a tiny place that’s essentially a
handful of buildings, a couple of beaches…oh, and an open air theatre, carved
into the cliffs!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsikGjIbDiDM1SpaLvsW9vpxMz_THizXMXfGcjbGjuxAtClSoR4eiC66Ko_0V8Sq2blNY5AuRyKuaojMRZBQ1qMNG5VqoA4oVMbbP584lag2CW98_RBNBChyx1egF5NHclLWYPA0o_xM/s1600/PorthcurnoMinack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsikGjIbDiDM1SpaLvsW9vpxMz_THizXMXfGcjbGjuxAtClSoR4eiC66Ko_0V8Sq2blNY5AuRyKuaojMRZBQ1qMNG5VqoA4oVMbbP584lag2CW98_RBNBChyx1egF5NHclLWYPA0o_xM/s640/PorthcurnoMinack.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The beaches are quite possibly the best in the country
and the theatre so stunning I even found myself wanting to stay longer through
a production of ‘Romeo & Juliet’, even if a ginger bloke in a polo shirt
who resembled Ron Weasley was playing the male lead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nyuAQLgVfZZJNGvUeccKF-QRCUHbohTiFfMeDAbKN1VahO35HRxR86lBGWhDZsunQVx2w9B8eyd9MiEZQrLwE7vy_cKW12-6VjUZmtIiWWZpqZZVrYycMJQDSahVqkHPS5DVEtKmYg8/s1600/Lands+End.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nyuAQLgVfZZJNGvUeccKF-QRCUHbohTiFfMeDAbKN1VahO35HRxR86lBGWhDZsunQVx2w9B8eyd9MiEZQrLwE7vy_cKW12-6VjUZmtIiWWZpqZZVrYycMJQDSahVqkHPS5DVEtKmYg8/s640/Lands+End.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Land’s End was what it said on the tin…the land kinda
ended. It was noticeable, the scenery aside for seemingly concentrating every
bit of tackiness I’d witnessed in Cornwall, compressed into the area of the
courtyard. Sennen sat just a mile’s walk along the coastal path, offering a
huge beach and ice cream to die for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1UAZYmesoIPDChYVwp5itFg_ef2kKx5X1slsb3lU4Ry6lRp9urKx5BoNrZsMGsc6vEaNp2jlDW_aMnAb9r0nmkDOIRzh1wds9_g4HfyMDkdD_-T0t4mpM9vG1E2EByz3YcxMobNC088/s1600/St+Ives3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1UAZYmesoIPDChYVwp5itFg_ef2kKx5X1slsb3lU4Ry6lRp9urKx5BoNrZsMGsc6vEaNp2jlDW_aMnAb9r0nmkDOIRzh1wds9_g4HfyMDkdD_-T0t4mpM9vG1E2EByz3YcxMobNC088/s640/St+Ives3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">North then to St Ives…you know the score by now – stunning harbour,
fabulous beaches... oh and lots of seals in the harbour too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The evening finished with a dash further north to catch
the sunset at Perranporth (another twitter tip) and a drink at a bar
offering the best sea view of all (and there’s been some competition); the
Waterhole on the beach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvy_7pDL0J_98HidhFNB7x7lv10rdsFclv2CGCQoTnt7fSXPgj8e_OaVU4C6egt8qyTGYwf5DKKpO50UuEicGTTYUMNlhSdxd4e4HDcLuTSOCRlpddB-DovvtIlHq7Jn8nqcilmXfcmo/s1600/IMG_2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvy_7pDL0J_98HidhFNB7x7lv10rdsFclv2CGCQoTnt7fSXPgj8e_OaVU4C6egt8qyTGYwf5DKKpO50UuEicGTTYUMNlhSdxd4e4HDcLuTSOCRlpddB-DovvtIlHq7Jn8nqcilmXfcmo/s640/IMG_2020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m not sure there’s a better drinking experience to be
found anywhere on these shores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Friday 27<sup>th</sup> July</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Farewell Cornwall, hello Devon, good afternoon Torquay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8JRA4buoGPOs3gxZcFD1RULQKtyzpIGlYSmx-BbYbeNNYeginoaYFirb0AIbr6mTxdwwK8cGsfN0QhaeZzKU7IdSuOYSbukjINYyl08jHSkkY9VeBqXYA5GPwzL4moJONXzzo-6QXRI/s1600/Tor+Bal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8JRA4buoGPOs3gxZcFD1RULQKtyzpIGlYSmx-BbYbeNNYeginoaYFirb0AIbr6mTxdwwK8cGsfN0QhaeZzKU7IdSuOYSbukjINYyl08jHSkkY9VeBqXYA5GPwzL4moJONXzzo-6QXRI/s640/Tor+Bal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s hard to develop an accurate impression of a seaside town
when 90% of conscious time there is spent either in the pub or at the football,
though it did strike me as a place where a variety of folk visit to holiday and
where the elderly move to die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aL0rCcQv-jp8STwv5qdZSSCqnrm2awKvicMmtqB4Vc18v3fJbsthUYbtUzGvc25fdcO1V1IEgpq0aTbJ2q6jIWj2RjE4LbQMy9EOf13CtF2U_pX1TXKi6KFGFtTDALnLk56Vj_7mUHA/s1600/Tor+shopmo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aL0rCcQv-jp8STwv5qdZSSCqnrm2awKvicMmtqB4Vc18v3fJbsthUYbtUzGvc25fdcO1V1IEgpq0aTbJ2q6jIWj2RjE4LbQMy9EOf13CtF2U_pX1TXKi6KFGFtTDALnLk56Vj_7mUHA/s640/Tor+shopmo.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There were certainly plenty of elderly around the harbour
area where the latest Wetherspoon’s to play host to LUFC was positioned. As the
fans chanted down from the balcony, ridiculing a Liverpool fan, an old dear in
front of me was heard to say to her husband, “Look at them lot! Football
hooligans; wankers the lot of them”… bless the older generation! It does appear that the
coffin dodgers in Torquay are quite anarchic though as one shopmobility scooter
riding Scum supporter proved, riding back and forth, air horn in hand, below the Leeds fans in an
attempt to goad them. Eventually the beer showered down on him, but he still
came back for more. Only when the police stepped in to caution him for driving
the wrong way up the dual-carriageway did he relent. Apparently, according to
one officer, he’s a local eccentric and “a pain in the arse!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mi2PJXZpWaI2GWFksIAm2qUOp3Mt-QHweZaoqgbp1aWVeCQeEiE846IVvZzX5m94cZDvThvz7daG-5wBIuErPoYsFcF4W9DUp6TnES0GF7XNTNgJRUbawE9Tmvnu-fQfrnSmo6v4gCA/s1600/Tor+Sheik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mi2PJXZpWaI2GWFksIAm2qUOp3Mt-QHweZaoqgbp1aWVeCQeEiE846IVvZzX5m94cZDvThvz7daG-5wBIuErPoYsFcF4W9DUp6TnES0GF7XNTNgJRUbawE9Tmvnu-fQfrnSmo6v4gCA/s640/Tor+Sheik.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sheikhs were again in attendance as the songs rang out
across the seafront, “Paddy Kenny’s having a party, bring your vodka and your charlie”
seemingly another newly established favourite. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4Afo4qJgwyp-NVksflPY09OjtF5P6H_RlK6P0f5Els-OlpKF9sM6aFouKTGQe8rQqV5Zam3NklERdxR6mcWRbNLaokvfT4szKL9frRfQ5_NEIyTWG17geMNDMk4g5OPseZ-eSrUx6Tk/s1600/Tor+Plain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4Afo4qJgwyp-NVksflPY09OjtF5P6H_RlK6P0f5Els-OlpKF9sM6aFouKTGQe8rQqV5Zam3NklERdxR6mcWRbNLaokvfT4szKL9frRfQ5_NEIyTWG17geMNDMk4g5OPseZ-eSrUx6Tk/s640/Tor+Plain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As with everywhere else, the
police were very friendly, one copper even helping to take down the ‘Bates Out’ banner on
the bridge, while another helped Jo to put it up by the corner flag at Plainmoor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA01JAIkSeg8XZ7ZaNIQSdAWEGyslHlvkB8eOl_djg5GvDvBxHeCjUHBhFIqpOPXpaFnpZaTdN1FaVpgMzQRDkgW-c_0BRKTpzR5uSRuFUJDNR-ACaEtxke9MGYVUBOEGuu3dGjyZnztQ/s1600/Tor+Fans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA01JAIkSeg8XZ7ZaNIQSdAWEGyslHlvkB8eOl_djg5GvDvBxHeCjUHBhFIqpOPXpaFnpZaTdN1FaVpgMzQRDkgW-c_0BRKTpzR5uSRuFUJDNR-ACaEtxke9MGYVUBOEGuu3dGjyZnztQ/s640/Tor+Fans.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The fans were in particularly good voice in the stadium –
they had to be as they accounted for roughly three-quarters of the crowd – and after
two fine strikes by Ross put Leeds in the driving seat, found the best way of
keeping themselves entertained was chanting at each other in the adjacent
stands. “Your support is f**king shit”, “Who the f**king hell are you?”, “2-0
and you still don’t sing” and the like finally giving way to a succession of
Mexican waves that eventually took in the whole stadium.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsskl6HNl0Vd76P8jc0El9xfa2tKuJGjr8UkMCoNw7a9WybucT3YAqZWkuNzaVptKo8a0Qj5pcvnFmykertlqO9xfgREx8V1hEg91vPTFnfjJ891Si90DgxRPRMkPNfJvFWkY_GW_vgI/s1600/Tor+1st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsskl6HNl0Vd76P8jc0El9xfa2tKuJGjr8UkMCoNw7a9WybucT3YAqZWkuNzaVptKo8a0Qj5pcvnFmykertlqO9xfgREx8V1hEg91vPTFnfjJ891Si90DgxRPRMkPNfJvFWkY_GW_vgI/s640/Tor+1st.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">During a more even second half, focus shifted to the
famously touted barbecue at the manager’s house. “We’re having a party at Warnock’s
house” was followed by a succession of chants that embraced an entire menu
including, sausages and burgers, jelly and ice cream, Yorkshire puddings and
so on; the chant then progressed to a sleepover, prostitutes… this could be the new “We
all love Leeds”!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZM3_2Seu41DvJbGFz5Xn11S6HmHGIXG5rWTK29cH8x1GOfXfkQiv9jGkGl8GjayZTP9my_JPDF4OqXr5adhVcdethe4XHsJk5a5w46WgJPv411MraFgIl595XZRXrYjnJExvs7GbtIg/s1600/Tor+2nd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZM3_2Seu41DvJbGFz5Xn11S6HmHGIXG5rWTK29cH8x1GOfXfkQiv9jGkGl8GjayZTP9my_JPDF4OqXr5adhVcdethe4XHsJk5a5w46WgJPv411MraFgIl595XZRXrYjnJExvs7GbtIg/s640/Tor+2nd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The remainder of the evening was spent at the other
harbour side Wetherspoon’s (the one that doesn’t suddenly employ a dress code
at dusk) watching the Olympics opening ceremony; it was a truly remarkable
production, although you always felt that the sight of Ben Fry in a Macron
jacket could’ve somehow taken it up another level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Saturday 28<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A time for a full English and a walk around Torquay to
reflect/sober up ahead of the drive home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3SPs4T6UAoLOFW6IU1i3XdZbb3mM4djkQjLPUlKpbm7IJYaIN8wSeMHzUCaEyvQ4Go_S6kLauPjg7zDhyphenhyphenbS_xBGFFDhuQxAyumGzL4JJn626z1kZIv0EIDhwC58_5WcTWQntmT64Zpo/s1600/Tor+Morn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3SPs4T6UAoLOFW6IU1i3XdZbb3mM4djkQjLPUlKpbm7IJYaIN8wSeMHzUCaEyvQ4Go_S6kLauPjg7zDhyphenhyphenbS_xBGFFDhuQxAyumGzL4JJn626z1kZIv0EIDhwC58_5WcTWQntmT64Zpo/s640/Tor+Morn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In honesty it was a fantastic trip, one I’d happily take
every summer. Off the pitch, the police, the stewards and the pubs (bar the
Nazis at Wetherspoon’s Head Office) have all been superb while the support have
taken every opportunity to make them seen and heard, all WITHOUT pissing off
anyone in the process – result!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As for what I’ve learned about the players? Well probably
not as much as I may have done sober, but Ashdown looks a very solid back-up
keeper (though be aware, so did Rachubka at this stage), Paul Green has fared
better than expected, Michael Brown is actually playing well, Aidy White can
actually do something with the ball other than run with it, while Dominic
Poleon put in some very decent cameos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarLg_A-9WAA5uDIehSw1kIZUVQSMrzL4DhosHVlOvu6KoGVFHavOB7FxlniBGO233K3yCFRh8xcTpw95HmpwjTq6RpDOb1eRl87jjjF1OPnK4KNz9xkoH3qx7NjHslsPCUpVbeLp2hXo/s1600/Thornysun2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarLg_A-9WAA5uDIehSw1kIZUVQSMrzL4DhosHVlOvu6KoGVFHavOB7FxlniBGO233K3yCFRh8xcTpw95HmpwjTq6RpDOb1eRl87jjjF1OPnK4KNz9xkoH3qx7NjHslsPCUpVbeLp2hXo/s640/Thornysun2.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Off the pitch, only one piece of advice – remember the
sun cream kids!!</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-34623128037294987512012-07-22T09:08:00.000+01:002012-07-22T09:08:24.170+01:00110 Days of Torture in Review: Week 12<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finally football is back to distract the masses from the
all-consuming TOMA fever that's been common in every little corner of the planet that is forever Leeds. That’s not to say that all takeover talk has ceased; TOMA is
after all, the thread that NEVER sleeps; the impending arrival of the 50,000</span><sup style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
post and 3,500,000</span><sup style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> stand testament to that – you notice I didn’t
use the word ‘imminent’ then? I thought it insensitive to do so in the current climate
where its repeated use is driving us all to despair… oh, but wait; I have
mentioned now in making a point that I won’t mention it! Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck,
fuck, FUCK!!!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As per usual, despite the conjecture, little in the way of
new, ground breaking information has emerged from the depths of that ever
growing malaise of intelligent second guessing, tantalising hints from more
learned individuals and the remaining 99% of bollocks contained with. That
said, as always, there are highlights to be had if you delve deeply enough;
this week’s being a three-page long diversion discussing the emotional impact
of dog’s death…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzAyxvPByhWH2PRxtWZshJHKd2CYWti2INEkQE3eXMl1Jq1q0VK2ZHPUuzLmgqYPRRODBFNi2cxsh55S6DHDDtZg4R0IA9mSdLEyqRSBQD9WKrvDoZ_OYp63q7XPrem5oO3ZUVCJ4fgY/s1600/arab-bates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzAyxvPByhWH2PRxtWZshJHKd2CYWti2INEkQE3eXMl1Jq1q0VK2ZHPUuzLmgqYPRRODBFNi2cxsh55S6DHDDtZg4R0IA9mSdLEyqRSBQD9WKrvDoZ_OYp63q7XPrem5oO3ZUVCJ4fgY/s640/arab-bates.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Admit it, we've all had the same dream...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, back to the football, as the more I think about
TOMA, the more I doubt myself and the more I torture my mind with visions that
Bates has come up with yet another elaborate ruse to keep hold of the seat of
power in LS11…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Monday 16<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Adam Drury eases the PR burden shouldered by Jason Pearce
and Tom Lees by trotting out a few token clichés about the toughness of
pre-season training, remarkably finding that there’s a ‘feelgood factor’ around
Thorp Arch where the “great set of lads” he’s getting to know are “absolutely
buzzing” about the new season in prospect – delivered like a true pro Adam,
delivered like a true pro…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkh376k3_fogwlKEeZbyasEAvy0ar8VK2PlmzS3EOMRHsdkpRUTH8HcXcj9CJvLnF8M-1VvVNTCvF9_BkrZzHkXG7b_FbX2Ey5fHNIxUCEk2ciz4LIuxiGP2wIw2E8EBsld_3ZzpUWPo/s1600/6646663021_b425b9c1dd_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkh376k3_fogwlKEeZbyasEAvy0ar8VK2PlmzS3EOMRHsdkpRUTH8HcXcj9CJvLnF8M-1VvVNTCvF9_BkrZzHkXG7b_FbX2Ey5fHNIxUCEk2ciz4LIuxiGP2wIw2E8EBsld_3ZzpUWPo/s640/6646663021_b425b9c1dd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Plainmoor: Temporary home to 2000 Leeds fans...and not a single one more!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While uncertainty continues to surround the club, it’s
reassuring to know that the official site is trying its upmost to relieve the
tension with the odd humorous story; today they report an update regarding the
Torquay game, stating that new arrangements have been put in place for visiting
supporters. The changes have been made as a result of the decision to release 500 extra
tickets to Leeds fans after the original allocation of 1500 tickets sold out “incredibly
quickly”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The piece starts…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>“Torquay are expecting over 2000 Leeds fans for the
pre-season game at Plainmoor on Friday, July 27<sup>th</sup> and ticketing
arrangements have been adjusted to meet the requirements of both Torquay and
Leeds supporters”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, I think we can all rest assured that no Leeds
supporters exist who will have bought tickets in the Torquay end, or will turn
up on the evening trying to do so… The fools, the naïve fools!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Tuesday 17<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The club confirm the departure of Andy Lonergan to Bolton
Wanderers. Lonners hopes to challenge for the number 1 shirt at the Reebok
Stadium and make it his own; we can only hope that for the sake of our
promotion prospects, he succeeds. Neil Warnock confirms that the move leaves
Paul Rachubka as the only experienced back-up at the club…and is even quicker
to confirm that he’ll be looking to get in alternative experienced back-up.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Huddersfield Town up the ante in the race for Lee Peltier by
offering Leicester a deal thought to be potentially worth £650,000, the sort of
fee unheard of in these parts since the days that Kevin Nicholls roamed the
land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc69iAKdiOsMuId1r1wjW1oW9UTS0BQet7URvVXiKlh89YedaLyuB32ZsdwHIrK2caKlkOAaYjPszUoklgp5Uo1GZhavoYdS1TGRE6Jqs0uoLbmahXw_Y4DM4y9g9pQEbztBEVDkoecdo/s1600/Snod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc69iAKdiOsMuId1r1wjW1oW9UTS0BQet7URvVXiKlh89YedaLyuB32ZsdwHIrK2caKlkOAaYjPszUoklgp5Uo1GZhavoYdS1TGRE6Jqs0uoLbmahXw_Y4DM4y9g9pQEbztBEVDkoecdo/s640/Snod.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With a face like that he might just fit in at Carrow Road...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A far bigger story concerns a fresh bid from Norwich City to
lure Robert Snodgrass to Carrow Road; the offer is quickly dismissed but a
second offer would seem inevitable. The biggest question concerns whether Paul
Lambert will also enter the race, now he’s at Aston Villa; the prospect of a
two-way battle is an intriguing one. It has all the hallmarks of a child
custody case, rather like ‘Kramer vs Kramer’, for those familiar with the 80s
Oscar winning film. On one side, there’s the motherly Paul Lambert, he’s always
been there for his beloved Leeds players, always keeping an eye on them and
making them feel special, and now he wants to be the sole guardian of little
Snoddy. On the other side stands Chris Hughton, the stereotypical absent
father, who suddenly, after spending his days relentlessly pursuing career
progression, has devoted a bit of time to ‘Wee Bob’ (in my mind, he’s given him a pet name)
and found himself smitten; he’s even taught him to make what is just <i>the</i> best French toast…and
now he can’t face life without him either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the film, the mother wins, but then realises in the end,
that the child’s home is now with his dad – make of that, what you will…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Wednesday 18<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The club proudly announce that UAP TradeLocks are to be the
new sponsors of the South Stand. Amidst all the corporate spiel in the official
announcement, it is revealed that:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>“UAP TradeLocks is a UK based company with an unsurpassable
reputation for product quality and innovation. The company prides itself on providing
quality products at quality prices”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6c046hfLVH7Ghh7bOECihWrYnBqb0-Cn-4RA67kHjgXocjHsl7EnqbzejOl8ktEFRgdFWE6p2H331uCRHIHnuDUv4JMSycOrw9lxk7kbalwd3UuGZ3V4UrW1GK60DipcJqg1vICZhGI/s1600/UAP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6c046hfLVH7Ghh7bOECihWrYnBqb0-Cn-4RA67kHjgXocjHsl7EnqbzejOl8ktEFRgdFWE6p2H331uCRHIHnuDUv4JMSycOrw9lxk7kbalwd3UuGZ3V4UrW1GK60DipcJqg1vICZhGI/s640/UAP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Doesn't quite have the same cache as The Lurpak Stand!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Credit to Shaun Harvey for sealing the deal – I’ve no idea
where he began to find any common ground during negotiations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another quality arrival at Elland Road promises to be
Rodolph Austin. In the YEP, ex-United star and team mate of Rodolph, Eirik
Bakke adds to the hype, suggesting:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>“He will suit Leeds perfectly. Leeds fans want players who
give their all every match and he does that. He’s never injured and he is a
very good player… As a player, he has pace and is a really strong tackler. He
does a lot of the DIRTY work…”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ok, stop right there Eirik! You had me at ‘dirty’ Eirik, you
had me at ‘dirty’…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Thursday 19<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The YEP report that SK Brann expect to resolve the future of
future Leeds cult hero, footballer of the year and statue commemorated superman,
Rodolph Austin to be resolved by the weekend. Monday week is tentatively
pencilled in for a Bank Holiday in Beeston.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCecE1OxHerjo5LLk7UydRsIacf8G0rba8RUggBUK3zobP52rVvS-HaFsWLXX615RkRGIKo6FBK4FAYvWJXx0yqckRUwgT6Q-pyF1PtNSaqucw1ghm7LQzQWBoc9yrIbS3wbOExZifTw/s1600/rodolph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCecE1OxHerjo5LLk7UydRsIacf8G0rba8RUggBUK3zobP52rVvS-HaFsWLXX615RkRGIKo6FBK4FAYvWJXx0yqckRUwgT6Q-pyF1PtNSaqucw1ghm7LQzQWBoc9yrIbS3wbOExZifTw/s640/rodolph.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">En route to pick up his Nobel Prize...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Back in TOMA territory, a potentially significant
development is uncovered on WACCOE as Leeds United register a new company,
Leeds United Vision. On further investigation it is found that just prior to
the formation of Leeds United Vision, Leeds United TV was also registered with
Company House. The implications of the move are unclear, though many speculate
that the moves have made to smooth over the final stages of the acquisition
process, potentially destroying my dreams that the Chuckle Brothers were
going to take over the running of LUTV. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Friday 20<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The latest “nailed on” takeover announcement passes with no
more than a collective sigh and shrug of the shoulders, but thankfully there
are numerous other titbits to feed from today. The big news is that Aidy White
has had an about turn and will be signing a new 3 year deal at the club… with an
improved offer for Snodgrass on the table from Norwich, the more cynical Leeds
fans half expect stories of a late withdrawal from tonight’s game at Throstle
Nest with a rather convenient ‘strain’ injury to follow – I don’t know what’s up
with us! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A Snodgrass deprived Leeds team triumph 5-2 in a game of two
teams; the first XI storming to a 3-0 half-time lead, the youth team/rejects XI
sharing 4 goals in the second period. A slightly more detailed account can be
found <a href="http://ken-demange.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/farsley-2-leeds-united-5.html"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Good news too for those who insist on having a replica shirt
that’s a complete reproduction of the first team kit as a new batch of shirts
arrive in the club shop, adorned with our secondary sponsor’s name. Any Leeds
fans who’ve been desperate to have the word ‘iLuv’ plastered over your bottoms –
time to fill your boots… just be careful that’s the only thing you have filled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0s1Sv25o1tr4664s2UdJXcmir7aDgheuGoONvDKKtQFMbOba_fbeopthWl8FxUi0oKgEZYfGKlpX_H-VpUqkoVgTQrXenvynXPv5fsA010LhvhVH7j8YoGWpIgjqg1hi9a16dvNBE6k/s1600/Tavis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0s1Sv25o1tr4664s2UdJXcmir7aDgheuGoONvDKKtQFMbOba_fbeopthWl8FxUi0oKgEZYfGKlpX_H-VpUqkoVgTQrXenvynXPv5fsA010LhvhVH7j8YoGWpIgjqg1hi9a16dvNBE6k/s640/Tavis.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Serving the cheapest beer in town from noon - be prepared!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">More details are also made available about Monday’s friendly
with Tavistock. The clubhouse will be open from midday and will be selling
drinks and pasties from then; confounding lazy stereotypes about locals being
insular, burgers, hotdogs and chips will also be available from 2pm. The
revelation that the clubhouse offers pool, darts and a TV sets the venue some
way above Billy’s Bar, whilst the statement that it sells the cheapest beer in
town can only be asking for trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Saturday 21<sup>st</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aidy White confirms his future is with Leeds by signing a
new 3 year contract. Neil Warnock reveals that in the end, the ‘pull’ of Leeds
United was the decisive factor in Aidy’s decision; whether the ‘push’ of Derby
County played some role in making his mind up in another matter entirely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpjudtdT437SEI_BXZZZrVdn6Ck0RoTbiiUf8n6vUdHgNuaALD6-yq2v2vbOQZezKex5gzVeJf4S6sgLwF0JUadrAh5_cWWQgJ3HT80CUc4SgzUtQIruZV8DiZOXaususi2KEnIHy308/s1600/Duchy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpjudtdT437SEI_BXZZZrVdn6Ck0RoTbiiUf8n6vUdHgNuaALD6-yq2v2vbOQZezKex5gzVeJf4S6sgLwF0JUadrAh5_cWWQgJ3HT80CUc4SgzUtQIruZV8DiZOXaususi2KEnIHy308/s640/Duchy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Don't pass the Duchy...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Back to the imminent…oh bollocks, sorry, upcoming tour of
Cornwall, and the club confirm that the open day for Leeds fans to come and
watch a training session will take place on the Tuesday. The venue is question
is Duchy College, Stoke Climsland. It is highly recommended that supporters
program the address into their sat navs, otherwise they may drive along, blissfully
unaware as they pass the Duchy on the left hand side – seriously, what other
blog can offer you Musical Youth based puns?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Sunday 22<sup>nd</sup> July</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have no idea if anything of significance has happened
today as I’m writing this entry from the distant past (Saturday evening, with
the aid of wine); it’s a necessary act as by the time I tweet the link to this
I’ll be on route to Bodmin. If you catch this mid-morning, chances are I might
be in the Waitrose at Hopwood Park Services, hoping to track down another bag
of those beef and horseradish flavour savoury mix, party snack type thingies,
if it’s around lunchtime then maybe I’ll be at the Michael Wood Services KFC…anyway,
you get the general idea!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4CDI_rVrUmhMOYl1YiVZCjhgtHT14BWGg2Uy5b9l9mg5q3X0SI_YJjErs_88c_vqiWYeVm0JQ8VbdJShikI0lm_hmZOmR4el1HxbyjsF19ENwWWxtyOytOla5SsIiQznRNFehBF_oGQ/s1600/Beef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4CDI_rVrUmhMOYl1YiVZCjhgtHT14BWGg2Uy5b9l9mg5q3X0SI_YJjErs_88c_vqiWYeVm0JQ8VbdJShikI0lm_hmZOmR4el1HxbyjsF19ENwWWxtyOytOla5SsIiQznRNFehBF_oGQ/s640/Beef.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Recommended!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With that in mind, I should warn you that next week’s review
takes a mildly radical departure towards the tried and trusted ‘tour diary’ format.
I can only promise that superfluous junk food references will be kept to an
absolute minimum!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-76855651230413157222012-07-21T14:02:00.002+01:002012-07-21T14:18:36.025+01:00Farsley 2 Leeds United 5<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Why is it that everything about Leeds United is seemingly
anchored in the notion of “slow arousal”? When Bates first penned this immortal
phrase in his programme notes in reference to the rebuilding process at Elland
Road, it was reluctantly accepted that under his reign, this represented the
best case scenario supporters could hope for. Then suddenly, back in May, a ray
of light – TOMA!...</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Suddenly Leeds fans the world over, cast aside thoughts of
painfully slow progress (if we were lucky) and were ready to jump straight from
the initial metaphorical cock teasing stage to the moment of full on release,
ready to shower the rest of the footballing world with the sticky residue of
hope, joy and glory… except it hasn’t happened. Having suffered over 7 years of
almost unbroken footballing flaccidity under Ken, we’re now heading towards our
ninth week of a painfully extended takeover foreplay period, as we STILL wait
on news of his departure – even f**king Sting, employing all his yoga skills,
would struggle to keep his pecker up for this long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABIYQzQPT7Nc0W54OGQH6pYs7RSLefY53LCPKM0vTTFeEdMyxUEnSPTNkwY6fCXuOwoXQcBhPSfJWBfHS9tgrvrT8Mgngrn5mnxwrAkleWlVWkCG1FL3N8F_m3SiugDSuSpUIcBG_QBM/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABIYQzQPT7Nc0W54OGQH6pYs7RSLefY53LCPKM0vTTFeEdMyxUEnSPTNkwY6fCXuOwoXQcBhPSfJWBfHS9tgrvrT8Mgngrn5mnxwrAkleWlVWkCG1FL3N8F_m3SiugDSuSpUIcBG_QBM/s640/IMG_1149.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This used to be all fields, you know...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So thank God for the return of the actual football to
provide a little light relief; hell, I was even feeling quite well disposed
toward the prospect of seeing Danny Pugh again last night, even if it was only because
he was guaranteed to provide me with an alternative focus for frustration and despair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was fitting that the pre-season campaign should start
against Farsley, a club with which I’m sure Bates can wholly identify; they too lived
the dream, reaching for the stars in the dizzy heights of the Blue Square Conference, before crashing,
burning, liquidising and then resurrecting themselves in the Northern Counties East
League Premier Division; they too have sold off training pitches for
residential developments and possess a large corrugated hall/sports centre that masquerades
as conferencing venue; there are even whispers of a “One Team, One Village”
season ticket campaign…now if only they had any space to build a Travelodge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ahead of the game, spirits were good, helped no end by the freak
dry weather and the short queues at the bar in the sports hall; being charged
less than £3 for a pint at a Leeds game was certainly a novel experience too,
as was watching one worse for wear fan, attempting to have a piss in the communal
shower area in the changing rooms.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdvWtw1eZ1orJqeHVLKncEzdLZSDW2id_3-IUw2S2U72xkCgoFBbOGH29MwySNJSo-tQOx0OJG1AWPJn49_hcymKWHFV7nIITiA7PVD0pc5Tm8u9Ia43d7PgM1Hf6h1UAi7Jg87_PggM/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdvWtw1eZ1orJqeHVLKncEzdLZSDW2id_3-IUw2S2U72xkCgoFBbOGH29MwySNJSo-tQOx0OJG1AWPJn49_hcymKWHFV7nIITiA7PVD0pc5Tm8u9Ia43d7PgM1Hf6h1UAi7Jg87_PggM/s640/IMG_1156.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pre-game</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the build-up to kick-off, Farsley kindly obliged the visiting
support with a selection of tunes from the ‘Leeds United’s Greatest Hits’
album, albeit come 7.45pm the home team appeared a little less welcoming, intent
rather on kicking the shit out of anything that moved in a Leeds shirt. The aggression
for the most part, only lasted for the opening few minutes – it seems that’s another
thing Farsley and Leeds have in common.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DEpplGxVeOSAhuzeXNip_UDsINqWOZ5afyGOd-qAbsdSRayhRUD-HZC-c9hFJuSNaeiA3u1wusBwuR4RvkjPf1yK8SEW6RdEU4Xt3XjFmrkRqxDZzoC31rsfI2UYXB-vr0I7JInA-mw/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DEpplGxVeOSAhuzeXNip_UDsINqWOZ5afyGOd-qAbsdSRayhRUD-HZC-c9hFJuSNaeiA3u1wusBwuR4RvkjPf1yK8SEW6RdEU4Xt3XjFmrkRqxDZzoC31rsfI2UYXB-vr0I7JInA-mw/s640/IMG_1157.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">During the 'on top but not doing an awful lot' period of the game</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As the game settled down, Leeds took a grip of the proceedings and
comfortably controlled matters, though had little to show for it, other than a number
of Calverley-bound long range efforts on goal. The initial impressions of the new signings
were good; Kenny in truth had nothing to do, while Pearce and Crainie were also
relatively untroubled. I did like the look of Crainie though, even if it was
just because he bore a slight resemblance to a caveman, a bit like a better
groomed Olaf Mellberg, if you will. In the middle of the park, Paul Green
confounded expectations by looking relatively composed and offering a threat
going forward, while up front, Andy Gray capped a decent opening half hour by
sparking a sudden goal rush.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8tvu31-PVVqabIAlnqK5NfH4QhW6MYv10Y93cvJYmObJjsK6RUFZ94PPxMGpXzUxlMtWMHbiYqQLrLpRKsHenGMMT_EQ_y62ceBHQ9DqmLg7pr34aIHBv1ZYF-77y2APYT_lEImwUqE/s1600/Farsley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8tvu31-PVVqabIAlnqK5NfH4QhW6MYv10Y93cvJYmObJjsK6RUFZ94PPxMGpXzUxlMtWMHbiYqQLrLpRKsHenGMMT_EQ_y62ceBHQ9DqmLg7pr34aIHBv1ZYF-77y2APYT_lEImwUqE/s640/Farsley.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">SCORE!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gray’s first came on 31 minutes as he ran onto McCormack’s
slide-rule pass to loop the ball over the keeper from 14 yards. Ross then
nodded back a deep Tom Lees cross moments later for Gray to head home a second,
then on 36 McCormack again was involved (anyone would think he had a point to
prove), his clipped ball found Michael Brown, who picked out
therobbierogers.com who nodded in from close range – SCORE!! It was seminal evening for the American who was rocking the pirate look with a
degree joie de vivre; not only did he score, he survived an entire half on the
pitch and left without the aid of any medical staff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEia6Kh5VBASRHEGFkHxwbUdawSZ4SVsYgxu_ois-4YuZmoo8xFxffIZRWQCZ89ej_nrARYoWh4oXrfqxadM70GlN-dKXCR5YE3fnjjUSPhRjO0MvD14hg7fPWb0zbO5iF1vHDgDPBrQ/s1600/RR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEia6Kh5VBASRHEGFkHxwbUdawSZ4SVsYgxu_ois-4YuZmoo8xFxffIZRWQCZ89ej_nrARYoWh4oXrfqxadM70GlN-dKXCR5YE3fnjjUSPhRjO0MvD14hg7fPWb0zbO5iF1vHDgDPBrQ/s400/RR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This season's 'must have' pirate look</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was also a good night for Tom Lees who in his right-back
role appears to have re-discovered an ability to cross the ball that was last
in evidence, last August. Aidy White celebrated his realisation that no club is
going to pay £10k+ a week for a Forrest Gump clone with another stint on the
right side of midfield, and although he again offered little in the way of
product in the final third, at least his pace did attract one lunge that
sparked a chant “Same old Farsley, always cheating!”- Irony isn’t dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The queues for beer were rather longer in the sports hall
during the interval and for a passing moment at least, a degree of tension was
tangible as the pumps ran dry… cue the arrival of a local hero, appearing from
the fire door, stage right, with box upon box of cans, looted from the nearby
Asda store; cheers rightfully acknowledged his arrival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWe2Jx_7DQmWrurjO6v7x-dbVTcce8NRNJDX2nEPwOHTZrnNbyO8mNl9TDDHRKo5G6ZZgqC-oXULVyfRjCo2rERdGry4Vf5ASKa-cCacE77vOncwlg7rIaKqGFMXQMrH8GdWmNOvnCu1Q/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWe2Jx_7DQmWrurjO6v7x-dbVTcce8NRNJDX2nEPwOHTZrnNbyO8mNl9TDDHRKo5G6ZZgqC-oXULVyfRjCo2rERdGry4Vf5ASKa-cCacE77vOncwlg7rIaKqGFMXQMrH8GdWmNOvnCu1Q/s640/IMG_1150.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Farsley Sports Centre/Pavilion </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The second half held rather less interest than the first in
truth, in fact Warnock chose to bugger off minutes after the team talk, leaving
Ronnie Jepson to overlook a second eleven that were a mish-mash of youngsters
and some senior players who most supporters were hoping had departed by now.
That said, those who persevered were rewarded with another goal from Billy (let’s
just gloss over the misses) that came sandwiched between a weakly defended Farsley
effort from a corner and a rather better 25 yard second for the opposition; sadly for Farsley’s Ryan Watson, in the closing moments, Sanchez Payne found
himself channelling the spirit of Fabian Delph, cutting in from the touchline
and unleashing an unstoppable long range effort of his own into the bottom
corner – upstaged!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So one encouraging work-out down and now onwards to
Cornwall: will the torment of the takeover continue to drag on during our time
in the South West? We can only hope it doesn’t, but for however long it does,
the sentiments will remain the same…and courtesy of Mr ‘We Beat The Scum 1-0’s’
now infamous banner, the message will be there for all to see in Tavistock,
Bodmin and Torquay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgesBtziGM1rxr3AQvbcPPOb3qUAky8P4JszDjEuffrN687aGqcsCYzcknofH9sanH1N23vmbvr5jrcV1NiozhVSBKPBZ6OTkUoGl-sLo28ssEQ2l52ghnCbNHfkoW02SE-BkDClv-aYU/s1600/IMG_1166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgesBtziGM1rxr3AQvbcPPOb3qUAky8P4JszDjEuffrN687aGqcsCYzcknofH9sanH1N23vmbvr5jrcV1NiozhVSBKPBZ6OTkUoGl-sLo28ssEQ2l52ghnCbNHfkoW02SE-BkDClv-aYU/s640/IMG_1166.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cornwall bound...keep your eyes peeled!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I cannot help but think that I maybe should’ve removed it
from my window before falling asleep last night…then again, maybe I’m not the
only sickpot in the cul-de-sac? Heck! Let those neighbours talk! </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-29020758714093026272012-07-15T15:03:00.000+01:002012-07-15T15:33:45.952+01:00110 Days of Torture in Review: Week 11<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">TOMA fatigue has set in; with 45000 posts and over 3.1
million views, even the hardiest participants on WACCOE’s longest ever thread
have found their shift gazing towards the actual football. All credible
sources are staying silent while every other party who inspired belief among
the masses have now been dismissed as attention seeking honorary members of
‘Club ITK Bullshitters’. If we thought life under Bates with no glimmer of
escape was tough, it seems now that it’s the hope that really kills you.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKKVTdo-5DZ43qJoyjRaa04YhIEtGSFkn2HUhONRS-iCsM0L6tnWePj0mr5BQ9B_IIaXb2o8KHMkLYBmkeXvJcdlTi_lydWDSvEikb0wx7t7kvnhLG2idDMs78oJMSzJi9nKkky_SJmo/s1600/TOMA.jpg-large" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKKVTdo-5DZ43qJoyjRaa04YhIEtGSFkn2HUhONRS-iCsM0L6tnWePj0mr5BQ9B_IIaXb2o8KHMkLYBmkeXvJcdlTi_lydWDSvEikb0wx7t7kvnhLG2idDMs78oJMSzJi9nKkky_SJmo/s640/TOMA.jpg-large" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Courtesy of I R Leeds from WACCOE</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Still, this is the week that pre-season got underway, when football’s greatest love affair has been rekindled and a Norway based Jamaican
who nobody had heard of before Friday has been accredited with LUFC legend
status, so hopes are rekindled...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Roll on Farsley Celtic!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Monday 9<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s the week when pre-season is upon us and ahead of
preparations kicking-off on Wednesday, Neil Warnock offers some thoughts to the
official website. The boss has high expectations of his troops and reveals that
some have already returned ahead of the 11<sup>th</sup> July start date. As for
the rest of the players; he has no undue concerns regarding their levels of
professionalism:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Lads look after
themselves nowadays and so they should. It’s a different ball game to what it
what it used to be. We’ll look to have a good week’s training before we start
with the game at Farsley”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTJwxx7Z5oURJ1kMsCT-UQlckHh3jtynVXICIFU0wBj6NtLM6qadL-8gQvEWCA1D77rswHiYYMeCyUEXBW0KZ6YjqbAz6zWzsXDRm7Rghp7sM2oMH8JR7Cwxwytp4eQw3T5F4ATlQqg4/s1600/Paynter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTJwxx7Z5oURJ1kMsCT-UQlckHh3jtynVXICIFU0wBj6NtLM6qadL-8gQvEWCA1D77rswHiYYMeCyUEXBW0KZ6YjqbAz6zWzsXDRm7Rghp7sM2oMH8JR7Cwxwytp4eQw3T5F4ATlQqg4/s640/Paynter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Who ate all the hotdogs?...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The comments go some way towards putting to bed the
rumour that the hotdog man who’s been pedalling takeover rumours on twitter
was using Billy Paynter as his source. Meanwhile, the announcement that the
ticket office will be closed on Friday for a systems upgrade inevitably leads
to a new wave of TOMA conspiracy theories...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Tuesday 10<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Away from the madness of the present, time is taken to
pay tribute to the man who made Leeds United what it is; on what would’ve been
Don Revie’s 85<sup>th</sup> birthday, the official site pays the ultimate
tribute it can, by publishing a piece completely free of factual inaccuracies and
grammatical errors... a humbling epitaph indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvhwn3QoUFwEaDWBQn19D6ONdLMRQKDIgQdTBQPrcSP8LRS471oNB6URl0Wi1u1DAas0MqHLNQIIrVZG2XCKESS-v-iPV6k09n1RXf0DKbPBpLx8eZPYL41oxAky2WgA9P952KUV63XM/s1600/Don+Revie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvhwn3QoUFwEaDWBQn19D6ONdLMRQKDIgQdTBQPrcSP8LRS471oNB6URl0Wi1u1DAas0MqHLNQIIrVZG2XCKESS-v-iPV6k09n1RXf0DKbPBpLx8eZPYL41oxAky2WgA9P952KUV63XM/s640/Don+Revie.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gone but not forgotten...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another applaudable announcement is that of a freeze on
matchday ticket prices at Elland Road, ensuring that admission will be pegged
at ‘wholly excessive’ as opposed to ‘exorbitant in the extreme’ levels for the
coming 10 months. The seeming generosity of the board in making this gesture is
immediately undermined by the announcement that the season opener, the
lunchtime televised fixture Wolves will be a Category A game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Away from Elland Road, Alan Smith agrees to join MK Dons
on a 2 year deal, ensuring that after countless transfer windows spanning many
years, LUFC supporting keyboard warriors the world over, will have to find
another player to come to virtual fisticuffs over... it’s been emotional.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Wednesday 11<sup>th</sup> July</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finally, it’s back! Pre-season training commences; the
first sign of the impending new campaign is upon us, a chance to sample that
initial tingle of excitement as supporters are presented with an opportunity to
see the players, both new signings and old favourites, back on the training
pitches of Thorp Arch. New kits, new start, new season, new hope... this is
what we’ve been waiting for!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Imagine then the scenes across the four corners of the
globe when those first, hotly anticipated photos are posted on the website... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmC_e3v4TUlA1IYz0pByaaXNzh1puTuMVNaSKVWdDk-jy4dKhet5xZYVKPZReBYnQADvrINF6t-PAwt6KurM-hPQIrGd3kpC6P6GPNMno93LBsJ3eKo9gU3nhuhlLUNRLBYZMgitu2W8/s1600/Pre-season.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmC_e3v4TUlA1IYz0pByaaXNzh1puTuMVNaSKVWdDk-jy4dKhet5xZYVKPZReBYnQADvrINF6t-PAwt6KurM-hPQIrGd3kpC6P6GPNMno93LBsJ3eKo9gU3nhuhlLUNRLBYZMgitu2W8/s400/Pre-season.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Still here...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">... and the first shot is of Paul Connolly and Danny
Pugh! Reality check, anyone? Still, there are also shots of new signings, Jason
Pearce and Adam Drury to at least satiate the hunger for something positive to
cling on to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rather adding fuel to the optimism bonfire is the
announcement of Paddy Kenny’s arrival at Elland Road. Neil Warnock acknowledges
that Kenny’s arrival was one of the worst kept secrets in football, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“I don’t think you
can keep secrets at Elland Road. Somebody knows everything”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Does TOMA not ring a bell, Neil?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Regardless, Warnock’s joy at securing Kenny’s signature is indisputable and he proclaims the signing of the keeper to be “the most
important I’ll make while I’m at Leeds United” – Danny Webber is understood to
be distraught.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Warnock added that the club were continuing to “look all
over the place” as part of the recruitment drive; a tearful Glynn Williams is thought
to be locked in a dark room, scouring ‘Football Manager 2012’ database for
talent, day and night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6qNZ1acRYBLzCNkIfZQXEL99RmGGAwvryXuuDk9NNG2esHCrTkHNBC8qNaxSVm7c0X4Lwko7j5DmTVR86Kpond8VTS7sRqwfiCSUZb8qPOe1PXg5-cjjnWDEMWAdpJhWho16yoKnmqA/s1600/PKNWjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6qNZ1acRYBLzCNkIfZQXEL99RmGGAwvryXuuDk9NNG2esHCrTkHNBC8qNaxSVm7c0X4Lwko7j5DmTVR86Kpond8VTS7sRqwfiCSUZb8qPOe1PXg5-cjjnWDEMWAdpJhWho16yoKnmqA/s640/PKNWjpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Forever...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For his part, Paddy is equally delighted to seal his move
to Elland Road. His arrival marks a new chapter in one of football’s most
enduring love stories: following on from Bury, Sheffield United and QPR, Leeds
United represents the fourth club that Warnock has brought to Kenny to; the
pair seemingly inseperable - an all too rare, loving, father and son dynamic,
existing in an otherwise sadly, sentimentality starved business, the essence of
which was beautifully distilled into imagery by <a href="http://howsonisnow.com/"><span style="color: blue;">howsonisnow.com</span></a>...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For his part, Paddy says all the right things, ticking
off every cliché that any footballer joining a new club should adhere to; truly
a text book performance by our new ‘Number 1’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaYOuHrtIkiQJZ-aEWfL63eSNIhVD6CrPJh-6Ou3zz3bDioyjFNdUFK0c2K2zGot11r6WK8_7OkbvOdZl56eeSuBwKVooIT8NpmPHxJJ5ns_Cylbnoig7QVgFdr-gDxQIcRVa4y-3NY8/s1600/Cliche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaYOuHrtIkiQJZ-aEWfL63eSNIhVD6CrPJh-6Ou3zz3bDioyjFNdUFK0c2K2zGot11r6WK8_7OkbvOdZl56eeSuBwKVooIT8NpmPHxJJ5ns_Cylbnoig7QVgFdr-gDxQIcRVa4y-3NY8/s640/Cliche.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Full marks, Paddy!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s a day where exciting news just doesn’t relent as the
club also reveals a major overhaul for LUTV; promises are made of a whole raft
of new and exciting content, this includes more clips, interviews and behind
the scenes footage. Of more concern is the axing of the daily ‘We Are Leeds’
show – what is to become of Ben Fry?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another new feature to enhance the matchday experience is
the new ‘tunnel cam’; whether this new innovation is purely an initiative by
the club, or rather a collaboration with West Yorkshire police, with a keen eye
on El Hadji Diouf’s next visit is unclear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is also announced that Billy’s Bar and Howard’s
Restaurant will be closed over the weekend due to an “external event”. The
event in question is the annual Jehovah’s Witnesses’ convention – it seems that
even Ken Bates’ businesses can be disrupted by ‘Acts of God’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Thursday 12<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Neil Warnock confirms that Andy Gray has joined the club
on a two week trial, though is quick to dismiss notions that his presence will
automatically pave the way for a move. Talking further about the personnel
currently at Thorp Arch, a rag tag collection of first teamers, squad players, those
transfer listed, youth teamers and trialists; he labels them a “strange mix”...
shorthand doubtless, for there being a lot of shit still hanging around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihA57j-oGRY9JNFrjVVa5sxxs2pT2kbLq8TPnwyRoZvycC-h1VskWqDPzLyJ6Zx8430WxzoBDupvwvW6g1xxvlztWav5EF43tPisrdfUbfNbFW8eHyvjeiophaznOGQkQNMWY7vmyxpFY/s1600/Andy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihA57j-oGRY9JNFrjVVa5sxxs2pT2kbLq8TPnwyRoZvycC-h1VskWqDPzLyJ6Zx8430WxzoBDupvwvW6g1xxvlztWav5EF43tPisrdfUbfNbFW8eHyvjeiophaznOGQkQNMWY7vmyxpFY/s640/Andy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Customary ageing trialist</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He also mentions the departure of Adam Clayton to
Huddersfield, intimating that the ‘occasional action’ midfielder had secured
the contract he wanted at the Gapharm; that’ll be one that doesn’t truly
recognise his ability to influence games then...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Most disturbing revelation of the week is that the new
home and away shirts are also going to be available in ‘Bodyfit’ sizes. It’s
notable that the ‘Bodyfit’ shirts are priced £5 higher for adult sizes;
doubtless a small tax levied especially against those posers who want to make
fellow Leeds fans feel inadequate by finding a new vehicle through which to
flaunt their gym toned torsos. Thankfully it will equally serve to penalise
those who overdose on the pies but are curious enough afflict those around them
by trying out the new option. For once, I can only praise LUFC’s mercenary
approach... though maybe a £20 premium next season, eh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Friday 13<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Although not one governed by superstition, today sees a
number of stories break that suggest that today’s date has exerted a strange
influence over goings on...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="background-color: white;">Exhibit A </b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At the LUFC v West Yorkshire Police court case, Shaun
Harvey contests the requirement of the club to pay what he considers excessive
policing costs, citing the economic benefits the club brings to the local
economy. Added to the earlier contention that the risk levels attached to many
Leeds games are ridiculously exaggerated, there is a real possibility that our
CEO’s final act in charge may be to talk a degree of sense...hell, we might
even win a court case!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Exhibit B</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Harry Kewell is voted by an esteemed panel of 15,000
judges as the greatest Australian footballer of all time; plucked from a
shortlist that didn’t even feature Jacob Burns or Shane Candsell-Sheriff, the
crocked morality vacuum who’s spent the last few years of his career
underwhelming spectators in Turkey and Australia with his talent, somehow beat
Mark Viduka to the title. It is thought that the judges are also planning to
afford Peter Sutcliffe the title of ‘Greatest Living Yorkshireman’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Exhibit C</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczC8tlafvK9ziC-ZjFYjcgMGGA2JMuVUe1GVYtinVpbfCrqrEnbI4oBHL734SLSmaio6NELqA6NF4W7GcMzCpZSK5pScMJPDCdFbKhA5LDQBbAmDD8ozMMuC2u6Yivsc8n-RdQe7A-6E/s1600/Manchester+United+v+Leeds+United+FA+Cup+3rd+OHNIOheWti5l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczC8tlafvK9ziC-ZjFYjcgMGGA2JMuVUe1GVYtinVpbfCrqrEnbI4oBHL734SLSmaio6NELqA6NF4W7GcMzCpZSK5pScMJPDCdFbKhA5LDQBbAmDD8ozMMuC2u6Yivsc8n-RdQe7A-6E/s640/Manchester+United+v+Leeds+United+FA+Cup+3rd+OHNIOheWti5l.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">O<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ne of the videos Nayls should be digging out...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Richard Naylor returns to the club to gain experience as
a coach; he’ll be doing for it Redders as part of the youth set-up; it’s
unfortunate that those under his tutelage are probably too young to remember
his days as a solid defender. Best dig out the League One era videos...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Exhibit D</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Leeds table a bid for a player that is met with universal
approval; the player in question is Jamaican international, Rodolph Austin, a
defensive midfielder, built like several adjoining brick shithouses, and
possessing tackle reminiscent of David Batty. YouTube clips (the scouting tool
of choice for Leeds fans these days) and a cluster of rave reviews from
Scandanavian Whites elevates Rodolph to cult status within hours; by Friday
evening, the local Brann newspaper website is running a story about
#RodolphAustinfacts – a derivative of #Brownfacts which in turn was shamelessly
based on #ChuckNorrisfacts – trending on twitter. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgpToM5qsnDBpwnNBD7qrpeP9y-Tyju-iNq4PDmT-nQmvPAW-OiDRQfDW7prbS_F_JqY4rO2yGDS370Z9RSY7diJviZhAsTIcrcj1BBewQRK2Xe0Y3KpMgxFsREp83EfRgJoBgzgIZxg/s1600/Rodolph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgpToM5qsnDBpwnNBD7qrpeP9y-Tyju-iNq4PDmT-nQmvPAW-OiDRQfDW7prbS_F_JqY4rO2yGDS370Z9RSY7diJviZhAsTIcrcj1BBewQRK2Xe0Y3KpMgxFsREp83EfRgJoBgzgIZxg/s640/Rodolph.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He's Leeds, he just don't know he is...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Out of contract in December and as a result, currently
available for transfer at a price rumoured to be in the region of £350,000,
Rodolph seems too good to be true. While the current regime and Ipswich Town
still exist, that may yet prove to be the case.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>#prayforRodolph</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Elsewhere, after another TOMA speculation frenzy, Neil
Warnock appears on Sky Sports News and reveals exactly what could be
realistically expected about the takeover – absolutely nothing. Predictably the
textbook playing down of the situation is still enough to push some of the more
extreme victims of TOMA fever towards the Prozac.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Offering rather more excitement is serial twitter
bullshitter, @RyzinhoUK who assures all Leeds fans that the takeover would
definitely be confirmed by 9pm, otherwise he’d be deleting his account – he had
every right to be confident as THREE separate sources had confirmed as
much...nobody else has even managed to secure one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUaJS3KmGxUOhkPZqMWS4yGCMwjrholzg1z587Qz5-GVXgcIxdkJhTOanxe-QtrbYm4uh75r9QCiXrfkvaMfWrhhzslbudqP8QYU2wsQCGYlltWSNkuXQgreWKf3QXlVqqgcJB-mNEFA/s1600/Ryzinho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUaJS3KmGxUOhkPZqMWS4yGCMwjrholzg1z587Qz5-GVXgcIxdkJhTOanxe-QtrbYm4uh75r9QCiXrfkvaMfWrhhzslbudqP8QYU2wsQCGYlltWSNkuXQgreWKf3QXlVqqgcJB-mNEFA/s640/Ryzinho.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bullshitters beware!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Predictably, come 9pm nothing had happened and @RyzinhoUK
remains, albeit many of his followers don’t, while those that stick around,
mainly do so to articulate their ‘disappointment’ at his bullshit... some of it
isn’t pretty! The tweeter in question has since deleted his entire history of
takeover tweets – another idiot who may have just learned a valuable lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Saturday 14<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The YEP confirm (several days late) that one of the
trialists at Thorp Arch is Martin Crainie, now a free agent having declined a
new contract at Coventry City. Those who’ve seen him speak very highly of him,
some even suggest he’s a better player than previously mooted Sky Blues target,
Richard Keogh. Others however remain haunted by the last occasion that someone
spoke the words “Crainie”, “Leeds United” and “left back” in the same sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniLtnLOGHznBIgl3nRZQCZzVhmspW5i354eAIl1dpWpk7uZZ8JnfIpZg4w1Q-M9xOJYf67B3tvw4O7h9eU_HGnqOmPhiKC9K8pEwynZlzYsvjooEveZIYmQscwvsWF45bo1DerYvqxoo/s1600/Crainie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniLtnLOGHznBIgl3nRZQCZzVhmspW5i354eAIl1dpWpk7uZZ8JnfIpZg4w1Q-M9xOJYf67B3tvw4O7h9eU_HGnqOmPhiKC9K8pEwynZlzYsvjooEveZIYmQscwvsWF45bo1DerYvqxoo/s640/Crainie.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">FOTC? Maybe not...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bolton remain favourites to land Andy Lonergan for a
price tag believed to be around the £200,000 mark, although rival clubs are
also reported to be in the mix. Here’s hoping there’s another Championship club
is actually willing to offer him the ‘Number 1’ shirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sunday 15<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A report on The Mail on Sunday website suggests that
Leeds are preparing a £3m bid for Craig MacKail-Smith. No sources are
mentioned, no quotes provided, nor no heed is paid to Neil Warnock’s remarks
about being thrifty with his transfer budget...I’m guessing it’s a no-goer.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-63481347164610852652012-07-08T14:52:00.002+01:002012-07-08T19:17:01.863+01:00110 Days of Torture in Review: Week 10<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And so a TOMA detox has begun – partial you understand, I
have to be realistic here – after weeks of investing a wholly unhealthy proportion
of time into twitter and WACCOE gossip and hanging off every word typed or uttered
by Gary Cooper, like some profound teachings of Buddha, I’ve resolved to kick
the rumour mill’s answer to a crystal meth habit and focus on enjoying the summer… well,
at least until next ‘nailed on’ story of substance.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The only problem now is that I don’t remember my life
without TOMA; how did I survive the summer months in the past? With the Euros
gone I now have no football distractions, nor can I point to the novel presence of
a massive fiery star some 150,000,000km away, to justify an existence of lounging
about in the garden, moving only to periodically turn down the volume of the
sound deck when the neighbours come out and I’m listening to some tune laden
with ‘effing and jeffing’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m finding myself reduced to being stuck indoors, in a
mode of self-congratulation for side-lining the obsession that’s been keeping
me indoors for the first place. Today I’ll be pinning my hopes that Lewis
Hamilton will find God and after a chinwag, be given rights to channel the genius
of Ayrton Senna’s abilities for driving in wet conditions; then to follow, I’ll
be investing my hopes and passion into supporting a Scottish charisma vacuum,
who appears to hold a thinly veiled disdain for the English, as he aims to
triumph in a minority sport that holds little interest for me, 50 weeks a year –
FML!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Still, at least my ‘Lord of the Rings’ metaphor for the
takeover is holding true; we are deep into the final chapter… I’d just forgotten
the film had so many f**king false endings! - I knew I should’ve gone with Star Wars, the
celebrations on Endor were far more hip as well; the Ewoks may have been an
annoying race whose introduction heralded a dip from which Star Wars saga would never
recover, but those furry little bastards sure knew how to throw a party!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Monday 2<sup>nd</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On the first of several quiet news days, LUFC resort to again announcing the capture of Paul Green and Adam Drury, although in fairness, this
time it’s official: they’re contractually obliged to be professionally
courteous to Ben Fry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgH2svDOWKNobnon-Hck9UL4kkOkRqjUI4lwCf8sj6_OYctxXjfcIhGyqbw6DUqxqyALxgWplmMnrKVr61j-9cuXkzrVAXMvc76STqRpPXuVXSW1qJMCHOQpGuh9sNkKGmoE1OOQgf9A/s1600/Ben+FryOrig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgH2svDOWKNobnon-Hck9UL4kkOkRqjUI4lwCf8sj6_OYctxXjfcIhGyqbw6DUqxqyALxgWplmMnrKVr61j-9cuXkzrVAXMvc76STqRpPXuVXSW1qJMCHOQpGuh9sNkKGmoE1OOQgf9A/s400/Ben+FryOrig.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is your life now, lads...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another plug also for the 2012/13 season tickets as the
club assures supporters that buying a season ticket is the only way to “guarantee
your seat for what we <i>hope</i> will be an
exciting campaign”. If that statement of intent is not enough to lure in
potential customers, the club also reveal a new benefit for season ticket
holders; the entitlement to purchase 3 online match tickets for other people (non-season
ticket holders) with a £5 discount… it really does pay to commit, doesn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Tuesday 3<sup>rd</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Crown Prosecution Services announce that some 5
months after the incident, they do not intend to press any charges following
the Elland Road tunnel scuffle at the end of the Doncaster game. A spokesman
for the CPS revealed that the organisation were pleased to swiftly draw a line
under the matter and would now be focusing all their on the cases of a man
accused of littering during the poll tax riots, and a woman allegedly caught
burning her bra at the Greenham Common protests in the early 1980s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s also announced that the furthest flung away trip off
the season, to the AMEX Community Stadium, has been rescheduled to the least
convenient night of the week for the second year running at the whim of Sky: Brighton vs. Leeds United, Friday night – tempted?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nIlzluDTHaE8QRwTTZkU6-QkKTsWsaKW5zuAXyEbOgeDes8vBFsQWfuGgdHA86LbDpBGozakkGoB2I9Cr_KmR0rp5nu6N9oCTusHinQZIGhwO1ERaLuw8GS6uaRB72JDvghK1_Vwo00/s1600/Aidy+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nIlzluDTHaE8QRwTTZkU6-QkKTsWsaKW5zuAXyEbOgeDes8vBFsQWfuGgdHA86LbDpBGozakkGoB2I9Cr_KmR0rp5nu6N9oCTusHinQZIGhwO1ERaLuw8GS6uaRB72JDvghK1_Vwo00/s640/Aidy+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Doesn't know when to pass, when to shoot, where he's heading...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Meanwhile, Neil Warnock reveals he doesn’t even know
whether Aidy White will be returning for pre-season training:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>“Presumably, he’ll tell me what’s going off when he comes
back for pre-season training on the 11<sup>th</sup>. Under the legal terms, I
don’t suppose he has to train with us if he’s got fixed up, with him being under
24. But I think the lad will want to anyhow.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It kinda puts our frustration about the takeover into
perspective when the manager is even having to speculate whether he’ll see one
of his players or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Wednesday 4<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Coventry City’s Richard Keogh is the latest name to be
linked with a move to Elland Road; like another rumoured defensive target,
Nottingham Forest’s Luke Chambers, Keogh was voted the Sky Blues’ ‘Player of
the Year’; with new club mouthpiece and Pompey ‘Player of the Year’ Jason
Pearce already on board, it would seem difficult to question Neil Warnock’s
judgement on defensive recruits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4-hECa49HULcPXWp_feX4nnEuQfvivy7nqZF30HvnkctEllhXEYaUlnmxEoim903Srttb7al-zl8DZLaQZ8h9hKqL_dIYdRkWh0xEPnSmfWfryx1QrNF3DHzSo8_e_bKv9y009yyyIg/s1600/Keogh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4-hECa49HULcPXWp_feX4nnEuQfvivy7nqZF30HvnkctEllhXEYaUlnmxEoim903Srttb7al-zl8DZLaQZ8h9hKqL_dIYdRkWh0xEPnSmfWfryx1QrNF3DHzSo8_e_bKv9y009yyyIg/s640/Keogh.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Disturbing resemblance to Andy Hughes, or is that just me?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is reported that Coventry would look to recoup in the
region of £1m if they were forced to sell… imagine that, Leeds United paying a
seven figure sum! It has happened before kids – ask your granddad! Maybe Elland
Road is finally becoming a desirable destination again? Well for mediocre
journeymen at least as the YEP reports that another long rumoured target,
Portsmouth’s Luke Varney has his heart set on a ‘dream move’ to Elland Road.
Championship rivals be afraid... be very afraid.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Thursday 5<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The official site reveals that both Paddy Kisnorbo – possibly
by now striking an uncanny resemblance to Robocop or the Bionic Man – and
therobbierogers.com will both feature for Leeds in pre-season, albeit at not
the same level of the others. Davide Somma is expected to return to training
next month with a late September/early October return mooted. Dates! We have
dates here! Has Ben Parker really patented the “days not weeks” sound bite and has
now added it to his CV to impress potential employers with? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">More positive news on the player speculation front as the
YEP reports that a deal to bring Lee Peltier to the club is now imminent; a potential deal that's almost positive enough to force a reluctant smile and a philosophical,
agreeable nod from most supporters. Simon Cox is also being linked…now steady
on, that signing would actually border on the exciting! Are we actually ready
for that?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChehS_-4OM7XHMKcmk7MuYFQRxs1qYpZEceg9VcZOPfGvTypQNzXv32BGP21nvmYKA52D7oOpvmbQX1ummzhicRLt6HzX30DDu55pWglbOPohSqGqOf4kxsRqMETHiepVnJ11loaiBj8/s1600/Napoli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChehS_-4OM7XHMKcmk7MuYFQRxs1qYpZEceg9VcZOPfGvTypQNzXv32BGP21nvmYKA52D7oOpvmbQX1ummzhicRLt6HzX30DDu55pWglbOPohSqGqOf4kxsRqMETHiepVnJ11loaiBj8/s400/Napoli.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Leeds United 2012/14... oh, sorry! Wrong kit!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even more exciting though is the sudden announcement of
the brand new LUFC 2012/14 away (or if you prefer, the recycled Napoli 2011/12
home) shirt. The official site is all bluster as it excitedly spurts forth all
the sales patter. Apparently:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>The new kit, which has been designed by Macron in
conjunction with the club (and Napoli) combines technology with classic Italian
style and presents the new ‘azzurro’ steel colour (blue).<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>The shirt was created integrating a range of different
fabrics; the main body is complemented by navy blue flanks in a mesh fabric
that define the profile of the shirt and allow maximum breathability. The neck
comes in ribknit with under collar contrasting fabric and the year the club was
founded, 1919, embroidered on the back.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mercifully, for those wanting the low down in layman's terms, Tom Lees enthused:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>“The away one’s really nice, really nice colour an’ that;
hmm… it’s nice, I really like it! I’m looking forward to wearing the away shirt
especially, they're nice, really nice shirts…”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgdcmRhyphenhyphenWysC2Q8EuDsD91DVT98GWdaRQ6j8q_2wphFQvQaVjLhix7AbJc6yzTQYGZZpGYVAtKu8o2-emnO_6RLRJR67Ov8Pcg8RdDm7B5krtQ9FY5xnpqGD4NmDyHBVswAPUfcEtFhU/s1600/Tom+Lees+Smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgdcmRhyphenhyphenWysC2Q8EuDsD91DVT98GWdaRQ6j8q_2wphFQvQaVjLhix7AbJc6yzTQYGZZpGYVAtKu8o2-emnO_6RLRJR67Ov8Pcg8RdDm7B5krtQ9FY5xnpqGD4NmDyHBVswAPUfcEtFhU/s640/Tom+Lees+Smile.jpg" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A beaming Tom Lees!...kinda</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Causing almost a big a stir as the shirt itself was one
publicity shot from the photo shoot of a smiling Tom Lees; granted it wasn’t a naturalistic
smile, indeed it seemed pained, forced in the extreme, that of a man attempting
to put on a brave face while the world around him has collapsed. I’d expect a
similar grin from Adam Clayton when he meets the press at the Galpharm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Much more disturbing however was the subsequent
disclosure of further photographs taken on that day, by LUTV’s James Varley on
his twitter timeline. One shot in particular sent a shudder of apprehension
down the spine; a photograph of a statuesque Lees being filmed by a cameraman –
it had an unnerving Lynchian undercurrent to it; far more Twin Peaks than Thorp
Arch. It haunted my thoughts as I retired to bed that night, infiltrating my subconscious
and burning into my mind a disturbing vision…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UrsRwFoxDpQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thwarted mobile and iPad users - click <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xs1j02_tom-lees-visits-twin-peaks_sport"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a></span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can't help but fantasise now that future LUFC transfer negotiations will be conducted in a manner akin to those exchanges in the 'Red Room'; Ben Fry, crouching as best he might to inhabit the role of The Man From Another Place, while Shaun Harvey dons a wig in an effort to convince the potential signing that he's the reincarnation of a savagely murdered girl they used to know.<br /><br />For those either too young or culturally unaware to have immersed themselves in Twin Peaks, I make no apologies; it is a shortcoming you need to address, though rest assured, prior knowledge probably doesn’t add an overwhelming sense of clarity to what you may have just witnessed in the video above.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Friday 6<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After weeks of mourning the club’s inability to keep hold
of Adam Clayton, the early morning announcement of a move to Huddersfield moves
to at least assure some of those fans in question that he was (for 75% of games) a waste of space
after all. Doubtless struggling to deal with the heartbreak of witnessing indignant, departing, Leeds tweeters decimating his followers list in a mass exodus, Clayton will have at least been heartened by the
words of his new/old boss, Simon Grayson:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>“He’s a player I admired when he was at Carlisle and
Manchester City and we’re delighted to have secured his services to this
football club. I think it shows our intent in the level of players we want to
sign”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Guess the Dog Botherers <i>are</i> serious about trying to stay
out of the bottom three…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_qMdpP2pJ85UC_gGwozVVXz3YYZWhkr51Ykwv4LRSE3cu-T8_u-EQbK0FU95_-klcM6rJri2TmoV5qRcYwfNTCNUyoyACiZcNRmIoAOT4oS7C0BsNi7mjj3ZZkuIP31Wi3q6PXl1OUw/s1600/Nandos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_qMdpP2pJ85UC_gGwozVVXz3YYZWhkr51Ykwv4LRSE3cu-T8_u-EQbK0FU95_-klcM6rJri2TmoV5qRcYwfNTCNUyoyACiZcNRmIoAOT4oS7C0BsNi7mjj3ZZkuIP31Wi3q6PXl1OUw/s640/Nandos.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daily commuting times - always a factor in selecting a job</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Clayton’s motives for the move may at the outset seem a
little more puzzling, although maybe by looking beyond football considerations and at the
wider picture, everything slots into place, as one look at Google Maps might
suggest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Saturday 7<sup>th</sup> July</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On the slowest of news days, the highlight of the YEP’s
Leeds United coverage is Brendan Ormsby’s column where he reveals his least
favourite football shirts of all time; predictably the 1970s chocolate brown
Coventry City away kit is selected as Brendan’s biggest fashion ‘no no’; expect
tips on interior design next week, specifically why contrasting walls are still
in vogue and why powder blue is the new eggshell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSgIZ5mEUygG3bWMh3jidBkIbqaXK-ZpwSoeyOd9O-urZ__aMQNoYnIDosLyQR7CQ97Qb-9uy325ygw2BgdrwbBjiwYza0r_JyHe8GiMarlKct9i7-2WddK3kGYTmVA0ToUteUlVFBX0/s1600/Brown+Cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSgIZ5mEUygG3bWMh3jidBkIbqaXK-ZpwSoeyOd9O-urZ__aMQNoYnIDosLyQR7CQ97Qb-9uy325ygw2BgdrwbBjiwYza0r_JyHe8GiMarlKct9i7-2WddK3kGYTmVA0ToUteUlVFBX0/s640/Brown+Cov.jpg" width="602" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Terry Yorath's darkest hour</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Away from the more respected channels and into the world
of the great unwashed, uninformed and frankly moronic, the dissidents of The
Square Ball head down to the bright lights of London for the FSF ‘Fanzine of the Year Awards’,
hoping to retain their title. Ultimately, on those grounds the evening proves
to be a disappointment, but the budget lavished out on rail tickets, a family
room at a budget hotel and alcohol is not all put to waste as ex-White, Michael
Gray is befriended (or practically raped in the case of Moscowhite) by the team
and his telephone number secured… I’m assuming for interviewing purposes,
although the team sounded quite smitten in a pretty gay way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sunday 8<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">More fall-out from the FSF trip as it’s revealed that
predictably, Moscowhite was identified as the first to hit the wall; mercifully
photographic evidence was provided. Oddy did eventually return to the hotel, having
disappeared, seduced by the bright lights and a short-lived, sexually charged,
one way twitter relationship with a man whose twitter name closely approximates
that of Dan, who himself was sadly deprived of Oddy's spooning services in the interim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uJc0tvXVmMQMy25x_jO2HE9M_lNuWYKbpQ_a2O7XxGYnfsH664B3hOsW3_tKCWKuqe50WVc8wozUechIcFyIbAmXE1_bizXBvPzS2NJNYlduV0pHzkCdqvz_TcVBaBpb-eoB1v9ST0k/s1600/MoscoWhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uJc0tvXVmMQMy25x_jO2HE9M_lNuWYKbpQ_a2O7XxGYnfsH664B3hOsW3_tKCWKuqe50WVc8wozUechIcFyIbAmXE1_bizXBvPzS2NJNYlduV0pHzkCdqvz_TcVBaBpb-eoB1v9ST0k/s640/MoscoWhite.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let's see you reference that in LOL's 'The Square Ball Week', Moscowhite!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh and as for Leeds United? No news again. On WACCOE the main source of excitement derided over the weekend has been from members posting on the page of the thread that corresponds to their year of birth as it's reached - on the last visit they'd entered the 1980s - it really is <i>that</i> quiet... actually, scratch that, I've just had a new interesting text, quoting an announcement date, quoting a "very solid source".<br /><br />Bollocks, I didn't even make it through the weekend! Back to the TOMA speculation rollercoaster it is...</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5529168793607608342.post-84573313773376509242012-07-01T14:51:00.002+01:002012-07-01T15:01:17.219+01:00110 Days of Torture in Review: Week 9<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is here; July is upon us, the time when the most learned spirits
of the twitter DM world foretold of the coming of our saviours - men of wealth,
armed with gold, frankincense and the fabled war chest. The new LUFC financial
year is upon us, the new working week in the Arabic world is upon us, Neil
Warnock is due back in Leeds after a mini-break in Mablethorpe – the time has
come…or maybe if not it will come tomorrow, or…</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae3P94ByC0orYP00_CiJ8vmVGhyphenhyphenYh9h14E3RoyA6bKSTtk-PvkjAIFYD1B3Y1Txacl1w7uTlaaOGL1MNDQnW6yrqr9DP0vVGtJ_nUQcNuiewuM_NwK_s6rMX814Aa-YDZjf1o12kuzrs/s1600/Toma.jpg-large" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae3P94ByC0orYP00_CiJ8vmVGhyphenhyphenYh9h14E3RoyA6bKSTtk-PvkjAIFYD1B3Y1Txacl1w7uTlaaOGL1MNDQnW6yrqr9DP0vVGtJ_nUQcNuiewuM_NwK_s6rMX814Aa-YDZjf1o12kuzrs/s640/Toma.jpg-large" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First pic of the new owner?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Actually no! Please God (or should that be Allah?) can it
end inside the next 24 hours? This takeover saga has already claimed too many
casualties; too many good people have seen their social lives dissipate, their
sleep patterns destroyed, their sanity pushed to the limits by the seemingly
never-ending speculation. And moreover, when it does end, what will become of the most
serious victims; addicts suddenly deprived of their fix of the emotional
rollercoaster, somehow having to re-assimilate into society? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Whether the symptoms are hangovers, nervous exhaustion or
anxiety linked to withdrawal symptoms, will the announcement when it finally arrives,
spark a wave of absenteeism in the work place… is TOMA fever going to become an
accredited medical condition?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For the sake of everyone this has to end, and it has to end
now; mercifully the learned spirits appear to have been very much in tune with
events at Elland Road and even the YEP have thrown every single egg into the
Middle Eastern takeover basket. Everyone agrees that it’s happening, everyone
agrees that it’s “imminent”, but imminent is non-specific, just somebody, give
us all a date and time already!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To borrow the title of one of The Smiths’ finest songs…”HOW SOON IS
NOW?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Monday 25<sup>th</sup> June</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Leeds United week begins in historic style as the Olympic
torch passes by Elland Road on Monday morning. There was relief all around as
the designated torch bearer, Paula Punnett, arrived with her beaming smile on
her face, as opposed to a chav in a white shell suit, holding aloft a cheap
cigarette lighter.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrsjmxSuZ3lDXA-TduTj3Ctf9A_pdBdjAS-H75Fr67JNNyPGQWxHZTPak5rmvKd3OiU9BENY9NvtnEtM5t0RHKqjzJ8ZiFVgMWWTsbXsXOPE19GSQmzjEpYRnPF3WEqGJ-040Z1Rjr0g/s1600/OlympicT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrsjmxSuZ3lDXA-TduTj3Ctf9A_pdBdjAS-H75Fr67JNNyPGQWxHZTPak5rmvKd3OiU9BENY9NvtnEtM5t0RHKqjzJ8ZiFVgMWWTsbXsXOPE19GSQmzjEpYRnPF3WEqGJ-040Z1Rjr0g/s640/OlympicT.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Scrap metal passes through Beeston without being stolen</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In an attempt to satisfy demand, the club announce they’ve
secured a further 500 tickets for the pre-season friendly in Torquay…the
decision to schedule the game on a Friday night, during high season is looking
forever more misguided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The YEP reveals that Neil Warnock is taking one final
holiday before the hard slog of the pre-season preparations begin in earnest.
But as the manager revealed, he won’t be completely getting away from it all:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“We need to push on from here and in the week or 10 days
leading up to July 11<sup>th</sup>, I’ll be looking to get quite a number of
deals done. I’m getting away for a short break but, to be honest, the hard work
never stops. I couldn’t be working harder on all this… <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>…Oi, waiter! Where’s that beer I ordered? Dos San Miguels,
gracias! Oh and remember, I want Heinz ketchup with my fish fingers and chips!”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PsBC9__fPfIEvzYpF8cAQmnU_ZZqB94uFR7384PbWfWp88QE3iAmLp7V5HQz1-1RCLv1Josll_Pheqm6qJEiFW2TK4sadPhxCXeF4dJ7BUGKOyRiIkpr69IFIfDs56LckGi161ZF-Rg/s1600/Kewell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PsBC9__fPfIEvzYpF8cAQmnU_ZZqB94uFR7384PbWfWp88QE3iAmLp7V5HQz1-1RCLv1Josll_Pheqm6qJEiFW2TK4sadPhxCXeF4dJ7BUGKOyRiIkpr69IFIfDs56LckGi161ZF-Rg/s640/Kewell.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A doctored picture is worth a thousand words</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Elsewhere, once exciting football
talent-cum-mercenary-cum-morality vacuum, Harry Kewell reveals that he’s
looking to move back to England after spending last season pushing himself/feathering his retirement fund in the competitive environment of the Australian A-League. Having previously
claimed his move to Galatasary was in part a conscious attempt to “build
bridges” between Leeds United and arguably the most despicable football club in
European football, expect the next port of call on his saintly mission to take in Cardiff
or Bermondsey…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Tuesday 26<sup>th</sup> June</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Following weeks of frenzied speculation and allegedly, a
little pressure from LUST, the club finally release a fresh statement,
announcing that they’ve granted a ‘potential investor’ an exclusivity period in
which to carry out a period of due diligence. They also add that they foresaw
no problems with either that, or the Football League’s criteria for fit and
proper persons. On the surface, the statement only confirms for certain that a
minimum of 30% of the club is being bought…but to everyone else, reading between
the lines, IT’S A TAKEOVER!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXNQMmEUsTQm38cxrgKq-daUO_SCRHjSgS8hC1hta_zwVSEULfKXfVulfYIRL6zaHu75DndHbim9FGuCMM1fNMvsPl4FegaxU5VDyDQKySY4ZfPGj2ozZAYh_frZzc2-yVAFjnBr6epc/s1600/Statement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXNQMmEUsTQm38cxrgKq-daUO_SCRHjSgS8hC1hta_zwVSEULfKXfVulfYIRL6zaHu75DndHbim9FGuCMM1fNMvsPl4FegaxU5VDyDQKySY4ZfPGj2ozZAYh_frZzc2-yVAFjnBr6epc/s640/Statement.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Overly vague statement #2</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gary Cooper from the Supporter’s Trust confirms as much
again in a Radio Leeds interview, and yet in comparison to the celebrations
sparked by the initial statement, reaction is a little more muted this time,
certainly on WACCOE. It can only be the ‘Bates effect’; after nearly 7 and a
half long years of abuse at the hands of the owner, Leeds fans are finally
being exposed to the glorious hope of sunlight, but all of a sudden they're getting just a little bit cagey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26GMM-0JrNURDftuIP_vJTWUE_L4VNUKKd9F2O0ioMXrovxO8HXUa7ok45KhjvcmhT4TCFntme9o8-IfSjQr3CDHD6p7gHERolmq97z_c2R6Js5NCVyxoxB3AmYuG1LQNkt2vDNsSJeo/s1600/Animal+Hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26GMM-0JrNURDftuIP_vJTWUE_L4VNUKKd9F2O0ioMXrovxO8HXUa7ok45KhjvcmhT4TCFntme9o8-IfSjQr3CDHD6p7gHERolmq97z_c2R6Js5NCVyxoxB3AmYuG1LQNkt2vDNsSJeo/s640/Animal+Hospital.jpg" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The saviour... as a metaphor</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I see it rather like an episode of ‘Animal Hospital’; the
abused Leeds fan, a malnourished dog, the saintly bidder, offering us rescue from
a life of misery and appalling abuse, taking the guise of Rolf Harris. Although
the beaming sun and the promise of a new, better, happier existence has clearly
come into view and the Leeds fans' eyes have now adjusted and re-focused, their
minds are still trying to get to grips with the concept of liberation; currently we find ourselves
at the delousing stage, as LUST and the media move rid us all of our
infestation of insecurities. The metaphorical maximum strength Bob Martin’s shampoo has been
applied, and now we’re just one rinse away from taking our first tentative
steps into a joyous new world…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Elsewhere, the Sky TV conspiracy to deprive Leeds fans of
Saturday afternoon football begins in earnest with the season opener against
Wolves being moved forward to a 12.45pm kick-off, while no doubt South
Yorkshire Police will have been thrilled that the Leeds invasion of Owlerton has now
been re-scheduled for a Friday night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Wednesday 27<sup>th</sup> June</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As the almost foreign concept of hope and optimism continues
to sweep across supporters in a tidal wave, the club move to make the opening
pre-season game at Farsley Celtic, an all-ticket affair. A £1 booking fee and
advance ticket at least buys supporters time for an extra pint on Town Street before
the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCWsnn7SSC6QtzDibg0RRtHd1v6PTsUNJMOuPOXzTpHQenAYHcaLr3HTc_2P-c09kSZcuxaxKWkfZ469i4Qdwz85hseyv1xIZJf6w93lGiL-FutTDb1dfegINr-haZ9vFLyL08Qx7UeE/s1600/Throstle+Nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCWsnn7SSC6QtzDibg0RRtHd1v6PTsUNJMOuPOXzTpHQenAYHcaLr3HTc_2P-c09kSZcuxaxKWkfZ469i4Qdwz85hseyv1xIZJf6w93lGiL-FutTDb1dfegINr-haZ9vFLyL08Qx7UeE/s640/Throstle+Nest.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It all starts here...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The club announce a new partnership with Levy restaurants
for catering at Elland Road. The organisation are revealed to be a chain of the
sport and leisure division of the Compass Group; in turn they are part of the
wider AEG group – speculation immediately hots up again that it’s the Americans
buying the club. I offer up the suggestion on twitter that even Harvey wouldn’t
be stupid enough to publicise the agreement if there was a chance it’d
compromise the confidentiality of the ‘investors’… needless to say, the
responses I received, rather differed on the point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The YEP reports that Crystal Palace are set to join
Huddersfield and Bristol City in the race to sign Ross McCormack – am I missing
something here? I thought he’d just had a good season?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Thursday 28<sup>th</sup> June</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another sign that the takeover is all but done as Leeds
announce another commercial deal; suddenly the club is getting an ‘Official
Global Hotel Partner’, yes you read that right, no longer Bewley’s with their
chain of 6 hotels across England and Ireland, now we’re bed partners with the
Intercontinental Group who have Holiday Inns all over the shop… including the
likes of Bahrain, Qatar, North America, France etc. etc…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLupgVfqE5xtVz_oYgPrchvC6_0nl1YnWcPg3GzUUb-aT7jfIM5ylEZT12Mxjdpsqq_9RkTF0fdDS4JiUnnZcZZrJSLlNaktBxmsvp_vzeE-3z4WoFiWM3cAcnhtWr1et2ABdqPsB0tg/s1600/Connors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLupgVfqE5xtVz_oYgPrchvC6_0nl1YnWcPg3GzUUb-aT7jfIM5ylEZT12Mxjdpsqq_9RkTF0fdDS4JiUnnZcZZrJSLlNaktBxmsvp_vzeE-3z4WoFiWM3cAcnhtWr1et2ABdqPsB0tg/s640/Connors.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">#prayforamove</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As the YEP reports the deal to secure the services of Lee
Peltier is almost sealed, the news is not so good for Paul Connolly as it’s revealed that the
previous incumbent of the right-back slot at Elland Road is facing surgery on
his hernia. The YEP describes the development as a blow for Connolly as
interest in him is likely to remain tentative while he works his way back to
full fitness. Most rational readers recoil in shock that there is anything
approaching tentative interest in him in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Friday 29<sup>th</sup> June</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After teasing Leeds fans with tweets suggesting some serious
developments at Elland Road, Adam Pope delivers the news that the takeover is
all but done and although there are no clues to when an announcement will be
made, it would seem that one is imminent. Back on the show again is LUST’s Gary
Cooper who essentially <a href="http://soundcloud.com/lufctrust/lust-chairman-gary-cooper-on-2"><span style="color: blue;">confirms</span></a> that all the rumours of Middle East bidders are
true and when asked about the implications for the club he replied… now get
this, read it back, say it back and savour it: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">“I do know that this gives all Leeds United fans the opportunity to…
dare to dream”</span></b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The YEP were quick to follow suit, suddenly even they were
confidently stating as fact that it was a takeover, it was Middle East money
and it was happening very soon. Predictably Peter Lorimer was excited, but
rather more at pains how Ken Bates’ hard work in re-establishing Leeds United
as a well-run club has made this all possible… After all, where would we be
without the plummeting gates, loss making businesses, the £4m lost in court
cases and the £5m of season ticket money mortgaged against the cost of rebuilding
a stand where half of the executive boxes sit unused? Promoted maybe?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEDxBCIbWdcywhP1eH7yvMguI787del7HeGth-eFaP1kEo4Ne0DOk-t3vGKsjyez9-qtpZkr3fkPwtsyj9YFApW5KdEguaUlD0KkQ0cdCql7_FIeyX8zvFEtyEJU22L_JJB0SorKylc4/s1600/City+Ground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEDxBCIbWdcywhP1eH7yvMguI787del7HeGth-eFaP1kEo4Ne0DOk-t3vGKsjyez9-qtpZkr3fkPwtsyj9YFApW5KdEguaUlD0KkQ0cdCql7_FIeyX8zvFEtyEJU22L_JJB0SorKylc4/s640/City+Ground.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Merry Christmas, from all at Nottingham Forest... twats!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The latest swathe of fixtures change at the whim of Sky TV
and the police are announced. There’s the standard early kick-off for the Dog Botherer’s game, moved no doubt to
ensure that all the young offenders could get back home before the security tag
curfew kicks in. Derby and Forest follow suit, the prospect of another early
Boxing Day start, an absolute joy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On a more positive note, less than 100 tickets remain now
for the Torquay game – in the Leeds end, that is… it’s gonna an interesting night!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I spent my Friday at opening night of The Stone Roses
comeback concert and for those not comfortable with simply relying on the media and
LUST to satisfy their needs to be reassured about the new era at Leeds, then
how about I throw omens into the mix too? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKJTg4dlq_RRAEeEEPSq9t6C9xGSj_3p7YwDm6r9G5Zd9Xo1FtQJp6dXR7KiAHK4ql-wMsyAz_GlNgXEEG8w7BiBe6K08djKcdhsSQpv4eMF9JZ1CQx5iaInt85N2LRX3lvVqB5DNdu0/s1600/Reni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKJTg4dlq_RRAEeEEPSq9t6C9xGSj_3p7YwDm6r9G5Zd9Xo1FtQJp6dXR7KiAHK4ql-wMsyAz_GlNgXEEG8w7BiBe6K08djKcdhsSQpv4eMF9JZ1CQx5iaInt85N2LRX3lvVqB5DNdu0/s640/Reni.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Reni: Ahead of the curve again</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After years in the music wilderness, The Roses officially announced
their return to the big time today; just as – unofficially at least – Leeds United
may have done; the band were at their very peak around 1989 and 1990,
accumulating in a mass celebration at Spike Island in May… I seem to recall that
coincided with a rather special time at Elland Road too; oh and if anybody
wants to write these omens off, just take a look at what Reni, the catalyst for
the band’s demise and at the forefront of their resurrection was sporting as
head gear…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Case closed m’laud!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Saturday 30<sup>th</sup> June</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A quiet news day on the LUFC front, although it seems now
that Nottingham Forest are on the verge of completing their takeover. Was it really only a few weeks ago that Leeds fans were working themselves into a frenzy
about being owned by a fridge magnate?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MiV2ogkRyw-1Qwd2Ypbbr_5gpAZRKszV4nzqEGYusdKkcV0H81Fl9229xf7Dw8RDxM3PyiDmf0TEYiw_Et2KRQUzDjjNRyZrrsopekFcs74vhQ4x92xXYgPtf0EqRwogCNil4h_UgY0/s1600/fasawi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MiV2ogkRyw-1Qwd2Ypbbr_5gpAZRKszV4nzqEGYusdKkcV0H81Fl9229xf7Dw8RDxM3PyiDmf0TEYiw_Et2KRQUzDjjNRyZrrsopekFcs74vhQ4x92xXYgPtf0EqRwogCNil4h_UgY0/s640/fasawi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mr Chairman...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s possible that Fawaz Al-Hasawi will be good for Forest,
although having witnessed his twitter campaign over the past month, I’d suggest
they were welcome to him; a break from such ego driven self-publicists at
Elland would be a most welcome prospect – maybe the Al-Hasawi may be interested
in a loss making radio station? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Sunday 1<sup>st</sup> July</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s 12.50pm, it’s a business day in the Middle East, they’re
several hours in front of the UK and there’s absolutely nothing new to speak
of.<br />
<br />
F**k me! It’s gotta happen Monday then, it’s just gotta…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Ken DeMangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578602399765234575noreply@blogger.com0