Bolton game prediction

Will both teams have a New Year hangover or will it be a cracker?

Bolton, with Kevin Davies in the team and the most attempts on goal in the Championship will be a tough game for Leeds. Becchio is still injured so scoring goals for Leeds could be a problem.

My prediction is a 1 -1 daw !

My prediction was right !

Leeds lost 2 nil at Hull FC today.

My prediction of 2 nil was right I am sorry to say. It was always going to be a tough game but Leeds need to make big improvements soon if they are to make a top 6 spot.

Disappointing result !!

Hull game prediction

A tough game for Leeds today at Hull.

Hull are an in form team whereas Leeds are hit and miss.

My prediction for the 12.30 kick-off today is -

Hull 2 - Leeds 0

I hope I am wrong !

Leeds' poor defence

Leeds lost to Notts Forest on Boxing Day conceding 3 goals in 6 minutes. Neil Warnock talks of buying a striker but to me it looks like the team needs to sign a good defender and maybe two other quality players before the team will be serious contenders for promotion.

Ironic too that Forest, a team with big ambitions themselves, sacked their manager after the game despite a convincing win !

How long before the new owners at Leeds start to get the same feeling !

Eddie Gray after the Middlesbrough game today

Watch the video of the interview between Eddie Gray and Neil Warnock after the Leeds vs Middlesbrough game at Elland Road on 22 December 2012. A great win !

Leeds go marching on !

What a week for Leeds. Losing to Chelsea was no bad thing. We won friends and made some money from it. But the main talking point this week has been the takeover by GLH Capital. Losing today would have been an anti-climax but our lads did us proud and beat Middlesbrough 2-1. Both goals came from Luciano Beccio and he is scoring some important goals this season.

Good to see Davide Somma coming on as sub. It's May 2011 since he last played. I always thought he was a good player and I'm hoping he can score some goals this season.

35 points now and we are closing in on the top 6.

MOT !

Leeds takeover done !

As promised the deal to takeover Leeds United was completed today, 21 December 2012.

I'm happy that the deal has gone through. The big question all Leeds' fans will want answering is where did the money come from and how much is there to spend. I can see that it is not wise to say how much money there is to spend on new players so I suppose we will have to wait and see who the club signs in the January transfer window.

GFH Capital are making all the right noises and the signs are that this promises to be the start of a an exiting time for Leeds.

Lets hope that's the case and I can't wait to see who signs in January !

Chelsea game on Wednesday

I'm gutted I won't be able to see the Chelsea game tomorrow. I'm at a Christmas dinner so I can only see the result on my mobile. I wonder if The Chelsea Chairman will be at Elland Road. Will he go for a pint and a pie before the game or maybe he will sample the local West Yorkshire gourmet dish of fish and chips ! If he does go to the game he can be guaranteed good old fashioned hospitality as only Yorkshire people know how.

I was also wondering how many of Chelsea's young foreign players know anything about the rivalry between the two teams. All those FA Cup games and replays in the 1970's. Do the Chelsea players realise that they are playing a team bigger than they are !

My score prediction 2 nil to Leeds !

Bring on Chelsea.

Let's hope that the Chelsea football team are jet-lagged and tired when they arrive at Elland Road on Wednesday. Let's hope that First Class was over booked and the whole team had to travel in Economy !

Leeds will be fresh. Let's hope that will be enough to see off Chelsea.

Leeds vs Bradford City in the final? Hmmmm....what are the odds? !!

Leeds beat Ipswich

The good form of Leeds United continued today with a 2 - 0 win over Ipswich at Elland Road.

Having lost against Derby last week it was important for Leeds to go into the busy Christmas fixture list with a win against struggling Ipswich.

In a poor game, lacking in goal mouth action, the win still means Leeds are in mid table and still need to continue their good form for some time to come to get back into the top 6.

Leeds at home to Middlesbrough next Saturday and then away at Notts Forest are two tough games. Oh, and there is the small matter of Chelsea on Wednesday !

Leeds lose at Derby

Just as Leeds fans thought that things were improving we lost at Derby.

Derby has never been the best of grounds for Leeds but that should never be an excuse.

I suppose that the good news is that Leeds have taken 9 points out of 12 but it's still not easy to take losing. Luckily many of the other teams drew today and we are still only 4 points away from the top 6.

The Championship is proving to be a league where every team can beat each other. Cardiff though are looking good !

Leeds beat Huddersfield

An excellent performance from Leeds today as they beat Huddersfield away 2-4 today. That's 3 wins on the bounce now against teams above them in the league. Could Leeds have really turned the corner and be on a charge for promotion?

The way Leeds won today was excellent. They dominated midfield and were deserved winners against a Huddersfield team that had nothing left in the final 10 minutes.

It's good to beat a Huddersfield team away especially as they have such a big Leeds connection.

Leeds are only 3 points outside a play off top 6 place now although as at 2.30 today other teams have still to play.

Leeds win again !

Leeds beat Leicester 1 nil tonight at Elland Road.

Is this the same Leeds team that was near the relegation zone just a week ago? !

I'm pleased that my 1-1 draw prediction was wrong and Leeds go marching on !

It's pleasing that Leeds have kept a clean sheet for two games running and at the same time they have beaten two top teams in Crystal Palace and Leicester.

Huddersfield away on Saturday with a 13.30 lunchtime kick-off. Lets make it 9 points out of 9 !

Big test for Leeds tonight.

Leicester City visit Elland Road tonight in what promises to be a tough game.

Can Leeds continue their mini revival. Neil Warnock thinks that Leicester will win the league !

My prediction 1-1 draw !

New ownerships bring 3 points for Leeds

Leeds United took all 3 points today against league leaders Crystal Palace at Elland Road.

It was a much needed 3 points for a team that had sunk badly in the last few weeks.

Neil Warnock said before the game that this is the start of the season for Leeds, after GFH Capital had bought the club from Ken Bates..

It's looking like that in this league anybody can beat anybody so lets hope that this is a start of a revival for Leeds.

Leeds played well today and deserved to win, although the last few minutes were tense. Leeds cleared off the line in the last few minutes.

Some tough games to come for Leeds. Lets hope that this really is the start of a better season for Leeds.

Leeds United takeover completed at last !

Well, it's been a long time coming but Leeds chairman Ken Bates has today announced that the deal for the takeover of the club has been completed with GFH Capital. The process has taken 6 months and Ken Bates will remain as chairman until the end of the season and he will then become club president. Maybe that's because he wants to keep his free seat so he can watch the Chelsea game in December !

The other good news that I noticed in the club statement is that more funds have been given to the club which should mean that they will be able to buy new players to help their relegation battle !

It will be January before they can buy new players but before then they face some tough games. Never mind a push for promotion this is a relegation battle now and a mid table finish !

GFH Capital extends talks in Leeds Utd takeover

This article appeared on the Arabian Business website. According to the report the exclusivity period for the takeover of Leeds United has been extended.

Read the article here

Second sending off in two weeks !

Leeds put up a good defensive battle on Sunday against Millwall, but ended up losing one nil. There cause was not helped when Leeds' had Varney sent off. It was a straight red and is the second week in a row that Leeds have played with men short.

When will football players learn that violent conduct will be punished. OK, there is some dispute about the sending off but raised elbows are always going to punished by the referee so players should learn not to do it!

Leeds have a difficult run of games coming up and I can see Leeds being sucked into a relegation battle. Just as we hope they would be challenging for a top six place their season seems to be imploding. Neil Warnock needs to get a grip now and the players need to dig deep for believe that they can win otherwise it's going to be a long hard season.

Leeds in relegation battle

An appalling result for Leeds today at Elland Road. Losing 1 -6 to a team like Watford is an outrage and the players should be ashamed of themselves. Something must be wrong at Elland Road for that to happen. Have the players lost confidence in Warmock or is it just a case that the players lost the motivation to play. If they did then they should not be playing for Leeds.

The takeover can't come soon enough and it looks like we need to sell nearly all our players and start again.

Leeds lose at Burnley

Leeds lost 0 -1 at Burnley tonight.

Leeds needs  a goal scorer as the goals have dried up in the league.

Ross McCormack and David Somma are back in training and not a day too soon.

Brighton vs Leeds

Not a bad result for Leeds last night at Brighton. I didn't watch the game on Sky because I was out, but by all accounts Leeds were lucky to come away with a point. The first 20 minutes was tough for Leeds I hear because they were under a lot of pressure.

It sounds like it was an entertaining game but it's another sign that Leeds needs some investment for new players.

Let's get the takeover done and dusted so we can move forward. We are still only a few points outside the play-offs top 6 and there is plenty of time for a push in the second half of the season - providing Leeds has some quality players !

Leeds play Chelsea in next round

Leeds United have been drawn at home against Chelsea in the quarter finals of the League Cup. It brings Ken Bates up against his old club and may bring the wealthy owner of Chelsea to Leeds for some Yorkshire hospitality. He will love our famous fish and chips.

And Bradford City at home against Arsenal. What a great game for them and their fantastic run in the cup.

Good win for Leeds

A good result in the League Cup last night against Southampton. I expected a tougher game but Leeds' cruised to a comfortable 3 nil win in the end.

Southampton rested their best players after they complained to the Football League about playing only two after their last game but they were refused permission to play a day later.

Leeds are now in the last 8 of the competition and can look forward to a good draw in the quarter finals.I'll accept any team in the next round apart from Arsenal. They had amazing game last night against Reading coming out 5 - 7 winners !

Southampton game tonight

It's an interesting game for Leeds tonight. They play Southampton at Elland Road in the League Cup.

Southampton were, of course, promoted to the Premier League last season but they are finding life difficult in the top league and they currently are in the relegation zone.

Leeds, as well, are not doing well. They are struggling to score goals and the squad is looking short of high quality. They have a team of grafters but they need more.

It will be interesting to see what happens but I don't expect much from a team that is desperate for investment and some new faces.

Leeds need goal scorers

A poor result and a poor game today at Elland Road when Leeds played Birmingham. On a cold bright day the football was drab and dull and Leeds rarely looked like scoring.

The sooner that the Leeds takeover takes place the better because the club needs investment in players and quick.

Leeds need a win.

After the publicity about the moron of a Leeds' fan running onto the pitch at the Sheffield Wednesday game Leeds are back in action tonight at home to Charlton.

A win for Leeds is a "must" and will probably put them into the top 6.

Let's home the game is a good one.

At half time Leeds are winning one nil so things are looking good.

Another great victory !

What a great win it was for Leeds today. Bristol City were above Leeds in the table and have spent a fair bit of money recently on players. The win puts Leeds in the top 6.

Neil Warnock is still saying the squad is too small and as the season progresses I'm sure he will be proved right.

Lets hope that the news owners, if it happens, make funds available to buy players when the January transfer window opens.

Leeds beat Everton

Leeds have beaten Everton 2 -1 tonight in the Capital One Cup.

It's great to beat a top Premiership team. Radio 5 Live called it a "shock" ! It's not a shock to Leeds fans who still think of themselves as a top English team even though they are the the second tier.

We love you Leeds !

Leeds vs Notts Forest

I got my one nil to Forest  prediction wrong and I'm obviously pleased that I did !

A good result for Leeds who won 2 - 1 thanks to goals from Bechio and Poleon. The game was watched by what we all hope will be the new owners of Leeds United or at least major investors.

Leeds played well in the first half and looked well in control. They played good football against an unbeaten team.

The win keeps Leeds in mid table but only a win away from the top 6.

Leeds !

At least we have one good team in Leeds. A team with the best players in England !

Unfortunately, it's not the football team. It's Leeds Rhinos. They have a great victory in France on Friday night against a good Catalans team. Leeds were 20 - 27 winners and are now in the semi finals.

It's a shame that Leeds United don't have the same commitment at the very top to invest and play at the highest level.

Leeds lost in mid week against Hull and the game against Notts Forest is going to be another tough one.

With Ross McCormack injured for 8 weeks I can't see Leeds getting a decent result. I predicted the result against Hull. My prediction against Forest is Leeds 0 - Forest 1.

Cardiff vs Leeds

My scoreline prediction nearly came true yesterday as Leeds lost 2 -1 in Cardiff. Leeds appear to have been outclassed  in the second half but it's no surprise because Cardiff had spent £10 million on players during the summer. That sort of spending puts Leeds' to shame and shows why the club are badly in need of investment to enable them to compete in what is a very strong Championship this season.

Hull on Tuesday promises to be another tough game and Leeds could find themselves fighting in the lower half of the table before long rather than jostling for a play off place.

Cardiff game

Leeds go to Cardiff on Saturday after a 2 week break for international football.

Leeds have signed Michael Tonge from Stoke but Leeds are still suffering with injuries and are in need of team investment. It will be a tough game for Leeds and I predict a 0-2 for Cardiff...but I hope I am wrong !

Leeds vs Blackburn

I think it was a fair result yesterday at Elland Road. Both teams scored 3 goals in an entertaining game. It's always good to compare yourself against good teams and I count Blackburn as a good strong team. Only a few months ago they were a Premier League team and they still have Premier League budgets so it was a good test for Leeds.

Two goals down after 27 minutes things looked bad for Leeds but to their credit they came back strongly in the second half and with 10 minutes to go were winning 3 -2.

It always feels like 2 points lost on that situation but I think both managers will be happy with a draw. The result leaves Leeds in a good position in the league table but I still think Leeds are short of two good players. It's a long season and I'm not convinced that the squad is big enough for a sustainable title challenge.

Leeds draw Everton in Capital One Cup

Leeds have drawn Everton at home in the third round of the Capital Cup.

It's a good but tough draw for Leeds, but they will relish the chance to play Premier League opponents.

Everton have made a good start to the season and are full of confidence. It should be an excellent game.

Peterborough vs Leeds

After being outplayed by Blackpool in midweek Leeds beat Peterborough 2 -1 away, thanks to 2 goals by Bechio. Leeds had to hang on at the end as they came under pressure but some defensive substitutions steadied the Leeds defence and they ran out deserved winners in the end. Blackpool had a 6 nil victory at home to Ipswich and they are looking very strong at the moment so I suppose to only lose 2 -1 at Blackpool was  descent result on paper!

I'm worried though about Leeds scoring goals and I think we need another striker as a matter of priority, although where the money will come from is anyone's guess.

As the take-over of Leeds becomes a farce it's looking less likely that Leeds will have new investment before the transfer window ends.

Season kicks off with a win !

Excellent win for Leeds today at Elland Road against Wolves. I watched the game on Sky TV and new look Leeds looked pretty good especially in defence where Jason Pearce looks like he is going to be a great player for Leeds.

Ross McCormack showed why Warnock was pleased to sign him for another 3 years as he showed some skilful touches and ball controll. He took a superb pass from goalkeeper Kenny and crossed for Bechio to score a diving header.

Leeds deserved the victory against a experienced Wolves team.

Blackpool on Tuesday !

Is this Ken's last visit to Elland Road?

Ken Bates, the chairman of Leeds United flew in from Monaco on Wednesday and will be at the Leeds vs Wolves game at Elland Road today.

Reports say that the sale of Leeds United is nearly finalised, although that could mean that either the sale will go through or that negotiations will break down.

Has Ken Bates been in the UK to sign off the takeover deal? Only he knows and he is not letting on.

Ken Bates saved Leeds when they had debts of £100 million and for that we should thank him sincerely, however, the club needs new investment to start an exiting new era in the history of Leeds United. Let's hope Ken Bates does the right thing for the sake of Leeds United.

I hope the crowd at Elland Road don't chant nasty things at Ken. He deserves better than that. Leeds fans should just let things take their natural course as they won't change things !

No takeover today !

Another day another week and still no news about a takeover of Leeds United. If it's going to happen it's got to be before the end of the football transfer window in early September.

Am looking forward to the start of the new football season. Leeds vs Wolves ...bring it on !!

Leeds United takeover

Radio Leeds reported two days ago that the consortium hoping to buy Leeds United wanted to conclude the purchase before the end of this week.

If that's the case we might hear something tomorrow (friday) !!

Ken Bates helped save Leeds a few years ago but at 80 years of age it's time to move on Ken and enjoy a peaceful retirement !

No news is good news?

Everyday I scour the sports news for anything to do with the Leeds United takeover. I have had a Google Alert set up for the keyword "Leeds United" for several years now and Google sends me an email everyday with links to news stories about the club I love.

Apart from a few stories in the Yorkshire Evening Post about possible player transfers there is not a whisper about who the prospective new owners of Leeds might be or when the deal is likely to be completed.

In the meantime the new football season gets closer and Leeds fans are desperate for news. So if the group who are presently doing due diligence read this blog (unlikely) please hurry up and tell us now !

It's gone quiet

Well, after signing Jason Pearce from Portsmouth Leeds haven't signed any other players and there aren't even any rumours flying around. Even the takeover talk has died a death, although I hope that this is because negotiations are in their final stages.

In some ways it's better that we don't hear any takeover news until it's actually a done deal. That way media speculation won't damage the deal. Let's hope though that there is a deal in the pipeline because it will be a huge disappointment if no deal is done. Leeds United needs a takeover deal so that there are funds available to buy players. Without it Leeds are doomed for another season of struggling in mid table or worse! 

Where are the new signings?

Neil Warnock made his first new signing for Leeds when he got the signature of highly rated centre back Jason Pearce but Leeds United supporters were hoping to see more signings by the end of this week. That doesn't look like that's going to happen as the other Portsmouth player Leeds were interested in, Joel Ward, is talking to several other clubs so it will be next week before he decides where his future lies.

The other news is that Ross McCormack has said he won't sign a new contract. He has been offered a better contract but it looks like he is keeping his options open. McCormack scored 19 goals last season and he will be difficult to replace if he moves on elsewhere. He still has one year left on his contract but Leeds may well decide to sell him now rather than let him go on a free contract at the end of next season.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few days.

Leeds to play pre season in Norway

Good old Neil Warnoock. He is really doing his best to get some good new players for the start of next season. I have a good feeling about this!

For once Leeds appear to have some money to spend on players in the £400,000 to £500,000 range and for the Championship that buys you a good player. In recent seasons Leeds have been heavily into the loan market and you don't get committed players on loan for a short time. You only get committed players who know that they have a good contract.

Leeds have lined up some good pre-season friendly games including one in Norway and they also appear to be lining up a friendly game against Premier League opposition.

I can't wait to see who the next signing is !

Somma on his way back

Davide Somma, the prolific goal scoring sub is on his was back to fitness for Leeds United after suffering crutiate ligament damage in  a pre season game last season. He subsequently missed all of the 2011 to 2012 season and has had two operations.

Somma, however, is back in training after having made a full recovery and is expected to start pre season training with the rest of the squad in July.

Neil Warnock has been hearing very encouraging reports from first team coach Mick Jones about Somma.

Somma scored some fantastic goal for Leeds, mainly after coming off the subs bench and everytime I saw him play he looked like a very strong and skillful player.

Lets hope he is 100% fit and carries on where he left off before his injury.

Snodgrass offered top deal to stay at Leeds

Neil Warnock has said that Robert Snodgrass has been offered a great pay deal to stay at Leeds for another 12 months. Warnock told Yorkshire Radio that he has told Snodgrass that one way or the other he will be playing Premier League football after the end of next season either with Leeds or another club.

Snodgrass is thinking about the offer but it looks like he won't make his mind up until he sees which players Warnock will bring to the club over the next few weeks.

Jason Pearce signs for Leeds

The rebuilding has started at Leeds United with Jason Pearce signing a 4 year deal. Pearce, aged 24, has signed from Portsmouth after previously playing for Bournemouth.

Pearce is highly thought of and has won several player awards. The signing fee is undisclosed but he promises to be a great asset for Leeds.

Bring them on !

Robert Snodgrass might leave Leeds

It's looking very likely that Robert Snodgrass will leave. With one year left on his contract the club are thinking that it might be best to cash in on him if he doesn't sign a new contract.

Snodgrass has recently been voted player of the season and Norwich City are showing an interest in him as well as one or two other Premier League clubs. If he goes to Norwich he will join Leeds' old boys, Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howson.

My view is that if a player does not want to play for Leeds then they should leave. Lets get players in who want  to get the club back into the Premier League !

11 Leeds players told they are not wanted

No real surprises in the list of players at Leeds United told that they are not wanted for next season. However one name is surprising ....Adam Clayton the ex Man City midfielder has been transfer listed !

I'm pleased that Neil Warnock has taken the difficult decisions needed to get Leeds a decent team because the present bunch of players are just not good enough or skilled enough to create a good team.

Only Robert Snodgrass and Aiden White have been offered new contracts.

Can't wait to see which new players are signed !

The season finishes at last !

Leeds United suffered another home defeat on Saturday, losing 1-2 to Leicester City. Leicester scored an injury time winner to cancel out Danny Webber's equaliser. It was United's 11th home defeat of the season making it a record number of home defeats.

Leeds have ended the season in 14th place and have now ended a dismal season.

Neil Warnock, the manager, needs to rebuild the team now. The team he has now would struggle to stay in the Championship next season. The team lacks skill and motivation.

The whole team needs rebuilding. There are only a few players I would keep if I was the boss. We need to start with a solid defence, but some creative midfield players and one or two new strikers and maybe a goalkeeper. Oh...that's the whole,team !!

Yep. we need a new team. Bring it on !

Cardiff City vs Leeds United

Leeds came from behind at Cardiff to snatch a well deserved draw. Bechio scored the equaliser with a glancing header. Cardiff were hoping to secure their place in the play offs but they will now have to wait until the final game of the season next week.

Leeds with only one week of the season left are planning for next season and several of the players currently in the first team may not be part of the managers plans for next season.


Warnock has launched the rebuilding of United’s squad by releasing Ben Parker, Mika Vayrynen and Darren O’Dea, and further announcements are imminent with the club’s Championship season in its last week.

It's Leicester City at home next Saturday for Leeds' final game of the season.

Final score at Cardiff 1 - 1.

End of season can't come soon enough for Leeds

My beloved Leeds United played at Bloomfield Road Blackpool last night and lost by a single goal. I was looking at the BBC stats. and it looks like Leeds put on a good performance. Possession was shared equally at 50/50 and the number of shots on target was very similar. The Blackpool manager said that it was a tough game for his side and Leeds did not make it easy despite having nothing to play for. Blackpool on the other hand were playing to cement their play-off ambitions.

The only downside for Leeds, apart from losing, was that Darren O'Dea was sent off. That's the fourth player Leeds have had sent off in five games. That standard of discipline is just not good enough.

Neil Warnock has said that the end of the season cannot come soon enough so he can start to build a team capable of making a decent challenge for promotion to the Premier League next season.

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First home win for Warnock

It was good news to see that Leeds got their first home win under new manager Neil Warnock. It was a fairly convincing performance from Leeds bearing in mind the teams poor performances of late.Leeds came out 4-1 winners against Peterborough United last Saturday.

It was also good to see Billy Paynter get two goals for the team as he has not had a good Leeds' career so far. It remains to be seen whether Paynter has done enough to secure his place in Warnock's squad for next season. The game against Blackpool is a chance for Paynter to show what he is really made of. At 27 years of age Paynter should not be passed it and I really hope he can regain the form that made him such a prolific scorer when he was at Swindon.

Leeds vs Derby - Easter Monday

I took this photo on Monday 9th April 2012 just before the Leeds United vs Derby County game at Elland Road.

Leeds were awful. They lacked passion but their cause wasn't helped when Michael Brown was given a straight red card for showing his studs during a tackle.

After the game I was sitting in the East Stand hospitality lounge and Terry Yorath was speaking about the game. He described the Leeds' performance as "crap" and I can't disagree !

Neil Warnock it seems is now going to need a clearout of players to make way for free faces if he is to mount a serious challenge for promotion next season.