Promising kids, managerial merry-go-round and megalomaniac owner - Interview Friday, 27th Nov 2015 00:16 by Clive Whittingham Two for the price of one this week as Leeds fans Darren O’Callagan and David Watkins assess the latest situation under Massimo Cellino’s reign of farce and nonsense at Elland Road. How would you assess Massimo Cellino's time in charge at Leeds? Fans seemed quite happy when he arrived at first... DOC: Leeds United have basically been Harchester United from Sky One’s Dream Team for the past 10 years. We thought Cellino would signal the end of that crazy Bates/GFH period — but in true Leeds United fashion, it’s just gotten even more crazy. Cellino genuinely seems to have his heart in the right place, and he has done one or two good things — but overall the way he goes about things is so wrong and so damaging to everyone around him. If his passion was channelled correctly, he’d be good. But unfortunately its wildly un-checked and this is his biggest downfall. Everyone is ready for him to move on. DW: That’s very true, initially we all thought he was the Messiah come to save us . In some ways he has just carried on the trend we have suffered for years though — that roller-coaster of ups and downs we are famous for. He has steadied our ship financially but he seems to have reached a limit beyond which he will not invest further; he promised to repurchase Elland Road but seems reluctant now to part with the £17m that needs. He continues to live up to his name of “Diretorre Mangiator” (Manager eater) too. I’d guess the fans who have an opinion are split 50-50; there are Facebook groups for ‘Cellino In’ as well as ‘Cellino out’. What is the current status of the proposal to sell the club to the supporters? DOC: It was promised that the club would be sold to the supporters and supporters only, but in true Massimo fashion, less than 48 hours after making this promise he had changed his mind. Leeds Fans United — the fans group aiming to buy — are ready to step in with a majority or minority bid and to be fair, have done a hell of a job. But Cellino now says he is waiting until next year to sell due to “no serious bidders”. Hopefully in 2016 we finally attract a rich backer and the fans can own a small stake too. DW: As you know, Cellino did seem to give up all hope after our dire home defeat to Blackburn and since he just happened to be speaking with Leeds Fans United (The fans group that is pushing for a voice on the board) he offered to sell his share to them. Then, after a couple of good wins against Cardiff and Huddersfield, he changed his mind and came out with a statement that he won’t sell until Leeds are confirmed safe in the Championship next year. He changes his mind with the wind.
How would you assess the season so far? DOC: There is a French proverb about a man who jumps from a building, and as he is falling keeps saying to himself “so far, so good, so far, so good”. The moral being that everyone can see his fate but himself. This is very similar with Leeds this season to be brutally honest. We keep clutching at the odd good performance and telling each other we could sneak up into the play offs — but in reality it’s never going to happen. We’ve been poor more than we’ve been good — and that hurts to say. DW: It has been just like the last five or six seasons; moments of hope and glory interspersed with long periods of despair. Most fans believe we have some talented players and on their day they are a match for anyone. However, those good days are few and far between. I guess the truth is that the heart of the team is a group of very young players and we all know that such young players tend to be inconsistent. There are serious doubts over our defence, few fans would suggest they are good enough and we continue to concede sloppy goals that are costing us in tight games. In midfield we lack a commanding figure and up front Chris Wood is struggling to prove he is the £3m player we signed. Why didn't it work out for Uwe Rosler, were the club right to sack him? DOC: Rosler started well, and for the first time in years we actually seemed to have a style and a plan and a way of playing. Sadly for Uwe the ‘rock and roll football’ he promised soon descended into a shit ballad that threatens to lead into a power chorus but ultimately goes nowhere. He was very defensive at the end and paid the price. DW: Although talking a good talk about getting us to play “Heavy Metal” football — that is a high pressing, fast paced, quick attacking style - we often looked more Limp Bizkit, he was looking more likely to take us the way he took Wigan in his later stages there. Few fans felt he was succeeding.
Were there any of Cellino's many managers you were particularly happy or sad to see go? DOC: Very happy to see Hockaday go — Jesus! Dave fucking Hockaday! You can’t pluck an underperforming coach from non-league and stick him as manager of one of Englands biggest clubs. That was doomed before it began. I’m angry just typing that. DW: Neil Redfearn was obviously a firm favourite with the fans as a “top Yorkshire bloke” who had worked wonders with the Academy, and the manner he and his mate, Steve Thompson were sacked was a disgrace. However, most felt that Redfearn was not actually great manager material. Most wanted him back running the academy, the job he was promised by Cellino if it didn’t work out in the top job. Cellino reneged on that deal. Brain McDermott was popular too. As to Hockaday, Milanic and Rosler, Leeds fans are still asking why they were here in the first place. Is it possible for any manager to succeed working under him? DOC: Short, realistic answer; no. Longer answer; if you win most of your games by playing attacking football and also don’t take too much of his limelight then maybe. DW: Yes, if they win most games and don’t appear to be more popular than Cellino with the fans. There is a school of thought that says the reason Redfearn was disposed of was that he was more popular than Cellino at the time. So, even winning games didn’t keep him and Thompson in a job. Rumours persist that Cellino meddles in team selection too and even if not true the rumour alone makes it difficult for any manager. Someone like Steve Evans, who at least gives the impression that he won’t stand for any bullshit and yet will never win over some Leeds fans ironically may have the best chance. Outwardly at least he tells us “the moment Steve Evans doesn’t pick the side is the moment Steve Evans is out” Talk to me about Steve Evans. Seemed a rather left field appointment to say the least. How's it going so far? DOC: Really has won most people round with his passion and honesty. Everyone seems to be rooting for him, but he too has overseen some pretty diabolical performances already. Genuinely hope he’s the man who gets it right for us, because it’s obvious that managing Leeds really does mean everything to him. Proof will be in the pudding. DW: As just mentioned, I personally think he is the only sort of bloke who has a cat in hell’s chance of working sensibly under Cellino; it has to be someone very thick skinned who can distance himself from everything that goes on away from the playing staff. There are a few players in our squad who clearly think they are better than they are too and I think Evans is the sort to get them under control. There have been signs that Evans’ way is working too albeit we reverted to type with a less than clinical game against Rotherham. Evans openly admits what we all know — our squad is still short of a few key, quality players in defence, midfield and attack, players who can operate at a consistent level every game and players who can help the youngsters learn. Having said that it is hard to believe two characters like Evans and Cellino will not fall out big style before too long.
Why is Leeds' home record so bloody awful? DOC: Steve Evans says that some of our gifted youngsters are scared to even say hello to each other in the morning at training. We have so much talent in parts, but very little character. It takes serious character to poke your chest out and be brave enough to try things at Elland Road and sadly we seem to be missing this type. We are a very demanding set of fans and that shirt weighs incredibly heavy on some at home. DW: As just mentioned, I personally think he is the only sort of bloke who has a cat in hell’s chance of working sensibly under Cellino; it has to be someone very thick skinned who can distance himself from everything that goes on away from the playing staff. There are a few players in our squad who clearly think they are better than they are too and I think Evans is the sort to get them under control. There have been signs that Evans’ way is working too albeit we reverted to type with a less than clinical game against Rotherham. Evans openly admits what we all know — our squad is still short of a few key, quality players in defence, midfield and attack, players who can operate at a consistent level every game and players who can help the youngsters learn. Having said that it is hard to believe two characters like Evans and Cellino will not fall out big style before too long. Stand out performers and weak links in the Leeds team? DOC: Stand out would be Lewis Cook — he’s only 18 and you can put your house on him making it all the way to the top. The kid has it all — dribbling, tackling, passing. He is a joy to watch. Weak links — This really could be anyone. We have many hot and cold players who could look Champions League one game and Sunday league the next — Bellusci and Cooper to name a few. DW: Speak to most Leeds fans and the stand out name will be Lewis Cook. He is undoubtedly a talented footballer and we will be going into the next transfer window nervously wondering if someone will snap him up. Having said that, it has become apparent this season that though he is good, he is nowhere near the finished article yet and he is just 18 years old. Hence, although he will pick the ball up deep and weave through and past numerous opposition players, more often than not his final ball is poor or he gets caught before he has used it. Hence in terms of what he actually gives to the team at this time it is limited. Charlie Taylor at left back is probably our best performer this season though he has missed the last few games through illness. He is another of the youngsters. No one else has had a stand out season; Silvestri in goal oscillates between brilliant and abysmal; Peppe Bellusci and Sol Bamba in defence both have mistakes in them; Alex Mowatt is capable of whipping a left foot shot into the top corner but is equally capable of playing 90 minutes without a mention on the commentary; Chris Wood up front can strike a ball with venom but is very poor in the air. I could go on.
Is relegation a realistic possibility this season? DOC: Anything is possible with Leeds United — especially under Cellino. The most frustrating thing is we arguably have our best squad on paper in a few years — but the times it gels and looks good is far outweighed by the times we look poor. I think we will be ok, and I have faith in Evans, but with the lack of character mentioned before — I do worry that if we get properly sucked in we may not have the mindset to fight our way out. DW: Of course it is. All of our games this season have been very tight, there is seldom nothing to choose between us and the opposition in any game and so our propensity to give away sloppy goals can and does cost us. At the other end, our ability to take the few chances that we create is very limited and we tend not to be very clinical in front of goal. We are no better than a mid-table side unless we get some new faces during the next transfer window. The trouble is, that mid-table is so congested that you can easily find yourself in the bottom three even though you are no worse than several teams above you. We do struggle to win the so called winnable games against the so called lesser teams. Short, medium and long term aims for the club? DOC: Short term — Consistency, stick with Evans, get up towards that mid table mark. Medium — Play offs, consistency, keep hold of our talented youngsters. Long term — Premier League. Thanks a lot and I would like to wish you the very best of luck for the rest of the season. DW: Leeds United is a Premier League outfit. Full stop. Our stadium, history, the following of so many fans both at the games and watching on TV proves that. But no team has a divine right to be there. That is and always will be the long term aim. Short term the aim has to be to strengthen the squad with a few quality, experienced players who can help the youngsters to develop. Medium term we need to keep the youngsters and build some momentum. The trouble is, in the background all the time there is that uncertainty about our ownership — even now we are waiting to hear if Cellino will face another ban. Planning short, medium or long term with that hanging over us is difficult. Darren O’Callagan is a Leeds United season ticket holder for more than ten years. David Watkins is the author of several Leeds books including Leeds United, The Kids Are Alright; Leeds United, Fiasco and Leeds United, In Pursuit of the Premiership. The Twitter @DaveLUFCWatkins, @Dazzler1717, @loftforwords Pictures — Action Images Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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