Mixed Emotions

Leeds United brings to an end an uncertain close season by landing Bielsa.

Putting aside for one moment any concerns, it does, whichever way you look at it, make a real statement of intent from AR and his team. He's expensive and its a huge gamble so a one year contract is entirely right.

TC and PH each had a contract that was due to expire at the end of next season. I think that puts into perspective any 3 or 5 year plans that have been talked about here and elsewhere. AR wants promotion next season.

The role of the 49ers is interesting. £10m might not sound like a large commitment from a business the size of theirs, however, this is the investment arm of their global business and be it £10 or £10m they will be expecting a return on their buck.

Strategically they will have had their input. They might not know much about football, and I suspect they know more than we give them credit for, but they will have urged AR to think big with his plans if promotion is what he aspires to.

Bielsa presents opportunity and concern. Opportunity comes in the form of someone who has had success in the past. Concern is that he will need the resources to achieve this. Quite how much AR has committed to in an attempt to lure the Argentinian will become clear during the remainder of this window.

Whatever the figure AR needs to deliver or we could end up in another farcical situation once again. Bielsa is not, it would appear, to be a man whose patience can be stretched.

Landing new players quickly has to be the order of the day. Whether anyone choses to accept this or not the fact it that we need a period for the players to get to know one another and to adapt to the system that Bielsa wants to employ.

I believe that the prolonged period of transition at Aston Villa cost them promotion, we can't afford to do that if we are paying Bielsa a king's ransom and we are backing him with expensive recruits.

I don't want boom or bust, we've been there before with long-term consequences. I genuinely believe that AR wants promotion or he'll consider his continued involvement. He's a businessman not a Leeds United fan.

Bielsa will have my support and I'll be patient. If we are within shooting distance of the top six at Xmas I believe we can finally think about the Premier League as a realistic objective. If not, I honestly don't think the likes of Bielsa will be hanging around too long either.

I'm not that sold on the fact that Bielsa will attract players, he'll know players from previous roles and yes, that will play a part. But lets be honest, money is the real attraction and then chances of success. I do believe, however, that there is a good chance that his disciples at Spurs and Man City will be more inclined to allow players out on loan..... Kane and Aguero anyone...???

Elland Road is going to be interesting and exciting again. I reckon the uncertainty that Bielsa brings simply adds to the intoxicating euphoria that surrounds Leeds United today.

We're grabbing headlines again for positive reasons which is fantastic. I hope that club harnesses this and harnesses it well. Promotion itself is a lucrative affair but get your commercial activities aligned and the club will make significant profits.

Bielsa needs to learn English, he needs to stop looking at players' legs (we don't need anymore Savile-like chants from the opposition thank you very much, we want them silenced by our upbeat football and clean sheets and endless amounts of 3 points heading in our direction), he needs to understand and appreciate what Leeds United is, not just the club but the supporters who must be amongst the most loyal and vociferous throughout the football world.

AR needs to provide the resources required. VO needs to take a back seat and fit in to whatever structure is required to make this a successful project.

Let's hope that the good times are about to roll. Whatever my personal opinion of the Argentinian, I'm excited for next season and really, really hope that this is the coach who dispenses with Philips' services. His legs aren't great so there's a chance....

MOT