The Manager

I agree Leedsfan,

parting with the money makes it more believable, but do you think Grayson picks the players he wants to bring in?

He''s been dabbling in freebie and loan market for so long I think he's addicted to'em.

Bates is after profit for his own company and pocket, he's a shady character who I think is taking Leeds United for a ride.

He's a businessman before anything else, and Grayson does his bidding for him by choice, no one is forcing him.

I'm not necessarily sure that Grayson picks all of the players. Gwyn Williams is meant to be the Chief Scout guy we have so maybe he is the one calling the shots? Gwyn and Ken go back a long way so there is more in it for Gwyn than there is for SG if you know what I'm getting at. Take Barry Bannan for example. Did SG actually want Bannan on loan? If so, why didn't he play him much more and change our style. I know people will knock me for saying change our style and say we can't play 4-4-2 but that is a load of cods wallops. If you put the best players in to match a system you can play that way.

If you're convinced he's done a good job it shouldn't be too hard for you to give reasons why.

I think he's done a bad job and over the past year and a half I've presented a very strong case for it.

You're absolutely right Leedsfan,

A team can play any formation providing the manager sets the team up for that formation, and gives the relevant instructions.

I can't comment to much on Gwyn Williams being responsible for bringing all players in, but doesn't Simon have the final say?

I can appreciate he does it sometimes based on advice and info given to him.

CliveTime - I've seen your reasons for Grayson doing a bad job on the Beeb 606. I agree with some of them but you have to ask yourself that given the limitations in place from the higher version of hierachy, has he really done a bad job? For me at the end of the day, he did get us promoted (eventually!) and yes he almost screwed that up. I think the crop of players we had bottled it when it dawned upon them that they were leading the way and didn't like been shot at! Each game was becoming a game such as us versus Histon where there was a cup feel to the games.

LeedsLover - you are probably correct when you say SG has the final say. I do see these people such as Gwyn Williams and others usually classed as 'Director of Football' somewhat meddling with the recruitment policy. I just think there is a strong connection between Williams and Bates where the latter can pull those strings effortlessly leaving Grayson to choose from not always his first choice of players.

What are the limitations, though?

Lack of money?

Well, could he not spend what little he has more wisely?

Could he not fight for more?

I think Williams is the one who brings in the foreign players like Becchio, Somma and Nunez.

That would explain why Grayson doesn't play Somma and Nunez.

It shows you the difference between McAllister and Grayson when Macca took one look at Becchio and knew he was good enough, Grayson is afraid to play the foreigners and youngsters.

I think Gwyn Williams was instrumental in bringing in a lot of the foreigners to Chelsea, like Gus Poyet.

I can't see him recommending Neill Collins, but then I can't see anyone recommending Neill Collins.

For me the limitations are the wage structure. My reasons for this are due to the fact that transfer fees are more reasonable now than what they were under the DOL era. Notice a lot more clubs are choosing to state that a player has been signed for an 'undisclosed' fee. I reckon that is to cover up the spending and receiving for both parties. It's all becoming a bit like a game of poker with the lack of transparency. So on to this wage structure, Bates is forever harping on about it whether it's on the OS or LUTV. This will surely transmit to player's agents so for me this limits the number of quality players looking to join. I for one feel that footballers get too much money. Notice that I didn't say earn!!!

As for Grayson playing foreigh players and youth, it does seem to be an unknown for him. There is a certain trend going on in the fact that he seems to mistrust these category of players and question whether they are adapted or physically ready for the first team. Tom Lees is a prime example. Nunez has also come back with glowing reports. Maybe Grayson can reflect on this during the summer (I'm sure he'll enjoy his luxury break to Barbados as announced by the presenter on Sky yesterday!!) and take more calculated risks and mix it up a bit. Too many players will know well before the team is announced that they are playing. That can't be healthy for competition and ultimately pushes the young lads out along with Somma and co.

SG is not a bad manager he can only get the best out of the freebies that are available.No manager worth his salt would take the job on under the way the club is run at the moment .ONeil to Bates WELL HOW MUCH IS MY TRANSFER BUDGET £400K what per player no for the new recruits and yoyr wage bill will be no more than £6000 per week maximum sorry KB you can keep your job!So lets not delude ourselves SG under the present regime and permits has done a great job.Oh for Dean Hoyle!

Gary McAllister worked under the same board and did a better job.

Failure to use the squad properly and tactical errors are solely down to Grayson.

A small budget may mean you can't get players better than the ones you have, but it doesn't mean you have to get ones who are worse.

If the wage structure was such a problem we wouldn't have been able to attract the quality free transfers we have.

Explain Clive Time your statement about McCalister DOING A BETTER JOB I can,t see that HISTON ! for example. I think SG has done a very good job considering the money that has been at his disposal