At last ! someone who can see beyond the Bullshit, well done got my full support only another 30,000 to go!

Cellino in talks with Jose morino. It is true, lol!

Tweeted the same sentiments earlier today. 100% behind everything Cellino has done/ is doing, but hockaday, no way. I'm willing to bet anyone that he won't last any more than 5 league games!

Can't do anything other than agree with everything you say. When they were appointed I thought Dave (I've done it all) and Junior were brought in to drive the coach. Actually it's all a ploy when it goes wrong at the start of the season they will be sacked and Carbonne will be made manager, coach, trainer or whatever.

Excellent article Paul, agree with everything you said. I know a thing or two about coaches'and this pub team manager will destroy the start to the season before he's sacked.

First, jumping to ANY kind of conclusion after a friendly is nuts. Presumably the Man City message boards were on fire when they got beaten by Dundee. So although i was kind of perplexed by Mansfield, this isn't a sensible reaction. HOWEVER, I can't disagree that this was the oddest appointment I have ever seen; if Cellino had appointed his kids as first team coach and assistant, or indeed himself, it would be easier to understand. I didnt get it then and I dont get it now. I agree that Salerno looks like he might be the business; and that in cellino we have a leader with belief and passion, which we have been missing. I was expecting Carbone to take the role; he may lack experience but he would be - and importantly be seen as - a credible appointment. As would Mcallister. As would Richard Naylor for goodness sakes. As would - in my dreams - del Piero. If Hockaday was a 30 year old prodigy with zero experience who had devoted his time to learning to be the world best coach - kind of Villas Boas-like - then fine. But he's not. So, reluctantly, and not because of Mansfield (ok, a little bit because of Mansfield actually) this mad experiment should end now. Forza Leeds! MOT.

I was at the Mansfield game and have to agree .Hock seemed clueless and for the most part Leeds seemed to lack direction and shape. I have been an ardent fan since the 70's and like most deluded Leeds fans would be forever optimistic about the coming season. Not this one. It scares me for this sole reason and have visions of a return to league one.I sincerely hope i am proved wrong and will continue to fully back the team, after all they didn't appoint the Hock.. MOT

The decision to employ these two noodles was ridulous, nay scandalous. Why not bring back Alan Clarke he could surely do a better job. Joking aside this one calamitous decision highlights the dangers that lie ahead under cellino. He is arrogance personified, he thinks he can do anything with impunity. He will pick the teams no matter who the coach is, he wants a yes man. He only picked tweedle dumdee because they will do what ever he asks without question. Yes in the short term he has saved us from extinction but I am very afriad of the medium to longer term future under cellino. I do not have your optimism i am afraid.

You may well be right but Mass employs coaches on the basis of how cheap they will be to sack rather than how good they are. We are clearly in the hands of a lunatic but at least he is our lunatic. I am enjoying the ride so far and as long as we are realistic in our expectations it should be fun. We have a few new players but not everyone will be a star, but some might be! We really need a Gordon Strachan/Bobby Collins signing but who would that be? There don’t seem to be any on the horizon and we lack the pull of an influential manager to spring a surprise. Mass needs to step up to this role. Don’t be surprised when Noel Hunt comes good.

This is quite the best summing up of the situation I have seen. You have said everything we all believe but have wanted to try and disregard - a bit like being so infatuated with a women that you ignore all the warning signs until it's too late!! You are right that picture tells a thousand words. I love Cellino and he is such a good fit for Leeds but this appointment is I am sure a bad mistake. The good news is that Cellino won't let a bad situation continue and Carbone is there as a back stop. With the Italian invasion he will be perfect to step in. We will all sleep sounder if this decision is made soonest.

FFS give them a chance, you are effusive in your support for Cellino,and seem to think he's the best thing since sliced bread, yet before a single ball has been kicked in anger you are questioning one of the 2 most important signings, his coach, someone he chose based on substantial investigation and with 2 decades of experience. Ypu seem delighted with the new players, based on what youtube video's? IMHO the jury is still out on Cellino, Salerno and Hockaday. But we've got to give them a chance to show what they can do. Until then its MOT!

Notsofanouanymore suns up the situation well. It will all end in tears snd very soon. Think I will hibernate until then

The view are crystallising against the appointment before a ball has bee kicked in anger. I think that we have to give them a chance, seriously, but there is a lot of concern out there!

For fans who believe Massimo did any background check on The Hock, let me assure you he did not. He admitted he nothing of his background (31% win rate in the lower leagues) before appointing him! He admitted he could have made a big mistake. But at least. a.He was cheap. b. He has not brought any of 'his' players in. We need a coach who can command respect (that must have been a big part of Ross's departure). We were allowed to play two full teams against Guiseley and Mansfield. Guiseley tired towards the end and we snatched victory. Opponents do not fear or respect us just now. Can you blame them?

Passionate and opinionated is fine by me, you entitled to your view. However did you need to let yourself down so badly by mocking special needs people? It might help if you were to very swiftly issue an apology.

Allowing Federico Viviani to watch us play football was a big mistake!

Agree totally, even give Carbone the job at least he has a clue !!!!!

The best leeds eleven ever were struggling towards the end of their 1974 title winning season . Prior to winning their last 3 games to clinch it ,they won two out of ten , but dissent would never have been heard back then . I think some of today's leeds fans would have been slagging them off . Cellino is the guy who has to work with Hock and I'm sure he'll soon be on his way if he can't back up his interview. All we can do is back Massimo untill he finds his feet in English football . Moaning at the inevitable will not help anyone .

On the basis of one friendly match and a photo you have arrived at a judgement. The photo told you everything you need to know - well there's an objective mind for you. You're probably someone who agitated to to see the back of the last ten managers because you can't see further than your nose end. And finally as a parent of a "special needs" child i find your comment offensive.

I agree with most of the comments. I was a big BMD fan and would have loved him to have been given a chance to develop the team without the problems off the field of last season. Ross would still be a Leeds player if BMD was still manager. It's rare to see aplayer so loyal to a manager these days. This season will be promotion or relegation and not another mid-table season. MOT

pair of nobodys ,just look at them they look clueless.god help us

Totally agree with the article, Cellino is getting my support however Hockaday does not fill me with any confidence at all, there is nothing to like about him at all. I get the feeling that if Cellino had appointed Gary Mac I get the feeling that the fans would be more optimistic and supportive. I know that Cellino wont hesitate to sack Hockaday but fans are going into this new system felling down.

what Id love to know is who was the inept clown that recommended Hockaday in the first place? Please step forward out of the shadows so we can see what you look like! What depresses me most about this senseless appointment is that we probarly now all feel that we will have to watch the first third of the season drift away before he is given the boot and someone else has to come in and either steer us away from relegation or make a belated play off spot attempt. Back Cellinos judgement to date - apart from his jaw dropping choice of coaching staff.

Its difficult to find an argument to support the appointment of Hockaday other than appointing someone with a proven track record ( like a Warnock or McDermott ) has not proved to be a successful formula either and has cost the club a significant amount of money in the process. I am also concerned by the player recruitment policy so far. Bringing a lot of foreign players in at the same time could completely backfire on us as even if they are good footballers will they settle in Leeds ? But, then again if I look at the dross that the previous two managers lumbered us with then could it be any worse..and even if it is as bad it certainly wont be as costly ! Having said all of this the most worrying thing is that will having Hockaday in charge of the team and a man as spontaneous as Cellino running our club deter the good English talent from joining our club ? We are desperate for at least one good left winger and a proven striker at Championship level to replace Ross and if we dont get these players in then it will be a disappointing season again !

I don't want Cellino or Hockaday at our club, Cellino is a PR nightmare, yes he has money but so do thousands of others, he says he turned down a Billion for the club if true that is the worst decision ever. I believe we should be aiming better than a failed conference manager..... i go on stats and his stats are appalling. We should have gone for experience over a nobody. I can only see relegation this year based on the facts we've lost our top scorer, we are devoid of any creative players and we have the same crap defence as last year, we will be down a fair few thousand supporters at home this season too because people are just fed up off the crap coming out of ER. We are a laughing stock for every other club.

I thought his name was Julian Hockaday?

All is spot on. But will the groundswell of common opinion make MC more stubborn and keep him OR will he listen as he did when being chased in a private hire. My guess he will leave with the Christmas lights but by then another season maybe written off. If Hockie proves me wrong I'll be delighted.1

WHY OH WHY OH WHY....THIS IS TORTURE THAT`S IT REALLY

Juan, We're in the process of recruiting a number of players to strengthen the team You've dismissed the new players before they've even kicked a ball. By the way, Cellino kept a team in Italy's top division for twenty years so he actually has a pretty decent track record and if the coach doesn't get results he won't hang around. Most managers get sacked within 6 months regardless of who they are

These pair of muppets need to be despatched asap!Hockaday is a failed(dinasour)coach!! and as for the pub team coaching sideshow,as his number 2!! well i was lost for words, when they got the gig!!!Why o Why!!!

TC, i have my own opinion as you do yours, i don't want to see us relegated.... however i believe that you are a little naive to think a couple of 2nd rate italians and swiss players are going to get us promoted. you must see rational sense, Burnley had quality, Qpr and Leicester had quality, we don't.... as it stands we still have no wingers at all cellino is on holiday and we can't even get the only quality Italian to sign! cmon mate you must see all is not well...... all i want is to see Leeds do well but seriously disagree with how its been done, as it stands i have as much experience of getting an english club promoted as Cellino does. MOT

Most of these arseholes making their way in "journalism" are middle-class toss-pots whose arrogant, narcissistic posturing belies their ignorance and complete lack of talent. The sub- text is clear and repeated ad nauseum. Everyone involved in football is stupid and inept. It is only they; the mighty all-seeing, all-knowing, intellectually superior journo who can analyse and interpret the game! Those who can do; those who can' t leach.

I'm concerned about the Appointment of Hockaday and Jr and 2nd tier players who dont have Experience in the championship I think it Will be a learning curve for Cellino if its not working Cellino will not wait to Wheeled the axe

Easily the most depressing and negative story/blog/set of comments i have ever read and hilariously based almost exclusively on a photo! Jesus wept. Enjoy the season lads...

1. The team on Saturday is the team to play Millwall. No more signings then? 2. Hock a day will be gone before November. 3. No self respecting coach will stand for anyone else picking the playing staff. 4. Cellino's honesty with the press is already wearing thin, beginning to sound like hollow words. 5. Can hockaday speak Italian? 6. If carbone is the answer, what's the question? 7. Sad to say it but us leeds fans have gone soft. Back in the seventies there would have been a full scale riot over this shambles. 8. Whatever happens, WE ARE LEEDS!!!!

Cellino is brilliant 'I thought HOCK wasonly going to be trainer ,its a worry if he has any say in tactics and s election,

First six results and Hock will be OUT, maybe even less.

Stop fucking moaning and give them a chance. If they don't start the season well, then they are cheap enough to get rid of.

To the person who stated MC is the worst thing that happens to LUFC and he made the worst decision no selling to one of the offers for a Billion quid. I suggest you go and read MC comment again cause i think some people understand him wrong due to his English with a Italian twist. He said money for him is not as important as his legacy he is getting older and what good is a Billion if he cant spend it or take it with or what good is 100 kv of cavier if he cant eat it . So for him he wants to be the one that goes in the History books as the man who took Lufc back to the PL and back to the top of English football. This is worth more to MC than a Billion and is by far more important to him. This tells me what i need ri know that he wants Leeds United for the right reason not just a investment or to rinse the club or to make a quick profit no he wants to be remembered throughout history in the legacy of the Great LEEDS UNITED. The cheek of some fans makes ashamed that we have such stink associated with lufc and he fans. In the same comment the person said MC is rich but so are a 1000 others ,yes that is true but there have been many chances to buy LUFC but yet only big mouths,fakes and a bunch so called Business men that openly in the press said they have the money and they ae going to do big things and invest in the team ,the ground ect yet when it came down to showing the money or proving they really have the funds the excuses came and this has happen over and over untill actually one rich guy payed over the odds and has shown he has the money buy really paying debts off and buying players and his name is Cellinio. Also lets not forget he has more experience that all the MC haters put together in keeping his old club in the top flight and ensuring they were a Operating Football club business with no debts. MC knows what he is doing and at the time when he sacked BMD the pressure was on to get a coach yet the ones he wanted were not available so in my eyes he comes up with a great business footballing decision in that the team was due back so he gets the most cheapest guy possible to basically welcome the team back and to look after the players also getting there fitness to a level and to keep the team fresh and sharp all the by MC is looking for a perfect replacment with no pressure from the press from the fans ect. This would make absolute sense and i have a suspicion that Hockaday js aware of the plan and is full on board with it. Cause either way for Hockaday it a win win. Basicly Hockaday was employed as a fitness trainer babysitting the team till the real Coach has been signed. MC ca. Look for the real coach with no press writing lie's or the fans stressing and turning against MC or the team and ensuring the team is kept upto scratch. This would make perfect sense in why Hockaday was chosen. Also to the Haters out there MC has barley been in charge 4 months and look what he has done all good things so please let give him more respect and at the bare minimum some time. Cause those of you constantly preaching ur unfounded bull are doing all us proper fans head rite in. Muphets

listen what worries me more his he has about 20 million sat in the transfer kitty and spent f all so far, we need at least one decent centre half or its conceeding three every game again, we need some pace on the left if byrams taking the right side up that is and at least one decent fast striker ala troy deeney ish, then weve half a chance spend some of that brass its mcormack money get them in arsing around theres 14 days to scumwall game whats going on,

How many players have turned down or had second got a clue or a chancethoughts about signing for Leeds this week? How many hae decided to go elsewhere because they, as professional footballers can see that the head coach (currently on a run of 7 defeats in 8 games in theconference)hasn't a clue or a chance of succeding.

I have always thought Cellino would be good for us, but have to agree the appointment of these 2 is questionable. Witnessed the shambles (and it was) at Mansfield but other pre-seasons have also produced equally shambolic performances - 4-0 @ Bury, and Walsall ripped us apart last season. More worrying is the physio who allowed Walters to stay on the pitch and he's now out for a few weeks I understand. Don't think Walters would even be in the team so in that sense it's no loss but the physio's judgement?

Far from a distance (U.S.) - I've learned 2 things over the years: a) Don't sweat the team until the transfer deadline comes and goes b) Don't expect an influx of foreigners in year 1 to take you to the promised land. Everything else is a bias, and being a lifelong Detroit Lions fan all I can say about a guy like Hockaday in charge is Ugh!!! Been there, done that - it doesn't end well.

Well that escalated quickly :) I think some people on here are suffering from pre-season delerium. I agree Hockaday was a bizarre choice, but christ at least let him get a couple of competitive games under his belt before you crucify him! Celino will waste no time in kicking him out the door if he can't cut it. Celino does look like he has the passion that Leeds fans want, and the pulling power we have sorely lacked in the last couple of seasons, but some people here think he's already done the business just by turning up. He needs to prove himself as well. I've seen a lot of blustering from him but he needs to provide results in the English game, same as DH. I think we should stop worrying about what we can't control and concentrate on making Elland Road a loud, intimidating ground again. Did you see that video from the Bundesliga (Frankfurt was it?) - we should be aiming for that! MOT

Hockington talks a brilliant game but him and the other one,junior who?have no chance.I,m trying to stay positive,but these two take the bisquit..Confused,,overawed,,stunned,, bewildered Totally lost.The jobs too big for them they don't know what to do next. When we start losing and the crowd gets.on their case, they will crumble.El Presidente the appointment of these two will come back to haunt you

After witnessing the debacle against Mansfield and then listening to Wackaday saying we deserved at least 0-0 can anyone blame Viviani for having second thoughts ? The lunatics have taken over the asylum.

wheres the new 5/6 signings promised spend the mcormack cash !!!! its practically the same defence and still no pace with 14 days to go !!!! were going down with this lot if that defence isn t tightened up in the middle end off

Well said - i give him until the end of September and then he's gone. I don't wish anyone to lose their job but this is actually a laughable situation. I support Cellino and he seems quite mad so i hope he sees the light and gets a proper manager to run the team sooner rather than later.

We'll piss this league!

I saw that Bianchi against Guiseley on Saturday he looked shit. Norris looked like a proper player next to him.

When the Tesco's near mine were going through a rough patch, they were threatening to close the franchise as they weren't making enough money, until they called in the expert. Hockaday came in, and realised the mess he had got himself into, this was a real challenge. He knew he had to implement radical changes, and fast. Some of his problems as below; · Overpriced goods, with nothing to back up the large price tags · Shelves left empty. Not enough pace down the aisles to keep them stacked · Till cashiers left isolated, no one to making the runs to assist · Switching off before the end. It isn't over until closing time. · Lazy staff members, no one tracking back to stop the shoplifters, blaming the other man, saying he should have been marking him · Not enough cheeseburgers being sold, basically cheeseburgers should sell themselves at the end of the day in my opinion Now, they are a respectable outfit. They may not be challenging the big Morrisons or Asda down the road, but at the end of the day it's a Tesco Express. But at certain times they can beat the big supermarkets in a daily intake, plus to make it better there's quite a fit girl on the till there, and this weekend it didn't beep when she tried to scan my cigs, so I didn't actually pay for them. Which in my view means she wants to sleep with me, possibly. Hockaday made this happen. Believe.

What a pile of Sherman Tank!