Gaffer and chairman set for Easter Summit showdown?

Neil Warnock was clearly in no mood to mince his words following our latest Elland Rd flop against Watford on Saturday.

The Leeds United manager was fuming after the high-flying Hornets eased to a 2-0 victory at Elland Road, drawing level with us on points and wiping out our positive goal difference.

Having remarked that we "could not score in a brothel", post match Warnock's focus turned to the massive rebuilding job in the summer. Although the play-ofs are mathematically still in reach due to the pushing pack being in equally as feeble form as us, only a fool would surely put money on Leeds securing an unlikely play-off final triumph and return to the Premiership in May. “I think we are miles away from where we should be," raged Warnock. “Watford are a streetwise team and we have been mugged in every department. We were so naive.

"It showed why I got the job. A major overhaul is needed and I don’t think the 7-3 defeat against Forest was as bad as this performance. “We will have to invest. The chairman knows what I think and I will talk to him when he comes over at Easter.

“It needs major surgery. This is as big a job and challenge as I have ever had." So despite being a contender for the Barry Venison award for stating the bleeding obvious, Warnock's words echo those of us supporters, or Morons who have frequently asked the question why have we weakened the squad seemingly at the expense of rebuilding the corporate facilities in the East Stand?

These are worrying times for Leeds fans. Im sure if we took a straw poll amongst us, there would be some consistency in the names of the current squad we would wish keep? (my list is Lonergan, Thompson, O Dea, Lees, Clayton, Nunez, Snodgrass, Becchio, McCormack - Ive omitted Aidy White btw! other than run fast, what else does he do?). I would also hazard a bet that Warnock's list would not be too dissimilar and White would be on his list.

Obviously we will never be privy to what exactly was said in that now infamous tete-a-tete in the Cafe De Paris between Monsieur's Bates, Harvey and Warnock. Nor will we have anything other than speculation as to what has been said since on the seemingly taboo subject of team rebuilding. The proof is in the pudding and whatever the summer does bring will be, but surely I cannot be the only one worrying that Warnock may be pondering his "get out clause" and Bates will already be writing his programme notes for the first home game of next season about how theprevious manager wanted to sign Messi?

Photo: Action Images

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