Top Statement

[Daggers]

13 hours ago, Jon the Hat said:

He is literally selling Leeds to whoever comes up with the cash, and we think he is great because his PR guy wrote a nice press release, whereas Top may have written his own.  If nothing else this reminds me of when Gordon Brown penned a hand written apology to that lady he called a bigot, considering a hand written letter to be much more personal and obviously actually from him, and she was offended not to received a typed formal apology, her seeing that as more appropriate.  Communication is a two way street, and frankly you cannot please everyone even if you wanted to.  If the reader thinks you are a numpty who should leave, they are not going to like your message even if objectively it is as good as it can be.

Gordon Brown didn’t blame the woman or whine on about how some people have been mean to him. He didn’t pen “sorry not sorry lol”.

 

It’s not about him leaving. I don’t want him to leave, I want him to wise up and appoint experts to run the club. It’s about him and the club failing to hold their hands up. It’s about them all hiding. 
 

And the longer we wait for proper words and actions, the more angry people are going to get. 
 

Southampton are kicking on, we’re kicking back. 

[Matt]

2 hours ago, Countesthorpe Fox 1884 12 said:

Are we really entering a conversation around how a man that gave Alan Pardew an 8 year contract is a better owner the KP/ Top? This is a new dimension.

Playing devils advocate he did give Rodgers a brand new 5 and a half year contract (yes thing we’re rosy at the time) but it was the start of cracks appearing, making him bigger than the club with far too much control and unaffordable to sack (until things got so desperate).

[bmt]

What happened to the foxes Trust post? that was a comedy thread

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Do we think anyone at all will apologise? 

[lfu]

8 hours ago, Mike Oxlong said:

Obviously a chairman, who was truly invested in the club and really upset and sorry would have arranged to have had himself publically flogged through the streets of the city by now before taking a holy vow not to smile, laugh or have any fun whatsoever for at least the next 5 years 

Who's volunteering to stand outside Seagrave doing this for the entire summer?

 

[CrispinLA in Texas]

I reckon Top read this thread recently....so Top can you get some new blood on your board who have footballing knowledge and an eye on the ball because Leicester's been left behind from the likes of Brighton, Brentford and other clubs.

Bring the back ex Recruitment Steve Walsh on your board or even Puel as DoF.... don't think Nigel Pearson or Dave Rennie will leave Bristol city.

Or go leftfield and employ knowledgeable guys from foxestalk like @Ric Flair

[ozvaldo]

4 hours ago, Beachyboy said:

While I don't agree with the photo, I do find it foolish to compare what one man would do in his 30s to another guy that was 60.

 

I don’t. Not if he’s the owner and head of a Prem team that’s been on the decline for 18months. Doesn’t matter how old he is. It’s about mindset. 

[Bilo]

Puel as DoF is a great shout.

 

He's a horrible manager, but stubborn enough to stand up for what he believes in and the window we had under him where Maddison, Soyuncu, Ricardo and Evans came in was the best since we won the league. The guy can clearly spot a player. You'd also think he'd be held in high regard as a man by the hierarchy with the classy way he dealt with Vichai's passing and the aftermath. 

[AjcW]

1 minute ago, Bilo said:

Puel as DoF is a great shout.

 

He's a horrible manager, but stubborn enough to stand up for what he believes in and the window we had under him where Maddison, Soyuncu, Ricardo and Evans came in was the best since we won the league. The guy can clearly spot a player. You'd also think he'd be held in high regard as a man by the hierarchy with the classy way he dealt with Vichai's passing and the aftermath. 

I understand the sentiment, but what I seem to remember is Macia as chief scout was behind a lot of those finds, and the only story I heard about a Puel signing was his son recommending Diabate or something?? 

[Kitchandro]

1 hour ago, Bilo said:

Puel as DoF is a great shout.

 

He's a horrible manager, but stubborn enough to stand up for what he believes in and the window we had under him where Maddison, Soyuncu, Ricardo and Evans came in was the best since we won the league. The guy can clearly spot a player. You'd also think he'd be held in high regard as a man by the hierarchy with the classy way he dealt with Vichai's passing and the aftermath. 

What do people mean when they say this? I hear it a lot but I don’t remember him doing anything special regarding it.

 

The only thing I remember him doing was using it as an excuse for our form around the same time he said we couldn’t be expected to compete with Wolves.

[lfu]

1 hour ago, AjcW said:

I understand the sentiment, but what I seem to remember is Macia as chief scout was behind a lot of those finds, and the only story I heard about a Puel signing was his son recommending Diabate or something?? 

Tielemans and Ricardo mentioned that Puel was who convinced them to sign

[Jon the Hat]

9 hours ago, Daggers said:

Gordon Brown didn’t blame the woman or whine on about how some people have been mean to him. He didn’t pen “sorry not sorry lol”.

 

It’s not about him leaving. I don’t want him to leave, I want him to wise up and appoint experts to run the club. It’s about him and the club failing to hold their hands up. It’s about them all hiding. 
 

And the longer we wait for proper words and actions, the more angry people are going to get. 
 

Southampton are kicking on, we’re kicking back. 

I think Southampton accepted and were planning for this a month or so ago, whereas we were in denial up to the final game.  Quite right though, and I am not excusing that.  Perhaps the Leeds chairman isn't getting horrible messages having delivered the league and FA cup in the past 7 years?  I suppose though the decision to write that comes from a justifiable feeling, but it is the lack of good leadership around him which meant he didn't have anyone to tell him that could come across as a bit whingy and he should just say sorry.

Edited 1 June 2023 by Jon the Hat

[Mickyblueeyes]

The thing I can’t stand now is the claim that we have some sort of special owner. We are now using the Leeds chairman as an example and Mike Ashley. I actually don’t think Top and Ashley are too different. Ashley is a good business man who buys low and sells high. Not too far off our thinking last season. We tried to skim it. 
 

Nonetheless, this incorrect perception that Top is some sort of special owner and we should look out to our peers and think, aren’t we lucky we are not them is ridiculous, especially more so after this disaster. Support him, fine, but to suggest the above is now borderline stupid. His leadership (or lack of) has risked the future of the club. And there is none from the group of clubs we competed with last season who want him anywhere near their club - these are facts. 
 

it’s a crap statement given the magnitude of the disaster we have just seen and to some extent, pathetic. He has a lot of growing up to do and needs to really impress in next few steps (if he does in fact take any) to achieve the level so many have him at. There is no “be careful what you wish for here”. Yes we could end up with a absolute shark who leverages the club in a ridiculous manner or more than likely we could end up with an owner who is relatively in active and keeps us just above water, which is exactly where we are going. Weather Top stays or go, the damage is done. He is a significant part of the problem at this club. Let’s see what the next stage is under his tenure, my fear it will be just as frustrating a season next as it has been this. 

[Jon the Hat]

1 minute ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

The thing I can’t stand now is the claim that we have some sort of special owner. We are now using the Leeds chairman as an example and Mike Ashley. I actually don’t think Top and Ashley are too different. Ashley is a good business man who buys low and sells high. Not too far off our thinking last season. We tried to skim it. 
 

Nonetheless, this incorrect perception that Top is some sort of special owner and we should look out to our peers and think, aren’t we lucky we are not them is ridiculous, especially more so after this disaster. Support him, fine, but to suggest the above is now borderline stupid. His leadership (or lack of) has risked the future of the club. And there is none from the group of clubs we competed with last season who want him anywhere near their club - these are facts. 
 

it’s a crap statement given the magnitude of the disaster we have just seen and to some extent, pathetic. He has a lot of growing up to do and needs to really impress in next few steps (if he does in fact take any) to achieve the level so many have him at. There is no “be careful what you wish for here”. Yes we could end up with a absolute shark who leverages the club in a ridiculous manner or more than likely we could end up with an owner who is relatively in active and keeps us just above water, which is exactly where we are going. Weather Top stays or go, the damage is done. He is a significant part of the problem at this club. Let’s see what the next stage is under his tenure, my fear it will be just as frustrating a season next as it has been this. 

His father was certainly a special and no doubt lucky owner.  I think a lot of us were willing to give Top the benefit of the doubt, but the fact is he is 20 odd years younger than his father was when he took over, and without the majority of his success or experience.  Sadly there doesn't seem to be a strong network around him to help him make the right decisions.  He must now show some of his father's strength and remove Rudkin, get in an experienced Premier league level DOF and go from there.

 

I would also point out that Mike Ashley does have a similar level of background success in retail to Khun Vichai, and a similar approach in many ways.  While Ashley was not popular with Newcastle fans, he was not actually a terrible owner.

[HybridFox]

1 minute ago, Jon the Hat said:

His father was certainly a special and no doubt lucky owner.  I think a lot of us were willing to give Top the benefit of the doubt, but the fact is he is 20 odd years younger than his father was when he took over, and without the majority of his success or experience.  Sadly there doesn't seem to be a strong network around him to help him make the right decisions.  He must now show some of his father's strength and remove Rudkin, get in an experienced Premier league level DOF and go from there.

 

I would also point out that Mike Ashley does have a similar level of background success in retail to Khun Vichai, and a similar approach in many ways.  While Ashley was not popular with Newcastle fans, he was not actually a terrible owner.

Two relegations on his watch, I'm not sure about that!

[Mickyblueeyes]

11 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

His father was certainly a special and no doubt lucky owner.  I think a lot of us were willing to give Top the benefit of the doubt, but the fact is he is 20 odd years younger than his father was when he took over, and without the majority of his success or experience.  Sadly there doesn't seem to be a strong network around him to help him make the right decisions.  He must now show some of his father's strength and remove Rudkin, get in an experienced Premier league level DOF and go from there.

 

I would also point out that Mike Ashley does have a similar level of background success in retail to Khun Vichai, and a similar approach in many ways.  While Ashley was not popular with Newcastle fans, he was not actually a terrible owner.

He wasn’t, I agree. He is perceived as one because of the fan pressure. Ashley never really got his Ranieri moment but under his tenure Newcastle did play in Europe and did have a period where they acquired some absolute gems (alongside a few duds) which they sold on. No owner goes into a business to lose money. They are million/billionaires. Making money is what they do. The problem with football (and sport ownership generally) is it’s a volatile product - this season case in hand. That squad we have/will have had, is no where near the worst 3 in league. If you’re going to wing it for a year, having Ndidi, Tielemans and Maddison in midfield isn’t a bad year to try it. 
 

The problem we have here is like you say, inexperience. Unlike a usual Millionaire/billionaire owner Top hasn’t cut his teeth. Lost, won and made tough calls as yet. He is naturally under scrutiny too because he is a Son of.. not someone with his own name as yet. But the point I was making is that we are not significantly better off than our rivals as so many feel we are. Because of in experience and indecision , the clubs future is at significant risk. We need two or three senior execs to come in, people who would happily tell Leicester and its owner, **** off im not doing that. With that mentality, we can build. The question is will the indecision hold us back again. I can see it.

[Daggers]

48 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

I think Southampton accepted and were planning for this a month or so ago, whereas we were in denial up to the final game.  Quite right though, and I am not excusing that.  Perhaps the Leeds chairman isn't getting horrible messages having delivered the league and FA cup in the past 7 years?  I suppose though the decision to write that comes from a justifiable feeling, but it is the lack of good leadership around him which meant he didn't have anyone to tell him that could come across as a bit whingy and he should just say sorry.

Point me to a successful company that doesn’t plan for alternate eventualities though Jon?

 

A month? This kind of planning should’ve been instigated ages ago - the simple fact that Rudders and Sooz have put off having a meeting to this week screams ineptitude. This wouldn’t be accepted practice in any company I know of. 

[sacreblueits442]

On 31/05/2023 at 21:15, Beachyboy said:

People can sense sincerity in tone of voice and words. I did read some Leeds fans complaining that a statement hadn't been released earlier, but the extra couple of days have helped them to chose their words better.

...statements are what they are, you read them but do not take them in, what else are they going to say!!!

You can only judge from what they do now, all the banal scripts in the world do not amount to anything unless you back it up with action. 

 The difference between both statements is that one has been written by someone steeped in admin and management and the other by a naive and inexperienced manager who lacks the maturity in these circumstances to say what needs to be said. Unfortunately, the takeaway from his (Khun Top) statement, is poor me.

  If Khun Top had stated that he takes full responsibility for what has happened, and he will set about to dismantle and instigate changes within the board members, we would have been happy that something was going to be done, in order to stop this ever happening again.

    We will just have to wait for the review to conclude before we seek to take him to task, once again.

[sacreblueits442]

1 hour ago, Jon the Hat said:

I would also point out that Mike Ashley does have a similar level of background success in retail to Khun Vichai, and a similar approach in many ways.  While Ashley was not popular with Newcastle fans, he was not actually a terrible owner.

...hard to justify Ashley's lack of ambition and reluctance to spend, equivalent to Khun Vicai's take on evolving our club!!!

Hard to see the comparison. It has not taken that long since he sold the club for them to be playing in the Champions League, Ashley was choking the life out of the club!!

[Jon the Hat]

29 minutes ago, Daggers said:

Point me to a successful company that doesn’t plan for alternate eventualities though Jon?

 

A month? This kind of planning should’ve been instigated ages ago - the simple fact that Rudders and Sooz have put off having a meeting to this week screams ineptitude. This wouldn’t be accepted practice in any company I know of. 

Yeah, but as we know football is not a normal business.  The stupid thing is regardless of the outcome, the very fact we were threatened with relegation should have triggered a review months ago, with detailed planning for relegation.

[melrose]

On 01/06/2023 at 01:32, KFS said:

Brilliant. Missed the point entirely. 
 

 

Not at all, I just think that it's probably not a wise move to rely on your football teams results to effect your fluctuating mental health levels.

[Bilo]

9 hours ago, Daggers said:

Point me to a successful company that doesn’t plan for alternate eventualities though Jon?

 

A month? This kind of planning should’ve been instigated ages ago - the simple fact that Rudders and Sooz have put off having a meeting to this week screams ineptitude. This wouldn’t be accepted practice in any company I know of. 

Nor any workplace.

 

I've recently taken a promotion at work and know that the submission date for the pursuant course, with all coursework, marking and paperwork, isn't until November.

 

The department has now been resourced, timetabled, deadlines and trackers created, meetings with agendas have been sent and arranged and I've completed reflections on the strengths and weaknesses of the current delivery of the course. Why? Because long-term planning is crucial to avoid any and all potential problems and I don't want my course to impact on the delivery of my colleagues' courses or the wider practice of the school.

 

If Rudkin was in charge, he'd be hurriedly scribbling down ideas over October half term and every student's parent would be calling in come January wanting to know why their straight-A son/daughter just got their first U.

Edited 2 June 2023 by Bilo

[jock2612]

I think gratuitous insults achieve nothing BUT Top is responsible for the staff he employs and the big strategic decisions .I believe the big failures are the out of contract situation, the lack of finance to strengthen the squad at the start ,lack of  honesty with the fans & Brendon, & not moving swiftly to change the manager. ALL are the day to day responsibility of Rudkin. He has to go immediately not to do so will inevitably tarnish the business reputation of Top and the owners. You cannot reward incompetence that has trashed the legacy of the last wonderful years. There was no sentiment when CR was sacked despite winning the prem the previous season. Relegation has cost the club & King Power millions. Not taking responsibility just shows weakness. If Rudkin stays out return will take years !     

[grobyfox1990]

3 hours ago, Bilo said:

Nor any workplace.

 

I've recently taken a promotion at work and know that the submission date for the pursuant course, with all coursework, marking and paperwork, isn't until November.

 

The department has now been resourced, timetabled, deadlines and trackers created, meetings with agendas have been sent and arranged and I've completed reflections on the strengths and weaknesses of the current delivery of the course. Why? Because long-term planning is crucial to avoid any and all potential problems and I don't want my course to impact on the delivery of my colleagues' courses or the wider practice of the school.

 

If Rudkin was in charge, he'd be hurriedly scribbling down ideas over October half term and every student's parent would be calling in come January wanting to know why their straight-A son/daughter just got their first U.

LOL c'mon.... not to defend the running of the LCFC business in any way, because it has been utterly shambolic, but you absolutely cannot compare a premier league football club to any other industry. What you're describing above, creating trackers and some excel sheets to keep everyone on track is hardly long-term planning, anyone can do that. The whole point of long-term planning is to create multiple stress scenarios when your tracker spreadsheet inevitably goes kaput within two days, and being able to respond to every single conceivable scenario with a robust solution. Clearly LCFC didn't do this and could not respond but to suggest they didn't create a business planning 101 tracker and whack it in a Teams channel is a bit OTT.

[Daggers]

3 hours ago, Bilo said:

Nor any workplace.

 

I've recently taken a promotion at work and know that the submission date for the pursuant course, with all coursework, marking and paperwork, isn't until November.

 

The department has now been resourced, timetabled, deadlines and trackers created, meetings with agendas have been sent and arranged and I've completed reflections on the strengths and weaknesses of the current delivery of the course. Why? Because long-term planning is crucial to avoid any and all potential problems and I don't want my course to impact on the delivery of my colleagues' courses or the wider practice of the school.

 

If Rudkin was in charge, he'd be hurriedly scribbling down ideas over October half term and every student's parent would be calling in come January wanting to know why their straight-A son/daughter just got their first U.

Ugh - you've just reminded me why I'm so glad I left teaching. I much preferred the old system of doing your lesson plan on the back of a fag packet during break. Deadlines? Admin? Pah! Wow, I'm the Rudkin of education