The Not So Secret Blog of Lowfields Loony Pen Age 47 3/4. Leeds United's Season 2018/19

By Mike Forster

Leeds United have been a massive part of my life ever since my Dad first lifted me over the turnstile to get me into Elland Road for free. Once he could no longer lift me up (he had to admit defeat once I hit my teens) he eventually bought me my first season ticket on the Lowfields terrace and we've been there ever since.

When Facebook first appeared it gave me the opportunity to combine my two passions, Leeds United and writing, and Lowfields Loony pen was born.

As last season was so extraordinary I through the it might be interesting to stick all the blogs into one review of the year. While there is no getting away from the fact the 2018-19 season was a little like the final series of Game of Thrones, highly exciting but with a deeply unsatisfactory final episode, it’s certainly one that will live long in my memory.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9780244194758

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The Not So Secret Blog of Lowfields Loony Pen Age 47 3/4. Leeds United's Season 2018/19

The Not So Secret Blog of Lowfields Loony Pen Aged 47 ¾.  Leeds United’s Season 2018/19

Introduction

Leeds United have been a massive part of my life ever since my Dad first lifted me over the turnstile to get me into Elland Road for free.  Once he could no longer lift me up (he had to admit defeat once I hit my teens) he eventually bought me my first season ticket on the Lowfields terrace and we've been there ever since.

Other than supporting Leeds I'd always fancied being a writer and for a brief time even worked as a volunteer sports journalist at my local paper the 'Harrogate Advertiser'.  Unfortunately, my lack of talent eventually resulted in them getting rid of me.  I did try and point out that they didn't even pay me but apparently, I was taking up valuable office space that could be more gainfully occupied by a filing cabinet, so my dreams of been a sport journalist were ended before they’d really began.

When Facebook first appeared it suddenly gave me the opportunity to combine my two passions, Leeds United and writing, and Lowfields Loony pen was born.  As last season was so extraordinary I through the it might be interesting to stick all the blogs into one review of the year.  While there is no getting away from the fact the 2018-19 season was a little like the final series of Game of Thrones, highly exciting but with a deeply unsatisfactory final episode, it’s certainly one that will live long in my memory.

Chapter 1

Razzmatazz Takes Control

Before we start on 2018-19 how did we find ourselves starting the season with one of the most respected coaches in the world at the helm?

23rd May 2017

Great news that this has been resolved so quickly.  Since Leslie Silver we've had a succession of owners that have been; deluded, incompetent, money grabbing, egotistical, incompetent and mad.

Let's hope Radrizzani bucks that trend.  He can start by getting Monks appointment finalised and securing some early signing.  We have the chance, for the first time in a number of years, to get a proper pre season organised with a manager who knows the club and players.  Let's hope we take it.

I have to take the opportunity to say farewell to Massimo.  I still believe he was motivated by the desire to get things right on the pitch.  There is no getting away from the fact his judgement early in his tenure was terrible but things have improved as he got to grips with the English game.  One things for sure it was never dull.  I never agreed with the Time to go Massimo gang as I always felt we needed to have an alternative option that would take the club forward and not plunge us into more turmoil (GFH!).  Time will tell if Andrea is all he seems but I'm cautiously optimistic.

12th June 2017

When he was with us Monk frequently stated that this was a long term project, that he was developing a group of young players, and it was about us all (fans, players, and his coaching team) building a real bond to take the club forward.

Actually what he meant was the club was a good stepping block for him while he awaited a better offer.  He clearly didn't like the idea of a Director of Football and knows that in Gibson he'll have a patient chairman who will allow him greater autonomy than under the Italian system favored by the new Leeds owner.

I can't help but feel let down by Monk but I shouldn't be surprised he put his personnel interests before that of our club, players and fans. 

It's left us in a bit of a mess having clearly taken our new chairman by surprise.  Unfortunately it doesn't sound like we are any closer to seeing the white smoke over Elland Rd to announce the arrival of his replacement.

15th June 2017

Great to see our new Italian owner seems to also subscribe to the Watermelon approach to hiring Managers.

Welcome to Leeds Thomas Christiansen.  Apparently he was big in Cyprus for one year.  I also had a nice holiday in Cyprus once so I'm almost as qualified.

Let's hope he surprises us all and does an amazing job.  Previous experience doesn't make me very hopeful but what the heck!

At least we have a manager now.  Let's hope out new owner is more generous with his player signings than his managerial ones.

16th June 2017

After the initial shock of yesterday's appointment, and the subsequent moment of despair, I'm now ready to resume my usual positive outlook!

Radrizzani is obviously an astute Businessman and has set about surrounding himself with a group of experience football Directors.

We know it's the Italian way to operate with a Director of Football which results in a diminished role for the Manager (or Head Coach).  Gary Monk saw the opportunity to have a broader role at Boro and jumped ship which left us with the gap now filled by Thomas Christiansen.

Although I knew nothing about him before he arrived he's clearly played at a high level and has some (if limited) coaching and managerial experience.  They've gone through a lengthy recruitment process to identify, and get him in post, so he must have enough about him to convince some fairly experienced Directors he's got the qualities to be a good Head Coach.  They won't be too worried about his lack of experience as they will be relying on Virtor Orta, Director of Football, to act as the intermediary between him and the board, handling aspects away from day-to-day coaching, allowing a manager to focus on on-pitch performance.  I have to fess up that I had to google the role of a Director of Football to come up with that as I wasn't complete sure what they did!!

Comparisons have been made with Massimo's appointments of Hockiday and Darko but I think that's unfair.  Massimo was a maverick who appointed on a whim (he appointed Darko because he thought he was good looking and Hockiday because he served him a Big Mac).  It was only when he finally got to grips with the English game and got the good advice that lead to the appointment of Monk.

The important thing will be Radrizzani's ambition when it comes to signing players.  We have a good squad but one that needs investment in some key areas.  Now he has his Directors and Head Coach in place the true test of his intentions for our club will be in the money he's prepared to invest in the team.

I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas doesn't last the season as that's very much the Italian way (look at Watford).  I don't think that will be too much of a disaster if the new owners have serious intent and invest in the team.  Let's see what happens in the next few months!

28th June 2017

I have to admit I've had a mixed emotions about our new owners.  After years of chancers and conmen running our club I've been skeptical as to the motives of Radrizzani.

He initially made the right noises but I was concerned when Monk plumped to move to Boro rather than remain with Leeds.  I got even more panicked when we headed to the semi professional league of Cyprus for his replacement.

That said its starting to appear he might be the owner we've been looking for since Silver.  Ronaldo was signed up on a long term deal, they've brought in some very experienced Directors and invested in Sakho and the new Polish lad.

However it's today's news that really gives me hope.  Many have talked about buying back the ground but none have done it before.  It looks like they are determined to get the foundation of the club secure which is great news.  Let's hope they'd show the same ambition when it comes to player investment.

Bring on August!!

Chapter 2

Tomas Christiansen's Struggles

24th December 2017

With Christmas almost upon us I was watching It's a Wonderful Life the other day in which James Stewart's character wishes he had never been born and an angel is sent to earth to make his wish come true.  As the film progresses he starts to realise how many lives he's changed and impacted upon and how different