Bates - No rash decisions

Leeds supremo says club are sticking to their principles

By James Pearson   Last updated: 2nd December 2008

Bates - No rash decisions

Bates: Sticking to his principles

The fact is that the only players available at this time of year are either rubbish that other clubs want off their books, short-termists, players who are over the top, or players needing match practice.

Ken Bates on loan signings
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Leeds United chairman Ken Bates insists the club will not revert to short-term planning in the wake of a series of disappointing results.

The Whites hit a new low on Sunday after being embarrassed 1-0 by part-timers Histon in the FA Cup, leading to speculation that manager Gary McAllister's position could be under threat.

McAllister, the club's chief executive Shaun Harvey and technical director Gwyn Williams met with Leeds' supremo Ken Bates in Monaco just 24 hours later and the ex-Chelsea chairman claimed the meeting was 'very positive'.

Rather than discuss McAllister's position, Bates has outlined that the team's shortcomings will be rectified in January when the transfer window re-opens in a bid to get their League One promotion charge back on track.

"We planned this meeting long before Sunday," the chairman told Yorkshire Radio. "After the Histon game, Gary, Gwyn and Shaun came out and we had a great day.

"We analysed all parts of the club, all parts of the performance, the academy, and every player on the books was discussed in depth.

Weaknesses

"I'm not sure of some players' priorities, and the manager is aware of some of the weaknesses and that will be rectified in January.

"There's certainly no panic. It was a very positive meeting. Gary made it quite clear he couldn't convert to kick and rush as some have suggested.

"He sees his job as bringing back the type of football the fans enjoy, and that's what we are aiming for.

"It takes time and that's the way we are aiming to go. We have scored more goals than any other club in all other competitions, and those problems that do we have will be addressed in January."

Leeds have been criticised for failing to bolster their backline prior to the loan window closing, but Bates believes the players that were available were not good enough for the club.

"Some fans have asked why didn't we bring someone in on loan?" he continued.

Rubbish

"The fact is that the only players available at this time of year are either rubbish that other clubs want off their books, short-terms, players who are over the top, or players needing match practice.

"We're not doing that. We are Leeds United and we are sticking to our principles."

Meanwhile, Bates is keen to draw a line under the debacle that was the club's FA Cup exit to Histon and hopes the team can emulate Swansea, who went on to secure promotion last season after crashing out of the same competition to Havant and Waterlooville.

"The fact of the matter is that we were knocked out, and that's the end of it," he added on the club's official website.

"It was very disappointing. The pitch was dreadful - I suspect if it hadn't have been live on TV it would have be cancelled - but they adapted to the conditions better than we did and good luck to them in the next round.

"The interesting thing is that they now have Swansea, who got knocked out by Havant and Waterlooville last season.

"After that, they went on a run that took them to the League One championship. Let's hope that's an omen."