You can talk the talk Dennis

Woody · You can talk the talk Dennis

Fighting talk: Leeds United manager urges unity

Dennis Wise is determined to keep fighting.

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View GalleryDennis Wise today urged every faction of Leeds United to unite behind his banner after promising to wage war on the "laughable" 15-point penalty forced upon the club by the Football League.
Wise called for an immediate end to the in-fighting which has plagued Elland Road this summer after Leeds' appeal against their crippling punishment was rejected by the other 71 Football League clubs.

United's attempt to overturn the unprecedented deduction – imposed for a breach of the League's insolvency rules through chairman Ken Bates' re-purchase of Leeds – was dismissed by a large majority of clubs during a meeting in London yesterday, but an infuriated Wise directed unveiled criticism at the League's members and questioned their motives for opposing the appeal.

The decision to uphold the punishment has given United's forthcoming season, which begins against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park tomorrow, a frustrating perspective, leaving Leeds 15 points adrift of the League One field before the campaign has begun, but Wise refused to be demoralised by the prospect of an immediate relegation battle.

The Elland Road boss has seen his popularity grow among the club's supporters after the most impossible of pre-seasons, and he promised to fight their corner by attempting to make a mockery of the Football League's stance this season.

Leeds will need more than 100 points to secure the title, and around 90 to earn a place in the play-offs.

Avoiding relegation will itself require United to reach the 70-point mark, but the stark reality of the challenge facing Leeds did not prevent Wise from securing midfielder Andy Hughes on a two-year deal from Norwich City yesterday.

Wise said: "These players and these fans are going to stick together, and are going to be strong. There's a massive point to prove – for everyone.

"A lot of people want to see us fall flat on our faces, and they haven't helped the situation. But we've got to fight against it.
"The supporters don't like Batesy, and they don't particularly like me. But they've got us. We're part of this football club.

"It's difficult because of your background and where you come from. They find it very difficult to accept. This is part and parcel of what football's about. It takes them a bit of time to get used to you, and I've got to give them that time. So has Ken Bates.

"But how many people would take on this? We will take it on, and we love it – we love the challenge and we need the supporters behind us. It's that simple.
"In time, Bates has turned other things round and so have I. Hopefully, we can do it for the fans, ourselves and this football club. It's time to march on and stick together."
United approached yesterday's appeal with a genuine hope of reducing their punishment, aided by an extremely persuasive letter which was sent by Bates to every other Football League chairman.
But the support for the governing body and their chairman Lord Brian Mawhinney was overwhelming, and the penalty was upheld after a two-hour meeting in the capital.
Only five clubs voted to spare Leeds punishment.
As various chairman appeared from the debate to explain their reasoning to the waiting media, Wise was left to reflect on the fact that his side will be in negative figures until September 8 at the earliest.
United's boss could already write a book about his time at Elland Road; there is little that could have happened which has not impinged on Wise's job since his appointment in October of last year. But yesterday's ruling was particularly galling, a blow struck for reasons that he could neither accept nor understand.
Asked if he understood why United's supporters have long felt victimised by those who run English football, Wise said: "I do now, after that.
"You think you'll get a helping hand, and that people will be fair. This doesn't look too fair to me.
"Some people were very nice to us but some people were saying certain things on television with a wonderful big smile on their faces, pleased with the outcome.
"It's laughable. They've not only taken my arms and legs off, they've cut my balls off as well. It's not funny at all.
"It's about being fair. You need to be fair and I think a lot of them will go home knowing deep down inside that they haven't been.
"Some will have done it for their own reasons, and probably not the right reasons. Everyone wants to try and get a head start, and 23 teams in our league have got a very good head start on us.
"We have to get 106 points to win the league, 92 points to get in the play-offs, and 70 points to stay up. Thank you very much.
Limit
"But we're here to be tested and we've been tested to the limit now. We're looking forward to what we have to do."
The signing of Hughes – a versatile player who can operate in midfield or at right-back – at least served to raise Wise's spirits and remind him that Elland Road has not lost its appeal entirely.
Hughes committed himself to Leeds knowing that the 15-point penalty would stand, and United are also believed to be considering a move for Motherwell goalkeeper Alan Martin.
United will be without a substitute keeper for tomorrow's opening League One fixture – their first ever league clash with Tranmere – unless cover is found for Casper Ankergren.
Wise said: "The pleasing thing is that I've signed Andrew Hughes from Norwich. I spoke to him and said 'we're minus 15'. He said 'no problem gaffer, let's brush ourselves down and get on with it'.
"That's someone who wants to join this football club and that's what I want. He doesn't care and he wants to give it a real go. So does every player I've got here. Let's have a go."

i hope you can walk the walk.

gaz

he deffinatly has my backing aslong as we produce the goods on the pitch and can keep the players motiveated