The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 23rd May) - I hope to God they get through – Viduka Exclusive
Good Morning. It's Thursday 23rd May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
I hope to God they get through - Viduka Exclusive
As part of the lead-up to Sunday's play-off final at Wembley, the MOTFORUM have managed to track down Mark Viduka, and secure (the first part of) an exclusive interview with the former Leeds legend. These days the 48 year old can be found tucked away in the hills above Zagreb, where he and his family runs a successful coffee shop, aptly called Non Plus Ultra, (No Higher Point), where celebrities including former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic are among the patrons.
He still had time to watch Farke's men dismantle Norwich in the second leg Semi-Final last week, and is now praying for a Leeds victory on Sunday. Mark believes after the trials and tribulations of last Summer, then coming so close to automatic promotion, the Whites deserve their spot, back in the top flight.
I watched it last night. Just you know, I hope to God that they just get through. That's my message. Hopefully all the all the fans will be out there and getting behind the team and we can get through that last hurdle. Because they deserve it. The boys deserve it. For this year. I think that they deserve to get through.
Piroe - I think I could have done better
Speaking ahead of Sunday's showdown, Leeds striker Joel Piroe has told Elland Road journalist Adam Pope that he hasn't been happy with his form this season! The 24yo Dutchman was Daniel Farke's marquee signing last Summer, penning a four year contract with the Whites, in a deal worth £10.5m, rising to £16m due to various add-ons. He has netted 14 times this season, and provided 3 assists in 2623 minutes of league game time. This gives him a ratio of a goal every 187 minutes; very similar to Bamford (a goal every 182 minutes).
I think I could have done better. Especially, if I look at the Norwich game, I could have scored a couple more. I’m not really happy with it but 14 is not a bad number. With the team we have, we need to back ourselves and make it happen. Of course, we are very happy and celebrated a little bit in the dressing room. But we now know we have to look forward to Wembley.
Promotion bonus could lead to points deduction next season
Former Everton and Aston Villa Chief Executive Keith Wyness believes Leeds United could fall foul of Profitability and Sustainability rules if they beat Southampton on Sunday at Wembley. A staggering £20million in win bonuses has been promised to Farke's players should they win promotion back to the Promised land, but it could very well spell disaster as far as their finances go, and could lead to fines, point deductions and even transfer embargo's Wyness, who now runs his own football consultancy firm, believes promoted sides (to the top flight) should be given a two or three-year “amnesty” to establish themselves while avoiding sanctions for overspending.
When I had a look at the numbers at the top level, I realised that we could have the most ridiculous situation. If Leeds get promoted on Sunday, they could breach PSR and land a points deduction because of the win bonuses and promotion bonuses they have to pay the players.
That could be the amount which tips them over the edge. It just makes no sense at all. It’s quite normal in the Championship to incentivise promotion for the squad. I believe it may be as much as £20million owed to the Leeds squad if they win at Wembley.
It comes back to what I’ve been saying for months – we need an amnesty for promoted clubs. Give them two to three years to try and establish themselves in the top flight. We’ve got to find a mechanism to give these clubs a chance. It makes the league more exciting and more competitive.