Thom Kirwin: First of all, the Sheffield United game on Saturday. A shock defeat, how were you feeling after the game?
Ken Bates: Well, like every other Leeds fan, I was both shocked and disappointed. I gather the team turned up and had a good view of watching the game but didn’t contribute much to it. Very disappointing. Three points were there for the taking and it wasn’t good enough.
TK: Did it surprise you, the performance, considering what the team had been performing like in recent weeks?
KB: Yes, of course. As I said, Sheffield United are in the relegation zone and we should have shoved them further down there. We could have been up with joint-second or joint-third. So it’s very disappointing. Still, we’ve eight games to go and it’s up to the players to put the last eight behind them and look at the next eight.
TK: The results on Saturday elsewhere were forgiving I would say for Leeds. Six points the gap to second place (Interrupted)
KB: Well that’s what is so annoying because all the other clubs were faltering and we should be taking advantage of it instead of faltering ourselves. And, as I say, very disappointing. But that’s the past. We have a break, time to recharge our batteries, look back in sorrow and plan to go out with a bang in the last eight games of the season.
TK: The way the results have been going, do you think second spot is still achievable?
KB: It’s still achievable but it’s getting more difficult. If we do get second spot, we want to do it without having to rely on QPR having points deducted. But of course, we all hope they will be. I remember QPR voting for our 15 points, so 20 off of them would be gratifying.
TK: As far as the final eight games is concerned, how do you assess Leeds’ run-in?
KB: Well the last four games at home are the next four clubs below us, so it’s certainly a chance to consolidate our play-off place but we really want to do a bit better than that. Three of the last four away games are in London, which is unusual and interesting. It’s not going to be easy but other clubs are dropping points every week. That still gives us an opportunity to catch up on them. We have to concentrate and tighten up our defence. We spent a lot of money, relatively speaking, on our defence this season and yet we have conceded more goals than every other club in the league, except those in the relegation spaces. It’s disappointing.
TK: The loan window closes tomorrow. Is there any chance of anything happening as far as players into the club is concerned?
KB: I think it’s unlikely, not through the want of trying. But the trouble is the big clubs are now picking up injuries and of course because so many clubs are in the relegation battle, they are loath to release their players just in case anything happens to them and they are having injury problems. As I say, it’s not through the lack of trying but it looks now that we will have to go with what we have got.
TK: Which is a pretty much fully-fit squad, bar Patrick Kisnorbo now…
KB: Fully-fit squad and a large one. And a talented one when they switch on their game. I’ve suggested to Simon that he makes the whole squad sit down and watch the QPR game. We beat them 2-0 and we got a clean sheet, so they can realise how good they are and how the next eight games should be, not easy for them but very positive. Go out of the season on a high.
TK: Another bit of news that has happened in the last couple of weeks, the Burnley game – obviously lots of interest in Leeds’ run-in – that’s been moved. The kick-off has been brought forward and it has been shown on Sky. I think that’s three out of the last four home games now on TV.
KB: Yeah, I’m sorry for the fans about that but we had to fight very hard on this one. First of all, they wanted to move it to a Friday night, we said no. Then they wanted to move it to Monday, either midday or in the evening. We fought against that because apart from the fact our police bill would have doubled, it’s also highly inconvenient to our out of town fans who have booked. I can assure fans we are not happy about going on TV because we get £100,000 fee but it usually costs us between £200,000-£250,000 in lost income. So believe you and me, we don’t want TV. We have had more than our fair share this year. We think it’s unfair to the fans so midday on Saturday was the least objectionable time we could agree.
TK: Also this week, Leeds United have around seven players on international duty. Will you be keeping right up-to-date with their progress?
KB: Ermmm, not particularly. We wish them all luck but they are all playing for different countries aren’t they so we have to be careful who we support and who we don’t. Wish them all well, hope they do well for their countries and hope they come back uninjured – that’s the important thing. If they are good enough to play for their countries then they are certainly good enough to play for Leeds United and make sure the last eight games go well.
TK: It’s great for Robert Snodgrass to take on Brazil at the Emirates Stadium where he has already scored there for Leeds this season. And Max Gradel as well, in the Ivory Coast squad. It has been a great turnaround and transformation for Gradel over the last 12 months.
KB: Yeah, Mad Max is now becoming a legend in his own lifetime. Just wish sometimes he would steady himself a little bit before he shoots. He has got us 14 goals this year. I think he could have got us 20 but still, he has got eight games to go. He could still get another six for us and get us up to automatic promotion. But we wish them well. Max, Snoddy, Bannan, Nunez.
TK: Also, off the pitch, the East Stand redevelopment is well underway. What’s the latest you can tell us on the progress being made?
KB: Well it’s total chaos at the moment because as far as the offices are concerned, they are all living out of their suitcases like the starfish (?) staff, living out of suitcases, like displaced persons. The noise is now going to be absolutely phenomenal. We have got jack-hammers and banging and crashing going on so they can’t possibly work. So we have got to disperse them to temporary areas throughout the stadium so if fans don’t get their usual good service, I’ll ask you to bear with them because they are working under terrible constraints at the moment. The work is going well. There’s a real ‘get it’ attitude which is so great to listen to from the contractors. It’s not a ‘can’t do’ it’s a ‘can do’, which is fantastic and we are confident we will get the whole thing done in time. A bit more inconvenience because they are now going to start the piling in front of the East Stand after the Notts Forest game but we have to do that pile to get in to do the new entrance to get the thing done on time. So if there is inconvenience, just remember the staff are doing their very best to make sure it’s back and on time for the start of next season. And I must say, the interest in the new facilities are phenomenal. I think we have already sold a third of our new boxes. And not just upgrades. These are new people who don’t come to Leeds, like what they see and are coming in and training up, so it’s looking good. Everything is looking good so thanks to the fans, the season tickets we have now sold 11,200 for next year, compared with 13,000 this year. So we are obviously going to beat that figure. Our membership renewals are coming in. It’s just great. All we need now is a few nice wins between now and the end of the season and we’re on a high. If we do get to the play-offs, well it’s about time we won it.
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