I'm sorry but unless we start thinking long-term regarding the Elland Road hot-seat then I cannot see any point of getting rid of Neil Warnock right this minute.

The criticism aimed at Warnock's team selections and tactics are justified. His persistence of faith in Lee Peltier, albeit playing the lad out of position then agin could you imagine the ructions if Sam Byram was dropped to accommodate the ex Leicester player? The one-dimensional hoof-ball, lump it up to Becchio tactics with no plan B. I also cannot believe how spineless a Neil Warnock Xi I have witnessed against Derby, Forest and now Barnsley.

However GFH Capital and Ken Bates must take some blame for this malaise. The takeover farce has overshadowed events on the park. Granted, I said all along unpicking Bates' web of offshore companies would not be an overnight or expedient task for even the most skilled lawyer, however the relationship was clearly fracticious at times eg the announcement 48 hours before the curtain opener against Wolves that the due diligence period was over. Bates also appeared to attack the buyers adherence to the "confidentiality clause". Clearly it had an adverse effect on the summer transfer window opportunities?

It also beggars the question that if it took six months for GFH and Bates to agree a deal after hours around the negotiating table, how the hell can they seriously work together? GFH also clearly fail to appreciate the gravity of anti-Bates feeling around the city and simply do not comprehend that many fans will stay away regardless of whether or not he is pulling significant strings or merely relegated to a figurehead, powerless role.

But I digress. Warnock has five months left on his contract. I would not imagine it would cost the earth to show him, Jeppo and Mick Jones (no not that one!) the door. So unless we can make a long-term appointment now, then what's the point if going for another short-term fix?

The club cannot get away with trotting out the line about bringing someone in who can get the best out of the current squad for a second year running. I was concerned how 2011/12 petered off. Having beaten Doncaster in February with Warnock watching from the stands, it would be April 10th before Warnock recorded his solitary home win of 11/12 against a poor Peterborough side.

I winced when Warnock spoke about wishing the remainder of 2011/12. Sorry Neil but having forked out another £700+ on season tickets, cuddly Ken insisting we stump up by the end of January to beat price-increases it was the last thing I needed to hear! Not to mention the £60+ spent per game on fuel, food and drink for which your own manager had declared dead rubber matches.

Like Warnock, we were all duped into thinking the summer of 2012 would be any different to the previous ones under Bates and Shaun Harvey's mismanagement.

Warnock said in the wake of the Barnsley disaster he was doing "a great job", the stats and public opinion state otherwise. He has a win ratio of just 38% so if the new Leeds board do hand him his p45 who could replace him?

There are some big names out there! Hughes, arrrghhh! There are names with Leeds pedigree such as Strachan and O'Leary, either appointment would be decisive amongst the fans although I feel Strachan would be more warmly received than the Irishman - who actually I am still a fan of and still hold this mad notion he will return to complete the "unfinished business" he spoke of 11 years ago when he made way for Venables. Sean O'Driscoll is another name mooted on the message boards, whether or not this is based on a deep study of his abilities or sympathy for the way his job came to an abrupt end having beaten us on Boxing Day?

Ideally the next man in the hot-seat will be a younger man than the names ive mentioned. I was intrigued a year ago when Lee Clark, boss of Tuesday nights opponents Birmingham City then a Huddersfield became a nailed-on certainty in the eyes of the bookies for us prior to Warnock's appointment. Karl Robinson of MK Dons is another young manager with an impressively growing reputation. The manager of another promotion chasing League One side, Paolo Di-Canio of Swindon Town could be another contender. Although I am uncomfortable with Di-Canio's right-wing sympathies there is no doubt he would inject some much needed Latin passion into those crappy Italian designed shirts of ours!

The last time Peter Lorimer spoke any sense in public was way back in May 2004, Leeds were relegated from the Premiership and the Lash said the next managerial appointment was probably "the most important in the history of the club" - the Directors obviously failed to heed Lorro's advice and appointed Kevin Blackwell.

Maybe the GFH capital/Leeds United alliance could consider those words carefully again and before relieving Warnock of his duties now or letting them run their natural life until the summer, start thinking and planning long-term.

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