Leeds United

...course, the mighty whites of Leeds United.

Being a Leeds lad born and bred, it's inevitable that I was gonna follow United, and I have done since I was about 8. Like most fans, I remember my first game (v Southampton at Elland Road, 2-1 win. Chapman needed to score to equal the club record for most consecutive goalscoring games. Needless to say he didn't). I've been through promotion from the old Division 2, The excitement of a league ...
...come.

Yes, Leeds have their best team in a long time this year. I remember when Howard Wilkinson was being proclaimed the "next Don Revie," a title which, not only shouldn't be bestowed upon anyone anyway, but which he didn't live up to. Well, I'm gonna make a bold statement by saying that David O'Leary is, officially, the new David O'Leary. Brought in originally as George "Take the Money and Run" Graham's number ... more

*UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM*

Ok, how very surreal. After a couple of months on Ciao, I finally get round to writing about my team of choice - that is of course, the mighty whites of Leeds United.

Being a Leeds lad born and bred, it's inevitable that I was gonna follow United, and I have done since I was about 8. Like most fans, I remember my first game (v Southampton at Elland Road, 2-1 win. Chapman needed to score to equal the club record for most consecutive goalscoring games. Needless to say he didn't). I've been through promotion from the old Division 2, The excitement of a league title just 2 years later, and the near relegation we endured the following season (the second worst title defence in history, if I remember rightly). I've seen us come close to winning the UEFA cup, getting further than any British team, especially Man Utd(!), in last year's Champion's League, right through to the wonderfulness of the early part of this year. And I'll be around for a long time to come.

Yes, Leeds have their best team in a long time this year. I remember when Howard Wilkinson was being proclaimed the "next Don Revie," a title which, not only shouldn't be bestowed upon anyone anyway, but which he didn't live up to. Well, I'm gonna make a bold statement by saying that David O'Leary is, officially, the new David O'Leary. Brought in originally as George "Take the Money and Run" Graham's number two, O'Leary was thrust prematurely into the world of first team management after Leeds narrow penalty shoot-out victory over Maritimo in the UEFA cup run of two years ago. Most thought he wouldn't be up to the task, including D O'L himself, but the man has grown into probably the most promising young manager in the country.

By moulding a team which blends perfectly the qualities of youth and experience, O'Leary has propelled us to the top of the Premiership, where it looks as though we may stay for a while. And, with Man Utd's defence looking about as watertight as a teabag, and Liverpool showing all the consistency of a one-legged man in an arse-kicking contest, this may well be the season for Leeds' young wonders to rise above the pack and prove exactly what they are made of.

Although on paper, we don't appear to have the greatest team in the country (why the hell is Dominic Matteo consistently getting games? And who decided Danny Mills was better than Gary Kelly?), the combination of certain individuals phenomenal skill (in particular, Lee Bowyer and Harry Kewell) and a fantastic team spirit has carried United to the heights more quickly than was anticipated.

To form a good team, you need a good keeper, and in Nigel Martyn we have probably the best in the country. In front of him, future England captain Rio Ferdinand marshalls the tightest defence in the league, alongside the aforementioned Mills and Matteo, as well as the majestic Ian Harte (who had a better goals to free-kicks ratio last year than David "so called Messiah" Beckham. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it Manc fans). Maybe when this whole trial thing is over, we'll see the return of Jon Woodgate too, which can only be a good thing for club and country.

Marshalling the midfield with the vivacity of a Bryan Robson is Lee Bowyer, whose partnership with Olivier Dacourt is simply superb. Throw Harry Kewell into the mix, as well as the usually-played-out-of-position Gary Kelly, and that's a formidable line-up.

Up front - take your pick. Perm any two from Mark Viduka, Alan Smith and Robbie Keane, and then tell me that just about any team in Europe wouldn't want them. Go on, tell me - and I'll call you a liar.

So far this season, Leeds have suffered just one defeat in all competitions - a 1-0 reversal in Maritimo, which was rendered meaningless by our comprehensive 3-0 victory at Elland Road. Sitting pretty atop the Premiership, with victories at Arsenal and Ipswich already under our belts, and in the 4th round of the Worthington Cup after last night's oh-so-simple 6-0 win at Leicester, along with what looks like a relatively easy task in the UEFA cup against Troyes of France, Leeds season couldn't really have got off to a better start. Whether or not it'll stay that way is open to debate - this month we travel to Anfield to face Liverpool and Old Trafford where we meet the old enemy Manchester United. Fact is, if we get through those games unscathed, we could be on for something special. And if we're still unbeaten at the end of the month, I can see it taking a Herculean effort by anyone to catch us.

Now I'm not into counting chickens before those shells have been broken. But we are in a strong position. With a multitude of players with European and International experience, as well as having the benefit of youth on their sides, O'Leary has formed a team to challenge for years to come. Step over Man Utd, there's a new sheriff in town - and this one's all in white.

*Gonna try to do monthly updates on our glorious march to the title. Here goes...

NOVEMBER 7

Well, we came out of October still proudly holding an unbeaten domestic record. Trips to Anfield and Old Trafford have yielded decent 1-1 draws, although to be honest, it could have been better, particularly against the scum, where Robbie Keane had a cracking free-kick ruled out, because it was scored at Old Trafford, and not by David Beckham. Nuff said. However, having said that, Liverpool should have done us, so I suppose we're about even. Sandwiched between those two results was a disappointing home 0-0 with Chelsea, and a worrying 4-2 victory over Troyes - the first time we've conceded 2 all season. Worrying because those 2 away goals for the French looked like they could be a problem.

And they nearly were. Luckily for s, Robbie Keane popped up near the end to score our vital 2nd in Troyes, and mean that, although we lost 3-2, we went through 6-5 on aggregate, and now take on Grasshoppers of Zurich in the third round. And we're away for the first leg. Which is nice.

Anyhoo, we finally got back to winning ways in the league this Sunday past with a 2-1 victory over Spurs, which saw us reclaim our rightful top spot from Liverpool, although the Reds do have a game in hand over us, so it looks like they'll be taking over again soon. Still, we are still the only unbeaten team in the league in the country this season, and we've got the best defensive record too, with just 5 goals conceded in our first 11 league games. Nice one.*

*NOVEMBER 19

OK, so it's not been a month, but I had to vent my anger somewhere. First bloody defeat of the bloody season, and it's against bloody Sunderland! GRRR! Damnit! And we should have had a penalty. And Robbie Keane should have scored twice. Oh well, I guess that's what happens when you don't have the strength in depth you need.

O'Leary needs to buy a couple more players to shore us up in key areas - particularly up front and in midfield. We really lacked any inventiveness on Sunday. The buying of Seth Johnston is a good move, but he doesn't have the flair of Harry Kewell or the guile and downright skill of Lee Bowyer. Without those two, we didn't seem to be finding as much space as usual. Plus, we could do with another striker so we don't have to rush Robbie Keane into the team so soon after international duty. Oh, I'm all depressed now. I'm going to lie down in a darkened room.*

DECEMBER 14

"O'Leary needs to buy a couple more players... particularly up front. So sayeth I in my last update, and, fanfare please, in comes His Grace Sir Robbie of Fowler. Living in Liverpool, I'm getting first-hand feedback from the Scousers, and they are NOT happy. Not in particular that he's gone per se, but that he's gone to us, the team who are most likely to push them for the title. All we need know is for him to start scoring. I would like to point out however, that he has already got into the Leeds United lifestyle - he was arrested the other night. Come on!

Anyhoo, on with the update. The Christmas season is upon us, and still Leeds are in a good position to mount a challenge. Just four points behind Liverpool, after they could only draw at home to Fulham in midweek. Granted, we have been knocked out of the Coca-Cola Cup, suffering our first home reverse of the season in going down 2-0 to Chelsea, but let's be honest, none of the bigger teams are overly bothered about that one anyway - it's just a chance to give your subs a run-out, and a nice bonus if you do well in it. We have got a potential banana skin in the FA Cup 3rd round though - an away match at Cardiff City. Should be plain sailing, but you never know. We've been done at places like that before. As for the UEFA Cup, everyone is abuzz with talk of us playing Rangers in the quarter-final. Well, it'd be nice, but I've got to say that PSV is gonna be a tough test. Still last time we oplayed them, we did them 3-0 at theirs, so a similar result this time round and we'll be happy. It's a tough one to call.

Anyway, first things first, and Leicester this Sunday, which must surely be 3 points in the bag. If we're top three by Christmas, I think I'll be happy - and from there, we can go all the way. I still think we need a couple more players, and Lucas Radebe's recurring injury is a big setback, but we'll be there or thereabouts - and if we don't get it this year we will next year.

Just as a footnote. How funny is it to see Manchester United languishing in a lowly 9th position. Mid-table obscurity beckons methinks, and about bloody time too. Oh, and there below Premiership first-timers Fulham. Chortle? I haven't stopped... *

*DECEMBER 18

I know it's only been a couple of days, but there's some things I have to get down immediately. Firstly, the Leicester result was awful. To throw away a two-goal lead with 12 minutes to go, at home, against a relegation threatened team who you have already thumped 6-0 away this season, despite dominating the entire game? Just ridiculous. And how many more times this season are we going to have perfectly good goals ruled out. Least Liverpool got smashed by Chelsea.

Secondly, my faith in the judicial system has been restored by Bowyer being cleared of all charges, and Woodgate being cleared of GBH. Kudos to Jonathon for taking his punishment like a man, and agreeing that everything the club has said about the situation is correct. Hopefully, we will see him return to the form that made him one of the best centre-backs in the country. On the other hand...

Lee Bowyer is one of my favourite players. The man is a genius. But, rules are rules, and no man is bigger than the club, and although the club may be a little harsh in fining him almost £90,000 (4-weeks wages, at somewhere around £22,000 a week), he should understand that he cannot break club rules and get away with it. Jon Woodgate has been fined 8-weeks wages (approx. £100,000), and has taken the punishment well, fully understanding that he deserves it, and has even specified how he wishes it to be spent, as well as agreeing to work in the clubs inner-city policy, something else which Bowyer has refused to do. Bowyer, therefore, has been placed on the transfer list. Although he will fetch upwards of 310-£15 million, I like most fans would like to see him stay. Let's hope all this can be sorted out amicably, and we can carry on our march to the title. Here's hoping for a happy and fruitful Christmas period!*

*JANUARY 14

Well, the Bowyer situation was fully rectified, and Leeds went marching on with one of their main players still around. Phew! All is good with the world then? Well, nearly...

Despite the fact that we have, to all intents and purposes, had a good festive season, what with 9 points from the 4 seasonal games (although the defences shipping of goals like they were Man Utd, and the disappointing 4-3 reverse at Elland Road to Newcastle, having been 3-1 up being particular low points. Although the defence have tightened up again a bit now), there is no way that the period will be remembered for those things. Yes, that's right, 2002 has not got off to the best of starts for Leeds United. Top after a 3-0 win over West Ham on New Years Day, we went to second division Cardiff as league leaders and surely dead-certs to be in the bag when the draw for the 4th round of the FA Cup was made. Right?

Well, no, actually. Cardiff wrote their page in football folklore with a 2-1 victory over the not-so-mighty whites, Leeds' first 3rd round defeat in 10 years, and probably the biggest upset for us since we were beaten 3-2 by Colchester. Add to that, this weekend's 3-1 defeat at Newcastle, and all of a sudden, Leeds are in 3rd, behind Man Utd, for God's sake, and feeling quite desperate. Our defence is not as tight as it should be, and, worst of all, our disciplinary record this season is appalling, with 2 sendings-off in this calendar year already. In my opinion, these are two key areas which need to be looked at. The fact is, we've got some great players, and can score from just about anywhere on the park. However, if those players aren't on the park, due to a rash challenge or imprudent flailing arm or foot, then we're going to struggle to keep our momentum, and this could turn out to be a season of disappointment, after promising so much for so long.*

*February 26

I had hoped my closing comment in my last update would not prove to be prophetic. Unfortunately, it seems to have been. It would appear that the demoralising FA Cup defeat at Cardiff has sent our season into a serious downward spiral, and, without a win since Jan 1, our hopes of a top 4 finish, and Champions League qualification is looking very much like a pipe dream.

The fact is, at the moment, Leeds are just not turning it on. With the quality we have in the side, we should be sweeping aside teams like Charlton, with whom we could only draw 0-0, and Middlesborough, a 2-2 draw a couple of weeks ago. However, more worrying is the fact that we can't hold on to a lead at the minute. Quite aside from the fluke goal by Paul Ince at Boro, Leeds had entered a good performance, and deserved to win, till once again, we conceded an equalizer late on. This is simply not good enough for a team of our stature, and to be dropping points to teams who are currently flirting with relegation is simply not good enough. And I'm not even going to mention how terrible it was to be a Leeds fan in Liverpool a month ago.

There has been one bright spot of late, however, coming in the form of a good result in Eindhoven. Thet 0-0 draw against PSV has ensured that we have a good chance of progressing to the UEFA Cup quarter-finals when the Dutch side come to Elland Road. However, we are going to have to shed our current allergy to victory, because, if we don't get something out of this competition, the season will go down as a huge let-down. Plus let's not forget that we have a potential all-British quarter-final too, if Rangers pull their finger out as well.

With a bit of luck, and one or two good results, we can pull our season back round, and get something positive from it. If not, then it's going to have to be back to the drawing board for big Dave O'Leary.*

*February 28

I'm depressed. Today is Thursday, and we have just gone out of the UEFA cup to PSV Eindhoven. Should have beaten them, but didn't. This sucks. We are now 9 games without a win, and haven't scored in 3. To be honest, this is a very trying time for Leeds United fans, and to make matters worse, it seems like the players have even given up the idea of us getting back into Europe next season - that's right, Petre Ridsdale has officially said that we will enter the Intertoto Cup in the summer if we don't get automatic entry.

That is, in my eyes, outrageous. Now, I like Ridsdale. I think he is a great chairman, because above everything else, he is, at heart, a fan, and only wants what's best for the club. But to state publicly with 11 games still to go, that you are prepared to enter the back door to Europe, rather than stating that you won't have to, because the team are good enough to pull themselves out of these doldrums, canot be good for morale.

There, diatribe over. All I can say is, things can only get better. At the minute, we are having one of our worst periods for a good while, so surely the only way is up. Here's to a happier next update.*

*March 7th
And here is that happier next update! Yep, that's right, we finally ended our frankly appaling run of 11 games without a win, and at the same time put behind us the horrors of a 5 match goalless streak. Granted, Ipswich at home is not the toughest prospect we will ever have to face, but at the moment, we are happy to take anything, and a 2-0 victory over any team is always going to be good.

It's definitely going to be a tough job to overhaul either Newcastle or Liverpool for that Champions League place, but it is by no means impossible, and that is what we have to be looking to now.

On a side note, hopefully the victory will stop the barracking that Brian Kidd has received of late. Kidd, who O'Leary managed to rescue from Manchester United to be his number 2, had received a great deal of flak over Leeds winless run, mainly because he is a former Manc, but, with all the players and staff at Elland Road rallying round him, hopefully the fans will remember how much he contributed to our wonderful run earlier in the season, and instead, turn on the players who continually get themselves stupidly sent off if they need to get on anyone's case.*

*March 30
Well, it took a while, but when the win came, we got three in a row - that's right, Ipswich, Leicester and Blackburn have all succumbed to the awesome power of O'Leary's side. Granted they may not be the best sides in the world, but it's what we needed, and it's kept us in the European race.

Kinda fell apart a bit today though, as we were beaten 4-3 at home to the old rivals, Manchester United. Unfortunately, our defence was as bad as theirs today, although when we finally took the game to them and attacked them a lot, they were no match. After all, you really should not be 4-1 up after 55 minutes and then have to scramble to hold on to the win. Main problem is that this is the third time we've lost at home this season, all to higher placed teams, which is where we really should be picking up the points against them.

Still, even though the Champions League place looks out of reach now, I think a UEFA Cup place is more-or-less in the bag, and then we can sit back and prepare for next season.* 

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