Mon Aug 18th 2003
So the football season is upon as again, telling us that Summer is nearly
over and we'll soon be suffering wintery squalls. What will the season
bring us? Will Chelsea reap the full benefits of Roman's millions?
Will Manchester United feel the loss of Beckham as much as I hope they
will? Who will be the first manager to lose his job? Will any
clubs go to the wall - we had some close shaves last year.
I don't know the answer to any of these questions - the most burning
issue for me is whether Leeds stay in the Premiership or not. And I'm
afraid I'm not confident. This isn't a comment on Peter Reid's ability -
indeed I have a lot of time for Peter Reid and also a lot of admiration.
It is more a comment on the situation Leeds find themselves in, a situation
which, I feel, can be laid at the door of the board. But this isn't
anything new for Leeds. Ever since Don Revie left I've always felt
that the board tinkers, makes decisions on a knee-jerk basis. Managers
didn't deliver the results immediately and were sacked. There was no continuity
and we ended up in the old second division. We finally managed to climb
out and under Howard Wilkinson we won the old First Division - but even then
there wasn't the confidence and optimism which we had later under David O'Leary.
However, the most important thing that Howard did for us was to set
up our youth scheme. We reaped the benefits of this in the exciting
David O'Leary period and I don't think Howard ever got the credit for his
far-sightedness. But then we come to the sackign of David O'Leary -
a disaster for Leeds. Under David O'Leary we didn't finish below fifth
- European football every season, even with the distractions of the Woodgate/Bowyer
trial. And finally, when all that could be put behind him and he could
concentrate on the football, the board sack him, and then try to blacken
his name!! And now look at us - the first season after O'Leary we are sixth
from bottom, with practically the same players he used to keep us in the
top five. And then we've had to sell a lot of the family silver at
bargain basement prices - so most of the best players go for fees which will
barely pay the interest on the debt. This surely will not bring success on
the field which would bring further revenue - no wonder we fear this is the
start of the slippery slope.
So what of this season - well, no wins in pre-season (including
a defeat against Shelbourne) don't bode well and I fear relegation but I
must admit they surprised me in the first game. 2-1 up against powerful
Newcastle with 2 minutes to go. OK, we conceded a goal to end up 2-2
but it's better than the stuffing we expected. I know one game doesn't
make a season but perhaps there is some hope there that they can keep surprising
us ...