Will Leeds United AFC survive ?

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It's 5.18pm and Leeds have just gone 6-1 down at Portsmouth, and will tonight stay bottom of the Premiership. They are around £70 million in debt, have sold virtually all their best players, can't sack the boss Peter Reid wiithout giving him a huge pay-off, and look set to be the highest-profile club to be relegated in the modern (ie: post-Sky Sports) era and thus lose the Prem money.

Three years ago they reached the Champions league semi-finals.

Can Leeds survive ? Will the club literally die and have to be relaunched in some Yorkshire local league ?

― darren (darren), Saturday, 8 November 2003 17:27 (twenty-one years ago)

And also - how can this be possible for such a well-supported, established club from a major city ? Whether you like Leeds United or not, could the city of Leeds really be without a senior football club ?

― darren (darren), Saturday, 8 November 2003 17:29 (twenty-one years ago)

it looks like Sheffield Utd - will be the major force in Yorkshire football at the start of next season !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 8 November 2003 17:45 (twenty-one years ago)

don't forget Manchester City - got double relegated and ended up playing in the 2nd division against Macclesfield !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 8 November 2003 17:48 (twenty-one years ago)

August 2005-2006 Leeds United Vs Sheff Wed - 2nd division fixture - could it happen?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 8 November 2003 17:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Hull City could be superior to Leeds soon.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 8 November 2003 17:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Leeds need an Ambramovich Mark 2

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 8 November 2003 17:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Premiership Table..
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/premiership.html

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 8 November 2003 17:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Leeds' future could be far worse than Man City or Sheffield Weds if they actually went under rather than just went down. However much shit those clubs were in when they fell into the nationwide it's surely nothing compared to how Ridsdale left Leeds.

― darren (darren), Saturday, 8 November 2003 18:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd hate to see it happen, they seemed a great side for a time. Do you think they should have kept O'Leary Darren? Even just for stability's sake?

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 8 November 2003 18:06 (twenty-one years ago)

though admittedly they were in such financial trouble it may not ever have been about the manager

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 8 November 2003 18:07 (twenty-one years ago)

O'Leary's departure was most probably something Leeds had little control over - I think that he felt he had to be rid of Ridsdale (sorry). But yeah, they were a really exciting side for a while - virtually all young, talented and home-grown. It's unlikely we'll see that kind of team at the top again - certainly not at Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal.

― darren (darren), Saturday, 8 November 2003 18:10 (twenty-one years ago)

it woz Ridsdale acting like a Santa with no money to buy the presents !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 8 November 2003 18:13 (twenty-one years ago)

3 players that leeds didn't really need to buy: Fowler/ Seth Johnson/ Keane

how much did they cost combined?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 8 November 2003 18:16 (twenty-one years ago)

It's dumb to blame it on one thing, but Risdale has to take the brunt of the criticism.

Firstly, handing an untested manager £80 million is a stupid idea.
Secondly, forcing the same manager out of the club just as your club has achieved its best season yet because you need to make some of that £80 million back by selling your star player: also stupid.

Venables is not, and hasn't been for about 15 years, a manager suited to top flight football manager. He never had the dressing room, let alone lost it, and some of those signings... ouch.

And so on and so forth. The British Fiorentina? Will we be seeing Leeds Violets in the Ryman Premier next season?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 8 November 2003 18:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Ronan: if Leeds still had O'Leary, I doubt they'd be anywhere near this position (positon wise, not financially).

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 8 November 2003 18:31 (twenty-one years ago)

not ryman premier...for northerners its the UNIBOND

http://www.unibondleague.com/tables.htm

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 8 November 2003 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Leeds vs. my beloved Burscough? The mind boggles.

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Saturday, 8 November 2003 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

People moan about the media putting the focus of this kind of story onto the bigger club's failure rather than the achievement of a team like Portsmouth but look - ILE does the same thing! Give the public what they want etc.

― N. (nickdastoor), Saturday, 8 November 2003 19:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe if England didn't have five national, professional divisions then Leeds could fall to a level not unlike Fiorentina and have a reasonable chance of a swift return through the ranks (aren't Fiorentina already up to Serie B, Dom ?). But as it is, there would be outcry if they went bankrupt and restarted at any level higher than, well, AFC Wimbledon I suppose.

― darren (darren), Saturday, 8 November 2003 19:58 (twenty-one years ago)

But Nick - this isn't a thread about Portsmouth. Their performance today was evidently superb and I'm looking forward to seeing it on the Prem (after I've cried my eyes out at the crime at Highbury), but the wider issue here is Leeds. This is hardly Des, Robbie and Andy ignoring the 'smaller' clubs on Saturday night, is it ?

― darren (darren), Saturday, 8 November 2003 20:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't think it's dumb to blame it all on Ridsdale as he was living in la-la land as far as finances went, which must be among the most profligate in football.

Apparently when they signed Seth Johnson he was on £9,000 a week at Derby, at the interview Ridsdale's pitch was that he'd be getting £37,000 a week, no negotiation, nothing. No doubt young Seth didn't take too long agreeing to it. I can't imgaine Man U, Arsenal or Chelsea offering those kind of terms to a middling player without performance agreements and other checks and balances.

As for their future, if they manage to survive to the end of the season it'll be an achievent. Only then if they avoid relegation, which looks increasingly unlikely.

If I was a Barnsley fan I'd be very, very nervous indeed about my teams future.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Saturday, 8 November 2003 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

It looks like Reid will be sacked in the next day or two and Paul Hart will be persuaded to leave Forest to take over.

― darren (darren), Sunday, 9 November 2003 15:04 (twenty-one years ago)

We are Leeds, we are Leeds, oh wait a minute, we're not Leeds any more. Oh. Ah. Uhm. Right.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I really do hope they will survive & I really don't think sacking Peter Reid is the way to go.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:26 (twenty-one years ago)

What is to be gained by sacking Peter Reid - I mean... what self-respecting manager is going to touch Leeds with a bargepole in their current state?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Newcastle lost 5-0 yesterday after a pretty bad start to their season & yet nobody will call for Bobby Robson's sacking. I know leeds are in a slightly different situ, but it is not of peter reid's making.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Fiorentina are in serie B, mid table lost 3-2 to Ternana yesterday.

― Ed (dali), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I said it way back when but Reid is the wrong man for the job. "I know, lets appoint the chap who got his last club relagated." Err, good one lads. However, since he's in the job, sacking him is just going to rock the boat (not that the good ship Leeds Utd it isn't already pitching and rolling nearly to capsizement), but I mean if he can’t even avoid a thrashing at the hands of Portsmouth, what hope is there?

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Ed's reinvention as Statto-esque footballing anorak from full-on hata a mere matter of months ago is quite spectacular.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:33 (twenty-one years ago)

I just know where to go for info, gazzetta.it

― Ed (dali), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I said it way back when but Reid is the wrong man for the job. "I know, lets appoint the chap who got his last club relagated

hey, it seems to have worked for Southampton, Strachan is doing pretty well there, and he joined them just after sending Coventry on their merry way

― chris (chris), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Aye but the context differs in that Reid has had no money, inherited a decimated squad with no confidence, loaded with players anxious to jump ship, and joined a club that is still one step away form financial extinction. Considering his mediocre record, and the circumstances I don't see why people had such confidence in the man.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:45 (twenty-one years ago)

fair point. the problem with Reid is he's seen as some dort of magic motivator, someone nearly able to polish a turd, unfortunately Leeds may be a turd too far.

― chris (chris), Monday, 10 November 2003 11:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I really don't think they would be in the predicament if David O'Leary was still in charge.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Bring back the glory days! Reinstate Howard Wilkinson!

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:05 (twenty-one years ago)

"a turd too far" - now hold on a minute pardner...

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:11 (twenty-one years ago)

*sigh* Bilko is probably the only man in the land desperate enough to take over at Leeds tho. *Brightening* but did anyone hear about my home town Chelteham's attempts to recruit a new manager? They receieved applications from three computer games addicts, who cited their skill on Championship Manager 3 as evidence of their suitability, and from a Cheltonian housewife who reckoned the players would benefit from doing her housework. Unfortunatley the Robins elected not to go for something a little left field and got in John 'Who?' Ward .

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:20 (twenty-one years ago)

sorry Alex, would you rather I referred to Leeds as the sow's ear?

― chris (chris), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Come on now Chris. I've had it for months.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I have nothing against Leeds at all I have to stress. In fact they're doing tremendously well for me in my latest champ man game (mind you I haven't signed Seth Johnson)

― chris (chris), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:25 (twenty-one years ago)

What a buy he turned out to be.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:26 (twenty-one years ago)

There's a great photo of Whadden Road in the new Football Days book. The stadium (term used laughingly) contrasted with a genteel game of bowls next door.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:27 (twenty-one years ago)

stadium (term used laughingly) - Hull weren't laughing.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Couldn't Steve Cotterill be pursuaded to come back? I miss his accent.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah what happened to him after his spectacular failure to make any impact whatsoever at Sunderland? He reminded me of Fungus the Bogeyman.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:33 (twenty-one years ago)

i hope they wait til after tomorrow to sack him (if they are going to) as we've got tickets to see Cambridge vs Leeds tomorrow night. :-(

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 12:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Who are you cheering for Pink?

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:01 (twenty-one years ago)

We are Leeds, we are leeds, repeat to fade.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:04 (twenty-one years ago)

(even thought the abbey is about 10-15 mins from my house!)

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Wahay! Good gurl. But you must be prepared for hideous defeat. Bexleyheath High School girls year 9 B team could turn us over at the moment.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh don't i know it! Admitedly I am a leeds fan by default (the boy supports them) & he bought up an interesting point the other day, if they (leeds) cease to exist, who will you support?

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:12 (twenty-one years ago)

(I am a fulham supporter first & foremost)

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Where is James anyway? He still around here? If Leeds go boom, I'm gonna have to go local and start supporting *gulp* Palace.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:16 (twenty-one years ago)

*sniggers* ah bless!
He is around occasionally but he has a silly job now where he can't spend all day on the internet or emailing me. *cries*

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:18 (twenty-one years ago)

How is he coping with Leeds' Ragnarock?

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:21 (twenty-one years ago)

not very well. :-(

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:30 (twenty-one years ago)

but he finally got his leeds shirt the other day which made him happier.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 10 November 2003 13:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Darren, I applaud your attitude, but AFC Wimbledon applied to the Ryman's League. So although we'd have been in Ryman 2 (level 8, like the CCL where we ended up), we'd have been much more likely to have achieved promotion last season and been in Rymans 1S and therefore ready to move up with the reorganisation of the pyramid.

I think if a new Leeds team *was* formed in a similar situation to AFCW (rather than to Fiorentina, who were only moved down 3 divisions), then the crowds and resources they could bring to the non-league, combined with the players they'd attract, should mean that they start as high up the ladder as is legally viable.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 10 November 2003 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

"I'm gonna have to go local and start supporting *gulp* Palace"

how offensive! at least we are only 5th from bottom!
ts: losing 5 - 0 to wigan, VS losing 6 -1 to portsmouth.

not much in it is there....

― ambrose (ambrose), Monday, 10 November 2003 15:44 (twenty-one years ago)

yea but wigan are considerably better than palace

oh wait...

― charltonlido (gareth), Monday, 10 November 2003 15:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I watched that Wigan V Palace game, Palace were lucky to come away with a 5-0 beating, it should have been 10

― chris (chris), Monday, 10 November 2003 15:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Peter Reid has just been sacked.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Monday, 10 November 2003 15:49 (twenty-one years ago)

so is viduka poised to leave now? or will reid go first? and whatever happend to eirik bakke? is he injured or something? surely one of the few decent players left there?

― charltonlido (gareth), Monday, 10 November 2003 15:53 (twenty-one years ago)

oh, xpost

― charltonlido (gareth), Monday, 10 November 2003 15:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Right thread this time...

Idiots. That'll cost em in pay-offs or him and his team. And who are they going to get to resolve the almost impossibl;e situation they're in? Glennda?

Something went bad in the state of Leeds and it's still not resolved - I put it all down to a creeping decay and schlerosis that the Bowyer/Woodgate incident brought into the open; I think O'Leary unleashed a monster in terms of the attitude of the team he created and the club royally fucked up the management of the relationship between old-football and nu-football.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 10 November 2003 15:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Hoddle at Leeds would be one of the funniest football signings ever!

― chris (chris), Monday, 10 November 2003 15:59 (twenty-one years ago)

If the Bowyer/Woodgate case had never happened, would Leeds have been more likely to have secured a second season in the Champions League, thus netting them loads more cash and put off financial collapse, at least for a season or so? My dates are all confused here...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry Ambrose. I'm kind of an honorary Palace supporter as it is - a very good friend cattle-prods me down to the ground every now and then and it's been a good laugh every time (bit quiet down there tho). But I know from seeing him ride the rollercoaster, supporting Palace ain't all fairy cakes.

Anyhows, so Reid's gone. Who the FUCK are they hoping to strongarm into the chair?

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:10 (twenty-one years ago)

A good laugh at Selhurst Park? Are you quite sure?

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, the clue is in the use of the word 'honorary'.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Look, I'm trying to be conciliatory here Mark. Don't fuck it up for me.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:22 (twenty-one years ago)

They missed a place in the Runners-Up Cup the next year by 1 point; the following season by 6 points. That 1 point miss was crucial though. Ultimately, financial collapse came about because of the failure to achieve results; my timeline would be:

- Leeds bet on success
- Start to achieve results
- O'Leary lets things slide off the pitch (player behaviour)
- Results don't look as promising; large sums gambled by board suddenly in jeopardy. Lingeriung reservations between Board and O'Leary come to the surface and the internal politics that had been simmering came to light. O'Leary sacked.
- Club don't get lucky with new man. New Man not helped by being yesterday's man really and not the right kind of character to deal with internal politics (they need brutal dictator, they get a laissez-faire wide-boy)
- Club results implode
- Directors realise gamble has failed
- Face prospect of relegation
- Big choice - administration or liquidation? One advantage here - main assets are ground and players. But players owned by REFF (hire-purchase agreements) and ground owned by Council, so not much to liquidate in that respect. Complicated by PLC status which could compel liquidation through protection of investors rules.

- PS - Good laught at Selhurst - an amazing proportion of the nations 30-40 year olf alternative comedians support palarse. Strange but twoo.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Alex K, just think about who I support and how that relates to SP. I'm not trying to fuck anything up for you :)

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I know mate. Just messin bro.

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

BBC latest news on Peter Reid
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/3256351.stm

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Megson???

― Alex K (Alex K), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:48 (twenty-one years ago)

for a club in financial problems - what sort of plank agreed this contract:
Reid was on a one-year rolling contract worth a reported £850,000-a-year, a figure he will now pick up in compensation.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Be thatnkful it was only one year rolling...

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Er, well you see, what we thought was that Peter, with his unique skill and vision, and impressive experience, was ideally placed to steer the club and our talented squad of exciting young racists, err I mean rapists, oops, I mean players, back to the Champions League and Premiership success.

― P. Ridsdale, Monday, 10 November 2003 16:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I know football is different from the average job:

but if you have a fixed a year contract - and your performance was crap about 6 months - then the contract is terminated - why should Reid pick up a big wodge of cash?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:54 (twenty-one years ago)

who hired Reid - santa Ridsdale or the nutty professor?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 10 November 2003 16:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Everyone 'in football' said they should not fire Reid.

Now they have.

Were they right to fire him / and will things only get worse now?

Or can things only get better?

The Premiership on Monday panel last week all said Leeds would be relegated.

― the pinefox, Monday, 10 November 2003 16:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Blimey. When the combined talent of Robbie Earle, Andy Townsend, Gabby Clarke, Jim Beglin and Ally McCoist turn on you, it really is curtains.

I can see why they did fire him - he's not getting results. But I really can't see how anyone else will do any better; they'll have nothing to spend, and they'll have a totally demotivated and demoralised dressing room to work with.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 10 November 2003 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought Andy Townsend's analysis of Thierry Henry exploiting the offside law was fairly insightful on the Premiership. It almost gave the impression that he understands the tactical side of the game. Almost.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Monday, 10 November 2003 17:03 (twenty-one years ago)

what is the nutty professor a professor of? I wonder every time he's on TV. And hope it isn't Economics.

― MarkH (MarkH), Monday, 10 November 2003 17:05 (twenty-one years ago)

yes it's something connected with Business/ Economics.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 10 November 2003 17:06 (twenty-one years ago)

So what's the actual job description for the new guy then? Is he just going to be battling to get them to perform on the pitch whilst the suits try and clear the debt, or is he going to have to tackle it on all fronts? And how long would it take a well-run Premiership to make £70 million profit?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 10 November 2003 17:07 (twenty-one years ago)

as they say in CM4:

Battle Bravely Against Relegation
=================================
Try not to be relegated, but if it happens, it happens. It's not
your fault you're managing a team of no-hopers.

― chris (chris), Monday, 10 November 2003 17:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Has no-one linked Martin O'Neill with the job yet?

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 10 November 2003 18:39 (twenty-one years ago)

True. Everyone knows that MON would be gagging for a chance, as managing Celtic is nothing compared with the task of working a real league. Arf!

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 10 November 2003 18:41 (twenty-one years ago)

By the way, Paul Sturrock? PAUL STURROCK?

This is not the record of a man to help them out of trouble.. Is it?

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 10 November 2003 19:10 (twenty-one years ago)

what about Neil Warnock?

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 10 November 2003 19:12 (twenty-one years ago)

would they be better off just leaving gray in charge for the rest of the season?

― charltonlido (gareth), Monday, 10 November 2003 19:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Colin won't budge, unless he wants to promote himself as a 'character' by being on the telly a lot more. I thought Paul Hart was the big favourite? Though they might have to have a whip round to pay the compo to Forest.

Fade to gray...har har

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 10 November 2003 19:16 (twenty-one years ago)

At least if they hire Paul Sturrock they'll be guaranteed a nice orange away kit.

― Daniel (dancity), Monday, 10 November 2003 22:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Wasn't Martin O'Neill flattered and tempted by the Leeds job before he went to Celtic?

― Daniel (dancity), Monday, 10 November 2003 22:01 (twenty-one years ago)

==I thought Andy Townsend's analysis of Thierry Henry exploiting the offside law was fairly insightful on the Premiership==

Fair point Mikey G, but yet again 'Tahnzend' was allowed to waste several minutes yakking on about it with a dozen or so unnecessary examples ("An this toim, wotch hah ver Spurz defence look left then roit zzzzz...") that could have been filled with SOME MORE ACTION FROM ANOTHER MATCH. I even tried flicking back and forth from the Beeb's Kylie programme several times and he was still jibbering on about TH's breaching the TH offside trap.

It's as if ITV are trying to justify having pundits by 'finding' things for them to gas about.

― darren (darren), Monday, 10 November 2003 23:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I doubt Colin W will be persuaded to leave his beloved Blades for a club he has publicly dissed after their recent Cup battles. O'Neill is hardly going to do now what he didn't when Leeds was a plum job.
Gray is surely there for a bare minimum, and Hart may well see them as too doomed to bother with.

Which leaves ... yes ! ROBBO !!!!!

― darren (darren), Monday, 10 November 2003 23:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Bryan Robson ! he is a Manchester RED, the Leeds public would never allow it !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 00:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Sturrock has been linked cos Plymouth are currently top of Division Two, Megson cos West Brom are topping D1. Paul Hart was linked last time if I remember right - think he has previous Leeds connections, director of the youth academy or something like that, and he was in the frame last time too. His Forest side are currently 12th in Division One. He looks very likely.

They should get Iain Dowie in, if only because if they mess up he will be more than happy to batter the living shit out of them.

However, given Leeds' form to date, there is only one serious contender here. Since he's not going to Nigeria anymore, expect Robbo The Rob to throw his hat into the ring. Given his previous financial track record, the man looks a shoo-in. After all, he didn't bankrupt Boro...

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 00:05 (twenty-one years ago)

The consensus appears to be that Leeds is in a whole bunch of trouble. Am I caught up?

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 02:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Today's Guardian reports that the shortlist is Paul Hart or George Graham. You heard that right. George Graham. The fact that after all this, they are seriously contemplating Graham tells us everything you ever need to know about why they are now in the situation where they are contemplating hiring George Graham.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 09:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Apparently Graham has told Leeds to piss off - thisislondon is talking up a Hoddle move to Forest if and when Hart goes to Leeds. Is this really how far down the pecking order both managers have fallen? Whoever takes over from David Pleat should watch out, bearing in mind that CHRISTIAN GROSS is now the most successful ex-Spurs manager.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 09:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Is it a case of:

- This shows how Leeds have fallen to be now considering such also-rans
- This shows how far these managers have fallen to be now considering such an also-ran

You, the jury, must decide...

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 09:57 (twenty-one years ago)

bearing in mind that CHRISTIAN GROSS is now the most successful ex-Spurs manager

yes, but in Switzerland...

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 10:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't knock it till you've tried it...

― Glenn, George, Howard and Peter (Matt DC), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 10:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Will Leeds still be playing Cambridge tonight though?

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 10:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't think they are going out of business today!

I find none of these plausible, except maybe Sturrock. I would think Hart and Megson would probably picture a more optimistic start to next season at their current clubs than at Leeds, who are in freefall. The only person I can see with something to gain would be a lower-league manager looking to up their profile, get a big name on the CV and some top-flight experience - maybe with the assumption that they won't get much blame for a relegation, in the circumstances.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't think they were Martin.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 11 November 2003 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

We went to see Cambridge vs Leeds last nite & it was great. Leeds actually put out a first team incl Vids, Johnson, Sako (sp) Matteo, Harte amongst others. Sadly little Alan wasn't there. But much fun was had by all & I really do hope that Eddie can turn Leeds around as they are definitely a club that deserves to do so much better.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 10:32 (twenty-one years ago)

The word 'deserve' has no place in football. Discuss.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 11:29 (twenty-one years ago)

well i liked the look of the youngsters coming through.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 11:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Are you suggesting the people of Leeds don't deserve a football club after giving so much support over the years, Dave? Perhaps the people of Wimbledon didn't deserve one either, in which case what on earth are they doing fannying about with a pissy bunch of losers in level 8?

;)

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 11:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Martin Keown deserves a good kicking. Discuss.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 11:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Anyone appending the word 'discuss' to a rhetorical remark deserves a good kicking. Discuss.

― Alex K (Alex K), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 11:51 (twenty-one years ago)

erm...

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 11:52 (twenty-one years ago)

What's your favourite olympic sport? Discus.

Ooops, I ain't funny.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 11:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Mikey G's wordtrickery may or may not have been funny. Discuss.

― Alex K (Alex K), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 11:58 (twenty-one years ago)

It's not the deserve to have a club Mark - it's the 'deserve to do so much better' - as a purist, I reckon you deserve to be where your performances on the pitch place you; there's no other factors involved.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Another quality, reasoned article from McCarra on this issue: http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,9753,1082366,00.html

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:06 (twenty-one years ago)

But there are factors that can influence the performance on the pitch surely.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:07 (twenty-one years ago)

And what about luck? (ps. you forgot to add 'discuss' to the end of your last post Pink. Don't let it happen again)

― Alex K (Alex K), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Anyone appending the word 'discuss' to a rhetorical remark deserves a good kicking.

ahem

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah.

― Alex K (Alex K), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:11 (twenty-one years ago)

If you can lose 6-1 to Portsmouth you don't deserve to be anywhere other than the foot of the table, quite frankly. Luck has nothing to do with it (and no one 'deserves' good luck, especially in football).

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Fine, i see your point, it was just something i felt when i saw the players & the supporters last night is all. I dont like to see any teams do badly really apart from Man U & Newcastle.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:13 (twenty-one years ago)

certainly no-one deserves the "classic" situation when one team hits posts/crossbar/side netting repeatedly in the course of a match and the other team has one chance at goal and scores.

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm not saying anyone 'deserves' luck BUT if Jay Jay hits the bar three times, he's certainly been unlucky, don't you think? In the same way, one of the beautiful things about football, don't you think, is that a team can steamroller another side for 90 minutes, pepper their goal with shots and still loose 1-0 after a lucky fluke goal. I'm not saying that either side necessarily deserve anything, but if results always went the 'right' way, and luck had nothing to do with it, betting would be illegal.

― Alex K (Alex K), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:20 (twenty-one years ago)

The joy of football lies in its unpredictability. Monaco 8 Derpotivo 3, taking last week as an example. Look at the Rugby World Cup for what happens if this variable is taken out of the equation.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Ed: can you get Gazzetta dello Sport in English?

― athos magnani (Cozen), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Not that I know of.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:26 (twenty-one years ago)

You make your own luck. {/cliche}

Leeds'll be okay. They'll go down this season (and maybe the season after) but build themselevs back up after about 5 years with th efanbase they've got. I'm not worrying too much.

Viduka needs a slap, though.

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh I'll just hang around for 5 years then whilst they languish in the lower divisions! (jk) Viduka is lazy definitely. He needs to buck his ideas up or get the hell outta there.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:31 (twenty-one years ago)

build themseleves back up after about 5 years with th efanbase they've got

would you say that the converse applies to those clubs, e.g. Oldham and Sheffield Wednesday, who once played top-flight football, that their inability to regain their past glories is in some part due to the inadequacy of their fanbase?

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Definitely not.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:34 (twenty-one years ago)

why not?

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Do you think their fanbase are solely to blame for this?

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:42 (twenty-one years ago)

no, but then I did say "in some part".

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:44 (twenty-one years ago)

In what part are they to blame then? I am not being pedantic, I just am trying to understand what you mean.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:45 (twenty-one years ago)

don't worry, I was just responding to Johnney B saying that Leeds will be able to build themselves up after 5 yrs with the fanbase they's got - maybe I misunderstood him, but I thought he was saying that having a loyal fanbase was an essential and integral part of ensuring that Leeds will bounce back from their woes following (possibly successive) demotion. So I wondered if the converse was the case.

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 13:02 (twenty-one years ago)

oh i see. Well imo, the fans are an important part of a team, but I do not think they can dictate or indeed help a team to stay up. There were alot of dedicated leeds fans at cambridge last night who were in full support of their team and its new manager, but i really dont think this is enough to keep leeds in the premiership.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 13:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Five years is a wildly optimistic estimate for the time it would take Leeds to recover if they went down. It took them almost the whole of the 80s to go back up after relegation last time and the debts then were nowhere near as crippling as they are now.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 13:11 (twenty-one years ago)

I take it the strategy here will be to score more goals than they concede.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 13:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Tracer makes a late bid for the Leeds job.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 13:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Unless George Graham was in charge of course, when scoring goals would be considered as odd as conceding them.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 14:04 (twenty-one years ago)

The other thing about all this is that although Leeds are bottom and playing badly, they're anything but adrift from the rest of the league. A calm head with decent personnel management and tactics should be able to see that bunch of players achieve mediocrity at least.

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 14:13 (twenty-one years ago)

"polish the turd"

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 14:15 (twenty-one years ago)

is that rhyming slang for top of the third?

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 14:16 (twenty-one years ago)

But ~~that would spoil our fun~~ who is that person?

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 14:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Graham Taylor!

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 14:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Talking of polishing, Cabbage, wasn't that an exciting game on Sunday?

(Dave I think it might well be Eddie Gray actually, though Mr. Hart will probably be chosen because the board probably want another crop of wee Smithies and Harries).

― Tim (Tim), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 14:24 (twenty-one years ago)

curse you 'opkins

― chris (chris), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 14:30 (twenty-one years ago)

A good point was made by the mangod Rob McCaffrey on Sky the other day, namely that if Leeds do go down they are bound to have to go into administration and will, by the new laws that will be in place, automatically lose 10 points. That's going to be a lot to make up in the Nationwide, especially if you have a team full of skilful, though lightweight, teeny boppers in your team (as Leeds will surely have if relegation does occur). I did say this was a good point as opposed to an interesting one.

― Jonnie, Wednesday, 12 November 2003 14:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I see that Mr Hopkins has taken the McCarrawatch on to other threads.

I enjoyed reading McCarra's characteristic austerity.

Hopkins has also persuaded me that Leeds will not go down.

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 12 November 2003 21:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Just when you thought things couldn't get worse

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Thursday, 13 November 2003 21:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, you can't argue with ITN News, can you?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 14 November 2003 16:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Alleged Tosser Smith Arrested

what a headline!

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 14 November 2003 16:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Another terrific day in the life of Leeds United!

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Friday, 14 November 2003 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

It can get worse

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 20:12 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

Oh yee of little faith.... We shall be here again next year and the next. Last season I didn't have the same confidence about the team. I actually got a LUFC kit with "relegated" "03" on the back of it. But we didn't go down.

We'll be off the bottom of the table by the end of the christmas break. Especially with the likes of Liverpool and some of the other top of the table teams, performances over the past few years around this time of the year. We may have a chance here....

― Trey_D, Friday, 19 December 2003 03:46 (twenty-one years ago)

two months pass...

Well, if they're going down they seem to be pursuing a scorched earth policy at Old Trafford, anyway.

― N. (nickdastoor), Saturday, 21 February 2004 14:33 (twenty-one years ago)

i was convinced Ruud would score a hat-trick today so am a bit annoyed about that but well done Leeds even tho i think there is no way out for them now

― stevem (blueski), Saturday, 21 February 2004 14:45 (twenty-one years ago)

three weeks pass...

Saved?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 19 March 2004 16:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Geoffrey Richmond acted as an advisor to the consortium and is expected to be retained in a consultative capacity.

That'll be the fella who put Bradford City so far into the red that they've recently slipped back into Administration for the second time in 2 years?

― Dave B (daveb), Friday, 19 March 2004 17:02 (twenty-one years ago)

it looks like a 4 way relegation dog fight, with only one winner

Leeds
Leicester
Portsmouth
Wolves

Who will survive to retain their premier league status?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Friday, 19 March 2004 17:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Also - new Director Peter Lorimer. From the Beeb:

Lorimer is saying that the debts were close to £100million, although he doesn't "actually understand the finance side of it", and he's "sure that there are plans to sort things".

So - we've got a Director who knows nowt, advised by Geoffrey Richmond, with money coming from as yet unidentified sources but rumoured to be property people who've bough Thorpe Arch and Elland Road and will take rents off the club for both.

― Frying pan into the fire? (daveb), Friday, 19 March 2004 17:16 (twenty-one years ago)

This new Leeds chairman is an odd looking fellow.

http://www.sportinglife.com/pictures/general/krasnerpressconf.jpg

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 15:30 (twenty-one years ago)

is that davros's brother?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 15:33 (twenty-one years ago)

The picture in the Herald gives him redder lips.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 15:33 (twenty-one years ago)

The new Leeds Chairman.
http://joster.bumr.net/img/toad.jpg

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Krasner (Leeds Chairman) looks like you want a Chairman to look. Corpulent, gravelly voiced with a pin-striped suit and slightly camp. He doesn't smoke a big cigar, sadly.

Also on the Board - a guy who shut down Bramley RLFC. Answers needs U&K to when Jack Petchey gets his loan back, at what rate and what's it secured against, as is there a conflict of interest when the owners of 17% of Aston Villa lends the money to keep another club going.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 15:58 (twenty-one years ago)

That was never a penalty last night

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 16:21 (twenty-one years ago)

no it wasn't and Krasner, I don't trust him, he didn't seem to know how to celebrate, and I hate it when the team scarf mystically appears just at final whistle when they've won.

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 16:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Definitely out of the box when he was brought down. Nice for luck to be on our side for once though.

― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 17:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought it wasn't a penalty, but by the same rule, it was a ridiculous attempt to make a challenge by the defender; given the speeds they were running at, it was not exactly surprising.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 17:29 (twenty-one years ago)

They will stay up I now think.

Am I wrong?

Perhaps.

― the cupfox, Tuesday, 23 March 2004 21:26 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

Blackburn's victory over Fulham cannot have done Leeds hopes of relegation any good today. Everton, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Bolton, Charlton, Chelsea, next, in that order. Everton, Portsmouth, and Charlton at home. Can they pull it off?

― Michael White (Hereward), Monday, 12 April 2004 21:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay that is one of the worst runs of games imaginable. Every team bar Everton with something to play for.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 12 April 2004 21:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Everton - now - with far more to play for than Chelsea - then. A cracker tonight, then.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 07:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Leeds were bottom at Christmas so for them to escape would be remarkable. But despite their recent run I think it is beyond them, esp. as it's now Portsmouth who are looking the likelier survivors.

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 09:17 (twenty-one years ago)

oh god, another season of those chuffing bells.

I am so out of love with football right now

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 09:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Liverpool could still go down...

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 09:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I know :o(

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 09:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I am so in love with being LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!!!! I don't care if it's a pissy pub league; I was at Walton yesterday and the joy and excitement on the faces of the fans and the players was just fucking brilliant.

Ahem. As for Leeds, I think they will survive, fwiw.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 09:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Looks like Carlisle might pull it off again too.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 09:31 (twenty-one years ago)

signed up for another series of Hamish Macbeth has he? HA HO!

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 09:32 (twenty-one years ago)

My congratulations to Markelby.

― the pinefox, Tuesday, 13 April 2004 09:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I am concerned about poor City (paucity indeed). Our football is so haphazard. Keegan has surely had his chips, whether or not we stay up. As for Leeds, they really are not very good, and I'd be surprised if they survived.

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 11:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Sean Wright, Wright, Wright. Phillips.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 11:57 (twenty-one years ago)

fuck, i had a dream last night i was watching football on tv and shaurn wright phillips did a dance with his brother when he scored. his brother was playing for man u and the dance went on for about 5 minutes.

i put leeds chances at 50/50. we didn't derserve to beat man city the other week but maybe some luck is coming our way lately, and when we play we can play, cf. 2-2 draw with liverpool, 1-1 with chelsea. (of course they're not wins but you know.) the team doesn't look as embarassing as it used to. the midfield isn't so pussyish as it was (pennant, milner, matteo = speed, trickery + a rock in the centre), caldwell and duberry seem competent. that's a better set of players than a lot of those around us.

― matthew james (matthew james), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 12:04 (twenty-one years ago)

At least they didn't lose.

― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 21:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Me too.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 21:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Oops, wrong thread.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 13 April 2004 21:48 (twenty-one years ago)

World gone mad - official (Part 2349)

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 09:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I will go down with the Leeds...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 09:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I saw the headline on Sunday and immediately thought they meant the Brummie guy who used to play for Arsenal.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 09:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Hellooooo Nurse!

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/reading/readme/letters/as1.gif

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 09:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Incidentally, Smithy didn't "break up" with his girlfriend - she dumped him for Cristiano Ronaldo, which should make it interesting the next time Manyoo play Leeds (in one of the cup competitions, obviously).

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 09:27 (twenty-one years ago)

bloody foreigners coming over, taking our women

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 09:38 (twenty-one years ago)

oi Lee Bowyer, stop hacking my account!

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 09:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Alan's cut himself shaving in that pic. It bears the hallmark of a man using a Sensor Excel dispoable and needs to change to a new set of blades. I empathise greatly.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 09:47 (twenty-one years ago)

You'd think, with her bland style of music, that Dido would go for someone more like, I dunno, Alan Shearer

Alan Smith would be better off with someone like...

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 10:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Is there a band called 'what the fucking hell are you looking at?'

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 10:40 (twenty-one years ago)

In any case it's propbably just as well for Dido that she didn't meet up with Smith that weekend, especially if she really is an Arsenal fan. He most likely would have found himself expelled from the pitch due to unsportsmanlike challenges.

― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 14:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Next week: Robbie Savage and Sarah Brightman.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 14:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Lee Bowyer and Anthea Turner.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 14:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Kirsty Wark and Gazza.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 15:16 (twenty-one years ago)

How about Alan Smith and Courtney Love?

― Daniel (dancity), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 17:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Marco Boogers and Cat Power.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Portsmouth have done the Double over Leeds.

It looks like it's Man City or Leeds, to join Wolves and Leicester in the new Coke-a-Cola league first division.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 25 April 2004 11:29 (twenty-one years ago)

That was a terrible result for Leeds. I fear that if they get relegated they will have to sell all their top players (certainly Smith, Viduka and Robinson), and might find it harder to attract loan players of the quality of Pennant. They will have less income, and the sales won't make that much of a dent in the debts, so they won't be able to spend. They could end up a poor first division side, and struggle against relegation rather than seek promotion back. It looks a very bad and dangerous spiral, potentially.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 25 April 2004 11:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Leeds United - will have to offload ALL high-Wagers - give the manager modest investment for new young players and rebuild.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 25 April 2004 12:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Gosh; I thought Leeds had a great chance to survive, but absolutely postively had too. If they go down, I fear a spiral down the divs ala Sheff Weds.

To every other football club - Consider Phlebas, who was once and handsome and storng as yoy.

― Dave B (daveb), Sunday, 25 April 2004 13:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, but he was weak in the air.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 25 April 2004 13:07 (twenty-one years ago)

a club has apparently bid 5.75 Million for Alan Smith

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 17:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Is that low cause they know Leeds wants the money fast or because that's what he's really worth?

― Michael White (Hereward), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 17:25 (twenty-one years ago)

How long has got left on his contract?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 17:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I think they should pay him 5.75 million to appear as Captain Sensible in the forthcoming Johnny Rotten biopic.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 17:28 (twenty-one years ago)

He said Smithy
I said wot

He said Smithy
I said wot d'ya want

― Michael White (Hereward), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 17:35 (twenty-one years ago)

mark viduka scores a penalty.
mark viduka gets sent off.
oh fuck.

― matthew james (matthew james), Sunday, 2 May 2004 12:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Leeds are 3-1 down at Bolton.

Enjoy playing Watford next season, boys.

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Sunday, 2 May 2004 13:19 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe we can snooker man city. take the piss out of them wildly and hope keegan launches flying kicks at opposing managers, starting a huge barney and the fa docking them 10 points.

leeds fans are singing matteos and amith and radebe's name. singing, "we going down but we're gonna be back. bolton fans applauding. this is fucking dismal. i'm upset for fucks sake, jesus.

― matthew james (matthew james), Sunday, 2 May 2004 13:50 (twenty-one years ago)

True, they were singing. But they were singing "We're going down in a minute, we're going down in a minute, we're going down in a miiiiiiiiiiiiiinute, we're going down in a minute". Hardly supportive. But what else could they do, except hope those useless players could win their last three games in a row.

Bugger. This does, of course, mean that Spurs are staying up.

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Sunday, 2 May 2004 13:59 (twenty-one years ago)

game ended 10 minutes since and they're still there, belting it out.

― matthew james (matthew james), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:03 (twenty-one years ago)

4-1 and it's all over, not just for the afternoon but for Leeds in the Premier League.

Unless of course Leeds practically outscore Brian Lara in each of their last two games, one of which just happens to be Chelsea at the Bridge....

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:10 (twenty-one years ago)

on aire fm, which i masochistically can't turn off, they'rer replaying the final goals from our 4-5-6 goal defeats over 'everybody hurts'. oh, fucking god.

― matthew james (matthew james), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Part of me thinks "thank fuck for that", even though I never realistically thought Tottenham would go down. God knows where Leeds will go from here - I can kind of forsee a Nottingham Forest situation where they sit in the 1st Division for years, but Sheffield Wednesday is another possibility.

Its worth pointing out what an escape this is for Man City, who are right royally fucked if and when they go down (next season a definite possibility) with a massive wage bill and no stadium to their name. I think The Leeds Effect will stick around in football for years to come, no one will shell out big money to try and compete with the big boys ever again.

What are the odds of both Smith AND Viduka lining up for Man U next season, then?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:24 (twenty-one years ago)

In other news, if results stay as they are today, VILLA ARE IN FOURTH! How the fuck did that happen?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Bolton are flying quite high too.

― N. (nickdastoor), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:28 (twenty-one years ago)

OK, so we've already flogged Smith and Viduka off to Manooted. Whither Robinson?

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:29 (twenty-one years ago)

SPURS!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:42 (twenty-one years ago)

If Man City lose their last two games 0-8, and Leeds win their last two 8-0, Leeds can stay up.

I would love to see Leeds beat Chelsea by eight goals, whether they got to stay up or not.

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually James it's even worse than that, by my calcs Man C have to lose 9-0 twice and Leeds win 9-0 twice to put them level.

Could somebody please look at the League Table at www.premierleague.com, and tell me what the up and down arrows and the dashes in the far left column mean?

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't worry thanks fellas, I've worked it out I think.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Sunday, 2 May 2004 14:58 (twenty-one years ago)

new releases out this week include 'The Canary Flies Again' and 'Op Da Baggays'

― stevem (blueski), Sunday, 2 May 2004 15:24 (twenty-one years ago)

how soon before Sheffield United are the top Yorkshire club?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 2 May 2004 15:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Next season...Leeds United Vs Rotherham - Yorkshire derby

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 2 May 2004 15:32 (twenty-one years ago)

:-(

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Sunday, 2 May 2004 15:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I can only giggle insanely at the notion of Villa being fourth, even if it's only for a few minutes.

― ferg (Ferg), Sunday, 2 May 2004 16:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I can see Viduka going to somewhere like Everton.

I can see Smith going to Newcastle.

I guess maybe Robinson and Milner will go to Spurs, once the Phantom Menace is finally revealed.

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 2 May 2004 17:05 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm still amazed there's no talk of robinson to arsenal. read somewhere smith'd prefer to go to europe, but i see newcastle as the most likely, leeds and newcastle are reasonably friendly clubs. they also already have bridges, woodgate and bowyer.
the new leds kit was unveiled the other day, with radebe and milner in the photos, so maybe he's staying.

― matthew james (matthew james), Sunday, 2 May 2004 17:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Robinson to the Arse is a definite possiblity - Lehmann appears to have Liability written all over him. Otherwise I can't see where else he'd go - if Villa do nicely wrt Europe then that's a possibility but most of the other Premiership clubs seem pretty well covered as far as keepers go. Except Spurs. Maybe Chelsea will sign him just for the hell of it.

I think Smith would be mental to go to Newcastle when there's a chance of Manyoo or even Chelsea signing him. I suppose it all depends on that elusive 4th place... It's definitely too early in his career to risk all on a European club.

But then again rumours are circulating of Beckham to Arsenal (!!! Like they can afford him), so nothing is impossible...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 2 May 2004 23:19 (twenty-one years ago)

If I were Man U or Chelsea, I would have little interest in Smith. A good player, but if you're aiming to be the best club in the world, which they surely are, he isn't that good. The nice Bobby Robson at Newcastle has a taste for the nastiest players, especially if they come from Leeds, so Smith seems a natural.

If I were Arsenal, however, I would be keen to sign Robinson. No offence to Spurs fans, but if the option existed, I'd think it very surprising to decline Arsenal. I'm unclear why Spurs would want to spend money on Milner - it seems to me that the attacking area is the one area that doesn't need strengthening at Spurs.

I was in my local for the Bolton game yesterday, and got talking to, among others, a Leeds fan. He wasn't at all cheerful, obviously, but he disagreed with my view that once they had got rid of everyone for whom they could get a half-decent fee, and offloaded the others also on big money, they would struggle in the 1st - he thinks they have a crop of very good youngsters to come through, which will make them secure and give them something to build on. Anyone know anything about their youth team?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 3 May 2004 09:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Lehmann for Spurs!!! It'd make the North London derbies even more interesting.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 3 May 2004 09:48 (twenty-one years ago)

rumours are circulating of Beckham to Arsenal

So they can afford a new £300 million stadium but can't afford a £25 million player and £20 million for his wages spread over a few years? Absolute rubbish. Most clubs are smart enough to know that admitting interest in a player in public pushes his price up.

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Monday, 3 May 2004 11:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Isn't that like saying "I've bought a house mortgaged to the hilt so surely I can also afford a brand new Audi TT"?

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 3 May 2004 11:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Mark C OTM. Arsenal have borrowed 300M, as they cannot get the cash together in one go. Most of their spare cash goes into debt servicing of that loan. Beckham no go for the Arse.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 3 May 2004 11:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I was wrong about Leeds.

― the bluefox, Tuesday, 4 May 2004 11:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I blame, anyway. Certainly for Smiffy's tears, at least.

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 11:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Bet there's no white flag upon her door now.

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 11:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Alan Smith is disappointed in Man Utd's 'No Dido' contract clause

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 11:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I blame Dido, of course. (three posts up) (careless!)

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Tuesday, 4 May 2004 11:52 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/dido_smith.php

According to that, it is not true about Smith and Dido.

I am disappointed.

― the bluefox, Tuesday, 4 May 2004 13:46 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.leedsunited.com/article.asp?article=201299&blnFeedback=&Title=Show+Us+The+Money&navlid=newsroom

is this part of one of those 'civil ceremonies' i've been hearing so much about?

― matthew james (matthew james), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 09:44 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

seth johnson (remember him?) finally released

which leaves bakke as the only player remaining from the o'leary years? still only 27! apparent interest from birmingham and villa

― charltonlido (gareth), Saturday, 6 August 2005 08:23 (twenty years ago)

Gary Kelly's still there. Mind, he pre-dates DO'L.

I'm looking forward to seeing some football today. Nice to start the season with a game where I really don't mind who wins.

― Tim (Tim), Saturday, 6 August 2005 08:37 (twenty years ago)

You just want both to lose!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 6 August 2005 08:42 (twenty years ago)

I'd be pleased with a goal or two, a big fight (on-pitch, of course)and perhaps some sendings-off.

― Tim (Tim), Saturday, 6 August 2005 08:43 (twenty years ago)

(BTW MS I'm trying to contact another friend of mine wo I think will be going today so will be in phone contact about where to meet. Gareth - and anyone else reading - you should come to Barnet!)

― Tim (Tim), Saturday, 6 August 2005 08:45 (twenty years ago)

Pete and I have a pub arranged - the Mitre at 2.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 6 August 2005 09:16 (twenty years ago)

That's The Mitre. What with meeting Ailsa in The Cardinal on Thursday, this is obviously Catholic Propaganda Week on ILX.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 6 August 2005 09:19 (twenty years ago)

Perhaps Pete should be burnt at the stake as a precautionary measure, he's been to spain which verillee is a neste of poperee.

― Ed (dali), Saturday, 6 August 2005 10:50 (twenty years ago)

two months pass...

anyone remember stephen mcphail? is he still at barnsley?

― terry lennox. (gareth), Monday, 17 October 2005 22:41 (nineteen years ago)

three years pass...

― country matters, Tuesday, 9 December 2008 04:20 (sixteen years ago)

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