Originally posted by Digitarius
Terry Venables had come to the wrong club at the wrong time.
On his own, Venables is a decent manager who has a very decent knowledge of the game. He is tactically sound and has contacts worldwide.
However, he had his hands tied from day one at Elland Road. He was forced to sell Rio Ferdinand, arguably his best player, to rivals Manchester United, and wasn't given much, if any, money to spend. The only meaningful addition to his squad had been Nick Barmby (and you can say Lucic on loan and Paul Okon) - and he's been injured now.
He hasn't been helped by horrendous injury problems to many of his main stars.
He hasn't been helped by loss of form to key players such as Bowyer, Viduka, Kewell, Harte, etc..
He hasn't been helped by the lack of harmony in the camp, with Viduka having a row with Kewell (alleged), Dacourt mouthing off, Batty playing in the reserves.
He hasn't won over the fans, and the chairmen isn't giving him the best of support.
A defeat against Bolton would surely signal the end of El Tel. Leeds simply needs some injection of something into their team at the moment, or they could be staring at a trip to Grimsby next term.
Have u watched ANY leeds matches this year?? Kewell has been their best player all year...so this stuff aobut him losing form is way off.
Viduka hasnt been in good form for quite a while, and el Tel should have sold him instead of Keane.
Bowyer can be a great player, but seems to be bad in losing teams.
Batty is playing reserves because thats wher El Tel put him. El tel brought that one on himself, but really, in a full strength Leeds team, i think that Batty doesnt deserve a start.
That Kewell and Viduka thing was just because Viduka wants to get out of the place.
As DD said, the PLC often ruins the club. Leeds, if they remained patient, and kept on DO, and kept things going like they were, were BOUND to get some silverware sooner or later. They were high end finishers in all compeitions, and so it was a matter of time.
But as soon as the board started worrying about cash, the club fell apart.
Basically if Leeds had gone that tiny bit better for the 2nd half of last season, and qualified for CL ahead of Newcastle, DO would still be manager, and Leeds would still be going well. Rio and Jonny Woodgate would be at CB together (Rio left because he wanted to play CL), and not many teams have CB's that compare to that. Add Mills, and an inform Harte (or Matteo), and there's a pretty awesome backline...hmmm "if only" the worst words in the english language
Leeds were so close to becoming a "BIG" club, and the PLC getting its moneys worth..Now they're going to be a nothing club, all because a couple of men in suits got greedy..
Cheers
sKIp_E
