Oct 07, 2003 08:20 PM
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(Updated Oct 07, 2003 08:20 PM)
Till a few months ago – before the start of the new premiership season if you went to the Leeds United website, there was a picture of a skeleton and the words below it read – ‘Your Club needs you now more than ever’ or something like that. In the UK football is not just a game it is a religious. And the cardinal rule of that religion is that come sunshine or rain you only support one team throughout your life. And I am proud to say that it is Leeds for me – till death do us apart.
The final league table for the 2000/1 show Leeds at number 4 with Man U, Arsenal and Liverpool at the top respectively. Those were the glory days – when we played in the Champions League. The 2001/2 season wasn’t bad either with us slipping to the 5th position, but things got really bad during the last season and we barely missed relegation. But we have some excellent and loyal players who I hope will see us through this rocky patch. So here goes – the team stats
Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson, Scott Carson. Although very young, Paul has certainly proved his mettle at Leeds. He even got his first cap against Australia in Feb 2003. A Yorkshire man at heart – albeit from East Yorks, here is another case of outstanding talent who is a Leeds man through and through. Scot has yet to make his debut for the first team although he will be playing in the reserves.
Defenders: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Lucas Radebe, Dominic Matteo, Michael Duberry. Zoumana Camara is on Loan from the French club RC Lens. Jose Vitor Roque Junior is the first Brazilian to sign up with Leeds. His contract is only for a year – but is one to watch out for. Another Frenchy we have acquired in August is Didier Domi. He played for the French under 21 team and Paris St Germain who won the French league. And finally there is Frazer Richardson. He is being groomed as a future United right-back .
Midfielders: James Milner (boy wonder – who broke Wayne Rooney’s record of the youngest ever Premiership player), Jody Morris (Bosman signing from Chelsky in June), Eirik Bakke (recently having injury problems but great when in form), Seth Johnson (recent star!), David Batty (the rock of Leeds United), Salomon Olembe (another French player we have managed to acquire this year!), Paul Keegan (reserves player but full of potential)
Attacking Midfielders: Nicky Barmby (El Tel signing – but is he past it at 29??), Jason Wilcox (should see more action after Harry Kewell’s departure), Aaron Lennon (another Leeds born young player to watch our for) Jamie McMaster (been around for 3 years – but looking to build on his first team debut last year).
Strikers: Michael Bridges, Mark Viduka (last years highest goal scorer), Lamine Sakho (on trial from Marseille), Cyril Chapius (another Marseille man), Alan Smith (Know as a petulant player who’s reputation preceded his game, Smith has now matured into a seasoned young player who I reckon will play for Leeds all his life. Also a high goal scorers on the pitch, his lethal partnership with Viduka works well) and Simon Johnson (young reserve team striker to watch out for!).
This is a new year and under the able leadership of Peter Reid we are slowly climbing our way to the top. Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Rovers gave the manager as well as the fans a well-deserved reason to celebrate. Personally I think it was a lot to do with David Batty being on the pitch – Seth Johnson may have walked away with the Man of the Match title but it was Batty the experienced midfielder who got the vote off the pitch. Keep up the good work lads!!
