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Wednesday February 28th 2001
Martyn gets fans vote
by Chris Bargh
UNITED keeper Nigel Martyn has dominated the voting in a fans poll to determine who should start in goal for Sven Goran Eriksson's first England team against Spain on Wednesday night.
Martyn was acclaimed the peoples choice in a poll run by Skysports.comTV, winning 44% of the votes, with Ipswich Town keeper Richard Wright second with 22%.
Arsenal's David Seaman polled 19% and Villa keeper David James 18%.
Leeds' Paul Robinson is set to start in goal for the England U-21's against Spain U-21's at Birmingham on Tuesday night, with striker Alan Smith also in the starting eleven.
Meanwhile Manchester United's David Beckham has won the fight to be Sven Goran Eriksson's first England skipper.
The midfielder, who will be at Elland Road on Saturday, has been given the armband ahead of the Swede's first game in charge against Spain at Villa Park.
Eriksson admitted that there were 'other candidates' to lead the side but will stick with the 25-year-old, who skippered England in their last outing against Italy.
Eriksson told Skysports.comTV: "I don't see any reason to change. I think he did very well against Italy and he will go on doing it.
"It was always in my mind that David Beckham would go on and be captain as he did in Italy. He is a good player and I hope he can become a leader. It's not east for me to talk about it, because I've seen Beckham for one-and-a-half days to have an opinion - it's difficult.
"It was always in my mind for David Beckham to go on and captain England as he did in Italy. But it was important to talk to the player himself and the players before coming out with it in public."
Tuesday February 27th 2001
Kells out - Kewell in
by Chris Bargh
Hopes that defender Gary Kelly would make a comeback in United's reserves team against Everton on Tuesday night have been dashed, but Aussie ace Harry Kewell will start in a bid to make the starting line up against Manchester United this weekend.
Kelly will not make a return following his recent hernia operation casting doubts over his chances of making the Leeds squad to travel to Madrid on Monday.
Harry Kewell will continue his fight to regain full fitness after a string of cameo appearances as substitute for United first team.
Leeds:
Milosevic, Maybury, Evans, Dixon, Hay, Cansdell-Sherriff, Boyle, Keegan, Matthews, Kewell, Wilcox.
Subs: Allaway, Hackworth, Newey, Singh. Johnson, Watson, Lennon.
Everton:
Simonsen, Hibbert, McLeod, Pilkington, Unsworth, Southern, Valentine, Osman, Jevons, Chadwick, Milligan.
Subs: Curran, Pettinger, Kearney, Price, Hogg.
Bootham Crescent - KO 7pm
Tuesday February 27th 2001
Court told of bites to student's face
By Ashley Broadley, PA News
A student suffered 12 teeth marks to his face after he was bitten in a violent street attack allegedly carried out by five men including three Leeds United footballers, a court heard on Tuesday.
Sarfraz Najeib's right cheek was bitten by an attacker who then shook his head from side to side ``like a dog would'' during the huge brawl, the jury at Hull Crown Court was told.
A witness said that England Under-21 international Lee Bowyer carried out the bite attack on Mr Najeib, who suffered other serious injuries in the incident in Leeds city centre in January last year.
But the prosecution alleges it was Paul Clifford, a friend of co-accused England international Jonathan Woodgate, who carried out the bite attack.
A dental expert on Tuesday told the jury that it would be ``extremely remote'' that anyone else other than Clifford bit Mr Najeib.
Dr Geoffrey Craig told the court that Mr Najeib suffered 12 teeth wounds on his right cheek and bruising similar to a love bite.
Dr Craig, a forensic dental adviser to the Home Office, said: ``I could see an arc of marks and am happy that those were caused by teeth and there was a suction injury accompanying them.
``I think an analogy might be a love bite type of injury and I have seen this type of mark on a number of occasions.''
The court heard that the person responsible for the bite attack would show an ``irregular arrangement'' of his lower front teeth.
The jury was told that Dr Craig studied plaster moulds of the lower front teeth of Clifford, Woodgate, Bowyer, Leeds United reserve team striker Tony Hackworth, another friend of Woodgate's Neale Caveney and another man who is not on trial.
He said Bowyer and Woodgate ``were not responsible for the biting'', also adding that Caveney, Hackworth and the other man did not carry out the biting attack.
Dr Craig said of the six moulds of lower teeth he examined he was ``in no doubt, no doubt that Paul Clifford was responsible for the bite mark on the right face of Sarfraz Najeib''.
The chances of anyone having the same irregularities of teeth as Clifford were one in 200,000, Dr Craig told the court.
He said it was an ``extremely remote'' possibility of finding another man with lower front teeth matching Clifford's.
The jury was shown photographs of Mr Najeib, taken days after the attack, showing the bite injury.
Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, Hackworth, 20, of Leeds, Caveney and Clifford, both 21, of Middlesbrough, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Najeib, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire. They also deny affray.
The jury has been told that Mr Najeib, 20, was kicked and beaten senseless in a street attack in Mill Hill. He suffered a smashed nose, fractured cheek and broken leg.
Woodgate, Caveney and Clifford, with Leeds United defender Michael Duberry, 24, of Leeds, also plead not guilty to conspiring to pervert the cause of justice after the attack in January last year.
The hearing was adjourned until Wednesday.
Monday February 26th 2001
Officer admits ID Parade mistake
By Peter Beal, PA News
A police office who conducted video identity parades at which soccer stars Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer were picked out by witnesses to an attack on an Asian student admitted in court he had followed wrong procedures.
Both the Leeds United players had refused to take part in identity parades, their trial at Hull Crown Court was told.
Instead, West Yorkshire Police used video film of the two men showing clips of them with others of similar appearance.
But acting Inspector Norman Knubley acknowledged he told a woman student and two bar workers who selected Woodgate that they had made positive identifications.
This had been before they had made statements to police, he said.
The officer admitted his actions were in breach of a Court of Appeal ruling by the Lord Chief Justice.
He agreed with counsel for the players that what he did could have had the effect of ``firming up'' witness's opinions.
And he agreed with Desmond de Silva QC, for Bowyer, that it could also have discouraged them from having second thoughts.
David Sumner, for Woodgate, asked Insp Knubley: ``You told them they had identified the suspect. You now acknowledge that was the wrong thing to do?''
The officer replied: ``Yes.''
Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, Bowyer 24, an England Under-21 international, of Leeds, Tony Hackworth, 20, a reserve team striker of Leeds and Neale Caveney and Paul Clifford, both 21, of Middlesbrough, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Sarfraz Najeib, 20, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire. They also deny affray.
They were alleged to have chased Mr Najeib and his friends after a confrontation outside a nightclub before kicking and beating him senseless in a drink-fuelled attack.
Woodgate, Caveney and Clifford, along with Leeds United player Michael Duberry, 24, also plead not guilty to conspiring to pervert the course of justice after the attack in January last year.
Insp Knubley said that Woodgate and Bowyer both refused to take part in an identity parade because of the massive amount of publicity following their arrests.
England international Woodgate originally agreed to take part.
But at a meeting at the Elland Road football ground two weeks after the attack Woodgate indicated through his solicitor he was not going to participate.
He told police in a statement that when he first agreed to take part he had been told that a witness who alleged to have seen him leaving the scene of the attack had not referred to him by name or being a Leeds United player.
``I was satisfied the witness would be mistaken and it was an opportunity for me to confirm she had been mistaken,'' he said.
``Following the extensive national media coverage in which my photograph has appeared in every national newspaper and on TV news bulletins I do not feel I can now take part as clearly any witness would have no problem in identifying myself.''
Woodgate said an identification would be confirming his identity as a football player ``rather than an offender responsible for this attack.''
Bowyer gave the same reasons for refusing.
Police used film of both men wearing dinner jackets and used young men similarly dressed in the video film for the identity line-up.
Both men were chosen by the two bar workers who witnessed the attack and Woodgate by a 23-year-old woman student who was passing by. She had been unable to identify Bowyer.
The trial was told that 10 witnesses had been unable to identity Caveney in 15 different parades and that Clifford had been identified by only one of 10 witnesses.
The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.
Monday February 26th 2001
This team the best yet, admits Batty
By Ian Parkes, PA Sport
David Batty has hailed the current Leeds team as the best he has ever been involved with - but still feels Manchester United are uncatchable.
Midfielder Batty's comments come just five days ahead of what is expected to be a typically highly-charged Premier League encounter between the two sides at Elland Road.
It is testimony to the differing fortunes of the two clubs this season that Leeds find themselves 23 points adrift of Sir Alex Ferguson's side who now have one hand on their seventh league championship in the last nine years.
Their stunning 6-1 destruction of Arsenal yesterday only served to underline the gulf between United and the rest of the top flight, although the signs are clear that Leeds are returning to their best.
Leeds go into the game on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run, including five wins, two of which were back-to-back against Belgian champions Anderlecht in the Champions League.
Batty, who helped Leeds win their last title in 1992 ahead of Manchester United, feels not even that team can hold a candle to the current crop of stars which includes Harry Kewell, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Keane and Olivier Dacourt.
"The first time I was involved with Leeds was back in 1987 and, of course, I was part of the championship winning side of 1992," said Batty, now in his 10th season with Leeds in two spells.
"I have to say this team is better than any side Leeds have ever had. And it can get better as well.
"I cannot really compare it to the Don Revie era though because I don't know too much about that time. What I do know is we have some great players here and a strong squad as well.
"So can we challenge the dominance of Manchester United? It's easy to say 'yes', but you don't know.
"They are so far ahead of everybody at the moment and it's going to take a while to catch them up.
"We've got to think about ourselves for the time being and see where we end up."
Having taken 14 points out of their last 18 in the Premiership, Leeds are now just two points behind third-placed Liverpool - who have two matches in hand - in their pursuit of a place in the Champions League.
But with Leeds last week becoming the first English club to qualify for the quarter-finals, Batty believes winning that competition represents their best hopes of playing in the tournament next season - but is not confident.
"The gaffer has been playing down our chances of winning the Champions League and I agree with him," said Batty on his website, bigfanof.com. "I don't think we can win it, but we will be giving it our best shot.
"We have done great to get this far because we have been put up against some big-name teams - AC Milan, Lazio, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Anderlecht - and still managed to get through to the quarter-finals.
"Having beaten the teams we have beaten this season, I don't think any club left in the competition hold any fears for us.
"No one expected us to get this far - I certainly didn't - but we are enjoying it and we will be doing our best to stay in the competition for as long as we can.
"Realistically, we are not going to qualify for next season's Champions League through the league, so we may as well give this our best shot."
Monday February 26th 2001
Evans charged with assault
United reserve team midfielder Gareth Evans has been charged with assault and affray following an incident on Friday evening.
Evans, 20, of Rothwell, near Leeds, will appear before magistrates in the city on Wednesday.
A second man will appear in court charged with the same offences.
The pair are accused of assaulting a 30-year-old man in an incident outside the White Swan Inn, Rothwell, on Friday.
A West Yorkshire police spokeswoman said: "Two men were charged at Holbeck police station in the early hours of Sunday with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray."
Evans made his first senior appearance as a substitute in the Champions League qualifier against 1860 Munich last August.
Sunday February 25th 2001
O'Leary blasts Rio blunder
David O'Leary criticised record signing Rio Ferdinand for the mistake which allowed his cousin Les to put Tottenham in front at White Hart Lane.
The £18 million man, was reprimanded by his manager for the error, but was pleased his side came back to snatch the three points.
The result ended Spurs' unbeaten home record but not before the former West Ham centre-half had received a tongue lashing from his manager.
He said: "Rio still has plenty to learn and I reminded him of that fact at half-time in the nicest way possible.
"He has been outstanding for us but it's not the first mistake he has made since joining us."
Meanwhile former Leeds boss George Graham heaped praise on Leeds for the way they played.
He claimed: "They are a talented team and were the better team on the day."
Saturday February 24th 2001
Spurs preview
As David O'Leary looks to replace the suspended Alan Smith and Lucas Radebe his opposite number George Graham has eight first team regulars out.
Leeds' away form has improved of late with wins at Ipswich, Manchester City and Aston Villa and they haven't lost away since the Boxing Day defeat at Newcastle. Jonathon Woodgate will have a late fitness test to see if he can replace Lucas Radebe and Robbie Keane will be itching to get back into the side after missing the European heroics because he is cup tied. If Woodgate fails a test then the boss has plenty of options to replace him, either Danny Mills or Dominic Matteo could come in but Mills is more likely to be at right-back as Gary Kelly remains injured.
David O'Leary will continue to nurse Harry Kewell back into the action and he is likely to start from the bench again. Spurs are unbeaten at home but have drawn a lot recently and they are badly hit by injuries. Stephen Carr, Chris Perry, Ben Thatcher, Chris Armstrong, Mauricio Taricco, Darren Anderton, Oyvind Leonhardsen and Steffen Iversen are all out of the game.
Leonhardsen, who cracked a bone in his leg against Stockport County last week, and Iversen, who has a throat infection, are the latest two players to join the injury list.
Friday February 23rd 2001
Duo named in England squad
Nigel Martyn and Rio Ferdinand were the only Leeds players to be named in Sven Goran Eriksson's squad for the friendly against Spain.
Nigel Martyn was almost a certainty to be picked while Ferdinand, who has been in excellent form for Leeds, was also expected to be amongst those named by the new England coach.
There was no place though for Paul Robinson despite his impressive performances for Leeds when Nigel Martyn was sidelined by injury. Robinson has been named in the under-21 squad though that play their Spanish counterparts on Tuesday.
Alan Smith, who'd been talked about as a player who Eriksson might call-up into the senior squad, has also been included in the under-21 squad.
Danny Mills had been touted as an outside bet for a full England call-up as had Dominic Matteo who Eriksson, it's reported, is hoping to convert to the England cause from Scotland.
Matteo is still eligible to play for England as his one appearance for Scotland was a friendly against Australia.
Neither though were among the 31 players named in Eriksson's squad.
Thursday February 22nd 2001
UEFA will allow Leeds-Gala game
by Chris Bargh
UEFA have confirmed to the planetfootball.com website that Leeds United and Galatasaray would not be kept apart in the Champions League quarter final draw, should the Turkish champions join David O'Leary's side in the last eight.
Galatasaray are currenly top of Group B and look firm favourites to progress, which could see the two teams meeting again, as they did in last season's Uefa Cup semi-final.
Last year's match, though, will not be remembered for the Turkish side's victory, but because two Leeds fans were stabbed on the streets of Istanbul.
Reports had claimed that the two sides would be kept apart by Uefa, but European football's governing body has told planetfootball that this is not the case.
When asked whether the two sides would be kept apart, a Uefa Spokesperson said: "As far as we are concerned it is just a rumour.
"We know what happened last year was terrible, but if they were drawn together, the match would take place.
"We would obviously put security measures in place, but this is something that we would not discuss unless they were drawn together."
United are likely to finish second in Group D to Real Madrid, then they can only get the respective winners of groups A, B and C, as they cannot play the Spanish giants again until the semi-final stage.
Wednesday February 21st 2001
Smith takes Leeds to quarters
Anderlecht 1-4 Leeds
Koller 76 Smith 13, 38
Viduka 34
Harte 82 pen
Champions League Group D
Adrian Sherling reporting
Alan Smith grabbed a brace as Leeds secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a magnificent victory at Anderlecht.
The youngster, only playing due to Robbie Keane's ineligiblility, scored two magnificent striker's goals to take David O'Leary's side to the last eight, with two games remaining in Group D.
The fact that Anderlecht had won their last 21 home matches, including a 2-1 victory over Manchester United, mattered little to the Whites as they powered past the Belgian champions.
Right from the start, Leeds were first to every ball and only a wonderful save from Zvonko Milosevic denied Eirik Bakke a seventh-minute opener, but Smith soon made up for it, slotting home from close range after 13 minutes.
Mark Viduka broke down the left and cut back before sliding a wonderful ball across the six-yard box which Smith swept home gratefully.
Viduka, a recent target of Leeds' boo-boys following some sub-standard performances, was wonderful in attack and fully deserved his first goal in nine games on 34 minutes.
Dominic Matteo whipped in a perfect cross to the far post and the big Australian looped his header back across goal and just inside the far post.
Smith ended the game four minutes later as he finished off the best move of the game. Marvellous interplay between Olivier Dacourt, David Batty and Viduka sent the young striker free and he added a third with a tremendous, cheeky chip from the edge of the box.
Anderlecht briefly threatened to get back into the game as lanky Jan Koller nipped in front of Nigel Martyn to nod the ball into the empty net. He also almost hauled his side to within a goal as he shot from 10 yards a minute later, but Martyn produced a fabulous save, tipping the ball over the bar.
However, Ian Harte's penalty eight minutes from time after Glen de Broek draped himself over Viduka settled any nerves that may be building up and Leeds can now rest easy for their remaining two games.
Anderlecht: Milojevic, Ilic (Dindane 39), De Boeck, Crasson, Vanderhaeghe, Goor, Dheedene, Baseggio, Stoica, Radzinski, Koller.
Subs Not Used: Carlier, Van Diemen, Hasi, Pirard, Youla, Traore.
Booked: Baseggio.
Leeds: Martyn, Harte, Radebe, Ferdinand, Mills, Matteo, Batty, Dacourt, Bakke, Smith, Viduka (Kewell 83).
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Wilcox, Burns, Maybury.
Booked: Mills, Harte.
Att: 28,000
Ref: Rune Pederson (Norway).
Wednesday February 21st 2001
Anderlecht v Leeds team news
Anderlecht are likely to start tonight's game a with the same eleven who started last Tuesday at Elland Road.
This means that Dheedene, Stoica and Koller, who had some minor injuries, will play tonight.
The home side's starting line up will therefore most likely be: Milojevic; Crasson, De Boeck, Ilic, Dheedene; Vanderhaeghe, Baseggio, Stoica, Goor, Koller and Radzinski - with Carlier, Pirard, Van Diemen, Aruna, Youla, Junior and Hasi on the bench.
From our point of view, DOL will pick from a squad of: Martyn, Robinson, Mills, Radebe, Ferdinand, Harte, Bakke, Batty, Dacourt, Matteo, Smith , Viduka, Kewell, Wilcox, Burns and Maybury. Of course, there will be no Kelly, Bridges, McPhail or Duberry, all who are injured, and no Keane, Bowyer and Woodgate, who are all ineligible.
The likely starting eleven is:
Expect a very defensive looking midfield quartet to be sparked into life by the introduction of Harry Kewell early in the second half.
Tuesday February 20th 2001
"We will attack," pledges Smith
by Chris Bargh
UNITED striker Alan Smith promised an 'attack as the best form a defence' strategy from Leeds when they meet Anderlecht in the second of their two back to back Champions League clashes.
After a narrow 2-1 victory last week at Elland Road, clinched by Lee Bowyer's late strike, Smith and the United squad are under no illusions that the return in the Constant Venden Stock Stadium will be a massive hurdle.
Unbeaten in 23 homes games this season, Leeds must once again prove they can pull of the unexpected.
Smith said: "It's going to be difficult for us but we have done well away from home in Europe this season and hopefully we can get another result in Belgium.
"Probably the best form of defence will be attack and we will try to get at them early on and cause them problems.
"We have pulled off a few shock results and caused a few headlines when we shouldn't have done, so we will be looking for a repeat performance.
"We know they have some very technically gifted players, but we also know a lot more about them from the first game last week.
"They sometimes leave three on two or three at the back so if we can get there first we could cause problems."
Smith returned to the side at the expense of cup tied Robbie Keane last week and now he is gunning for an extended run in the side.
"It was boring for us last Saturday as we didn't have a game, especially for me just having come back and played only the one game," added Alan.
"Every game is the bonus and I just can't wait to get out there. The other lads are just the same. It's another big European night and everyone is itching to go."
Tuesday February 20th 2001
Ollie's Intertoto no-no
Olivier Dacourt is confident Leeds will be in next season's Champions League - avoiding the "hell" of a possible Intertoto Cup campaign.
Manager David O'Leary has already sounded out a warning to his United stars that failure to qualify for Europe at the end of this season will lead to a summer of strife and a backdoor bid to reach the UEFA Cup.
Dacourt is one of only two Leeds players - Rio Ferdinand the other - who knows just what it is like to suffer a shortened pre-season before facing the rigours of competition, while all the other teams are enjoying an extra month off.
The £7.2million French midfielder has played for Strasbourg in the Intertoto Cup, and is determined to avoid the same fate with Leeds, with O'Leary's threat proving an incentive for everybody in the Elland Road squad.
But with Leeds still in the hunt on two fronts for a Champions League return, the 26-year-old feels United will again be playing with Europe's elite rather than the also-rans.
Leeds are currently fifth in the Premier League and now just three points away from a place in the quarter-finals of European club football's greatest competition.
Ahead of the club's Group D clash against Anderlecht at the Stade Constant Vanden Stock in Brussels, Dacourt said: "There is no way we want to play in the Intertoto Cup next season.
"I played in the Intertoto Cup for Strasbourg a few years ago. We played eight games then and it was hell. I certainly do not want to go through that again.
"If Leeds have to play in it, it will mean not having a proper holiday and that next season will be very long for us.
"Ideally, if we are to mount a better challenge in the Premiership next season then we will need to come back from the summer relaxed and refreshed.
"So avoiding the Intertoto Cup is a great incentive for us to do well and to win our remaining games, either in the Premier League or the Champions League to ensure we're in one of the European competitions and not the Intertoto.
"But I am confident we can reach the Champions League next season because we have been improving a lot recently, as shown in our game with Anderlecht last week when we came from a goal down to win 2-1."
With Leeds his fourth club in four seasons - following his spells with Strasbourg, Everton and Lens - Dacourt finally feels settled at Elland Road and is looking forward to years of success with the Yorkshire club.
The signings of Ferdinand and Robbie Keane in recent months have done as much to convince Dacourt his move to Leeds last summer was the right one.
"Leeds are a very good club and I'm very happy here," added Dacourt. "When you find something that is good for you, then you don't need to change.
"Now, I've no need to change because the club is very ambitious - like me - and I want to continue playing for such a big club and in such a big team.
"Obviously, it has been a difficult season for many reasons - injuries and other things - but also particularly because of the expectations.
"After what happened with Leeds last season when they performed so well, everyone was expecting something similar from us this season.
"But the results are starting to improve and we now have quality throughout the squad so I know we will be a very big team in the future."
Tuesday February 20th 2001
Kewell doubtful starter
David O'Leary appears reluctant to throw Harry Kewell on from the start tomorrow night so as not to risk further injury.
Kewell has missed most of the season with an Achilles injury and he came back too soon over Christmas and picked up a calf injury which kept him out until last week.
Despite the obvious advantage of having Kewell in the side, O'Leary does not want to run the risk of him picking up another injury if he is asked to do too much.
O'Leary said: "It is great to have Harry available again, it has been such a frustrating season for both him and us but I know we can't get too carried away.
"We won't see Harry performing at his maximum probably until next season. He needs a good pre-season routine to get back to full fitness.
"The name of the game this season is to make the most of his appearances for us. We can not afford to get too carried away and ask him to do 90 minutes if he is not up to it. By doing that we are inviting the threat of another injury - and that would be crazy after what he has been through.
"We need to keep an eye on Harry to judge how much we can fairly ask him to do and when to throw him into a game."
It sounds like Kewell will come off the bench then rather than start the match so Eirik Bakke is likely to take the place of Lee Bowyer.
A win would see Leeds through to the quarter-finals but Anderlecht have a fantastic home record so a draw would be a great result. With that in mind Leeds may go with one up front and pack the midfield, or they may sacrifice Jason Wilcox for a more defensively minded midfielder.
The squad of just 16 jetted off on Tuesday morning which means five on the bench rather than the seven allowed.
The squad is: Martyn, Robinson, Mills, Radebe, Ferdinand, Harte, Bakke, Batty, Dacourt, Matteo, Smith , Viduka, Kewell, Wilcox, Burns and Maybury. No Kelly, Bridges, McPhail or Duberry, who are all injured and no Keane, Bowyer and Woodgate who are all ineligible.
David O'Leary said: "We know it is going to be tough out there, if we can take something at all from the game I will be very pleased and grateful. We really want to take something of Anderlecht and do the same against Lazio at Elland Road in the last game because we can't expect to get much from Real Madrid on their home ground, that is the way we are looking at it."
Rio Ferdinand pointed out the last time Leeds beat Anderlecht over two legs they went on to the European Cup final in 1975.
He said: "I know about that but I don't want to tempt providence by talking about it. What I will say is that I don't think there is anything to fear from Anderlecht, yes they have a great record in Europe at home but we have done so well in Europe against some of the top sides on there own grounds, including places like Rome and Milan, so we are not frightened of anyone. "
Monday February 19th 2001
Witness "feared for his family"
By Ashley Broadley, PA News
A window cleaner told a jury that he feared for his family after giving evidence in the trial of three Leeds United footballers accused of carrying out a violent attack on an Asian student.
Andrew Clarke, 34, told the jury at Hull Crown Court on Friday that he saw England international defender Jonathan Woodgate try to kick and punch an Asian youth.
Mr Clarke said he was having a meal break in his lorry in Boar Lane in Leeds city centre when he saw an Asian youth being attacked twice. He told the court that Woodgate was involved in both incidents.
He said the Asian youth ran down Mill Hill followed by a group of white men.
The jury has been told that Sarfraz Najeib, 20, was attacked in Mill Hill by a group of men allegedly including Woodgate and two other Leeds United players.
Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, England Under-21 international Lee Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, Tony Hackworth, 20, of Leeds, and Neale Caveney and Paul Clifford, both 21, of Middlesbrough, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Najeib, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire. They also deny affray.
The jury has been told that Mr Najeib was kicked and beaten senseless in a street attack in Mill Hill.
Woodgate, Caveney and Clifford, with Leeds United defender Michael Duberry, 24, of Leeds, also plead not guilty to conspiring to pervert the course of justice after the attack in January last year.
Mr Clarke told the court: ``I did not want my family to be intimidated like this.
`"I have three young children and with my name being in the papers they are going to get a lot of grief.''
Indicating towards the footballers in the dock, Mr Clarke said: ``I'm not bothered about them footballers, I'm bothered about my family.''
The court had heard that in his police statement two weeks after the attack, Mr Clarke made no mention of Woodgate attempting to kick and punch an Asian youth. He had told police that Woodgate had just fallen over.
Mr Clarke's colleague Ronald Varley told the court that he saw a group of white men chasing two Asian students.
"One of the white lads tripped in the middle of the road and when he got up he started running off and was limping.
"My colleague said that it looked like Jonathan Woodgate.''
Monday February 19th 2001
Duo push for Bowyer's spot
Harry Kewell may be fit enough to start his first match since Boxing Day when Leeds take on Anderlecht in Brussels on Wednesday.
Leeds players were in training on both Saturday and Sunday as they prepare for the tough trip to Brussels. Kewell trained with the first team and could start on Wednesday but Eirik Bakke is also pushing for a return having recovered from his injury. Lee Bowyer will be missing as he has a prior engagement in Hull as has Jonathon Woodgate but Bowyer would have missed the match anyway through suspension.
David O'Leary knows what Leeds are up against in the game and says his team will be ready, he said: "It is going to be very difficult over there. Nobody does much against Anderlecht on their own ground where they have beaten Manchester United and Lazio amongst others, we will under estimate them at out peril. They showed at Elland Road what a good footballing side they are and I'm sure they will be looking to get forward even more on Wednesday because they badly need a win to boost their chances of qualifying for the quarter finals.
If we can come out this season with a place in Europe by what ever route it will salvage a lot from what has been a very difficult campaign. Even if that doesn't happen we know we have the making of a superb team and the players will emerge stronger and better next season they have learned a tremendous amount from competing in the Champions League so far and that learning process is on going."
Lucas Radebe said: "It would be great if we could take maximum points from our two games against Anderlecht, the first part has been achieved with our win at Elland Road. It will be tough in Brussels but people have written us off all the way through. We have usually been the underdogs but we react well to that. We now have a lot of experience in Europe and on our day we can give anyone a good game. No one expected us to beat Lazio in Rome but we did I think we have a good chance of reaching the quarter finals and then anything can happen."
Sunday February 18th 2001
VIDUKA SHRUGS OFF DROUGHT CONCERNS
by Andrew Bushnell
LEEDS UNITED striker Mark Viduka`s spirits are still up, despite a goal drought that has seen him fail to score in any of his last nine matches.
Viduka’s last goal came in the FA cup victory over Barnsley on January 6th. He has not scored in The Premiership since mid-December.
In spite of this barren stretch, the SocceRoo is still among the league’s top scorers, and believes that his goalscoring touch could return at any time.
"A career lasts a long time," the philosophical forward told the Herald Sun. "It’s not getting me down.
"I don’t get too frustrated by things. I know that if I keep putting myself in a position to score, it will happen."
"The worst thing you can do is think too much about it," he added affably.
Viduka has not been playing badly, but his form in front of goal has been in stark contrast to earlier in the season, and small sections of the Leeds crowd appear to be becoming rankled by the Australian’s inability to get on the scoresheet.
David O’Leary has blasted those supporters who have been jeering Viduka, labelling them "disgraceful".
"You only have to look at his contribution over the season, his first in the Premiership, to appreciate what a good signing he has been," said the United boss.
Sunday February 18th 2001
Radebe to miss World Cup games
Leeds skipper Lucas Radebe has said he will not be playing for South Africa in their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers next month.
Officials from both Leeds and South Africa held long talks last month to discuss the problem of Leeds losing their inspirational skipper for important games. There were also fears that the long haul flights back and forth to South Africa were not helping Lucas' knee problems and could actually shorten his career. The two sides reached an agreement whereby if Leeds wanted him to stay he would and that is what will happen next month. Leeds club secretary, Ian Silvester, said: "Because we have games against Real Madrid and Lazio in the weeks either side of South Africa's World Cup qualifier against Guinea, Lucas has told them he will not be going."
Saturday February 17th 2001
Bakke in war of words
Leeds midfielder Eirik Bakke has hit back at Aime Anthuenis, the Anderlecht boss who said his side had nothing to fear from Leeds in Brussels next Wednesday.
"I read some of the comments their manager had made after the game, saying that Leeds were a poor team that they normally should beat and that the second leg would be a piece of cake," said Bakke.
"What an arrogant guy. I'm not sure what dream world he was born into, but quite obviously he isn't from this planet," the Leeds man told his personal website
Friday February 16th 2001
Woodgate kept the peace, court told
Leeds player Jonathan Woodgate acted as a "peacemaker" in a nightclub before allegedly being involved in an attack on a student, a court heard.
Hull Crown Court today heard that Woodgate and a group of men, including Leeds players Lee Bowyer, Michael Bridges and Michael Duberry, were in the VIP section of the Majestyk nightclub in Leeds city centre in January last year.
The jury was told that a group of students also in the club was threatened by a man who was with the footballers.
One of the students, David Sheridan, told the jury: "I had the impression he was coming over looking for trouble."
Mr Sheridan then added that Woodgate came over to the students and assured them "there was no problem", and when cross-examined by Woodgate's barrister David Sumner, he agreed that the England international acted as a peacemaker.
However, Mr Sheridan added: "We left because it was an uncomfortable atmosphere."
Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough; Bowyer 24, an England Under-21 international, of Leeds; Tony Hackworth, 20, a reserve team striker, of Leeds; and Neale Caveney and Paul Clifford, both 21, of Middlesbrough, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Najeib of Rotherham. They also deny affray.
Woodgate, Duberry, Caveney and Clifford also plead not guilty to conspiring to pervert the course of justice after the attack in January last year.
The jury has been told that Mr Najeib, 20, was kicked and beaten senseless in a street attack in Mill Hill, Leeds, on January 11 last year.
Taxi driver Martin Tindall, 43, told the jury he saw Woodgate staggering, incoherent and with a swollen face shortly after the attack on Mr Najeib.
He said: "I could see that his face was swollen and he couldn't speak. He may have had blood on his face."
Mr Tindall was parked near Majestyk when he saw a group of men trying to get into a taxi, the jury was told.
The group was later joined by Woodgate, said Mr Tindall, adding: "They seemed to be waiting for him. There is no doubt it was Woodgate.
"He was incoherent, he was staggering. I would say he was drunk due to his demeanour."
Thursday February 15th 2001
Robinson denies transfer request
by Adam Marshall
Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson has slammed rumours that he has handed in a transfer request at Elland Road.
The England hopeful is staggered by speculation that he wants to leave the Yorkshiremen, after losing his place to fit-again Nigel Martyn.
"I am very disappointed," he complained. "I have not put in a transfer request and I have no intention of doing so.
"I think it`s just wild speculation because I`ve been left out of the first team recently. People have over-reacted.
"I`ve been here at Leeds since I was 14 and I`ve supported the club since I was a boy.
"It`s been a dream come true to get those 20 games under my belt and, if someone, had told me that, at the start of the season, I`d have said that would be fantastic," he told the official Leeds website.
"I`ve no idea where this rumour has come from but, as far as I`m concerned, it`s just rubbish. I am working extra hard now to try to get my place back in the Leeds team.
Robinson had earlier stated: "It`s a hard thing for any player to deal with when he is dropped. The longer I`m out of the Leeds side then I think it will eventually impact upon my chances of being in the England set-up."
"But I know I just have to work extra hard to get my place back."
Wednesday February 14th 2001
O'Leary hails Euro Heroes
Smiling Leeds boss David O'Leary hailed his Euro-wonders following a remarkable come-from-behind Champions League victory against Anderlecht.
Leeds looked poised for a devastating defeat in their crunch Group D clash at Elland Road against the Belgian champions when they conceded the opening goal against the run of play.
Jan Koller and Bart Goor played their part in setting up Romania international Ali Stoica for the 65th-minute strike which stunned the majority of the 36,000 crowd into silence.
But within nine minutes Leeds were level when Ian Harte struck a stunning 30-yard free-kick round the Anderlecht wall, with pace and one bounce enough to beat Yugoslav goalkeeper Zvonko Milojevic.
Leeds, who had been the more incisive and determined team throughout the game, then lifted the roof off Elland Road as Lee Bowyer completed his side's great escape.
Bowyer, who had been at Hull Crown Court just five hours earlier for his ongoing trial with team-mates Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Duberry and Tony Hackworth, gratefully accepted an 86th-minute Alan Smith pass.
Bowyer then slipped an angled, close-range shot underneath the advancing Milojevic to give Leeds a firm grip on second place behind leaders Real Madrid.
A delighted O'Leary said: "After going a bit flat following their goal we were then sparked again by Ian Harte's free-kick - and then came that wonderful goal from Lee Bowyer.
"We had been mugged at the other end and it was a poor time to give the goal away - and it was one which took the heat out of the game.
"But then we were lifted by Harty and Bowyer and long may this adventure continue.
"We realise it will be a tough game over there and then anything we are able to get from the next game in Madrid we will be grateful for.
"But we are looking to beat Anderlecht and hopefully do the same against Lazio here, and although I know we can play better, we are keeping it going in the Champions League.
"This season has been a great learning process for the whole club and let's hope we can swing back from this next season, but anything we get this season will be a bonus.
"There have been enjoyable nights throughout what has been a very difficult time. We didn't expect to do this well in the Champions League when we looked at the groups we would be in, but now we are in with a great shout of reaching the quarter-finals."
Leeds goalscorer Ian Harte immediately set his sights on a quick-fire Champions League double over Anderlecht.
"We needed to beat them tonight," admitted the Republic of Ireland defender.
"We play them again in eight days time, so it was vital to make sure we got maximum points from the home game.
"We have achieved that now, so if we can go over there and get a result that would put us in a great position.
"We were disappointing in the first half and didn't create many chances.
"It was nice to score with a free-kick because not many have gone in for me this season and Lee Bowyer's goal killed them off at the end.
"We have a few days off now but we are already looking to the next game."
However, Anderlecht coach Aime Anthuenis is confident of victory in the return game in Brussels next Wednesday.
The Belgian side have proved unbeatable at the Stade Constant Van Den Stock this season, winning all 17 matches in all competitions, including their four in the Champions League.
That includes a superb victory against Manchester United in the first group phase and now Anthuenis believes Leeds will become his side's latest victims.
Anthuenis said: "When you have beaten Manchester United then you must be confident of beating Leeds, because after what I have seen here I think we have a chance to win.
"The game is always 90 minutes and over the course of this game I thought a fair result would have been 1-1.
"If we had taken one point it would have been a good result, but this is a bad one for us."
Tuesday February 13th 2001
Martyn staying at Leeds, says Risdale
Liverpool told Sky Sports they are not interested in signing Leeds goalkeeper Nigel Martyn.
Reports this morning (Tuesday) claimed liverpool wanted the England international as a £5m replacement for Sander Westerveld.
United chairman Peter Ridsdale responded by issuing a hands-off warning to the Merseysiders that he hopes will serve to warn the Premiership.
“There has been no bid and we are not in the business of selling our finest players,” he said.
“Now that we are not in the buying market at the moment, stories are appearing that we are selling players.”
Martyn, who recently returned to the Leeds side after 22 games injured, should start for Leeds against Anderlecht tonight (Tuesday) which means Paul Robinson must settle for a substitute’s role – something the 21-year-old fears will damage his international future.
"It's been hard sitting on the bench for the last few games,” Robinson admitted. “It's a hard thing for any player to deal with when he is dropped, but it's something I've got to get on with.
"I'm not going to take it as a setback. I'm going to take it as a positive. There will have been a reason why the gaffer took me out, so it's up to me to keep working hard and show him I am worthy of a place again.
"But the longer I'm out of the Leeds side then I think it will eventually impact upon my chances of being in the England set-up.
"Short term, I don't think it will be a problem - although you will have to ask Mr Eriksson that - but long term, there's not many reserve keepers who play for England.”
Tuesday February 13th 2001
Leeds v Anderlecht team news
DOL is hoping to have Harry Kewell back in action for tonight's Champions League clash against Anderlecht at Elland Road.
Harry came on as substitute against Derby County on Saturday and made an immediate impact. DOL has stated that he does not feel his star player will be able to play a full 90 minutes tonight. However, rather than come on late in the game from the bench, the chances are that he will start the game, then be rested after we have hopefully got ourselves into a winning position.
Danny Mills is also set to return at right back, after a bug kept him out at the weekend, with the team likely to be:
Anderlecht, of course, cannot be taken lightly. They are on a long unbeaten run and a comfortable 2-0 win over Antwerp at the weekend saw them stretch their lead at the top of the Beligian First Division to five points. Having seen the way teams like Ipswich, Manchester City, West Ham and Newcastle have done a job on us (and even Derby at the weekend) they will fancy their chances of taking away at least a point from Elland Road tonight. Let's hope it doesn't happen!
Monday February 12th 2001
Prosecution speaks at Leeds' players trial
London, England (Sports Network) - Lee Bowyer, Jonathan Woodgate and Tony Hackworth of Leeds United allegedly beat a 19-year-old Asian boy to unconsciousness in January after a night of heavy drinking in Leeds city centre.
Prosecutors said in court on Monday that a fourth man, Michael Duberry, lied to officials to help the three Leeds players cover up the attack.
If the three are found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray, they could face jail.
Two friends of Woodgate, Neale Caveney and Paul Clifford, were also charged with affray and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. However, all six men have denied the charges.
Prosecutor Nicholas Campbell told a jury of eight men and four women how a band of white men -- which included the professional footballers -- chased a group of Asian students outside a nightclub in Leeds city centre.
Campbell said some of the group, including Hackworth, Caveney and Clifford threw the 19-year-old, Sarfraz Najeib, against a wall.
"He was knocked and punched repeatedly about the head, face and body," Campbell said, in his opening statement.
He added that Bowyer and Woodgate joined the attack after the student had already been knocked unconscious.
"Woodgate was seen to step back and jumped up with both feet in the air, landing with force on his body," Campbell said.
Najeib suffered severe injuries to the head, face and legs. He had human bite marks on his cheek, which experts said matched the teeth of defendant Clifford.
Leeds defender Duberry, Woodgate, Clifford and Caveney are charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. All deny the charges.
CONSUMPTION
The players and their friends each consumed five vodka drinks and had visited several bars, including a lap dancing club, in Leeds city centre.
One of the men was thrown out of the nightclub for rowdy behavior, and the others followed.
Moments later they were chasing a group of British Asian students who had left at the same time, Campbell said.
The prosecution said the attack was motivated by heavy drinking and by group loyalty.
Campbell described pictures caught on security cameras which show Bowyer embracing Cavenay. The scene was recorded just moments after the attack took place, Campbell said.
"There was a heady mix of alcohol, camaraderie and adrenaline that night... What you will see on camera was a display of visible emotions, aroused by a violent attack which both had been party to and what they thought was a victory they believed they had won," he said.
Monday February 12th 2001
£15 million for Viduka?
Do we believe the weekend's stories that Roma are lining up an end of season bid for Mark Viduka: the price being quoted a whopping £15 million?
Of course, Leeds likelihood of considering letting him go might depend on several factors: (a) Keano signing permanently (b) Whether Bridges' future lies here in the long term or beside the River Tyne.
If both Keano and Bridges are staying, it might be very tempting for the Leeds board to listen to Roma's overtures. Despite being our top scorer, with 14 goals, the big man still has to win over a chunk of the United supporters...who might say we should bite off the Italian giants' hands quicker than Vidooks can say, "Triple cheeseburger and fries and three pints of banana milkshake!"
What do you lot reckon? Have your say here...
Sunday February 11th 2001
Smithy out for ManUre
Smithy's senseless booking against Derby yesterday means that he pays a massive penalty: missing the crunch clash against Manchester United at Elland Road on March 3rd.
A pity as it's the kind of game where you need the likes of Smithy rolling up his sleeves and getting stuck in. Let's hope no-one else ends up missing the game, through injury. It appears to be a recurring theme that we're without our key men whenever we play the Scum :-(
Saturday February 10th 2001
Two points dropped
Despite dominating the match ,especially during a battling second half whn we did everything but score, the fact remains that this afternoon's 0-0 draw against derby at Elland Road was very much a case of two points dropped.
To read a full match report, click here now...
Saturday February 10th 2001
Team News v Derby
DOL looks set to name the same side that played so well at Goodison Park, despite only picking up a single point. The only possible change might be Jason Wilcox coming into the left side of midfield in place of Dominic Matteo. If this is the case, the side will be:
For Derby, Craig Burley is a major doubt as they look to bounce back following their shocking FA Cup surrender against Blackburn in midweek. Goalkeeper Mark Poom is still out but captain Darryl Powell is set to return.
'Ramian', at unofficial Derby County site, "Ramian's Review" http://ramians.place.cc/ previews the game as follows:
"Elland Road is not one of the easiest grounds to come away from with points.You have to go back 27 years for the Rams last victory there. Derby must however put behind them the midweek shambles that saw Blackburn slip five goals past the hapless Rams.
Derby have to make do without the services of Estonian goal keeper Mart Poom again as his shoulder injury is proving rather worse than at first thought. His replacement Andy Oakes is set to make his second Premier League start of the season.
Better news about long time injured Branko Strupar. He travels with the squad up to Elland Road and with Malcolm Christie having an enforced break through suspension after this match Derby could do with getting Strupar match fit.
Skipper Darryl Powell should make the starting line up after his facial and neck injury sustained against Sunderland last week. He should add some added bite into the midfield which was an utter disgrace in the midweek Cup match. Craig Burley is a doubt for the Leeds game and a decision will be left till the last minute on whether he plays.
The Rams still have Simo Valakari out with a mystery illness which the rest of the team recovered from two weeks ago. Rory Delap is still troubled with a knee injury and midfield ace Georgi Kinkladze is still under the doctor with his injured groin.
Well miracles do happen as last week against Sunderland but a point would be a more realistic target from tomorrow's clash. Although we are four points clear of the relegation zone, it is all so easy to slip back into the mire should results not go our way.
Friday February 9th 2001
Robbie gets Carling award
Keano has deservedly won the Carling Player of the Month award for January and will be awarded the prize before Saturday's home game against derby.
He has scored six goals in eleven games, following his loan move from AC Milan. No wonder they are keen to get him back to Italy!
The Carling awards panel said: "Robbie Keane has shown a temperament beyond his years during the spell at Inter Milan and subsequent return to English football. Since his loan move to Leeds he has scored six goals and reaffirmed himself as one of the best strikers in the Carling Premiership.It is also no surprise to see that United's recent upturn in form has gone hand-in-hand with Keane's signing."
Friday February 9th 2001
Mags in for Bridges...again!
Newcastle, once again, are being linked with a £10 million swoop for Michael Bridges.
It is reported that, as soon as he has recovered from his current injury, he will be on his way to the team he supported as a youngster, in the close season.
Whether this is true or not is anyone's guess - but the story keeps repeating itself every other month. Apart from the fact that Bridges supported the Toon as a boy, speculation is also rife that Leeds need to retreive some money in order to pay for Keane at the close of the season.
Another recurring link is that Bridges will be involved in a swap deal with Kieron Dyer. I would hate to see Michael leave. However, at least the £10 million price tag is a more realistic one than the £5 million mentioned earlier in the season...by a North East newspaper ;-)
Friday February 9th 2001
Smith says sorry for elbow
Alan Smith has apologised to Everton veteran Richard Gough for accidental elbowing him in the face on Wednesday night.
Smith could still face some action though as the FA are to look at a video of the incident. Referee Neil Barry did nothing about the incident and did not include it in his match report yet the FA have decided to have a look at the video. Smith denied anything malicious, he said: "I'd like to say it was accidental. I did not mean to catch him and I apologised afterwards. I would never deliberately try to do something like that. Everton were desperate for the points and we knew they would turn in a battling performance. We also knew we would have to match them for effort and we more than did that." Gough for his part has played down the incident and said he has had worse cuts shaving.
It is to be hoped the FA do not over react at a time when they are being widely lambasted for letting Patrick Vieira off with just a one match ban when he was found guilty of violent conduct after kicking Olivier Dacourt in the face. The rules say it should be three matches. Some say this is all to do with a bigger power struggle between the old guard and new top man Adam Crozier but what ever it is the rules have clearly not been followed. They say "A minimum three-match ban for violent conduct with the consideration to increase." !!
Thursday February 8th 2001
Spurs ban for Lucas
Follwoing a fifth booking of the season at Goodison Park last night, the Chief now faces a one match ban - to be served when the rest of the team play Spurs at White Hart Lane on February 24th.
Although perhaps not at his sharpest recently, he is still a vital part of our team and will be missed against Spurs, who are still - unbelievably - unbeaten at home in the Premiership.
It is to be hoped that Woody can get himself back to full fitness asap, in readiness for the game.
Thursday February 8th 2001
Leicester want Mills
Peter Taylor is reportedly extremely keen in taking Danny Mills to Filbert Street - and would be happy to pay the full £4 million we paid to Charlton to do so.
A few months back, we might have bitten their hands off. However, to be fair, Mills proved a reliable centre half when called upon and has had one or two excellent games recently, at full back - most notably at Ipswich, when it was even suggested he might be getting scouted for the England set up.
With Kelly injured again, there is little cover for the right back spot, meaning there is no way DOL could countenance selling Mills.
Thursday February 8th 2001
Smith apologises to Gough
By Paul Walker, PA Sport
Leeds striker Alan Smith has apologised to Richard Gough for the elbow which left the veteran Everton defender requiring four stitches in a cut to his right eye.
Everton boss Walter Smith was incensed with the challenge he later described as "a bad blow" following Smith's arrival as a 73rd-minute substitute in last night's 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
Gough, however, played down the incident by stating he had "done more damage shaving", but it again brought Smith's character into question.
Leeds manager David O'Leary has gone to great lengths this season to state Smith is no longer the "thug" - in the Irishman's own words - he once was.
Smith is adamant what happened was "accidental" and that he is now reformed, with his hot-headed ways a thing of the past.
"I didn't get into the game until the last 20 minutes or so," said Smith, who has been reduced to the role of sub since Robbie Keane's arrival from Inter Milan in December.
"I was involved in one challenge with Richard Gough where I went up for a header and caught him in the face with my elbow.
"I would like to say it was accidental. I didn't mean to catch him and obviously I apologised afterwards. I would never deliberately try to do something like that."
Smith is guaranteed to return to the starting line-up on Tuesday when Leeds are again back in Champions League action against Anderlecht after a two-month winter break.
But the 20-year-old knows if Leeds are to maintain their hopes of a place in the quarter-finals then it is vital they beat Derby at Elland Road on Saturday to keep confidence high going into the game with the Belgian champions.
"I think our performance (against Everton) showed we have plenty of spirit in the camp," added Smith on his icons.com personal website.
"To twice come from behind to earn a draw showed our character. With Everton desperate for points we knew they would turn in a battling performance - and they did.
"We also knew we would have to match them for effort and I think we did more than that.
"We have now taken 10 points from the last 12 and are up to sixth in the Premiership. If someone had offered us that four games ago we would have been more than happy.
"We now have just one more Premiership game to go before we are back in Champions League action against Anderlecht. So we will be looking to keep our run going by taking all three points."
O'Leary, meanwhile, is determined to have the last laugh at the end of a season which has raised few smiles inside Elland Road.
A place in Europe still beckons, while another raid on the Champions League is not beyond the realms of possibility, which is all in stark contrast to a month ago when there was talk of being sucked into a relegation dogfight.
In the face of the problems which have blighted the current campaign - the early season injury crisis and the current court case involving Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate - O'Leary can see light at the end of the tunnel.
"We aren't doing bad for a team in crisis," said O'Leary. "We are ticking along and grinding out results. We have all dug in and the spirit has been wonderful.
"But it has been a season where we have found that people who have praised us in the past are now jumping on our backs, jumping on my back - and we'll remember them - but we're learning how to cope with it.
"You have to go through this. You don't want to, but you have to after the way we were rising so quickly.
"But if at the end of it all we can salvage a place in Europe then something good will at least have come out of it."
Wednesday February 7th 2001
O'Leary slams silly errors
By Paul Walker, PA Sport
Walter Smith admitted he was grateful that Duncan Ferguson played on through the pain to help Everton to a 2-2 draw with Leeds.
The big Scot damaged his shoulder early on, but refused to come off after scoring Everton's first goal.
Smith said: "He has damaged his shoulder and is very unlikely to play against Leicester on Saturday.
"But he wouldn't come off and I was glad that he did stay on in the circumstances. In the end the pain got too much, but by that time he'd managed to score our first."
But Smith admitted that Everton were fortunate to grab a point. He added: "Leeds put us under more pressure here than any other team has this season.
"It was disappointing to let a 2-1 lead slip with just 15 minutes left, but the way the game went we can't complain about the result.
"They played very well and we had to show commitment all over the pitch. But it is to our credit that we managed to restrict them to so few chances even though they had so much pressure."
Leeds boss David O'Leary blasted his side for gifting Everton "two silly goals".
Leeds dominated long spells of the match but were twice behind to goals from Ferguson and Kevin Campbell.
O'Leary said: "We gifted them two silly, sloppy goals after dominating all match.
"I had no idea how we were behind at the break, and then when we got back into it we gave them another daft goal.
"Every time they scored we just went back down their end and dominated the game again.
"We were nowhere near our best, but I still feel this was the best we have played for some weeks. But as soon as we gave them one goal, we just gifted them another.
"Everton gave us a very physical game, but we expected that. But we still showed great team spirit to get back into the game twice."
Wednesday February 7th 2001
Youngsters Out
by Chris Bargh
UNITED'S youngsters were heartbreakingly close to forcing a replay when they faced Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Villa went ahead midway through the second half when Stefan Moore got in a low angled shot from the left of the area.
The very last action of the game saw Frazer Richardson advance down the right and cross deep to find Simon Johnson whose volley crashed against the keeper’s left hand post.
Had it gone in United would have been looking forward to a replay next Thursday. It would have been a quite superb goal. However, it was immediately followed by the final whistle.
Shane Cansdell-Sherriff was an inspired cog in United’s defence with several timely challenges to take the sting out of a spirited Villa opening.
Villa had much the better of the opening quarter. United settled more afterwards, but the only time either keeper was forced into a save of note in the first half was when Boaz Myhill did well to hold on to Paul Keegan’s shot at full stretch on 11 minutes.
Stephen Cooke fired just over from 20 yards and then Keegan cleared an effort off the line at a corner as Villa threatened early in the second half.
Myhill saved well from both Matthew Kilgallon and Keegan on the closing stages and he, like his colleagues, was mightily relieved to hear the ball thud against an upright as United all but levelled with the last kick of the game.
Wednesday February 7th 2001
Bowyer: Get me to the match on time!
The big question today is whether Leeds can get Lee Bowyer to Goodison Park in time to play in tonight's crucial Premiership clash against Everton.
DOL is reluctant to leave out Bowyer, following his superb performance against Ipswich on Saturday. However, with less than three hours available between the end of court proceedings in Hull and kick off in Liverpool, it will take a miracle to get him there in time.
With the M62 likely to be blocked with rush hour traffic, the only likely way might be to hire a plane from Hull to Liverpool's Speke Airport. Apparently, this is a possibility that is being very seriously considered, given Lee's importance to the team.
Wednesday February 7th 2001
Dacourt can handle hostile reception
Leeds midfielder Olivier Dacourt is looking forward to playing at Goodison Park for the first time since leaving Everton in the summer of 1999.
The 26-year-old Frenchman can expect a typical old boy's welcome on Merseyside, but is not fazed by the prospect at all.
He told Leeds' official website: "I enjoyed my spell there and I'm looking forward to going back.
"I just hope I am picked for this one. I know the fans will boo me and I am ready for that.
"I will answer the fans by helping Leeds to three points from the game. Nobody will out-battle me, you can be sure of that.
"I have wanted to win all the other games, but this is the one I have wanted to win most of all since I arrived in England.
"I'm sorry that things didn't work out at Everton for me but there will be no sympathy from me in the game."
Tuesday February 6th 2001
O'Leary may gamble on Kewell
By Ian Parkes, PA Sport
Leeds boss David O'Leary has conceded he "might take a risk" and play Harry Kewell in next Tuesday's Champions' League clash with Anderlecht at Elland Road.
Australian winger Kewell is again enduring a miserable spell on the sidelines through injury, having been out since the 2-1 Boxing Day defeat at Newcastle.
Kewell made six appearances for Leeds in December as he ended an agonising six-month lay-off for an Achilles injury which ultimately required surgery.
But then in the match at St James' Park, Kewell was kicked on the Achilles scar tissue and has not played for Leeds in the intervening six weeks.
Hopes were high of a comeback in the reserves last week, with the surgeon who performed the surgery on Kewell giving the 22-year-old the green light to play.
But Kewell was pulled out of the game with Manchester United as it was decided his time would be better served building up his fitness in training, despite Leeds' next reserve match not being until February 14.
That game is 24 hours after Leeds' Champions League clash with Anderlecht, one they know they must win if they are to realise their dream of reaching the quarter-finals - and Kewell could be worth a gamble.
"Harry is not fit by a mile yet," said O'Leary. "He wasn't ready to play in the reserves last week and he's got quite a while to go yet."
But then the 42-year-old Irishman added: "The Anderlecht game is the earliest he could return.
"We might take a risk, but he'd be going into that game with nothing under his belt."
Monday February 5th 2001
Mills in England frame?
Most unbelievable story of the day has got to be the fact that Danny Mills is apparently in with a shout as far as England recognition is concerned. Apparently, he played out of his skin at Portman Road on Saturday - when the watching England chief scout, Tord Grip, tipped him for an England place.
The down side for Danny boy might well be that Grip is likely to see him play again. He said: "I plan to watch Leeds two or three more times before we announce the squad. I'll be going to Everton with Sven so he can have another look at Danny Mills. I was impressed with him because he looks solid, comfortable and gets forward. He was the player who stood out for me." Unfortunately, this means that Mills will probably show his true colours - and give the game away as to his distinct ordinariness.
What I find highly amusing is that the new England regime is supposed to be so technically minded - yet seem to somehow have had the wool pulled over their eyes, in the same way as their illustrious predecessor. Remember that Keegan called Danny into his international squad, shortly before DOL moved for him, and as a result boosted his value by at least £1 million, a fact that the Leeds Boss himself acknowleged at the time.
Monday February 5th 2001
Anderlecht on horizon
It's only just over a week now until our Champions League campaign recommences, with Anderlecht of Belgium our first opponents of the new year. With this in mind, LEEDS UNITED WORLD will be focusing on Belgium's top club at various points over the next eight days.
Anderlecht progressed to the second stage of the competition largely as a result of their home form, which was outstanding. However, if their domestic league form is anything to go by, we will needs to beware when they visit Elland Road on February 13th.
Their 4-0 away demolition of Charleroi at the weekend left them four points clear of second placed FC Brugge at the top of the Belgium league, but a massive 16 points clear of third placed Standard Liege!
Watch this space during the week as we consider our chances and focus on who might be the danger men for the belgians!
Sunday February 4th 2001
Radebe Club v Country 'Peace' Deal
Leeds United and South Africa captain Lucas Radebe has changed his mind and decided not to retire from international football.
But Radebe will not play for South Africa very often following club v country clashes that led the defender to hint that he would abandon the national team he has represented 63 times and concentrate on his career at Elland Road.
A series of meetings in South Africa with government and football officials when he returned for a World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso convinced Radebe that retirement was too drastic a move.
"I still dream of leading my country at the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea," said Radebe.
But a deal struck between Leeds and a South African Football Association delegation led by president Molefi Oliphant gives first option to the Premiership side when dates clash.
This rules the central defender out of World Cup qualifiers against Malawi on February 25 and Guinea two weeks later.
World Cup fixtures in Europe will, ironically, free Radebe to travel for an African Nations Cup qualifier on March 24 against Mauritius - the one match in a hectic programme when his services are probably not required.
Sunday February 4th 2001
Intertoto option?
DOL has made it clear this weekend that he fears the Leeds board would demand the team be entered for the Intertoto Cup during the Summer, should they fail to qualify for Europe by more conventional means.
O'Leary also voiced his concerns over them doing so, fearing it might ruin our chances of success next time round, even before the season has properly commenced. He admits he would prefer that the club was not entered for the competition. However, he understands that financial considerations need to be taken into account, especially with the big transfer fees paid out this campaign.
Of course, like us, he still believes that we have a good chance of qualifying for at least the UEFA Cup in the nomal way, especially following yesterday's vital win at Portman Road.
Saturday February 3rd 2001
Vital away win
We managed to string together a third successive Premiership win this afternoon (for the first time this season) when we beat Ipswich Town at Portman Road 2-1.
Yet again, we failed to play particularly well. However, it would be difficult to overestimate the importance of the win, which lifts us to 7th in the Premiership table, our highest position since early November.
Venus got us underway with an own goal, just before the half hour mark. However, such was the pressure being exerted be Keano at the time, that several reporters credited him with the goal. Robbie soon got on the scoresheet for certain, blasting home in the 41st minute, following good work from Bowyer. It was his 6th goal in as many starts for us.
However, the home side failed to throw in the towel. Venus made amends by scoring at the right end this time, on 63 minutes, and even though top scorer marcus Stewart was controversially sent off shortly afterwards, it was still nailbiting stuff to the final whistle, as Ipswich created a succession of chances.
Friday February 2nd 2001
Chief's retirement plans on hold
By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport
Leeds captain Lucas Radebe has shelved plans to retire from international football - for the time being.
Radebe's decision has the backing of his club following talks between Leeds and the South African FA on Thursday.
Leeds accept that when there are international dates on the calendar Radebe will be available.
But the club and the South African authorities believe FIFA need to re-examine their fixture list.
Both parties made that point in a joint statement issued after their meeting.
It read: "We believe harmonisation of the Fifa calendar is of paramount importance to all concerned parties, who will work together to resolve this matter."
Radebe, such an influential figure at Elland Road, initially said he was going to retire after the match against Burkina Faso at the weekend.
But now he will be available for their next round of games, provided he is fit to play.
Radebe missed two matches while on his latest tour of international duty, the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa and the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Radebe was impressive on Wednesday night in the 1-0 victory against Coventry that keeps alive their slim hopes of Champions League football next season.
Central defender Radebe is also a crucial player for South Africa in their bid to make the finals of the World Cup next year.
Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the South African FA said they were delighted with the outcome of their meeting with Leeds.
"It was a cordial, constructive and significant contribution to the building of a strong relationship between the club and the South African FA," he said.
Radebe believes his £18million defensive partner Rio Ferdinand can become a key player at Elland Road.
"The team hasn't had the best of runs since his arrival but that is no reflection on his ability," said Radebe.
"If we want a team that can progress and climb right to the top you have to go for players of Rio's standard when they are available.
"It will take time for our new players to blend in, especially as there has been a lot of chopping and changing.
"We are getting to know each other now and it has been a pleasure to play alongside Rio, just as it is when others are in there."
Radebe returned to the side against Coventry last night and helped them secure a narrow victory.
"It is nice to come back into a happy dressing room with three points," he said.
"It gives you that courage and belief in yourself that you can still make it to the top of the league."
Thursday February 1st 2001
Euro dream still on
By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport
Leeds manager David O'Leary believes his side still have a fighting chance of securing a Champions League spot for the second successive year.
After Wednesday night's win over Coventry, the Irishman is growing in confidence that United can make up lost ground on the Premiership front runners in the coming weeks.
If Leeds win their game in hand against Everton it will take them to within five points of third-placed Sunderland.
O'Leary said: "There is only one team playing with consistency in the league and that's Manchester United. That's why they are 15 points ahead.
"The rest are inconsistent - and no other team has been as inconsistent as we have been.
"If we were to win our game-in-hand that would take us to 38 points. Arsenal have 44.
"We are down to the bare bones because of problems with injury. We also have a horrendous fixture list.
"But it is still possible to get that place in Europe and we will keep going for it."
A wonder goal from Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane against his former club was the difference between the two sides.
While he applauded Keane's goal, O'Leary was more generous in his praise of man of the match, £18million buy Rio Ferdinand.
The former West Ham central defender was cool and composed at the back and Coventry never troubled keeper Nigel Martyn.
"Rio is quality. He's like a Rolls Royce and just gets better and better," said O'Leary.
"At training he is always wanting to ask you things. He wants to stay there."
Keane settled the match with a spectacular scissors kick for his fifth goal in eight games since arriving from Inter Milan, initially on loan until the end of the season.
Leeds should have extended their lead but Danny Mills saw a shot come back off the post while Mark Viduka squandered a glorious chance from close range.
Coventry manager Gordon Strachan, who sold Keane to the Italians for £13million, didn't need to be reminded of the player's talent.
"It was a special goal from a special player," said Strachan, whose relegation-threatened side have forgotten how to score. "You can't coach something like that.
"A club like Coventry have to sell him while a club like Leeds can go on and buy him. That's life.
"Perhaps if it had been the other way around it might have been a different result.
"We don't score that many goals and had to be tight. I thought it would finish 0-0."
O'Leary added: "He scored a fine goal but perhaps he should have scored in the first half.
"I was a bit disappointed with the front two but the bottom line is we got the three points.
"We kept it tight at the back which was a good thing. I felt we controlled the game, even though I know we can play better.
"The crowd have stayed with us even though we have lost a few games - to get a crowd of 36,000 against Coventry is fantastic."
