bruno

Due to the obviously swiftly increasing working issues between Eddie Gray and me, I contemplated that perhaps it was time for a new boss at the rudder of Leeds United. Although Eddie has done above expectations so far I, or should I say we, can’t have a manager that can’t follow orders. Or making them up himself as he goes along for that matter. No, I figured that it was time for a fresh start. But I did yet not know how I would get rid of him without upsetting either the fans or the board of directors.

And with our chairman John McKenzie praising Eddie after the recent results I knew I had a complicated and unpleasant task ahead of me. I never liked giving anyone the sack, except for a few people Eddie included, but I knew it had to be done, for the sake of Leeds United’s well being. But I needed someone on the board on my side. Still the majority of them would be even better, then we put up a united front.

For the time being though, I had to put up with Eddie. But I had a few assistants, I guess henchmen’s would be the appropriate word, trying hard but delicately and skilfully to get the board members onto my side. With a bit of luck the board members wouldn’t even know that I had shrewdly manoeuvred them into firing Eddie. At least that was the dream scenario. But as many of you know; you don’t always get what you want. Not even with all the money in the world at your disposal.

bruno

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Leeds United – Molineux
League Cup 4th Round – Wednesday 3rd December 2003

Squad: Gianluigi Buffon; Carles Puyol, Ian Harte, Lúcio, Walter Samuel; Jermaine Pennant, Francesco Totti (c), Andrés D’Alessandro, Jermaine Jenas; Adriano, Ronaldo

As usual we took a firm grip of the game early on. However Wolverhampton had the first chance in the game when Kenny Miller tested Gianluigi Buffon with a low curvy shot. However the Italian saved the ball quite comfortable. We steamed on and in the 10th minute Adriano came free with Matt Murray and put the ball between the legs of the keeper.

Although the first half was quite eventful neither of the two sides managed to get the ball in after the first goal had come. Eddie made one change in halftime, trying to get a greater attacking edge I suppose. Ronaldo, who had been ill before the match, came off and Alan Smith was brought on.

And much thanks to Alan Smith we extended our lead in the 63rd minute. A foolish back pass from Joleon Lescott saw Adriano flip the ball over a marooned Murray. Immediately after the goal, Murray ran over to Lescott and gave him a verbal lecture. However, from the look of it one could almost certainly say that it wasn’t far away from fists being involved.

Wolves got one back 9 minutes later when Lescott headed on in. However, Francesco Totti was at the rudder when we cruised to a painless win, earning himself the man of the match award.

Wolves 1: Lescott 72’
Leeds 2: Adriano 10’, 63’

Attendance: 26,473

retired_pahuja_satish

good stuff, i like this story :thup:

bruno

Thanks alot SoS...

bruno

Leicester City vs. Leeds United – Walkers Stadium
Premier League – Saturday 6th December 2003

Squad: Iker Casillas; Carles Puyol, Ian Harte, Lúcio (c), Walter Samuel; Jermaine Pennant, James Milner, Andrés D’Alessandro, Seth Johnson; Adriano, Alan Smith

A little over 30,000 spectators had come to see the clash between Leicester and Leeds. Leicester without the injured Muzzy Izzet expected a though match and knew potential points in this match would not come easy. We had also made a few changes to our side; most notably Ronaldo was replaced by Alan Smith.

We started very attacking and two early goals came from Alan Smith and Adriano. None of the goals could be held against Ian Walker. But Leicester wasn’t put down by this and did some pressuring on their own. However their attempts did not pay out.

The second half was controlled completely by us but the chances we had was denied by the excellent Ian Walker. Except one. Adriano got the ball just outside the edge of the area, dribbled his way past Walter Samuel; scoring with a chip over the advancing Iker Casillas. Leicester had a few good chances to get a consolation goal late in the game but Casillas had a great night, preventing them from scoring.

Leicester 0:
Leeds 3: Smith 10’, Adriano 20’, 28’,

Attendance:32,481

bruno

Leeds United vs. Birmingham City – Elland Road
Premier League – Saturday 13th December

Squad: Gianluigi Buffon; Carles Puyol, Ian Harte, Lúcio, Walter Samuel; Jermaine Pennant, Francesco Totti (c), Andrés D’Alessandro, Jermaine Jenas; Adriano, Ronaldo

As many times before this season Alan Smith was yet again demoted to the bench with Ronaldo slotting in alongside Adriano. Genially seen by Eddie Gray I must say cause the Brazilian had a great night. Already after 8th minutes he had made us 1-0 up after Adriano served him with a 45 yard ball into the penalty area, leaving him all alone with Ian Bennet.

Adriano’s enthusiasm and willpower this night was energizing for the whole team and with 15 minutes to go to the interval, he put on his goalscoring shoes, as many times before this season, and headed the ball goal wards. Bennet was unable to grip the ball in the slippery and wet grass, and Adriano was not late to bash on the rebound.

The turning point could have been given to Birmingham in the 65th minute when Phil Dowd gave away a free penalty; Robbie Savage ran into Lúcio’s stretched out leg, and he dived like a dying swan. Gianluigi Buffon was fortunately able to save the penalty.

With the confident boosted after his initial goal early in the game, Ronaldo set off on a typical “Ronaldo-attack”. And before we knew it he had scored yet again. Perhaps this was his turning point. After all he hadn’t been playing well for a few matches now and we needed him in form.

Leeds 3: Ronaldo 8’, 90’, Adriano 30’
Birmingham 0: (Savage missed pen 65')

Attendance: 40,186

BarryLFC

You'd have to ask raptor to confirm, but going by views:posts and views:days open ratio i'd say this is the most popular story in the history of CMS...

bruno

Well if that's the case, then I'd like to thank all of the people following my story.
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My perceptive attempts of trying to get the board of directors to back me up in the Eddie Gray issue had so far been in vain. None of them really had hatred towards him; they didn’t even dislike him. Not even a bit. But all I needed was a bit of luck and my problems would be sorted. I had never been an especially lucky man though; I’ve worked hard to get to where I am today. But at some point in time I’m bound to be lucky. Hopefully, and probably, Eddie will slip revealing for him unpleasant things. And when he does I’ll be there, wallowing in his misery, gloating.

In addition, it came to my knowledge that Eddie Gray was trying to get rid of me as well. Not very nice of him, was it? Me, who had been very “supporting” of him so far. The thing that puzzled me the most though, was the fact that he didn’t really try to hide from me his, so far arduous, attempts. He most likely knew I wanted him kicked out and doubtlessly figured that I had to go before I came up with an idea on how to discharge him. He also knew that he was safe at the moment, especially after the team’s recent performances.

Anyhow, he had hired a private investigator to look into my finances, and of course my financial investments. Apparently, this I heard from a reliable source, he thought that I had been involved in dodgy affairs during my time in the states. Rumour had it he thought that I had had dealings with a secret underground organisation in Los Angeles. They, and me, were alleged to be selling illegal firearms. However it didn’t bother me too much at first, as I knew that his suspicions were not accurate. But somehow I had a feeling Eddie would be capable of forging evidence to make it look as if I’ve been involved, just to get me away from the club. And out of his life.

I knew this matter had to be resolved, one way or another. I did not yet know how, or when for that matter, I would strike. But I knew one thing; I would strike.

bruno

Leeds United vs. Stoke City – Elland Road
League Cup Quarter Final – Wednesday 17th December

Squad: Gianluigi Buffon; Frazer Richardson, Ian Harte, Lúcio, Walter Samuel; Jermaine Pennant, Francesco Totti (c), Andrés D’Alessandro, Jermaine Jenas; Adriano, Ronaldo

With Carles Puyol suspended, after collecting 5 yellow cards, Frazer Richardson slotted into the open position on the right.

Stoke had put in a great performance against Chelsea to get through to the quarter finals and they had high hopes. But early in the match their hopes was shattered. Ronaldo had managed to seal a hattrick already after 11 minutes. On the first however, he was quite lucky. Adriano hit the bar with a real firecracker and the rebound hit Ronaldo in the head and bounced into the goal.

Minutes after the hattrick from Ronaldo, we saw yet another goal, this time from Adriano. Andrés D’Alessandro picked out Adriano with a lovely pass, who in turn steadily blasted the ball past Ed de Goey. Stoke had a mountain to climb now and Ronaldo didn’t exactly make it easier in the 26th minute when he skipped past two defenders, steered clear of de Goey’s desperate attempt to snatch the ball and tucked away the ball with poise.

The dreadful first half performance from Ed de Goey saw him replaced with Neil Cutler. Cutler put in a solid performance; he managed to keep a clean sheet. Although we let Stoke take pleasure in more ball possession, they failed to make anything of it.

Leeds 5: Ronaldo 6’, 7’, 11’ 26’, Adriano 13’
Stoke 0:

Attendance: 36,312

bruno

Tottenham Hotspurs vs. Leeds United – White Hart Lane
Premier League – Saturday 20th December 2003

Squad: Gianluigi Buffon; Carles Puyol, Ian Harte, Lúcio, Walter Samuel; Jermaine Pennant, Francesco Totti (c), Andrés D’Alessandro, Jermaine Jenas; Adriano, Ronaldo

The match looked like it would become very pleasant for us when Stéphane Dalmat was sent off almost directly after hacking down Jermaine Pennant from behind. Steve Dunn was brave to make that decision in front of the 34,000 home supporters.

With Ronaldo scoring 10 minutes later one would think that Tottenham’s hope was lost. But they fought hard; in fact creating more chances than us. Luckily we had Gianluigi Buffon who put in a rock-solid appearance, maintaining a clean sheet throughout the game.

In the 81st minute Adriano injected the goal, which killed off Tottenham’s urge to attack. The win saw us remain at the top of the table, 14 points ahead of the Red Devils and Liverpool.

Tottenham 0: (Dalmat sent off 3’)
Leeds 2: Ronaldo 13’, Adriano 81’

Attendance: 34,575