bruno

Leicester City vs. Leeds United – Walkers Stadium
League Cup Semi Final 2nd Leg – Wednesday 4th February 2004

Squad: Iker Casillas; Frazer Richardson, Gary Kelly, Dominic Matteo, Lucas Radebe; James Milner, Riccardo Montolivo, Jody Morris, Seth Johnson (c); Mark Viduka, Simon Johnson

With a 7-0 lead after the first meeting we could afford to air many reserve players. Literally the whole regular starting XI was substituted, after a few of them felt a bit jaded.

And one saw that the players we fielded weren’t exactly the best in our team. However we put in a vigorous and strong performance, making Leicester’s back four sweat at occasions. But the match was a monotonous act really, none of the sides managed to get the best of the other.

The 0-0 draw at Walkers Stadium saw us go through to the League Cup Final,where we will meet Manchester United. The Red Devils quite easily dismissed Q.P.R. after going through with a 4-0 win on Lotus Road and a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

Leicester 0:
Leeds 0:

Attendance: 32,483

bruno

Later that Wednesday evening O’Flanagan and I were out having a drink on the local pub. After closing time he offered to give me a ride home but since I lived not very far away I rejected with the simple reason that I wanted to stroll my way home this quite lovely night.

And just a block or two away from my residence three hoodlums jumped out of the bushes. Two came up behind me and the other one, who seemed to be the leader of the pack, came towards me from the front.

Hoodlum 1 Lovely evening, ain’t it mate?

PC What do you lot want?

Hoodlum 2 Nothing much really. Just wanted to warn you about the thugs and muggers in these neighbourhoods. You see, Leeds have been infested by them lately, making it a treacherous place. You shouldn’t be out walking at this late hour.

PC Yeah, so I’ve read in the papers. And you don’t happen to be one of them gangs do you?

Hoodlum 1 Not exactly, are we now boys?

Hoodlum 2 Not really governor.

PC And you wanted to warn me? How mighty nice of you… Come on then, tell me what you came for or sod of.

Hoodlum 1 Shut your mouth.

The two at the back grabbed my arms while the leader whacked me numerous in the stomach with a baseball bat.

Hoodlum 1 We’ve got a message for you.

PC Feck off…

The leader whacked me over the knee with the bat; I could hear the knee cap shattering.

PC Ah, you fecking bästard! You smashed my kneecap.

Hoodlum 1 You ready to listen now then?… Great. So, this is how we want it to be done: you’ll pack your bags, take your money away from Leeds United and fly to whatever shîthole you like, as long as you keep away from the UK. How does that sound?

Just as I am about to retort, the leader interrupts me

Hoodlum 1 Ah, ah, ah… We don’t want your answer now Campbell. Think about it for a couple of days. However if you haven’t left Leeds within two weeks, well then we might just have to pay you another visit…

The leader whacks me one last time, knocking me out cold

bruno

As I woke up in hospital later that night, I had a sore knee and of course my head ached. Beside my bed sat O’Flanagan, half asleep.

PC Hey, O’Flanagan.

AO’F Uh?… Hey boss, how you doing?

PC After the circumstances, quite well actually.

AO’F You must have a thing for hospitals.

PC What you mean?

AO’F Second time in the last 6 months you’ve woken up here.

PC Yeah, maybe I’ll decorate this as my office.

We both laughed

AO’F From what I’ve heard you’re one lucky bástard though.

PC How’s so?

AO’F Well, the doctors said that if the blow to your head would have been just a few millimetres to the right, well then you might not have been here talking to me now.

PC Hmm, nice… So, who do you think it was?

AO’F Eh? Care to elaborate on that a bit?

PC I mean, who do you think sent those criminals on me? Eddie, or Owens?

AO’F I’m not really sure but I don’t think Eddie would take on such drastic measures. It just has to be Owens.

PC But why does he want me away from Leeds? He won’t really benefit from me leaving, now will he?

AO’F He’s just toying with you. He wants you to feel safe and sound before he goes in for the last move.

PC Well, we can’t really allow that, can we? You know what to do. And do it as soon as possible.

AO’F I’ll get right to it… I’ll be back in a jiff. Or not.

PC And O'Flanagan... Do it properly. I don't want any evidence leading back to me.

AO’F Don't worry... I know what I'm doing.

bruno

Leeds United vs. Bolton Wanderers – Elland Road
Premier League – Saturday 7th February 2004

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

We knew attacking our opponents early on could be rewarding, Bolton had let in many goals early in many matches. Furthermore attacking early in the game had almost become one of our trademarks; apart from scoring goals that is . In only the 3rd minute, Francesco Totti managed to shake off his marker and distributed a fine cross to Adriano, but the header just cleared the bar.

But Adriano capped his goal eventually. Totti dispatched the free kick goal wards and Jussi Jääskeläinen only manage to tip the ball away, straight to Adriano who easily broke Jussi’s clean sheet. Minutes before the interval the Finnish keeper saw himself beaten yet again by Adriano when the Brazilian shot the ball in off the post.

The second half didn’t exactly lack opportunities for us to score but after a dreadful first half, with quite a few bad decisions, Jääskeläinen sharpened up and saved Bolton time after time. However one more goal from Adriano came before the end of the match. Andy D’Urso saw a penalty when Totti was brought down from behind by Simon Charlton. Youri Djorkaeff however did become absolutely mental and head butted the Italian. Of course D’Urso sent the Frenchman off. Adriano stepped up comfortably and slotted home his hattrick.

Leeds 3: Adriano 26’, 44’, pen 53’
Bolton 0: (Djorkaeff sent off 52’)

Attendance: 40,191

bruno

As I walked out of the hospital to the awaiting taxi a few days later, reporters asked me a few questions.

Reporter 1 This is the second time in the last six months that you’ve been the object of physical attacks. Why do you think that is?

PC I guess someone has it in for me…

Reporter 2 What do you have to say to the ones who did this to you?

PC Neither violence nor threats will intimidate us. I consider the perpetrators to be nothing less than a bunch of low life terrorists and if I do as they want me to, resign that will say, well then they’ll have won. And that is unacceptable. That will not only be a loss for Leeds United but also to the democratic society we live in.

Reporter 3 This means you’re staying at Leeds United?

PC I have no intentions of leaving Leeds. Not now, not ever… Now, you’ll have to excuse me. I’ve got a cab waiting.

I entered the taxi and off we went

bruno

Reading vs. Leeds United – Madejski Stadium
FA Cup 5th Round – Saturday 14th February 2004

Squad: Iker Casillas; Frazer Richardson, Gary Kelly, Lucas Radebe, Matthew Kilgallon; James Milner, Ricardo Montolivo, Jody Morris, Seth Johnson (c); Mark Viduka, Simon Johnson

Early in the game our intentions were clear; attack as much as possible in an attempt to wear Reading down. Just after kick off Riccardo Montolivo lofted the ball forward to Mark Viduka who made a class goal when scoring on the volley from 25 yards. After that however not much happened in the first half, the match sort of stagnated.

The second half was all Reading. They showed some real fighting spirit and overpowered our midfield relatively easy. But then we had one midfielder that stood out: Riccardo Montolivo. He was absolutely superb out on the left side and also capped his first competitive goal in this match. He skimmed past the right defender on the inside, passed it back to Seth Johnson who in turn chipped it back to the running Montolivo. When Montolivo received the ball he calmly looked at the goalkeeper and whittled the ball in the far corner. Sheer class.

Reading 0:
Leeds 2: Viduka 1’, Montolivo 76’

Attendance: 24,174

bruno

I had been back at work for a week or so now, and my knee was starting to heal. It was by no means fully healed, not even by a long shot, I still needed crouches but it didn’t throb any longer. At least not as intensely as it did just a few days ago… As I’m walking down the corridor this evening, I meet O’Flanagan.

PC So, you’re back.

AO’F So it seems.

PC Walk with me.

We stroll down the corridor and down onto the pitch where we stop, look up at the beautiful, glowing moon

PC Ah, this is my sanctuary right here. This is what it’s all about… Struggle, survival. Win or loose. But then when you step out in the real world there’s so much violence… Do you know why I like it so much out here?

AO’F Not really, no.

PC I don’t really know either… I guess that it’s because it’s so tranquil out here. Peaceful. You hear?

AO’F I can’t hear anything.

PC That’s exactly my point. When you step out onto the pitch all your troubles just disappear. Vanish. That’s the thing I like about football…

AO’F I never thought about it that way…

PC Mmm… And the problem?

AO’F It’s been taken care of. You don’t have to worry about that anymore.

PC Great… Absolutely perfect.

bruno

Southampton vs. Leeds United – St. Mary’s Stadium
Premier League – Wednesday 18th February 2004

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

As in the last game, we got off to a flying start. Jermaine Pennant took the play inside the area when he jinked past Chris Marsden and Pennant continued forward unchallenged, making it easy for him to score 1-0.

And 15 minutes later it looked like we had extended our lead but the linesman held up his flag signalling for an offside. Looking at the replays one could see that it was the right decision. However the goal came anyway. 2 minutes into first half injury time Ronaldo came clean through on goal and he made no mistake when converting the chance into a goal.

The second half lacked any exiting play however Southampton failed to score on two breakaways, which could have given them a point. But yet again Eddie Gray managed to come away with 3 points.

Southampton 0:
Leeds 2: Pennant 1’, Ronaldo 45’

Attendance: 30,474

bruno

Aston Villa vs. Leeds United – Villa Park
Premier League – Sunday 22nd February 2004

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

Aston Villa got off to a really bad start. Already after 6 minutes they were 2-0 down. Firstly Adriano broke free from his defender and wedged the ball past Thomas Sørensen. Secondly Ronaldo got free from the defenders, advanced on Sørensen and with some luck he scored. In the 45th minute, just seconds before the interval, Mark Clattenberg gave away a free penalty and Ronaldo stepped up and struck it. The Dane saved the penalty but Ronaldo tapped in the rebound.

Francesco Totti added his name to the score sheet as well when he scored 3 minutes after the break. But we were far from finished and Ronaldo capped his hattrick after heading in the ball on the corner. With about 15 minutes to go he made his fourth goal to humiliate Sørensen completely.

Aston Villa 0:
Leeds 6: Adriano 3’, Ronaldo 6’, 45’, 55’, 74’, Totti 48’

Attendance: 42,774

bruno

After coming home from my morning walk, which I use to take every morning at 6 o’clock, O’Flanagan, he had sort of moved in with me, sat at the breakfast table reading the paper.

AO’F Nice walk?
He glanced at me before returning to his paper.

PC Yeah, only a bit cold though.

AO’F Well, it was your own decision going out... You’ve read today’s paper, right?

PC No, I didn’t bother… Why, anything interesting?

AO’F Sort of… Eirik Bakke has told the Sun that he believes he should be a first team regular and he also thinks that Eddie is a total wänker.

PC Did he really say the latter?

AO’F Not directly but you don’t have to be a genius to understand that. You only need to read between the lines. If Eddie reads this, which he probably will, then Eirik doesn’t have a long time left in the club.

PC I suppose you're right. He’s probably being listed as we speak. However this doesn’t help me much anyway. Eirik isn’t exactly one of the important players in the squad. It would have been a whole other story if Ronaldo or Totti had said this. Then I could have used it against that fecker…

AO’F Perhaps… No.

PC What?

AO’F Nothing…

PC Spit it out… You were about to say something.

AO’F Yeah, but I don’t know if its such a great idea.

PC What?

AO’F I was thinking that I could take care of our friend Eddie just as I did with Owens.

PC You’re right. That’s not a brilliant idea. Heck, it’s not even a good idea. We don’t really need that publicity now.

AO’F It was just a thought.

PC If you ever come up with ideas that’s as bad as this one keep them to yourself, will you?


Furthermore; after lengthy negotiations we finally got rid of Stephen McPhail. At least for the next three months. Ipswich Town will loan him and they’ll pay 100% of his wages.