retired_jkat116

Tuesday 16th December

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Sky Sports News
Leeds prepare Bosman Swoop

Reports in Manchester are suggesting that Leeds United are close to agreeing a deal to bring former England Under 21 International Shaun Wright-Phillips to Elland Road at the end of the season.

Manager Dan O’Brien is looking bring to in Wright-Phillips as a long term replacement for Nicky Barmby, and father Ian has already hinted at a move for the youngster:

‘Manchester City have been great to Shaun,’ the Arsenal Legend told Sky Sports. ‘But there is a time in a player’s career when they need a new challenge, something to help them improve.’

‘I don’t know too much about the interest from Leeds, but they are certainly proving to be a big club once more and I’m sure it would be very tempting for Shaun.’

Manager Dan O’Brien has played down rumours of a move, and has also scotched reports linking the club with a move for Argentine striker Martin Palermo, when his contract expires in June, telling reporters ‘it is pure fabrication.’
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

retired_jkat116

Saturday 20th December
Premier League Game 18
Leeds United vs. Fulham
Starting XI: Robinson, Kelly, Harte (Matteo 42’), de la Cuesta, Radebe (c), Barmby, Wilcox, Batty, Johnson, Smith (Milner 90’), Bridges

Our fans would not have been optimistic of seeing much action against Fulham, due to the zero-out-of-ten rating for entertainment value against Everton only a week previously. I named the same squad and first eleven however, in what turned out to be an interesting affair with its fair share of events.

In an opening 20 minutes played largely in the middle of the park, tempers were steadily rising as the likes of Smith and Batty set about getting in Fulham’s faces on more than one occasion.

And it was the Leeds players who got the first chance to rub their opponents’ noses in it, when we took the lead after 24 minutes via a delicious chip from Alan Smith, bouncing in off the post from his 20-yard effort.

Things seemed to go slightly pear-shaped after that, however, and as half-time approached we were put in a rather uncompromising position by Jose de la Cuesta. A neat little interchange between Sean Davis and Luis Boa Morte saw the Portuguese winger bursting towards goal, and in a vain attempt to nick the ball, Jose hauled Boa Morte down to the ground inside the area. Penalty to Fulham. Jose was given his marching orders, as Junichi Inamoto rolled the ball down the middle of the goal to send us into half-time on a par with the visitors.

In the second half we found it increasingly harder to break down Fulham. Chances were few and far between, but feuds were still developing all over the pitch, Smithy and Seth Johnson getting booked for rash tackles.

We continued to push forward, and eventually got our reward with 4 minutes to go, as Smithy slid in to slot home a cross, whipped in by Lionel Morgan. The crowd were in hysterics, and rightly so, as the 3 points was nothing less than we deserved. The final incident was a standing ovation for Smithy, who was replaced by Milner in injury time for exactly that purpose.

Leeds United 2 – Smith 24’, 86’
Fulham 1 – Inamoto (pen 43’)
Attendance: 36,217
MoM: Alan Smith (10)

[This message was edited by Raptor on 09 April 2004 at 16:30.]

retired_jkat116

Cheers Therajgaj, and no, no cheating going on here, it's all legit - finding it a bit hard to steady the ship and stay in a good position though . Thanks for reading and for the words of encouragement :thup:

Friday 26th December
Premier League Game 19
Starting XI: Robinson, Richardson, Harte, de la Cuesta, Radebe (c), Barmby (Milner 72’), Wilcox, Batty, Johnson, Smith (Viduka 69’), Bridges (Kilgallon 72’)

We were dealt a cruel blow on the day before this crunch match with the Gunners, as Gary Kelly was declared unfit to travel with the squad, after developing a serious viral infection. It was therefore the chance for Frazer Richardson, a young 21 year-old fullback, to deputise in place of Gary. Mark Viduka was also named in the squad, as I felt that my stubbornness was not a good enough reason to deny us of a potential match-winner.

The first half brought an unusual air of confidence to our boys, as Wenger’s men were not as dominant as was predicted. Seth Johnson made Highbury hearts flutter after only 6 minutes, when his 25-yard drive crashed off the underside of the crossbar and was hooked away. Thierry Henry was his ever-dangerous self, however his end product was never more than tricky for Robbo in goal, who denied the World’s 2nd best player on a couple of occasions.

With 4 minutes left before the break, the deadlock was broken. Lionel Morgan whipped in a corner to the far post, and who should arrive but Frazer Richardson to head us into the lead, at Highbury, on his debut. The start of a dream day for the youngster?

Not quite. Our bubble burst only a minute later, as deadly Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp fired home from close range after Robbo failed to hold another Henry drive. Although we went in at the break on level terms, the boys were despondent at letting their lead slip so quickly.

The second half was an evenly contested affair, and unusually for a game at Highbury nowadays, there were few goal-bound attempts. I knew it wasn’t to be our day, however, after 72 minutes, when Lucas Radebe was sent-off, given a second yellow card for abusive language to the referee. Not only sent-off, but for a stupid offence that should have been prevented.

Arsenal forced their only clear cut chance of the second half, with eight minutes remaining. Freddie Ljungberg cut in from the right hand side, to play through Henry, whose cheeky chip over Robinson nestled in the corner of the net, to take away our point.

Arsenal 2 – Bergkamp 43’, Henry 82’
Leeds United 1 – Richardson 41’
Attendance: 38,389
MoM: Thierry Henry (9)

retired_jkat116

Tuesday 30th December

Our next game was not til the 3rd of January, where we would be taking on Fulham at home in the F.A. Cup. Due to this the players had the privilege of being at home with their families and friends on New Years’ Eve. I therefore took it upon myself to have a word with the lads about their duties and responsibilities.

‘There will be no excuses,’ I told the lads as they all looked, grim-faced towards me. ‘Training on Thursday is a must, and I will be taking action for anyone not here. By all means, enjoy yourself on Wednesday night, but come on; we’ve done well enough to get to where we have done so far. I don’t want to be falling out with anyone over a stupid night on the tiles for New Years’ Eve.’

Most of the boys nodded in agreement with what I was saying. Others, however, I could tell, had just had their plans somewhat spoilt by my speech. But they were all sensible enough to do the right thing, I hoped.

‘Have a few friends round, a few drinks, by all means,’ I re-iterated. ‘Just don’t go over the top. I don’t want any crappy stories the next morning about you being ill, or getting yourselves into trouble.’

I myself would enjoy a peaceful New Years’ Eve with close friends and family. I spent the night wondering if the next day I would have to reprimand any of the lads for misbehaving. I sincerely hoped I wouldn’t, I was so desperate to keep a good run of form going into the New Year. I loved my ‘new’ job in football, and I had a burning desire to stay for as long as possible.

I took training on New Years’ Day, thankfully without any punishment or detective work needed, before going on to do a bit of ‘business’ the following day.

retired_jkat116

Thanks Therajgaj, hope you keep reading

Friday 2nd January

I had spent this Friday in drizzly Manchester, and I must admit, I found it a very successful trip. I had arranged to meet Shaun Wright-Phillips and his agent, along with Prof. McKenzie. I arrived at Shaun’s home at around eleven, as his beaming smile welcomed me.

‘Mr. O’Brien, come in,’ he said to me, his eyes wide open as if expecting instant news.

‘Good morning Shaun,’ I replied. ‘Not a bad performance at the weekend.’ I winked, and immediately he smiled, seeming confident that his man of the match performance at Southampton the previous Saturday had impressed me.

We sat in his living room, lovely and ‘homely,’ whilst I began to talk to Shaun about our aims.

‘I see you fitting in perfectly at Leeds United, Shaun,’ I told him. ‘We’ve had a good season so far, but with you at the club it could be so much more.’

‘Well thanks, Mr. O’Brien, I’m very interested and thrilled to have you contact me,’ he had a strong assuring tone in his voice. He began to read over the terms of the pencilled contract that Prof. McKenzie had handed over once we had arrived. After a couple of minutes speaking between ourselves, both parties converged once more as I broke the silence.

‘I can arrange a visit down to Leeds for you Shaun, show you the ground, training complex, give you a feel of what we can offer, I-’

‘That won’t be necessary, Mr. O’Brien,’ Shaun announced, placing the document back on the table. ‘Not only is the contract improved on my current one at City, but also I’d love to be a part of your set-up. I will sign for you.’


Professor McKenzie handed Shaun a fountain pen almost immediately, as he signed the contract in the relevant spot. He was therefore set to join Leeds United on the 1st July 2004.

shannon2007

Story of the Week.

retired_brinker317

Congratulations, this is excellent. Continuing to enjoy it.

retired_lela2424

Great story & congrats for being SotW... A very good read

retired_jwc235

I have to say this is a superb story. There has only been one that has kept me hooked like this before and that was from the LLM forum. Well done, and I can't wait to hear about more Leeds successes!

retired_pahuja_satish

Well done cantona is god! Great story, keep it up.