retired_sroch3032

:eek: Noooo

Good victory even though it was over United!

retired_jkat116

Wednesday 14th January

On a damp, drizzly Wednesday evening, we travelled to Loftus Road for the re-match against Fulham in the 3rd Round of the F.A. Cup. The only change to the squad was Mark Viduka in for the injured Lamine Sakho on the bench. We were behind however, after only 16 minutes, when Facundo Sava caught Lucas in possession to place the ball past Robbo. This was followed by a spell of Fulham pressure, which paid off fourteen minutes later, when Junichi Inamoto tucked away a spot-kick after Seth Johnson had handballed inside the area.

Alan Smith gave us hope on 66 minutes when his wayward effort was deflected into the net off Legwinski, but Fulham’s two-goal lead was preserved when the second penalty of the game, was slotted past Robbo, by, you guessed it, Junichi Inamoto. It was his 4th goal in only 3 games against us, as we suffered only our second defeat in our last eleven competitive matches.

We needed to get back on track: the victory against Manchester United seemed to have misguided the lads from the job in hand. We had no time for such complacent displays in what was gearing up to be a tough slog till the end of the season.

retired_delia

cantonaisgod you are a great writer!!!

retired_jkat116

Dark_Soccer and Ryan Giggs, thank you both very much for your words of encouragement, it's good to know that you are still with me on this story Hope you enjoy the rest of it

Thursday 15th January

The Office

It had just gone twelve that afternoon. I sat gazing out of the window, ‘watching the world go by,’ as they say. My thoughtless stare was interrupted by the harsh tone of the phone ringing on my desk.

‘O’Brien,’ I muttered, giving off an impression that I was tired and reluctant to co-operate with whomever was on the phone.

‘Dan, it’s Mr. O’Leary on the phone for you,’ my assistant Glenda politely informed me. The line went dead before I was reconnected to the Irishman in Birmingham.

‘Dan, how’s it going?’ David boomed. ‘Not a bad result against United eh?’

‘Hello David, aye, twas’ not too bad.’ I replied. ‘What can I do for you?’ My voice sounded agitated and hasty for the conversation to reach its purpose, which was not exactly intended.

‘Well as you may or may not know, we’ve our boys down looking at one of your lads over the last few months.’ I’m just phoning to have a chat about whether or not you’d let us talk to him, if we could come to a deal.’

I immediately imagined Mark Viduka stood on the Villa Park turf, arm round his boss O’Leary, both holding the Villa scarf above their heads, being photographed. The headlines would read ‘Viduka heads O’Leary’s way again.’ It was all too vivid, considering he hadn’t actually yet said it was Viduka he wanted.

‘Dan, you there?’ David interrupted my trail of thought.

‘Err, sorry, yes David, who is it you’re looking at?’

‘Well, it’s your young lad at right fullback, Frazer Richardson. We’d be very interested in bringing him here, and with a good deal for yourself.’

I was reluctant to let Frazer go, but I thought I could at least do him the good service of listening to what he had to offer. ‘Go on,’ I said.

‘Well, we’re looking to offload Mark Delaney. He’s a good talent, no doubt about that, he’s just not part of my plans here. I’d like to offer you Mark in exchange for Frazer.’

Although I rated Frazer, this deal somewhat tempted me. At 27, and already with 25 caps to his name, Mark had good experience and certainly the ability to help us.

‘Thanks for calling David, I will get back to you shortly.’ I told him. His tone to end the conversation was very upbeat and polite, almost in an attempt to ‘sweeten,’ me up so that I may be more willing to accept his offer.

An offer that certainly left me with some thinking to do.

Bomberman

Just say no. Frazer Richardson>Mark Delaney. btw, you are a Brilliant writer. :thup:

retired_jkat116

Thank you very much Ooo Arr, I'm delighted that you are reading.

karanfett: Don't worry, You'll find I have pleased you with my decision Thank you also very much for the kind words.

Friday 16th January

My phone-call back to David O’Leary coincided with young Frazer picking up a knock in training, leaving him out of the arrival of Middlesbrough the next day.

‘Hello Dan,’ David picked up the phone greeting me in a bright, bubbly manner. He made small talk before I got down to business, interrupting his rambling by saying, ‘Listen, David.’

‘I’ve decided against your offer of the swap deal for Frazer, we’re looking to tie him down to a new contract, and I feel that with Gary reaching his peak, in a few years Frazer will become a regular, maybe even sooner.’

‘Ok, Dan, I understand, but we’re not dropping our interest in him.’ He informed me, and for once the polite sound of his voice had disappeared.

‘Well that’s up to you, but we’re not prepared to let him go for what you offered. He will become a very important player for us and our valuation of him is very high.’

I was glad that at least the conversation ended on good terms, and I could then set my mind to focus on the next obstacle towards our ascent of the Premier League, against McClaren’s Boro’.

retired_jkat116

Saturday 17th January
Premier League Game 22
Leeds United vs. Middlesbrough
Starting XI: Robinson, Kelly, Harte, de la Cuesta, Radebe (c), Barmby, Batty, Morris (McPhail 53’), Smith, Viduka


Here is how the teams around us were standing before the day’s proceedings:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | G.D. | Pts | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Chelsea | | 21 | 17 | 3 | 1 | +34 | 54 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Arsenal | | 21 | 15 | 3 | 3 | +22 | 48 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | *LEEDS* | | 21 | 11 | 5 | 5 | +10 | 38 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Man Utd | | 21 | 10 | 7 | 4 | +22 | 37 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Newcastle | | 21 | 11 | 4 | 6 | +4 | 37 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</pre>

Therefore today we needed to crank it up a notch to make sure that our last league win was backed up with a similarly convincing display. Unfortunately I had to change the side, as Richardson, Seth Johnson, and Bridges were all pronounced unfit for the afternoon's clash. Gary Kelly, Jody Morris, and Mark Viduka were their replacements, as we set to work on the boys from the North East.

It was Mark Viduka’s first game back after a lengthy absence, and he looked like he was not about to disappoint. Nine minutes in, he had performed the tough task of muscling Gareth Southgate out of possession, before rifling in a low shot, which hit the outside of the post.

We were spurred on by that moment of opportunism by Mark, as we bombarded Mark Schwarzer’s goal with efforts. Smith, Morgan, and Viduka again all coming close on separate occasions.

And with a minute to go before half time, our pressure finally amounted to something, although the goal did not arrive quite how we had all expected. After Viduka had once again forced a good save out of the Boro’ keeper, Lionel swung in a corner, which looped over the head of Schwarzer, and Parnaby at the back post, into the top corner of the net. An outrageous and audacious effort had been rewarded, after plenty of attempts throughout the season.

The second half was not a scratch on the first half as far as chances and entertainment goes, however after 65 minutes we were given a real scare. Juninho weaved through our midfield, to lay Michael Ricketts through, who went for power as opposed to composure, as he thundered an effort off the crossbar.

Mark Viduka looked lively, right up until the final whistle, as did Smithy and Barmby. I was pleased with the result, as although the goal came in unusual circumstances, I felt we thoroughly deserved to take all 3 points.

Leeds United 1 – Morgan 44’
Middlesbrough 0
Attendance: 39,700
MoM: Mark Schwarzer (9)

Bomberman

Great minds think alike.

KUTGW. :thup:

retired_jkat116

Cheers guys, thanks a lot. I’ve been really surprised by the feedback, I was initially hoping just to have some readers – let alone to get responses like this! Thanks again very much, and hope you enjoy the rest of the season

Monday 19th December

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Sky Sports News
O’Leary leaves Villa

David O’Leary has today parted company with Aston Villa, after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

Since the beginning of the current campaign, Villa have registered only 5 wins from 22 matches, as the revival that many expected to take place simply failed to do so.

‘David and Aston Villa have parted company on very good terms,’ a Villa spokesperson told Sky Sports. ‘We did not want to be involved in talks of sacking or resignation, so therefore both parties agreed that this would be the most reasonable way to go forward.’

‘We wish David all the best in his future in football. He is no doubt a talented manager, and we are disappointed that his stay with us has not worked out.’

David O’Leary had nothing to say at the moment, as his name is already being linked with the vacant manager’s role at Bramall Lane.

The bookies have placed high-flying Leeds boss Dan O’Brien, as favourite to take charge at Villa Park. O'Brien is reported to be unhappy with the lack of funds at Elland Road, and Doug Ellis is rumoured to have a desire to show his chequebook should O’Brien decide to join. We’ll bring you more from O’Leary, and from what Leeds have to say, as soon as we get it.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

retired_jkat116

Tuesday 20th January

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
SublimeFootball.com

‘Leeds hold emergency talks with O’Brien’

In a sensational twist of events at Elland Road, manager Dan O’Brien is on the verge of quitting to take charge at Villa Park.

Professor John McKenzie has called O’Brien in to ‘clear the air,’ in a last gasp attempt to keep his manager, who has taken them to the dizzy heights of 3rd in the league table. However, they have refused to comment to the media on the details on the current state of affairs.

The news comes only a day after David O’Leary parted company with Aston Villa, and according to sources at Leeds United, is being headhunted to make a return to Elland Road under the new directors, should O’Brien walk out.

An insider at Leeds told Sublimefootball: ‘Everyone at the club hopes Dan will do the right thing and stay here. There are talks of him leaving and the fans and the board are all one hundred percent behind him if he stays. If the players can keep things up here, we’ll be in Europe next season. Why give all that up?’

It still remains to be seen how the drama will unfold, which makes preparations for Leeds’ tricky visit to the South coast against Southampton on Wednesday extremely problematic.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>