cantonaisgod

Many mocked, I suppose rightly so. There had been nothing for Leeds United to shout about since O’Leary’s success with the Yorkshiremen, and their latest ‘fiasco,’ simply added to the long, somewhat embarrassing list of what many a sceptic dubbed ‘mistakes.’ Eddie Gray’s inability to change things meant that he had finally left the club after so many years of good service, and it was the time to try something new once more. Antic, Trapattoni, and George Graham were just a few of the names banded around the media as favourites to take over in the hot-seat at disastrous Leeds United Football Club.

It therefore came as one hell of a shock to the footballing nation, when the name ‘Dan O’Brien’ was splashed across all the back pages, as the man to try and change the fortunes at Elland Road.


Author's Note: This is my first CM Story, any comments/ criticism very welcome. I am aiming to make the story continue for one season, therefore I will be adding more detail than some other stories contain during the course of one campaign.

CM 03/04 med db, English league only

James M

Good luck. Leeds are tough, believe me

cantonaisgod

Cheers James, as much as it may hurt, trying to make Leeds successful, I'll have a go

“Don’t let it worry you,” Prof. John McKenzie assured me, as I turned over the page of The Sun, which gave the heading ‘Rookie O’B not up to the job.’

“We have all the confidence in your ability; you know why we gave you the job, due to your unrivalled Lower League successes.”

I was tempted to add that I that the demands of my contracts’ length supply of Doritos had done little to dissuade them from offering me the job, but I was where I wanted to be, in the deep end of management, and an amicable start to relations between myself and those with more authority was essential.

The remainder of this meeting with McKenzie was spent with the added company of Leighton, Birch, and North, the board of directors. The conversation was focused around the aims for the forthcoming season.


PJM: “We’ve not been the same over the past few years, Dan, you know that. A high league finish is simply not possible with the squad and finances we have at our disposal.”

Dir1: “This is why, Mr. O’Brien, we expect you to keep us in the division. Do this using methods and techniques which you deem fit, but we expect you to rebuild this side over the course of the season with minimal funds available, in order to keep this ship afloat.”

ME: “Ok, ok, you’ve made yourself clear; I know what I have to do. Just one question, how much is ‘minimal.’?”

Dir3: “There is £800,000 at your disposal, Mr O’Brien, but I urge that this is spent only if, well, if the -”

Dir1: “What he’s trying to say, Mr. O’Brien, is that we need you to avoiding ‘splashing the cash’ so to speak. This club needs all the money it can get, so therefore these transfer funds are only as a last resort or if there is a bargain that we can be certain will help our campaign significantly.”

ME: “OK mate I understand, cheers for your time fellas.”

PJM: “OK Dan, I would wish to make it clear, on behalf of my colleagues, that we wish you all the best, as long as you give us everything, I know you won’t let us down.”

It seemed quite a heavy parting comment, however one that did not affect me or distract my attentions from the task ahead. With the door of Prof. McKenzie’s office shutting behind me, I began to wonder what the situation would be in a year’s time, whether Leeds would still be in the Premier League.

One year was all I had to prove myself, and if I did, I would have longer at Leeds United Football Club.

cantonaisgod

Monday 4th August – The first training session

I arrived at the Thorpe Arch training ground at 8.45am that morning, where I was greeted by the beaming smile of an old friend Kevin Blackwell. After my appointment, I asked for Kev to be re-instated as Assistant, as his experience was what I would need for a fresh start at this big club.

I let Kev take control of the first training session, while I assessed our key players in the side.

There was no doubt in my mind that Paul Robinson would be man to take on the responsibility of first choice ‘keeper for the season. Sean Allaway was the only other real threat to his position, after Nigel Martyn’s recent exit to Goodison Park.

At the back, I was convinced that we had the players to keep us up this season. Gary Kelly and Ian Harte would provide the talent on either side of the back four, with the options of experience in the centre with Dominic Matteo, Lucas Radebe, and Michael Duberry. A little arm bending on my part would have to be done in order for me to add some youthful exuberance to that set of defenders.

In the centre of midfield there was a lot of ‘bite,’ but unfortunately no real creativity. With the main 3 compiling of Seth Johnson, David Batty, and Jody Morris, I decided that our style would have to be predominantly focused down the wings, unless I could bring someone in to the centre of midfield.

This meant that the task of creating attacking chances would fall upon the shoulders of Wilcox, Barmby, or Eirik Bakke, who could also play in the centre. I wasn’t too happy with these options, and felt that a cheap midfielder/winger was on the agenda if I was granted access to the transfer kitty. Aaron Lennon and James Milner were possible options for the right hand side of midfield, but I felt that my first season was no time to be tinkering with the relatively untested, or relying too heavily on them.

Leeds had 5 strikers in their first team, one of which, young Simon Johnson, had already agreed terms with Ipswich for a 3-month loan deal. Lamine Sakho, a 25-year old French striker on loan from Marseille, was the only current previous loan transfer whom I had decided to keep on our books, with other names leaving such as Camara, Olembe, and Roque Junior, who were taking big chunks out of our weekly wage budget. I was more than happy with the other three strikers; goal-poaching Michael Bridges, tenacious Alan Smith, and the hugely talented Mark Viduka, who we would do well to keep.

cantonaisgod

The first week in charge

As I had arrived after the pre-season friendlies, my sights were set on the opening game of our league campaign, where we would play hosts to O’Leary’s Aston Villa. It was in this first week that I now had to try and make my changes to the side. Allowing youngsters Paul Keegan, Simon Johnson, and Jamie McMaster to go out on loan, with their wages taken care of by their newly adopted clubs, meant that I had gone some way in persuading the board to allow me to spend £750,000 on two new faces.

My first task was to try to land the hugely talented Jose Julian de la Cuesta, from CDC Atletico Nacional in Colombia. At only 20 years of age, and having already earned a call-up to the Colombian under-21 national side, both parties were delighted to have thrashed out the terms in a £500,000 deal to bring him to Elland Road.

Subject to the decision of work permit appeal on the 19th August; Jose would be a Leeds United player.

Up Next: Trying to make the start I'd been hoping for.

cantonaisgod

Saturday 16th August
Premier League Game 1
Leeds United vs. Aston Villa

Starting XI: Robinson, Kelly, Harte, Matteo, Radebe (c), Barmby (Milner 47’), Wilcox, Batty, Morris, Viduka, Smith (Bridges 64’)

There was a buzz about the ground before kick-off – now I knew I was in for a special, unique, if not necessarily enjoyable season. The lads knew the team by 12.30pm; I’d left it relatively late to tell them, as I wanted to make sure we got off to a start the club deserved.

A poor first half saw no clear-cut chances, the closest we came to scoring was a Mark Viduka effort from 25 yards after dropping off his marker to turn and get a shot away, only to see his effort tipped onto the crossbar by Thomas Sorensen. No real need for change at half time, we had dominated without creating, so I told the lads to focus our play more through Jason and Nicky on the flanks.

The second half started at a frantic and furious pace, Darius Vassell striking over the bar from just outside the box to remind us that they were still in this game. Milner and Bridges replaced the injured Barmby and Smith respectively, and with 68 minutes gone on the clock, Morris set Viduka through, and the Aussie stroked the ball past Sorensen to give us a deserved lead.

Thankfully for us the next chance fell once again to a white shirt only 8 minutes later, when Bridges converted the easiest chance he’ll ever get after Sorensen palmed out another wonderful Viduka drive. The dangerous Vassell had the ball in the back of our net with only 5 minutes left, but our offside trap paid off as the linesman ruled it out.

An excellent team performance, and I was particularly pleased with the effort and all round performance of Viduka, who got the Man of the Match award. The final whistle blew, and the team were given a standing ovation as we entered the dressing room after a good day’s work.


Leeds 2 – Viduka 68’, Bridges 76’
Aston Villa 0
Attendance: 40272
MoM: Mark Viduka (8)

cantonaisgod

My second signing was made in time for the next game of the season. After initially enquiring about Wimbledon midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, my scouts at a Dons’ training session had informed me of an exciting attacking left sided player, who they had heard would cost far less that the £850,000 that Charles Koppel was demanding for Nigel.

Lionel Morgan was therefore set to be the last signing of the pre-season, as our bid for him coincided with the receivers being called in at the Milton Keynes club. The two clubs settled on a mere £240,000 for the player, and on August 17th the final touches were put on the deal.

I had to wait only 2 days after Lionel’s arrival before we were given the news we’d been waiting for, as Jose’s work permit was granted for him to come and play for the club.

He was to be my last signing of the transfer window, and was named in the squad for our visit to the champions.

cantonaisgod

Wednesday 20th August
Premier League Game 2
Manchester United vs. Leeds United

Starting XI: Robinson, Kelly, Harte, Matteo (de la Cuesta 66’), Radebe (c), Barmby, Wilcox, Batty, Morris, Viduka, Bridges (Sakho 81’)

We were greeted with the news that Lionel Morgan would not travel with the squad on this typically dull, wet evening in Manchester, after twisting a knee in training only a day before. I stuck with the same side that had beaten Villa; the only change being Michael Bridges was drafted in after Smithy couldn’t shake off an ankle injury.

The team were in high spirits, however to my dismay this wasn’t reflected in a lacklustre display against a side that ran us ragged.

Manchester United were up for the game right from the word ‘go.’ A lazy left leg by Dominic Matteo caught van Nistelrooy after on 94 seconds on the edge of our penalty area. Up stepped Portuguese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo to whip the free kick over the wall past the helpless Robinson, to send us 1-0 down before we had even settled.

The second goal was another moment of pure genius by the teenage winger. A free kick from a similar distance, but from a more acute angle, was once again struck past Robinson in goal to cap a wonderful first half an hour by the reds. A magnificent double save by Robbo helped to send us in at half time only 2 goals down, still with the slightest of chances in the game.

The second half was no better. My team talk looked like it had done the trick as the first ten minutes of the half were spent camped inside Man. United’s territory, although we seldom threatened. The second half fizzled out with no more chances for our boys, although we were spared blushes of a possible hammering by Robbo’s agility and reflexes, to keep the score at a respectable 2-0.

Manchester United 2 – Cristiano Ronaldo 2’, 24’
Leeds United 0
Attendance: 65279
MoM: Cristiano Ronaldo (10)


I was disappointed that our flair players never really put their mark on the game, with our only ‘performers,’ being the battlers of the side, Jody, Batty, and Lucas all turning in solid performances. There was no doubt Paul Robinson had been our player of the night, however, saving us from what might have been a very embarrassing scoreline.

We were downhearted, but we remained focused on the next league game, which was a tough home game against Strachan’s saints.

cantonaisgod

Thanks a lot ManUManager, glad you're reading

Thursday 21st August
I arrived at the office that morning, to find Mark Viduka’s agent sat outside my office. I knew what he wanted even before I told him to come in and have a seat.

“Mr. O’Brien, I have been in touch with several top European clubs regarding the availability of my client,” Mark’s small, curly haired associate announced. “It has become apparent that AC Milan are ready and willing to open talks with yourself and Prof. McKenzie, regarding the transfer of Mark.”

“I’m not interested in selling Mark,” I snapped, with an air of finality in my voice. It was not to be the end of his persistence.

“I have been informed by Senor Berlusconi that they are looking to start business at around £5m,” he said. “And we all know how much this club could do with that kind of money.”

“Hmm, indeed, however, I also know how this club would benefit from having Mark in the side – he is essential to my plans. End of the matter.”

The conversation carried on for at least another 30 minutes, with Mr. Smith pointing out that despite my attempts to keep him at the club, he would be doing all he could to persuade the likes of AC, Juve, and Fenerbache to meet the £6.25m buy-out clause in his contract.

“If that is how it’s going to be played, Sir, then would you please leave my office.” I smiled patronizingly at him, waiting for him to move.

As he left, I shut the door and leant back on it, cursing, as the reality sank in that the loophole in Mark’s contract meant that he could find his way out for less than I was prepared to let him go for.

cantonaisgod

Friday 22nd August

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Daily Mirror:
‘Viduka wants out’

Mark Viduka is reportedly set to sign for Internazionale this week in a deal worth £5.5m, with Portuguese winger Sergio Conceicao moving the other way on a season long loan when the transfer window re-opens in January. Leeds United have refused to comment at this point, however The Daily Mirror understands that Viduka has failed to see eye-to-eye with his new boss and wants to leave the cash-strapped club.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Not an ounce of truth in this so-called ‘deal’ I had read about the next day, it seemed clear to me that Viduka’s representatives were doing all they could to bring a deal to the forefront of the club’s current affairs.

I was worried that this would unsettle the squad, but I spent the remainder of that Friday with Mark’s transfer saga at he back of my mind, as I worked on the plans to bounce back with a win on Saturday.