Leeds face difficult times

By Richard Baggott
October 18 2003

For a club that has faced crisis after crisis over the past two years, a few difficult games and some financial results must seem like a piece of cake!

Leeds kick off a difficult month at lunchtime today when they play host to Manchester United in the biggest fixture of the season at Elland Road.  Following an impressive performance against Blackurn two weeks ago, it's one of the worst possible fixtures that Leeds could have as they look to climb up the tale.  At worst, Leeds could drop to 19th in the Premiership following the weekends fixtures and a result against one of the best teams in the world is imperative.

It only gets harder though - an away trip to Anfield on the 25th of October is an equally daunting match followed quickly by the Financial results of a club that has been plagued by debt for the past two years.  Forecasters are not expecting the Results to be pretty either with little, if any progress being made in reducing the £78M deficit.  Chairman, Professor John McKenzie has made some drastic changes at Elland Road, cutting down on wage bills of both players and backroom staff alike as well as restructuring the clubs finances as well.  These changes though are the initial stages of a long term plan to reduce the financial burden and it could be many years before Leeds United looks like a viable business venture again - not helped  by the compensation payouts to two sacked managers over the past 18 months - the financial strategy is directly linked to the Teams on the field success and good cup runs and more importantly, preserving Premiership status are imperative if Leeds are to sty afloat.  This brings us back to the fixture list!  On the 28th, Manchester United return to Elland Road for the third round of the Carling Cup.  If that wasn't bad enough, Arsenal quickly follow for a Premiership fixture on the 1st November.

Expect Leeds United to be in the papers again over the next few weeks - we will be cast as battling hero's or relegation fodder on the pitch.  No doubt the tabloids will only report the bottom line of our financial performance, sensationalising the situation.  The present off the field problems facing midfielder, Jody Morris  should come to a head as the 14 day suspension imposed by the club draws to an end.  There is also talk of a new Chief Executive being appointed.  Ex-Chelsea Chief Executive, Trevor Birch is apparently being head hunted by the Prof. to take over at Leeds before the end of the month.

All in all, Leeds are up against it again!  On the 2nd November we could be bottom of the Premiership with the  investors running scared following bad press after our financial results! Trevor Birch may buy some posh Goldfish as his first action for the club (!!) - pretty much the same old stuff!  On the other hand, we could be in the top half of the table pushing the European places, investors could be coming out of the woodwork, impressed at the stable footing we are on and Trevor Birch could be revealed as Roman Abramovich's love child!

Whatever happens, the Leeds fans will be staying with their team - at least until the world stops going round!

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