What now for Peter Reid and Leeds Utd........

By Andy Baggott
November 10 2003

What now for Leeds United and Peter Reid? If the press are to be believed, the decision has been made, and Reid has been given the chop already.

There is a two week break, and in theory, it will give the board time to get a new man in place before the next game. You’ve got to have some sympathy for Reid. He is in a hopeless position, and it’s difficult to see what else he can do. The actions of Viduka over the past fortnight have been a disgusting. What ever problems he has with Reid will never excuse him walking out on the club, not once, but twice. It may have made little difference, but had Viduka been on the bench against Pompey, he may have been able to come on at half time, and alter the course of the game – to refuse to travel because you are sub is a disgrace.

Back to Reid – can he survive this? I don’t think he can. It is thought that the board had given him until Christmas, but the hopeless capitulation against Portsmouth appears to have forced their hand. There were several experienced players on the pitch, who quite frankly, gave up. The heads dropped, and they didn’t know what to do. This morning, those players, should be ashamed of themselves.

If Reid is to go, who would we get. There are various names in the hat, but not one that stands out as the man for the job.

A few weeks ago, Paul Hart looked certain to be the answer, but Forest currently lie 11th in the first division, and are hardly setting the division on fire. On the plus side, he is highly thought if at Leeds, has a good history of bringing through the kids, and working on a tight budget. The downside is that he has no top flight experience, or any history of a relegation battle.

Gordon Strachan is the next name, but would he want to come to Leeds, given the mess we are in? Plus is he has taken a relatively small club like Southampton to a lofty position. Well respected in the game, and strong Leeds ties. Downside that he probably wouldn’t want to come to Leeds, and he did take Coventry down a few years ago.

George Graham is a name that’s been thrown in – For, very good at tightening up the defence, and grinding out points – Against, not good to watch, left on a sour note, been out of the game for too long.

Of the others, Martin O’Neill is out of our league these days, I cannot see him coming here unless the debt problem is resolved. Eddie Gray would be a popular choice, but hasn’t managed for over a decade, and may not want to. Gary Mccallister left under a cloud, and is too inexperienced, and Gary Megson probably wouldn’t jump ship form WBA to try and rescue us.

The picture should become a little clearer in the next 48 hours – check here for the very latest.

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