Change in Attitude for Leeds Strike pair

By Rich B
February 4 2004

At the start of this month you couldn't get odds on Viduka leaving Elland Road and Bridges eagerly signing a new contract - but with events over the last few days, there has been acoimplete change in attitude from the pair.

Michael Bridges left Elland Road on the last day of the Transfer window for a trip up the A1 to St James Park - the striker, who moved to Elland Road five years ago had a fantastic first season with the whites, scoring an impressive 21 goals however he suffered tweo horrendous injuries that he is still recovering from. He has made only a handful of appearences this season and has looked a shadow of the player we came to love. It is no surprise he chose to move as he was not being offered a new contract at Elland Road - more to do with waiting for the financial situation to sort itself out we understand however we are surprised that he has quickly come out in the press with statements such as 'Couldn't wait to leave' 'Been looking for a loan deal' and 'I was stale at Elland Road' - for a club that has supported him throughout, it is a surprising lack of loyalty.

On the flip side though is the attitude of Mark Viduka who has returned to the club after spending three weeks at his father's bedside who was suffering from a serious heart problem. The Duke is keen to repay the loyalty the club has shown him and help fight the threat of relegation He is quoted as saying;
"Things are difficult now, of course they are, but we're going to give it our best shot, there's nothing else we can do. Either we feel sorry for ourselves and start to drop or we can keep believing.

"Basically there is nothing to lose, we just have to fight for every game.

"I hope that is the spirit amongst the other players, I've only been back for two days, but I hope it is. I hope we can all realise that it is up to us to fight our way out of this"

The the Duke we say welcome back and send our warmest wishes to his father and his family - maybe he has been badly represented in the press all this time and maybe, he can turn things around for us now!