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Leeds - time to reflect
By Andy Baggott
May 28 2008
As the disappointing memory of Sunday fades, it’s worth remembering what a fantastic effort last season was for Leeds. This time last year, other clubs were planning their transfer targets, signing players and planning ahead. Leeds didn’t know if they would have a club, let alone who they could sign.
The cruel 15 point penalty imposed by the Football League meant that Leeds were not only playing catch up with regards to the table, they also missed out on a host of potential summer signings.  The team was cobbled together at the last minute by Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet, and started the season in blistering form, wiping out the 15 points in the quickest possible time.  As the season went on, the last minute goals that bailed us out so often stopped going in, and when Gus Poyet left, the form deserted us.  By the time Dennis Wise left in late January, the team was on the slide.  The timing of his departure was the worst possible – he had brought in players to suit his style of play, then he was gone.  Gary Mac came in, and had no time to sign his players.  After a slow start, the new passing style started to take hold, and Leeds were back on a roll.  The failure of the appeal to get the points back knocked us back a bit, but the loan signing of Dougie Freedman was inspired.  The team finished 5th, which in itself was an outstanding achievement, and the play offs loomed.  A poor showing in the first leg, was soon forgotten as Jonny Howsons double saw us through.The final came, and it proved to be a step too far,  A poor performance from a side lacking width saw Doncaster deservedly win – the big pitch at Wembley caught up with a team that seemed drained and out of ideas.   Although we failed at the final hurdle, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the team itself was good enough to go up automatically.  A few tweaks here and there, and the right signings over the coming months, will see us start the season as favourites.  As down hearted as we are, there is much to look forward to being a Leeds fan, and the season can’t come soon enough for me…

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Leeds - time to reflect
Posted by: Unofficial Leeds United (IP Logged)
Date: 28/05/2008 09:31

Leeds - time to reflect

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Re: Leeds - time to reflect
Posted by: leedsnproud (IP Logged)
Date: 28/05/2008 09:31

bring it on,i cant wait to see who he signs for the new season,and knowing we are on a level playing field,i wonder what our chances are of going through the season unbeaten.

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Re: Leeds - time to reflect
Posted by: adsal (IP Logged)
Date: 31/05/2008 09:05

Had we not stumbled at the final hurdle, it would have been one of our most remarkable seasons. With all the adversity that we had, clearly outlined above, to finish in fifth place was an achievement few teams could have managed. To me, the month of January was our worst. With all respect due to Dennis Wise for the start he managed to our season, he seemed out of his depth when he decided to change the midfield. It is just not possible to make such a change in midseason. We were expecting a Central Defender, a Left Back one midfielder and a striker. Instead he focused on getting a new midfield. All credit to Macca for having managed to blend the new signing quickly.

When we consider that we were pipped for automatic promotion by not more than 6 points, the 15 points penalty seems much too cruel. I cannot understand why our appeal failed. However, it is over now. Let us hope that our next season will take us further on the way back to where we belong: among the leaders of the premiership. Yet we must not think that promotion is guaranteed. It will need much hard work. It needs for Macca to continue his good work and for the team to respond in the same way, deleting the games against Huddersfield, the first and tird games in the playoffs.

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