What was the reason for Leeds' demise?

[mellon002]

Just wondering what everyone thought? We had all these great players and yet here we are in the Championship.

[Looper121]

Just checked the standings on this fine morning...depressing.

[danielmak]

When David O'Leary purchased Robbie Fowler I knew there was going to be hell to pay for that transfer. It wasn't the purchase of Fowler itself, although that move was horrible, but the ways in which that move fit in with his spending spree. Robbie Keane, Mark Viduka, and attack-oriented midfielders like Smith (who could move up if Keane or Viduka were hurt) and Kewell (who also could move up) were enough for the Premiership and CL (and of course Bridges was a possibility if he ever recovered from knee problems--still waiting on him to return to glory, I guess). Fowler wasn't doing squat at Liverpool after he returned from his injury. Duberry got a contract extension but never played. And Seth Johnson cost a pretty penny but rarely played.

Because of this spending spree, good players needed to be sold when things went bad. So Leeds still have Duberry and Johnson but don't have Woodgate, Ferdinand, Bowyer, or Kewell. I guess the Villa fans are lucky that Villa management will not spend because O'Leary doesn't understand filling holes only. Take care.

[LaBella]

When David O'Leary purchased Robbie Fowler I knew there was going to be hell to pay for that transfer. It wasn't the purchase of Fowler itself, although that move was horrible, but the ways in which that move fit in with his spending spree. Robbie Keane, Mark Viduka, and attack-oriented midfielders like Smith (who could move up if Keane or Viduka were hurt) and Kewell (who also could move up) were enough for the Premiership and CL (and of course Bridges was a possibility if he ever recovered from knee problems--still waiting on him to return to glory, I guess). Fowler wasn't doing squat at Liverpool after he returned from his injury. Duberry got a contract extension but never played. And Seth Johnson cost a pretty penny but rarely played.

Because of this spending spree, good players needed to be sold when things went bad. So Leeds still have Duberry and Johnson but don't have Woodgate, Ferdinand, Bowyer, or Kewell. I guess the Villa fans are lucky that Villa management will not spend because O'Leary doesn't understand filling holes only. Take care.

None of the above: I agree with Danielmak. I vote for the dumb ass mortgage of the pitch and future ticket sales... but we've known this for years. The Kewell move in which the team got less then a Million Pounds is disgusting. (heck his agent got paid more then LUFC did!) Other then Alan Smith's move (and maybe Milner.. still TBD) we got little value as our Debt was out in the open.

[mellon002]

Well I was just trying to figure out what the problem was on the field. Certainly mistakes were made in the front office, but what could have been better on the field. Was it lack of offense? Defense? So on and so forth.

[ZeMiguel]

About the problems on the field i think we never had a coach that could handle the team! Only a few coaches arround the world... imagine Mourinho!!! He wouldnt care... he wouldn't mind selling the players!!! He would get a few players that would earn a few pounds and they would make Leeds rise again! He maid that in Porto! Only a few stayed. Very few!!! He got several players from little clubs!! Paulo Ferreira is an example!!! Leeds didn't have a coach with mind and balls to get the best out of each player...

[danielmak]

About the problems on the field i think we never had a coach that could handle the team! Only a few coaches arround the world... imagine Mourinho!!! He wouldnt care... he wouldn't mind selling the players!!! He would get a few players that would earn a few pounds and they would make Leeds rise again! He maid that in Porto! Only a few stayed. Very few!!! He got several players from little clubs!! Paulo Ferreira is an example!!! Leeds didn't have a coach with mind and balls to get the best out of each player...

I don't really agree with your assessment as far as Leeds was concerned. O'Leary put together a team of mostly young and hungry (i.e., scrappy players) who gelled well as a team. He did this through a mix of buying young players from smaller clubs, drawing from the youth team, and buying some higher priced veterans (e.g., Robbie Keane and Mark Viduka). I think he was a good coach and he built a good squad. Hell, he took them to hte semis of the CL. However, as I noted earlier in this thread, enough was enough. There was no place for Fowler or Seth Johnson on the squad and there was no reason to shell out the cash for them. (BTW I know Barnby was El Tel's signing but what happened to that guy? We were Liverpool's dumping ground--Fowler and Barnby and I know there's some irony in that for myself given the Liverpool affiliation in my profile--but Leeds and Liverpool are neck and neck for me in England so I would prefer Liverpool dump crappy players on any other team besides Leeds.) None of that is to say that Murhino hasn't shown that he is a great coach, a skillful evaluator of talent, and a smart tactitician. Rather, O'Leary built something in Leeds but lost all sense of scale. Ridsdale was equally to blame. That fool let O'Leary spend wildly and then hired two hacks when O'Leary was fired. Take care.

[mellon002]

Hey if you're a Leeds fan, represent my friend.

[B Rock]

I think its all of it. I just feel that the talent on this team is mediocre currently and about befitting of their place in the league.

The squad just doesn't yell quality, and certainly lacks any difference makers. Brian Deane is an average CCC striker, Ricketts is rubish, and Healy has been suprisingly underwhelming this season.

The midfield is devoid of quality. Bakke would probably be the biggest "name" player and he is quite honestly garbage. You expect a midfield of Gregan, Lennon, Richardson, and another of the underwhelming youths to get it done? Its just not going to happen. This is the spot which I think needs the most attention in the summer.

The one positive is Clarke Carlisle, I think he is the rock which you guys can build upon. Butler is fair enough, and if Pugh can fill a role for a CCC team.

But what it comes down to is Leeds just didn't have the requisite quality this season on the pitch, and when you look at the names on the lineup sheet I don't know why anyone would be suprised.

[danielmak]

Hey if you're a Leeds fan, represent my friend.
Only so much room in the "Team" bar in the profile.

[Samarkand]

The Kewell move in which the team got less then a Million Pounds is disgusting. (heck his agent got paid more then LUFC did!)
As a Liverpool fan, I'm firmly of the belief that Leeds robbed us on that deal. Kewell has done sweet FA since his transfer; if I remember correctly, his last season with Leeds was iffy also, no?

Regarding the topic, my opinion is that it was the Abramovich-type spending without having an Abramovich behind the scenes, that did Leeds in. I really wonder what would have happened if Leeds had had another successful Champions League run the season after they reached the semis. Just possibly it might have forestalled so much, and got them over the hump both football-wise (maybe winning some stuff) and, more importantly, financially. Ridsdale was blinded by the (apparent) success of a place in the CL semis.