What The Locals Say.........

Last updated : 06 October 2003 By Kevin Markey
First off is Matt Reeder of the Yorkshire Post, he writes;

A week of high drama at Elland Road ended with an unexpected sting in the tail as once again doubts were raised over the future of Leeds manager Peter Reid.

While his players were still celebrating their first home victory of the league season, assistant manager Kevin Blackwell was revealing for the first time the 'unworkable' level of pressure both he and Reid had been forced to endure during the most testing of weeks.

Unsure if their flimsy mid-week vote of confidence from chairman John McKenzie will amount to anything more than a short stay of execution, the duo have every right to question whether they have, or indeed want, a future with the crisis-hit club.

Victory over Blackburn coupled with the full backing of a noisy home crowd, who took every opportunity possible to sing out in support of the manager, will have improved the sceptical mood within the camp.

Whether it is enough to stop Reid from walking away now remains to be seen, though should he resign he would be turning his back on an £850k pay-off which would accompany any sacking.

Reports suggesting he had indeed issued Prof McKenzie and the board with a 'taking 24 hours to think things over' statement were wide of the mark.

It could be, however, that Reid was happy to let such suggestions grow as it would no doubt give the board which doubted him further cause for concern.

There is little doubt he is still very upset with the way his future was determined in such a public way last week.

Privately he is seething after being placed on trial by the chairman, who is out of the country on business this week, just seven games into the new season.

Pressure from City investors and American bond holders - concerned they will lose millions if the club is relegated - resulted in a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the club and Reid for four days while players, financial advisors and even supporters were consulted.

The fact it was all played out like a soap opera in the public eye and that it took so long for McKenzie to decide on an outcome has left a sour taste in the manager's mouth.

His decision not to address the press following Saturday's victory only served to heighten the drama as he sent Blackwell out to do all of the talking.

The former Sheffield United coach has only been at the club 10 weeks but has already discovered what a roller-coaster ride life can be at Elland Road.

Shocked at how the manager's position was placed under scrutiny at such an early stage of the season, he admitted there was still very much a feeling of impending doom surrounding the club.

"Peter Reid is a fighter, he says he has not resigned, he has said he won't resign but at this time I do not know where we stand at this football club, nobody has come up with a definitive this way or that," he said.

"I do not know if Peter Reid is going to walk away but I think there is a perception that we are on borrowed time here. Please God I hope he does not leave, but I don't know if Peter Reid will be manager in two weeks' time.

"I have been in the game long enough to see something coming but I did not see this one at all. It was a complete shock. It may need us to sit down with the chairman over the next two weeks and sort out the future. I don't think you can do the job properly with such pressure hanging over you.

"There is a major decision here for Leeds United Football Club. They are heavily in debt, they cannot go out and get players they want and when you are working under those conditions it is no good people whinging about a few bad results or a loss of form. This club has let a lot of quality players go, if they were still here then yes there would be a case for asking questions.

"Leeds United is an institution, it is good for English football but we are going through tough times. We should all be helping it back to where it should be by working together or else we sit back and watch it die by kicking it when it is down."

Seth Johnson was the unlikely Leeds hero as his first half double strike provided too much of a deficit for a struggling Blackburn to claw back.

With only one goal for the club prior to kick-off, he settled the nerves by tapping in on 11 minutes after Brad Friedel had fumbled a weak strike from Mark Viduka and then he volleyed in from the angle just before the half hour to finally put a smile on Reid's face.

It was a vastly improved performance from the under-pressure United players but one which should be the norm and not the exception.

Rovers did have chances as Australian Brett Emerton wasted a number of openings and Andy Cole struck a post. Italian Dino Baggio set the pulses racing when he ensured a nervy final few minutes with a late consolation goal.

Relief was clear and present inside the ground. There was, however, a distinct impression this latest chapter in Leeds United's chequered history still has some way to go before being resolved.

Leeds United: Robinson; Kelly, Camara, Matteo, Olembe; Pennant (Sakho 85), Batty, Morris, Johnson; Smith, Viduka (Bridges 67).

Blackburn Rovers: Friedel; Reid (Baggio 65), Taylor, Johansson, Gresko; Emerton, Flitcroft (Ferguson h/t), Tugay (Grabbi 74), Thompson; Cole, Yorke.

Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield).

Leeds man of the match: Seth Johnson.