Will the Chaos Turn Things Around For Leeds United?

Article by e-Leeds Correspondent Gwyn Hughes

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The off the field shenanigans' of Leeds United in recent days have been well documented and arguably been the talking point of the football world. Let's face it, the events that occurred on Friday night spiced up Sky Sports' Transfer Deadline 'spectacular'. No other club outside the Premiership would have attracted that kind of media coverage. The image and influence of Leeds United is still alive and kicking.

Everybody, including me, expected the game against Huddersfield to go south and when we went 1-0 down and the visitors getting on top gave me a sinking feeling, one that I was convinced that we were going to get hammered, because Huddersfield are a decent side, fair play and have a good record against us. When Leeds were knocking in the goals in the second half it came over me that this is a good side, and showed what they are capable of when the mood suits them. Even Jimmy Kebe was getting in on the act, and despite my previous misgivings of him, I was pleased that he finally showed up. Perhaps he will be an important cog in McDermott's plans after all. What do we know, eh?

Mulling things over the week-end, I began to realise that Cellino has no chance of passing the 'fit and proper person test' by the Football League. How can he with his past record and the stunt he pulled on Friday? If he passes, it will make those who run the League a joke and open the floodgates for other 'less than perfect' candidates to run our clubs. That simply is not acceptable and a precedent that should not be set. I have been guilty of thinking that this guy will solve our financial problems (especially now that it has been revealed that Leeds have been losing money every month) and I was prepared to bypass his past misdemeanours and dubious personality. Surely he can't be that bad, I thought?

Well, another alternative has cropped up over the week-end that may be a better option for the club. The Farnan consortium, 'Together Leeds', which has been hovering in the background, unwavering in its belief that they still have a chance of taking over the club, is still hanging in there ready to pounce on the Italian's plans when he ultimately fails to be ratified by the Football League. And strengthening this consortium is the possibility that the concern that was expected to take over the club may join forces. The failure of Sport Capital to take over Leeds turned out to be quite embarrassing having been in discussion since November and then failing to secure the ownership. But with Farnan's group still in the wings it seems to me a better bet to now allow these two amalgamate and pool their resources to make Leeds United stronger.

The result on Saturday surprised everybody, even die-hard fans, and it seems to have saved Brian McDermott's job. The turn-out, over 30,000 supporters, showed their support by singing his name, stamping their approval of the ex-Reading manager staying as boss of Leeds. It was good to hear that McDermott was back at Thorp Arch this morning supervising training sessions, and announcing his commitment to being the Leeds United manager. I had a feeling that he wouldn't walk away. How can anyone walk away after hearing about the support he had on Saturday. I was gob-smacked but relieved when I heard that he had not been sacked. Despite recent results being bad if not atrocious, I still think he should be given the chance to form his own Leeds United team, which he will when he gets to sign further players. With his re-reinstatement as Leeds boss there is a feeling of renewed optimism. The crazy events of the last 72 hours will, I feel, strangely galvanise the club as a whole, and increase efforts to get the ownership issue completed as soon as possible, and enable McDermott to finally be free to lead Leeds United.

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