Cellino's Heroes

Article by Gwyn Hughes


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It's quite gratifying to be writing about a resurgent Leeds United on this bright Monday morning in late September. As we've enjoyed a wonderful Indian summer this month in contrast to the atrocious weather we had in August, I can easily compare it to the vast improvement in performances in our beloved Leeds since the sacking of Dave Hockaday on 28th August. What I have seen in the last two matches has been nothing short of a miracle. Over a space of a very short time we have already witnessed the makings of new footballing heroes at Leeds United.

From being labelled as a bunch of nobodies through the usual banter of the so called experts in the media, we have seen with our own eyes how shrewd Massimo Cellino and Nicola Salerno have been over the summer. We all hoped that they would find overseas talent that would be an improvement to the team, but secretly feared they could turn out to be the European version of the dross we already had.

Cellino was especially criticised and vilified for his unconventional ways, being rubbished and viewed as a clown by most of the media, but I still feel that we are lucky to have him as our owner. His passion for our club is unrivalled in my opinion. From a Leeds fan perspective he has done everything we hoped he would and has become a bit of a hero himself. He has rekindled the hope and expectation in us, and delivered big time. Let's hope it carries on.

All of a sudden the team is starting to be noticed for what they are. Quality signings. It is especially impressive for such a large contingent of foreign players to gel so quickly. This has to be the influence of Neil Redfearn who has shown that he is quite capable of managing a top side. The players are enjoying playing football and yesterday's match was testament to that. I'm especially pleased for Austin and Warnock who have survived the cull of last season's team, and have massively improved under Redfearn.

When was the last time that we could say that ALL the players played well? As I've said before, Austin and Warnock are playing better than I have ever seen them. Austin was probably my man of the match but in such a game I think it's unfair to pick one player. Antenucci is just what we need and is keeping Billy Sharp on the bench. His stamina is impressive for a 30 year old. Doukarra is a revelation and has become our most potent player. Sloth is fitting in nicely in midfield and to me does the same thing Dayley Blind is doing at Manchester United. Silvestri wasn't bothered at all yesterday so for a change he had a well deserved day off! Pearce is proving to be a reputable captain and often puts his body in the way of incoming shots. I've noticed that he has done this on many occasions, taking more responsibility and putting in displays worthy of a Leeds United captain. Bellusci is already a cult hero to the fans after that tremendous free kick at Bournemouth in mid-week, and his contribution in the making of the second Leeds goal against Huddersfield was awesome. These players ARE Leeds United players and Cellino and Salerno have chosen wisely.

Redfearn has done an amazing job looking after Cellino's team these last four games. I wonder if he will win the Manager of the Month award for September? I would be gobsmacked if he is not in the running. In any other club he would undoubtedly have been given the job of being Leeds United manager but here, again, Cellino has been clever. Giving Redfearn the job would create a gaping chasm in our youth developing strategy of continuing to produce young talented players capable of reaching and sustaining a first team place. And if Redfearn failed down the line he would be lost to Leeds altogether.

Over the years we have been one of the top clubs for producing young talent and Redfearn has been instrumental in that. I can only think of Manchester United as being another high ranked club in the same vein. Cellino knows that he can save an awful lot of his money by keeping the production line flowing. Even at Cagliari he was a fervent supporter of developing young players. However, he now has another problem.

Redfearn will have now acquired the taste for front line management and the fear is that we could lose this immensely talented coach to another club. In football there are always openings for coaches to get their first experience as first team management. I sincerely hope that scenario doesn't come up and I would personally love it if he could be the new number 2 at Leeds, and also manage to supervise the progress of our youngsters. Is it too much to expect? Maybe.

The assumption that seems to be going around is that our next manager is going to be Darko Milanic who recently bought out his contract at the Austrian club Sturm Graz. Apparently an announcement is close. By all reports Milanic favours a more defensive approach with his teams which will not be a bad thing in my view. If he can tighten the Leeds defence a bit more we will be hard to beat. Add the potent firepower and an increasingly impressive midfield we have already at the club and we have the makings of a very good and balanced unit. Baring in mind that we haven't even seen the likes of Adryan, Montenegro, Del Fabro and Benedici yet makes the future really bright for us.

Since sacking Hockaday Cellino has taken his time to find his replacement and he can again thank Redfearn for this. Leeds were in safe hands and Cellino could have taken the whole season to get the right man for all I care. There is a danger here, as expressed by many fans in the social media sphere, that Redfearn stepping down for the new man will have an effect of the form of the team. If Redfearn, however, is kept involved in some shape or form with the first team then it might well work. But Cellino has plumped for Milanic who will probably bring in his own backroom staff. But Redfearn's contribution to the team's success this month will hopefully ease Milanic into the job and I for one am looking forward to seeing if Cellino's magic will work yet again.

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