Time for Redders to Take His Chance at Leeds
Article by @jezaldinhoFollow e-Leeds United on Twitter!
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Through a process of natural selection, loyalty and simply being in the right place at the right time, Neil Redfearn has found himself back in the position whereby he could finally grasp the boss’s chair at Elland Road.
He’s been here before though. First time round he had to take the wheel after Simon Grayson was sacked. Then he had to step in again when his successor Warnock departed.
Following Grayson’s stint Redders guided the team to six points from a possible twelve and following Warnock’s departure he oversaw a loss at Charlton before McDermott was brought in.
All valuable experience no doubt, so is it a case of third time lucky for United’s much-respected Academy boss? There’s a growing feeling that it could well be.
Cellino made a public attempt to bring Oscar Garcia to the club, a move that just about all Leeds fans would have been happy with. As things panned out though, it wasn’t to be as he chose Watford instead; suggesting he feels current position holds more water than tradition and potential. Fair enough.
Other names remain in the frame but as fans are now coming to expect from Cellino - he has spoken his mind, this time by stating he’s ‘confused’ with the situation and as such is rapidly warming to the idea of letting Redders get on with it while the cream rises to the top.
This very much puts the ball into Redfearn’s court, or into his own hands as it were, and barring a sudden change of direction from Cellino (which is never to be unexpected), things will remain as they are for the Birmingham game.
The fixture at St Andrews comes after a prolonged period at Thorpe Arch following the International break. This gift of a fortnight will have been a godsend for Redfearn as it has given him and the ever-changing squad a chance to train, practice and get to know each other.
For the first time in several years, Leeds United has a squad full of young talent that will be all raring to go and play without fear. We saw glimpses of this last week against Bolton and all credit must go to Redfearn.
For this reason in particular he must be given a shot at the head coach role. He has a personal affection for the likes of Cook, Mowatt and Dawson as he’s trained them, developed them and watched them grow into what he now describes as the most talented crop of youngsters the club’s seen since the Wilkinson era.
Although arguably doomed from the start, this was Hockaday’s biggest mistake. Fans would have been far kinder to him had he shown more faith in the youngsters and rolled the dice in their favour as opposed to sticking with the senior players that repeatedly showed themselves lacking in energy, ability, organisation and desire.
While always a gamble, Redfearn wasn’t scared to trust them and it paid off handsomely. A confidence and positivity flooded into the club straight away and now, looking through the squad at his disposal, Redfearn will be licking his lips at the possibility of what might lie ahead for these lads.
The experience and influence he’s had over the academy boys over the past few years makes him ideally placed to bring the best out of them at senior level. Providing he can forge the same relationship with the new talents like Sloth, Adryan and Benedicic then we could have something very special on our hands.
Besides picking a team, the other conundrum Redfearn or anyone else faces now is that of tactics and formations. The squad is relatively well stocked in all areas now but there is a particular wealth of midfielders.
Does he rotate or does he play with a fluid five across the middle and utilise the likes of Adryan, Sloth, Dawson and Benedicic behind Sharp or Antenucci?
We also finally seem to have some pace to use out wide with Doukara, Ajose and Montenegro, not to mention Byram and White who are also very capable of skinning full backs and supplying service in the box.
It’s up to the head coach to decide and decide Redfearn must before the Birmingham game. What we do know though is that he won’t stray too far away from the formula that did so well against Bolton and at the very least, we’ll play with energy and desire.
Should we go on to win the game then we’ll head to Bournemouth with even more confidence and belief; a pattern that will repeat with every good result.
Obviously the other side of that coin is to look at how Cellino might react to a loss and the answer lies in the nature of it really. Play well, fight hard and lose and Redfearn should live to fight another day at Bournemouth.
Capitulate in the manner of Hockaday’s tenure and it will likely spell the end of the caretakers duties for a third time as Cellino makes an emotion fuelled decision to look elsewhere.
One thing’s that’s clear is that Redfearn has the backing of the fans and, unlike Hockaday who was finished before he began, he has everyone behind him hoping for a win.
Just as fans like a homegrown player, so they will get behind a home grown manager; providing his charges do him credit on the field.
@jezaldinho
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