Independent 12/8/07
Tranmere Rovers 1 Leeds Utd 2: Kandol lights up as Leeds flicker at last
By Ian Winrow at Prenton Park
Published: 12 August 2007
As reality checks go, this could have been a lot harsher. With once regular visits to the San Siro and Rome Olympic Stadium now replaced with a tricky opening
day trip to Tranmere's Prenton Park, Dennis Wise's side successfully negotiated their first experience of life in League One thanks to Tresor Kandol's late headed winner that offered hope that Leeds United may have finally already reached rock-bottom.
Starting life in the third tier weighed down by the 15-point penalty imposed by the Football League for a breach of insolvency rules following the club's disastrous financial implosion at the end of last season, Kandol's goal ensured a summer of anxiety and frustration gave way a rare moment of euphoria, pricking the tension that has grown up around the fallen Yorkshire club.
"We enjoyed that," admitted Wise. "It was nice to back playing football. We just wanted to get this out of the way after all the hype," the manager added. "You don't want to have to wait a long time for your first win and find yourselves a long way behind. We've got a lot of catching up to do as it is."
With chairman Ken Bates vowing to take the club's battle to over-turn the daunting points penalty to the FA after having an appeal emphatically rejected by United's fellow Football League clubs, Wise's side showed similar stubborn characteristics in recovering to claim three invaluable points after falling behind to Chris Greenacre's first half goal. Leeds will remain at the foot of the division until at least September 8th, but this win at least offered hope they could soon move up the table.
It wasn't pretty, but this win was exactly what Leeds needed. Denied the opportunity to bring in players until the club's transfer embargo was lifted at the start of this month, Wise has hurriedly strengthened his squad although the patched-up nature of his side was all too apparent during the opening half. Greenacre's goal underlined the feeling that Leeds inexorable slide from grace was set to continue after angry half-time words, Leeds emerged rejuvenated, levelling through Matt Heath in the 55th minute before Kandol stooped to meet Richardson's cross in the final minute of normal time.
"This is only the start," added Wise. "We have a long, long way to go. When you feel the odds are stacked against you it can work in your favour."
Tranmere Rovers 1 Leeds Utd 2: Kandol lights up as Leeds flicker at last
By Ian Winrow at Prenton Park
Published: 12 August 2007
As reality checks go, this could have been a lot harsher. With once regular visits to the San Siro and Rome Olympic Stadium now replaced with a tricky opening
day trip to Tranmere's Prenton Park, Dennis Wise's side successfully negotiated their first experience of life in League One thanks to Tresor Kandol's late headed winner that offered hope that Leeds United may have finally already reached rock-bottom.Starting life in the third tier weighed down by the 15-point penalty imposed by the Football League for a breach of insolvency rules following the club's disastrous financial implosion at the end of last season, Kandol's goal ensured a summer of anxiety and frustration gave way a rare moment of euphoria, pricking the tension that has grown up around the fallen Yorkshire club.
"We enjoyed that," admitted Wise. "It was nice to back playing football. We just wanted to get this out of the way after all the hype," the manager added. "You don't want to have to wait a long time for your first win and find yourselves a long way behind. We've got a lot of catching up to do as it is."
With chairman Ken Bates vowing to take the club's battle to over-turn the daunting points penalty to the FA after having an appeal emphatically rejected by United's fellow Football League clubs, Wise's side showed similar stubborn characteristics in recovering to claim three invaluable points after falling behind to Chris Greenacre's first half goal. Leeds will remain at the foot of the division until at least September 8th, but this win at least offered hope they could soon move up the table.
It wasn't pretty, but this win was exactly what Leeds needed. Denied the opportunity to bring in players until the club's transfer embargo was lifted at the start of this month, Wise has hurriedly strengthened his squad although the patched-up nature of his side was all too apparent during the opening half. Greenacre's goal underlined the feeling that Leeds inexorable slide from grace was set to continue after angry half-time words, Leeds emerged rejuvenated, levelling through Matt Heath in the 55th minute before Kandol stooped to meet Richardson's cross in the final minute of normal time.
"This is only the start," added Wise. "We have a long, long way to go. When you feel the odds are stacked against you it can work in your favour."