How Terry Venables thought Leeds United might surpass expectations after season opener - YEP 12/6/22
Leeds United will discover their opening-day opponents next week as part of Thursday’s new Premier League season fixture’s release.
By Lee Sobot
Based on the betting markets, the Whites are expected to
finish 15th in their third season back in the top flight.
Twenty one years ago, David O’Leary’s side were predicted to
end the 2001-02 campaign in fourth having filled the same position the previous
season – in addition to reaching the Champion League semi-finals.
After watching Leeds beat opening-day opponents Southampton
in August 2001, Terry Venables felt United might finish even higher than fourth
– yet O’Leary’s side dropped to fifth as the first signs of the slide appeared.
Venables, who would end up being a Leeds manager the
following year, cast his view as part ITV’s coverage of the opening day of the
season.
United’s first test came against a Saints side who had
finished the previous term in 10th place under boss Stuart Gray, Glenn Hoddle
having left for the Tottenham job in March.
Gray would be replaced by former Whites star Gordon Strachan
the following October, but was in the dugout as the Saints took on Leeds with a
side that featured the likes of Uwe Rosler, Wayne Bridge and Rory Delap.
The Whites went close to going ahead in the first half when
an Ian Harte corner was met by a thunderous header from Mark Viduka, whose
attempt flew narrowly over the bar.
But the first half ended goalless and future United manager
Rosler then squandered a fine chance to put the Saints ahead after the break,
the striker left one on one against Nigel Martyn after Rio Ferdinand slip, but
Martyn stood firm and turned Rosler’s shot behind for a corner.
His save provided the platform for United to finally go
ahead in the 67th minute as another Harte corner caused problems.
The Irishman’s delivery was headed back towards the edge of
the box and Lee Bowyer raced on to the loose ball before drilling home a fierce
half-volley.
O’Leary’s side then cranked up the pressure in search of a
second goal which arrived in sublime fashion with nine minutes left.
Leeds worked their way through the middle of the park as
Viduka laid the ball off to Eirik Bakke, who fed Alan Smith in front of the
Southampton defence.
Smith then produced a lovely flick to turn Dean Richards and
took one touch to take the ball into the area before firing a composed finish
past keeper Jones into the bottom right corner.
Southampton had finally been put to bed, and the Whites
almost added a third when Harte let fly from 25 yards out, his drive whistling
past the right-hand post.
And the Saints’ afternoon went from bad to worse when Claus
Lundekvam was given his marching orders for scything down Harry Kewell as he
looked to race in on goal in the final minute.
The challenge caused Kewell to lose a boot and Southampton
lost a man as Leeds began the new season in perfect fashion.
Asked in his post-match TV analysis if 7-1 fourth favourites
was about right for Leeds, Venables reasoned: “Yeah, I definitely think so.
"I thought last year did them a pile of good because
the confidence is up; they are playing, they are lively, they’re aggressive,
all round they look a really good side.
"They might even do better than fourth.”
Venables and Lynam were joined in the studio by Ally
McCoist, who turned his attention to 20-year-old Whites striker Smith on the
subject of his ability and his bleached hair-do.
“I like Smith. He’s really aggressive,” said McCoist.
“If he just learns to curb the aggression and direct it and
channel it then I think he can be a great player for years to come.”
Asked by Lynam what he thought of Smith’s hair, McCoist
quipped: “Dodgy. I’ll put that down as dodgy. But he’s young, you can get away
with things like that when you’re young.”