Mighty Leeds Weblog

AWAY GOALS ROOLZ Written by: Rob Conlon Troyes were only formed in 1986, but even before appointing Paddy Kisnorbo as manager in 2022, they’d found time for history with Leeds United. Drawn together in the second round of the 2001/02 UEFA Cup, Troyes manager Alain Perrin described the fixture as “David contre Goliath”, writing in his programme notes, “Leeds are like Everest, and conquering them would be a remarkable exploit.” David O’Leary was warning his players against complacency. Troyes qualified for the tournament after beating Newcastle in one of three finals of a long lost competition I now dream of Leeds being able to compete in, the Intertoto Cup. In the second leg at St James’ Park, Troyes embarrassed the hosts by taking a 4-1 lead. Gary Speed scored to help Newcastle come back to earn a 4-4 draw, but Troyes still qualified on away goals. Leeds went into the first leg at Elland Road off the back of a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, and were top of the Premier Leag...

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 Tottenha...

P aul Merson has been presiding over Leeds United’s Premier League return of late. By Lee Sobot The former midfielder is, of course, a mainstay of Jeff Stelling’s Soccer Saturday panel on Sky Sports News. But two decades ago Merson was still battling it out with Leeds, the frame of the goal twice denying the midfielder as United left Aston Villa with a 2-1 success in January 2001. Twenty one years on, Villa will provide United’s next opponents this month for the third fixture between the two sides since their recent top-flight returns. But the two clubs had 12 consecutive seasons of battles between 1993 and 2004, and Merson’s frustration came in one of United’s final triumphs at Villa Park before going down. Leeds had finished the previous season in third place and were on their way to the Champions League semi-finals the following term, the clash at Villa coming one month after a 1-0 triumph at Lazio. But David O’Leary’s side then lost four of their next seven league gam...