Leeds United

Leeds United Boss Dennis Wise - 1st Year Review

October 24th 2007 marked one year since Dennis Wise agreed to take over as Leeds United manager at Elland Road.

Its fair to say that Leeds fans were very sceptical when chairman Ken Bates brought him in. Fear and paranoia were rife amongst a battered and bruised club support who were convinced that the 'Chelsea' connection was a conspiracy to oversee the final demise of our great club.

My initial reaction to Dennis's appointment was one of cautious optimism. Whatever your opinion about Wise he has been successful where ever he has gone - as player and manager. He also has huge drive and fighting qualities which were desperately needed by a club sinking fast into the abyss.

The fact that the new manager was unable to stop our relegation did put doubts in my mind that maybe the appointment was not going to work out. However, it is clear that the situation last season was impossible from the moment Dennis walked through the door. It was bad enough in the Premiership leaking 6 goals at Portsmouth, but shipping in 5 to Luton in the Championship? The woeful dressing room situation resulting from previous boss Kevin Blackwell's reign was like a cancer. The club lurched from one crisis to another, from a mole with a leaked team sheet to a captain who asked to abandon ship.

Then followed the most horrendous summer in our or anyone elses history. It would have been so easy for Dennis to walk away on several different occasions. It was unclear, right up until the eve of the season, whether we would even have a team to support at Tranmere Rovers on the opening day. I remember going to the pre-season game at York thinking it might be our last ever game.

Therefore the blistering start the team have made this season under the most extreme circumstances is quite unbelievable. What a joy it is to be anticipating a possible win every week, after the seemingly endless torment of the last few years. Consecutive Manager of the Month awards speak volumes about the huge job Wise has already done, and continues to do.

Well done Dennis, thank you for turning our great club around in the last 12 months.

The Sky's the Limit for Leeds United!

After a whirlwind first 12 games of the season the League table is now taking shape. Notwithstanding Leeds much publicised 15 point deduction, we still find ourselves well positioned for a strong promotion push, and possible Championship tilt. As the first quarter of the season is behind us it's time to consider where, ultimately, the Whites might finish come next May.

Mid-Table - On the eve of the season Leeds fans everywhere would have gleefully accepted comfortably avoiding relegation to the old Division 4 after incurring a mountainous 15 handicap on the rest of the field. But, after the deficit was wiped out in the fastest possible time, the expectations of the fans were already rising. Mere survival would now surely be an anti-climax after a start that has indicated much more promise.

Top 6 - Despite negotiating the first 12 league games and emerging with our unbeaten record intact, the common feeling is that performances have yet to hit a level at which would suggest United dominating the division. The first priority is always to be solid and resilient, picking up points along the way. Boss Dennis Wise has instilled a strong work-ethic throughout his squad, a quality sadly lacking for so long at Elland Road. As we now find ourselves within one win of 4th place, a top 6 finish seems achievable. The key to making the play-offs and beyond will be how the side react to the inevitable poor run.

Play-Off Winners - The ultimate aim for the club is to bounce back to the Championship at the first attempt. To achieve that via a run out at the new Wembley would be a special day in the history of the club. However, with recent and not-so-recent play-off heartache still a vivid memory, the emotional roller-coaster of a 'Winner Takes All' clash would once again push the nerves of the United faithful to the limit.

Runners-Up - Automatic promotion and extra time for the management team to plan ahead for an assault on the Championship would provide an ideal scenario. However, a huge return of points would still be required from the remainder of the season. Much will depend on form, injuries, suspensions, and whether Dennis Wise can strengthen his squad with the right quality during the January transfer window.

Champions - The dream outcome, two-fingers up to the each and every club who stuck the knife in at a time when we were on our knees. A statement to the rest of football that United are back. Obviously no-one is under any illusions that winning the title will be easy, but the incredible start has already lifted expectations to a near ridiculous level. Performances will need a significant improvement, but based on our progress so far anything is possible. Dare we even dream?

So there it is, 5 potential outcomes to one of the most unique seasons in our history. The question is, where do YOU think it will all end next May?