Post by WyomingWhite on Mar 17, 2006 11:57:22 GMT -1
Former boss Reid backs United for promotion
FORMER Elland Road boss Peter Reid is already chilling the bottle of champagne in readiness to propose a toast to mark Leeds United's return to the Premiership.
Reid firmly believes that, with just nine to games to go, his old club are well-placed to clinch promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship, and the Scouser admits he is backing Leeds every step of their way in their quest for the big time.
"I'm rooting for Leeds," said Reid. "I look for every result and I really do hope Kevin and the lads can do it.
"Kevin has done a great job since he was appointed manager and they have a great chance to do it this season.
"I know that Sheffield United are in pole position, but they've had a bit of a wobble recently.
"Kevin's doing it the right way though. He knows Leeds can only look after themselves and that's the way he's approached things."
Reid is taking great pride in the re-birth of United.
Installed
The former England star kept Leeds in the Premiership in 2003, following a stunning win at Arsenal on the penultimate day of the season, but presided over an horrific run at the start of the following campaign that saw the club stuck in the drop zone.
Reid parted company with Leeds in November 2004 after a spineless 6-1 thrashing at Portsmouth, but with his old head coach now installed as manager, his legacy lives on at Elland Road.
"What Kevin has done is down to him," said Reid.
"It's always difficult as a coach, but he has surrounded himself with experienced people and all credit to him and the players for what they have achieved so far this season.
"It's good to see the club with a smile on its face again.
"When I was there I tried to tell the chairman that we needed to change things around big time, but his hands were tied financially.
"It was a club in turmoil – that was there for all to see – and the atmosphere affected the players."
While United fans will have mixed memories of Reid's time at the helm – the Pompey debacle can be cancelled out by the 6-1 away win at Charlton – many on the inside believe his appointment started the wind of change. Even if things got worse before they got better.
"There wasn't a lot I could do," shrugged Reid.
"It wasn't a happy place when I came in and I know, on the face of it, things seemed to get a lot worse.
"But I tried to do things with a smile on my face and maybe things did change a little bit on that front.
"But Kevin has taken things on, there's a new chairman who has stabilised things, and the support is as terrific as it's always been."
When Reid departed Leeds his route back into management came at Coventry at the back end of the 2003-04 season, but he lost his job at Highfield Road in January last year after a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of the Elland Road club.
And so it is that United go into tomorrow's game with former boss Reid having insider knowledge of both camps.
He appointed Blackwell at Leeds and is a close pal of United assistant manager Sam Ellis, yet he was also responsible for Adrian Heath joining Coventry as assistant manager – he still works alongside Micky Adams – and knows plenty about the Sky Blues players.
"It's be a tough game for Leeds tomorrow," said Reid.
"It's a difficult place to go and they have a great home record.
"The new stadium has been a boost for them and Mick has signed some experienced players, the likes of Dennis Wise, Don Hutchison, James Scowcroft, who are proven at this level.
"I've spoken to Adrian who tells me that they are playing well at the moment, and they had a good result against Sheffield United last weekend."
But Reid reckons Leeds have shown enough character this season to suggest that they have nothing to fear anywhere between now and April.
United have lost just one of their last 14 Championship games and have reduced Sheffield United's advantage in second place to just five points.
"Leeds are on a roll at the minute," said Reid. "You only have to look at last week when they were down and out against Norwich yet came back to get a draw.
"They are showing real resilience. Look at the Southampton game in November – what a magnificent comeback. They are showing great determination and the timing is just right.
"They'll be looking for the win at Coventry tomorrow and I'll be looking for the result to keep things going.
"I'll be having a glass of Champagne at the end of the season if they do it."
