Leeds can regain focus under the microscope

Ridsdale and O'Leary restate commitment to the cause after fall-out from 'the boozy night that changed everything'

It was clever, but cruel. That photograph of a solemn David O'Leary, hands clasped in front of his chin, giving the impression that he is praying, which featured in an advertisement in national newspapers. Above the ad, promoting Channel 5's screening of Thursday's PSV Eindhoven v Leeds Uefa Cup fourth-round tie, was the legend: "He's Bet 75 Million On Tonight's Game".

How swiftly can public perception change. Virtually since he entered management, the loquacious Irishman has enjoyed the profile of a talented figurehead of a well-administered club; now he and they have to gird themselves against the cheap shots. Demonised for their players' on- and off-field antics, derided for a hefty outlay in the transfer market, now the club's vast expenditure appears not to have produced the anticipated Champions' League place, the gloss has been chipped off O'Leary and his bright young things.

Even the enthusiasm of those non-partisan souls for whom Leeds stirred a passion in their hearts with that Champions' League adventure last season has been dimmed. Maybe the manager, whose family has been the subject of hate mail, has seen his commitment to the cause diminished, too. As O'Leary expressed his displeasure himself during the week, ahead of the PSV game: "One boozy night has changed everything."

It was perhaps inevitable that there would be a period of instability following the Woodgate-Bowyer verdicts, after which the guilt, or otherwise, of the whole club was debated as a major public issue. It was not just the two accused who were forced to examine themselves and their conduct. "We had to live for two years with a shadow hanging over the club and knowing that at the end of it we'd have to deal with the outcome," says the Leeds chairman, Peter Ridsdale. "It was not the easiest of times and it has taken a lot out of David and me. It's taken time, but now we both feel we've come out stronger and we feel mentally re-energised."

Was he not concerned, though, that O'Leary was finding it difficult to deal with the recriminations and general fall-out from the trial, a situation exacerbated by on-field misdemeanours which had brought about lengthy suspensions to key players, and an extraordinarily extensive injury list? Ridsdale adds: "When times are tough people always ask how you are coping with it. But it's when times are difficult that you really learn about management and are the better for it.

"David and I went out for dinner a couple of weeks ago and had a long chat. We agreed then that we are both fully committed to what we started here, and are completely united in our view that we remain on the right track. Yes, we've had a difficult January, but every team goes through a bad period. Overall, it's been an excellent season. David has a six-year contract, which means it has about four years to run, and he is determined to deliver what he promised."

O'Leary's principal aim has been to design a team and structure that will enable Leeds to compete consistently for the championship. After a surprise qualification for the Champions' League in his first season, it didn't happen last season. Eight points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal, his team could "fail" once again. Entry into the InterToto Cup would appear to many to have desperation manically scribbled all over it.

Not so to the club's chairman. "We set out to get in the Champions' League this season, and with 12 games to go, there's still a good chance that we can finish in the top four," says Ridsdale. "If we don't, our objective will be the Uefa Cup. If that's not possible, we'll apply to enter the InterToto Cup."

He adds: "All I've said about that is that our wage bill will be determined by which competition we're in. People seem to be raising their eyebrows, but I don't see why. It makes business sense. However, there's no panic, no problem, at this stage." There will be no sale then of major players, like Harry Kewell? "What we don't intend to do is to sell any of our first-team squad, unless an offer came in that we could not possibly turn down."

They would certainly not want to do that if a Champions' League berth was secured. In that respect, talk of Leeds' demise is surely premature. It is true that, since that acrimonious afternoon at Ninian Park when Leeds suffered FA Cup elimination at the hands of Cardiff, O'Leary's men have lost three and drawn two of their fixtures, including defeats by Newcastle and Liverpool. But it is worth noting that in the 12 fixtures that remain, apart from Manchester United at home, Leeds face none of their top five rivals and in fact play several of those haunted by relegation. "I find it annoying that we are in sixth place, and people are saying it's all doom and gloom," says Ridsdale. "Many chairmen would be delighted to be in our position. I'm confident we will finish higher than sixth."

It could just be that he is correct, and that Thursday night in the Philips Stadium was the climacteric moment in Leeds' season. It was at this time last year that a sequence had already been started which propelled them from 13th to fourth place.

For much of Thursday's European tie it was as if we were witnessing an Imposters Eleven against PSV. Studs high from an opponent? The victim of a late lunge? Think nothing of it, old chap. Let me dust you down. It certainly wasn't the Leeds United who have been damned for their lack of discipline, on and off the field, this season. It was Leeds reunited in the positive aspects of football.

"I thought they played very much in the style of old," was O'Leary's assessment. "There was a lot of work from all the players, and a great deal of discipline, too. It is the appetite we've got to take into the Premiership now and get us back in the top four. Other people may have doubts, but I don't believe it's beyond us. I liked the way Alan Smith showed a lot of hunger and control. He was provoked, but he never retaliated. Danny Mills, too, was very calm and disciplined, just like Lee Bowyer."

The manager adds: "They were all under the microscope because of what has happened them this season. There's been a lot of talk about indiscipline on the field, but really it wasn't a collective matter. It was about certain individuals and they all showed good control on Thursday night. They are three footballers who have spent a lot of time out of the game in recent months. They are quality players and they make a difference, but they have been suspended this season through their own failings. I am sure they have learnt a lesson. Certainly, the way they performed in Holland proved to me that they have."

The problem for O'Leary, of course, is that no sooner have Smith, Mills and Bowyer returned then they will be out again, barred by domestic suspensions from the team to play Charlton at Elland Road today. Robbie Fowler will replace Smith, Gary Kelly will come in for Mills, and David Batty will probably be back in midfield, assuming he has returned from the high seas, his Dennis Bergkamp-style decision to travel to Holland by sea apparently not appreciated by the Leeds hierarchy.

Neither will they be amused if Bowyer fails to agree a proposed new five-year contract by the summer. His representatives are currently in negotiation with the club and it is likely that a deal will be concluded. "Lee has said to me that he believes his future is here," says O'Leary. "If he does not agree a new contract, it would be a kick in the teeth for the supporters, the chairman and the management after all the support he has been given." But then as manager of Leeds, the Irishman has had to learn quickly that not everyone maintains the standards of behaviour he himself demands. He will praying that on a night at the Philips Stadium all his players have finally seen the light.