Leeds season in tatters

Sheffield United 1

The tie was the crux of Leeds’ season for both the club, and Venables in particular. However, their campaign has now come to a premature end.

This was Leeds’ last chance of gaining a lucrative place in next season’s UEFA Cup, with the loss of revenue this 1-0 defeat brings only adding to the club’s financial woes.

For Venables, it is almost certain his tenure as boss will come to an end this summer as Leeds look to regroup at all levels.

Ridsdale was seen on television after the match patting Blades boss Neil Warnock on the back, as well as shaking his hand in congratulation.

However, such an action did not go down well with Leeds fans who then besieged a local radio phone-in to bitterly complain about the defeat and Ridsdale’s gesture.

Warnock, though, thought it was sporting: “Peter came in after the game and was magnanimous in defeat.

“He felt that we had done well, which is not easy to say when you have lost out on your last opportunity of being in Europe next season.

“I think he was very sincere, something all the players appreciated, along with Terry’s gesture as he also shook my hand and said ‘well done’.

“On a day when you feel sorry for your opponents, you’ve got to enjoy this moment,” said Warnock.

The match was a dour derby affair played in blustery conditions and on a bumpy pitch hardly conducive to entertaining football.

Leeds had the opportunity to take a first half lead but Alan Smith and Harry Kewell were guilty of wasting guilt-edged chances.

After the break, and despite their season being on the line, Leeds surprisingly lacked passion and heart and the Blades took advantage.

After already beating Leeds earlier in the season in the third round of the Worthington Cup, the home side condemned their Premiership opponents to yet more misery when Steve Kabba volleyed home the 78th-minute winner.

In what has been a remarkable season for Warnock’s side, the club have won all 10 Worthington and FA Cup matches at Bramall Lane over the last two months.

Warnock, despite winning four play-off finals in his managerial career, described yesterday as the finest hour.

He added: “I’ve a great bunch of lads who want to win every day and there’s just no stopping them.

“This team works very hard and, while sometimes we may not play the prettiest of football, we cannot be at our best every week.

“But everybody died for the cause today. It’s a special day to be red and white.”

Venables, meanwhile, has conceded he will be ‘professional’ throughout the closing two months of a torturous campaign despite the fact Leeds now have nothing to play for.

“I am a professional and everyone at the club has a job to do,” stated Venables.

“By the end of the week we have got to be up and we’ve got to start to try and be consistent and improve our performances in the league.

“But sometimes, through circumstances, it’s all very well for me to expect that, but we work at it.

“But what has to happen is a reassessment of the whole season to make sure the club improves for the following season,” said Venables.

SHEFFIELD UTD: Kenny, Jagielka, Murphy, Page, Kozluk, Montgomery, Brown, McCall, Tonge, Allison, Kabba.

LEEDS: Robinson, Mills, Radebe, Lucic, Harte (Milner 81), Smith, Johnson S, Okon (Barmby 81), Bravo, Viduka, Kewell (Bakke 45).

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).