Viduka grateful for Reid passion

ON-SONG Leeds striker Mark Viduka has rediscovered his passion for the game under Peter Reid after admitting to having problems under former boss Terry Venables.

Viduka's two-goal salvo in Tuesday night's 2-0 victory over Fulham at Elland Road were arguably his most priceless since he joined the club for £6million from Celtic in the summer of 2000.

The 27-year-old's brace has virtually guaranteed Leeds Premiership football for next season as they are now six points clear of relegation-haunted West Ham, and with a far superior goal difference.

If Leeds do stay up bearing in mind no team has been relegated on the 41 points they have picked up since the inception of the Premiership 11 years ago - Viduka's scorching scoring streak will be looked upon as having been the key to their survival.

The Australia international has scored 19 goals this season, although 11 of those have come in his last seven league outings, with eight coming in the five games since Reid's arrival.

As Viduka revealed: "I haven't felt so good about my game since I scored four goals against Liverpool in November 2001."

That is due to Reid's no-nonsense, straightforward approach to which the players have responded, with Viduka adding: "He's turned it around for us.

"Under Terry Venables it was very tactical and technical. I had some problems early on under Terry. He dropped me for a few matches. I was injured and it wasn't going so well.

"But the last month or so has been excellent for me. Peter Reid has brought in a fresh, positive attitude that has worked wonders.

"You can see the difference in the way we're playing and training. The sessions are great and have helped lay the foundations for us. We enjoy his methods. Perhaps it got a bit stale under Terry Venables and certainly the passion was missing. Peter is just a breath of fresh air.

"But at the same time I've been around long enough to know the lows always follow the highs and you never know when they will come."

Viduka, who will be hoping he can continue his goal spree to the end of the season and beat the 22 he scored in his debut campaign, believes Leeds can now rest a little easier with survival almost assured.

"We were under a lot of pressure going into the game, but the boys responded well and now a massive weight has been lifted off our shoulders," added Viduka.

"We're working so much harder as a team, we're all fighting for each other and we're beginning to intimidate opponents, just like the Leeds of old."

Although Reid is close to fulfilling his brief of keeping Leeds in the Premiership, there is still no guarantee he will be given the full-time job this summer.

Viduka, when asked if he would like to see Reid around for a while, simply replied: "yeah", although the Australian himself may not be at Elland Road come the start of next season.

Leeds' debts of almost £80million could see further player sales this summer, with Viduka certain to be a wanted man given his current form, along with Harry Kewell and Alan Smith.

Viduka, not for the first time during his Leeds' career, has revealed he is content to stay at Elland Road.

"As I've said before, I'm happy here."