Former Chelsea player backs Wise to succeed

Chelsea legend Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris insists the respect commanded by Dennis Wise will help turn Leeds’ fortunes around.

Harris, one of the most feared defenders in the game during his time with Chelsea in the 1960s and 70s, believes Wise has already shown he has the ability to succeed following spells at Millwall and Swindon.

Wise helped Millwall to the FA Cup final and left Swindon in the promotion hunt in League Two to join up with former Chelsea chief Ken Bates at struggling United.

Harris told PA Sport: “He may be a small man in terms of height but he commands respect.

“He has a presence about him when he walks through the door and that rubs off on players.

“You can be the best manager in the world but if you lose the respect of the players then you have not got a cat in hell’s chance.

“He was a committed, wholehearted man as a player and he will be the same as a manager.

“You have to have good fortune as well and some luck, but he must have something about him because he took Millwall to the FA Cup final and has left Swindon high up in League Two.

“I think the time is right for him to go to Leeds. It is better taking over a club that is near the bottom because the only way is up.”

Some Leeds fans are unhappy with Wise’s appointment because of the bad blood that has existed between Chelsea and Leeds in the past but Harris says a few good results will get everyone behind him at Elland Road.

Harris added: “If he was to win three or four games on the turn then the history will be forgotten.”

Wise’s assistant, Gus Poyet, has warned United’s fans there is no quick fix to their plight.

Poyet told Radio Carve: “We are convinced that we can give a big help to Leeds and that’s why we have accepted the offer to come to a team that is not having a good season.

“I am sure that once we know all the players and we have the chance to work with them we will be able to start to get positive results and get the team out of the difficult situation which it is in now.”