WE'LL NEVER PLAY THEM AGAIN

Last updated : 26 April 2004 By Editor

Kids in sweetie shops eh? If Dickov had scored that penalty or we had not capitualted against City last month it could have been both.

From The Guardian:

The misery is almost over. Leeds United still cling to the possibility of preserving their Premiership status, but even faint hope is cruel. Relegation is becoming a reality.

It could effectively be confirmed next weekend, with Yorkshire's top-flight representatives condemned as much by a painful lack of self-belief as a crippling goal difference. The club is a tortured shadow of its former self, haunted by the heady days of the Champions League semi-finals. Portsmouth's second away win in the league this season, plundered ruthlessly and deservedly here, virtually performed a kindness.

The incentive was clear yesterday, though the shortcomings were damning. Had Leeds won they would have drawn level with stumbling Manchester City, potentially leaving Tottenham Hotspur and Everton still fretting above. Instead their surrender was meek until a frantic finale when the visitors were gripped by their own attack of the jitters.

"My boys will be down tonight," said Eddie Gary. On this evidence, his club could be down next week.

Harry Redknapp:

"If Leeds go down it could take them years to come back because the first division is a very hard league to get out of.

"West Ham had a fantastic team at the start of the season but they have had to sell their best players.

"Leeds will have to sell players even if they stay up so they are in for hard times whatever happens.

"Three years ago they were in the Champions League semi-finals and we were first division no-hopers. I thought at the time they would go on to dominate the Premiership but they got themselves into a mess financially and it is very hard to recover from that.