Wilkinson revived Leeds after laying the Revie ghosts
AS the man who last achieved what Marcelo Bielsa is attempting, Howard Wilkinson knows all about the pressure of managing Leeds.
Wilkinson took down every picture of the Don Revie era when he was appointed in 1988 in order to banish the ghosts that haunted his predecessors.
His controversial “shock treatment” worked and he delivered promotion in 1990 by winning the old Second Division.
Wilkinson then sealed his legendary status by capturing the top-flight title in 1992. “When I arrived they were still haunted by the shadows of the glorious Revie era,” he told Express Sport.
“I decided it needed to stop clinging to that, stop looking back and start looking forward.
“One of the first things I did – which was symbolic really but it had the effect – was to have all those pictures around the place taken off the walls, making it clear they would go back up when Leeds were back up.
“Clubs with a past, it can be a plus or a negative and if it’s a negative, you have to make brave decisions early on, almost as a form of shock treatment.
“The pressure is part of the
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SKIPPER Ryan Shawcross is back and preparing to lead Stoke out of trouble.
Shawcross, 32, has made only three appearances since fracturing his left leg in pre-season and has not played this year.
But Stoke boss Michael O’Neill said: “I’m seeing the best of Ryan since I came here. The break has given him time to strengthen things and he looks in fantastic shape. He’s a viable contender to start.”
O’Neill added: “I’m confident we’ll beat the drop. I was confident in November – that’s why I took the job.” attraction of the job. If you want to be a successful manager, you’ve got to be a bit of a masochist.”
As well as the Revie era, Bielsa is dealing with the weight of history from Wilkinson and David O’Leary’s successful reigns – and at times it has been a burden for the Argentinian.
The pressure appeared to be getting to Leeds at the turn of the year when they won just one of seven league games before reeling off five straight wins ahead of the
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Leeds’ finishing positions since being relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2003-04 season 2004-05 Championship 2005-06 Championship 2006-07 Championship 2007-08 League One 2008-09 League One 2009-10 League One 2010-11 Championship 2011-12 Championship 2012-13 Championship 2013-14 Championship 2014-15 Championship 2015-16 Championship 2016-17 Championship 2017-18 Championship 2018-19 Championship
2019-20 Championship
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currently
TOSIN ADARABIOYO is determined to win promotion with Blackburn to erase his painful memory of losing in last season’s play-offs.
The Manchester City defender, 22, was on loan at West Brom when they lost to AstonVilla on penalties in the semi-finals and wants to atone for that with his new loan club. Adarabioyo said: “Last season was heartbreaking, the way we lost. The feeling at the end was horrible, so I’m really pushing for better this time.” shutdown to go Championship.
Wilkinson, 76, also overcame a blip to secure promotion when his side containing the likes of Gordon Strachan,Vinnie Jones, Mel Sterland and Lee Chapman won one out of seven in the run-in.
“Do players suffer from nerves?” he said. “Of course they do, but the best ones know they can trust in their swing.”
Leeds return at Cardiff tomorrow lunchtime and Wilkinson is backing Bielsa to end their 16-year Premier League exile, even if he says the manager will be like a cook operating in the dark.
“He can definitely do it but I have to say these next few games are a total experiment for everyone because no one has experienced anything like this,” he said.
“It’s like a top chef walking into his kitchen and all the lights are off. It’s not until you get in that situation that you find out if you can still do it.” to the top of the
LEE BOWYER says Charlton have forgotten all about Lyle Taylor.
The finisher, below, who scored 36 times in 67 games, quit the Addicks this month to protect a possible big move when his contract runs out on June 30.
Boss Bowyer said: “The players forgot about Lyle the minute he said he wasn’t going to play. I made sure of
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that. Lyle came in on Tuesday and said his goodbyes. There was no animosity – the players might be in the same position one day. “Now it’s about someone stepping up to grab the limelight.”
Hull have not won a game since New Year’s Day but boss Grant McCann said: “We have our swagger back.”
DANNY COWLEY believes he is no longer playing catch-up at Huddersfield ahead of today’s clash withWigan.
“Coming in after the campaign started meant we missed that crucial time in preseason with the group,” said the former Lincoln boss, who took over in September.
“This has been an invaluable time to work with them.We feel in a really good place.”