DEFENDERS
(Last updated 18-02-03)
A.K.A.: Gaz, Kells
Do they chant his name?: Yeah, something along the lines of "There's only one Gary Kelly."
Played/Clean sheets ('99/'00 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 47/19
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 40.4
Played/Clean sheets ('00/'01 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 38/11
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 28.9
Played/Clean sheets ('01/'02 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 25/11
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 44.0
Status/Value: Kelly has defied all those who said he would need to move on from Leeds - myself included - and has put in some excellent performances on the right side of midfield. Whether he is a long term solution to the right wing problem is debatable, but he looks more comfortable there than at right-back. His value has remained consistent at around £2-3m.
To sum up: A right wing revelation, Kells could surprise us all and stick around for a few years more.
A.K.A.: Hartey
Do they chant his name?: (To the tune of 'Feeling Hot') "Ian Harte Harte Harte!" That's at the beginning of the game. By the end of it, it tends to be just abuse...
Played/Clean sheets ('99/'00 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 49/18
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 36.7
Played/Clean sheets ('00/'01 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 48/15
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 31.2
Played/Clean sheets ('01/'02 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 47/21
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 44.7
Status/Value: Not really been a regular in the team lately, but has played due to the constant need to shift players around in the Leeds back four. He faces his stiffest challenge of his career this season - proving that he should be played ahead of Lucic, Bravo and Matteo at left-back. Valued in the £2m bracket.
To sum up: Impossible to tell what will happen with Hartey. A move might be the best thing career-wise, but nobody has come in for him.
A.K.A.: Woody
Do they chant his name?: I'm sure it won't be long before people start shouting "Bravo!"...
Played/Clean sheets ('01/'02 all games, inc. sub. Apps): N/A
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: N/A
Status/Value: Bravo has come on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season in order to cement his place as Spain's first choice left-back. Unlikely to move here permanently - he has a £15m release clause in his contract - but will be a welcome addition to the squad for the remainder of the season. Looks useful from what I have seen of him.
To sum up: At home on both the left wing and at left-back, Bravo could prove to be a stabilising factor in what has been an unstable Leeds defence.
A.K.A.: Erm, Teddy Lucic?
Do they chant his name?: Nup, though he has just got here.
Played/Clean sheets ('01/'02 all games, inc. sub. Apps): N/A
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: N/A
Status/Value: Has been brought in on loan as defensive cover. It seemed the plan was to play him at left-back instead of Harte, but he isn't comfortable there. Useful to have given our current injury problems at the back.
To sum up: Had a reasonably good start to his Leeds career. Difficult to say whether he will be signed permanently in the current climate.
A.K.A.: Millsy
Do they chant his name?: The fucking brilliant: "Danny Mills is fucking brilliant!"
Played/Clean sheets ('99/'00 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 21/9
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 42.9
Played/Clean sheets ('00/'01 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 40/14
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 35.0
Played/Clean sheets ('01/'02 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 39/14
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 35.9
Status/Value: Mills has recently signed a deal to keep him at the club till 2008 - one of the few positive signs Leeds have shown as regards players lately. Danny has developed into a very good right-back and should be a mainstay of the defence for years to come. Worth at least £5m.
To sum up: Danny Mills IS fucking brilliant. And he loves it here :)
A.K.A.: Dom
Do they chant his name?: "Dom Matteo / Scored a fucking great goal / In the San Siro / Dom Matteo!" Quite wonderful.
Played/Clean sheets ('00/'01 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 48/13
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 27.1
Played/Clean sheets ('01/'02 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 40/17
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 42.5
Status/Value: Just as Dom was getting back, the curse that seems to follow us struck again and he got laid out for another 6 weeks. A great player to have but his time spent in treatment is worrying. Worth around £4-6m.
To sum up:Dependable but injury prone.
A.K.A.: Doobs
Do they chant his name?: A deep, throaty repetition of his nickname shows Doobs that we like him now he's left those soft gits from the south. Or sometimes a rendition of 'When I was just a little lad' :P
Played/Clean sheets ('99/'00 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 16/5
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 31.3
Played/Clean sheets ('00/'01 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 9/3
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 33.3
Played/Clean sheets ('01/'02 all games, inc. sub. Apps): 7/2
Percentage of games in which a clean sheet has been kept: 28.6
Status/Value: Still very much a back up player, but one who has done quite well lately. The fact that he is still here seems more down to a lack of offers for him, but Doobs genuinely gives his all when playing. Worth £1.5m.
To sum up: Another player who has been said to be leaving for ages but has not yet left. As such, it's impossible to say what his future at the club is.