Leeds United Playing Squad for the relegation 2003-04 Season
Nick Barmby
Nick Barmby Position: On the bench!
Squad Number: 12
International: England full
Signed by Terry Venables in the summer of 2002 Nick had a dream debut scoring the first goal, an excellent volley, in a 3-0 hammering of Man City at elland Road. After that it was downhill for Venables and Barmby. He became part of the Leeds United injury hoodoo before Xmas 2002 which limited his effectiveness. By the time he came back Ridsdale had sold half his team mate in a desperate attempt to stop the ship sinking. Barmby has never hit the form that made him popular at Spurs, Everton and Liverpool. Plus he is somehat tarnished with being labelled a "Venables' man".
Nicky was suprisingly dropped, alongside Danny Mills, for the first game of the 2003-04 season against Newcastle because Peter Reid had a problem with performances on the pitch and in training. Unlike Mills, who attacked the manager on his personal website, Barmby said he'd been through it before and would get his head down and play in the Reserves. 10 out of 10 for attitude.
Barmby hasn't suddenly become a bad player overnight and can still offer Leeds something, he just needs to put the Venables period behind him and bide his time.
Eddie Gray didn't fancy him and Barmby played no real part in our relegation season. It has since come to light that he is on £30,000 a week so it's no wonder he is in no hurry to go anywhere else! Another leaving present from the serial incompetent Peter Ridsdale and former manager Terry Venables.
