Mark
Oct 4 2002, 06:56 AM
Leeds boss Terry Venables praised his side following a 'disciplined performance' in the face of intimidation from Ukrainian unknowns Metalurg Zaporizhia.
Venables felt his players took a battering from their UEFA Cup first-round opponents, before emerging on the night with a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 aggregate victory.
United were made to sweat, though, for extra time loomed as they trailed to a 24th-minute goal from Georgian striker Irakli Modebadze. But with chances few and far between as Metalurg defended in numbers, Nick Barmby hit the vital equaliser 14 minutes from time to send Leeds through to the second-round.
Venables, though, was bitterly unhappy with some of the tackles his players received, which ultimately lead to the 80th minute dismissal of Uros Milosavljevic.
The Yugoslav, who had brought down Barmby to earn his second caution, added insult to injury by appearing to spit at the England international as he lay on the pitch, while Venables described some of the challenges as 'unbelievable, incredible'.
He added: "I don't know if you saw the Eirik Bakke incident when he got pulled down for what was a blatant penalty in the first half.
"But that was happening all the time. Every time a cross came in I thought they had arms around my players and that was why they often could not get to the ball because of that.
"I was a little surprised that the referee was so lenient. I am pleased more than anything that we have not sustained any more injuries, although we have plenty of bruises."
Venables reserved particular praise for striker Alan Smith who has often been criticised for his fiery temperament in the past which has lead to six red cards in his short career.
The 21-year-old England international is clearly a much-changed player these days, with Venables adding: "Alan has been criticised in the past for his temperament, but I thought he was a credit to us out there.
"He withstood a lot of physical punishment, but played well to lead the line. There is nothing suspect about his temperament - he is top quality."
Overall, it was a disappointing performance against a team making their debut in Europe, one Leeds would surely have dismantled with ease a couple of years ago on their march towards the semi-finals of the Champions League.
In that season Leeds beat Lazio in Rome's Olympic Stadium, while they also brought to an end then Belgian champions Anderlecht's 21-game unbeaten European home record.
But Leeds struggled against Metalurg, currently 12th of 16 teams in the Ukrainian Premier League, although Venables refused to criticise his troops.
The former England coach continued: "The only thing I was disappointed with was our crossing in the first half because it was too close to their goalkeeper.
"They played well with the tactics they laid out. With everyone behind the ball they made it difficult for us.
"But it's not a matter of how you get through, it's about getting through. It's about results. It's whether you stand or fall on in this game.
"We could have done better, but they are there to stop you having chances, no matter what standard the opposition. We played very disciplined and I am very happy with the result."
Venables felt his players took a battering from their UEFA Cup first-round opponents, before emerging on the night with a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 aggregate victory.
United were made to sweat, though, for extra time loomed as they trailed to a 24th-minute goal from Georgian striker Irakli Modebadze. But with chances few and far between as Metalurg defended in numbers, Nick Barmby hit the vital equaliser 14 minutes from time to send Leeds through to the second-round.
Venables, though, was bitterly unhappy with some of the tackles his players received, which ultimately lead to the 80th minute dismissal of Uros Milosavljevic.
The Yugoslav, who had brought down Barmby to earn his second caution, added insult to injury by appearing to spit at the England international as he lay on the pitch, while Venables described some of the challenges as 'unbelievable, incredible'.
He added: "I don't know if you saw the Eirik Bakke incident when he got pulled down for what was a blatant penalty in the first half.
"But that was happening all the time. Every time a cross came in I thought they had arms around my players and that was why they often could not get to the ball because of that.
"I was a little surprised that the referee was so lenient. I am pleased more than anything that we have not sustained any more injuries, although we have plenty of bruises."
Venables reserved particular praise for striker Alan Smith who has often been criticised for his fiery temperament in the past which has lead to six red cards in his short career.
The 21-year-old England international is clearly a much-changed player these days, with Venables adding: "Alan has been criticised in the past for his temperament, but I thought he was a credit to us out there.
"He withstood a lot of physical punishment, but played well to lead the line. There is nothing suspect about his temperament - he is top quality."
Overall, it was a disappointing performance against a team making their debut in Europe, one Leeds would surely have dismantled with ease a couple of years ago on their march towards the semi-finals of the Champions League.
In that season Leeds beat Lazio in Rome's Olympic Stadium, while they also brought to an end then Belgian champions Anderlecht's 21-game unbeaten European home record.
But Leeds struggled against Metalurg, currently 12th of 16 teams in the Ukrainian Premier League, although Venables refused to criticise his troops.
The former England coach continued: "The only thing I was disappointed with was our crossing in the first half because it was too close to their goalkeeper.
"They played well with the tactics they laid out. With everyone behind the ball they made it difficult for us.
"But it's not a matter of how you get through, it's about getting through. It's about results. It's whether you stand or fall on in this game.
"We could have done better, but they are there to stop you having chances, no matter what standard the opposition. We played very disciplined and I am very happy with the result."