Apr-21-2008 By Chris Hudson
Leeds United will discover on Wednesday 23rd April whether Casper Ankergren faces a fine or ban after pleading guilty to throwing a missile into the Swindon crowd at the end of the League One match at the County ground on 1st March.
The missile was an empty plastic bottle and Casper had faced appalling behaviour from the home fans hence the reason for his request for a personal hearing. I trust common sense will prevail and a fine be imposed rather than punishing Leeds fans again by banning their keeper at this crucial stage of the season.
What are the odds that the Football Association will find a way for a ban to begin during the play-offs? (Mawhinney sits on the board of the FA through his position at the Football League). Or am I being too cynical?
Apr-14-2008 By Chris Hudson
I was really sorry to see the departure of da Costa today. We saw some great things on YouTube when his signing was announced and it did seem too good to be true. He was certainly talented but had feet, not in golden boots, but made of clay. We did highlight his temperament as an area of weakness even before he signed and, sure enough, he was red-carded in his first game against Bury. He went on loan to SPL side Falkirk and he was red-carded there too.
Gary McAllister had shown no interest in playing him. Despite several injuries to Da Costa, the rumour is that Macca was unhappy with da Costa’s attitude to training - so often the chink in the armor of the naturally gifted professional footballer.
So we wish him well and a berth at a club which is in a league where his undoubtedly, exciting natural abilities will be able to flourish and entertain the crowds. This game of ours needs all the entertainers it can muster.
