On the eve of the new season it was touch and go whether Leeds United would be allowed to make their first ever appearance in the third tier of English football. The coveted 'Golden Share', previously being withheld by the Football League, was granted to the club at the 11th hour, albeit with an unprecedented sanction - the deduction of 15 points. The seemingly crippling handicap looked set to anchor United to the bottom of the division for many weeks, if not months.
However, the embattled squad closed ranks, planning a seemingly impossible mission. No team had ever survived relegation after incurring a mere 10 point penalty. History, along with the 'Football League family', was firmly against Dennis Wise and his troops. The Leeds side that kicked off the season at Tranmere Rovers Prenton Park on August 11th knew they faced a challenge the like of which has never before been seen in English football.
But as Christmas now appears on the horizon, the team are on the verge of performing their own miracle. Nineteen league games have yielded 15 victories, catapulting United to within two points of top spot, a position not even the most optimistic fan would have thought possible come the end of 2007.
Even Wise himself has now let his poker face slip, after assistant Dave Bassett had signalled the clubs intention to be at the top of League One on New Years Day. 'It was a target I put to them,' said Wise. 'Are they capable? We'll see. You have to challenge them and keep them on their toes. We're slightly in front of what I expected. But I am not going to get carried away.' Ultimately it is where Leeds find themselves next May that counts, but to begin the second half of the campaign on such a strong footing would certainly be a remarkable achievement.
