Matchday 9 - as UEFA like to brand these things - of Champions League Group D arrives at Elland Road tonight in the shape of the champions of Belgium, Anderlecht, led by their 6ft 7in totem Jan Koller. But for Leeds United the beginning of the final phase of their season really came along yesterday in a courtroom in Hull.
The legal procedure over, the case involving Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate started to be heard yesterday. The trial, regardless of the outcome, is a diversion Leeds could do without.
Both players were in Hull yesterday and are expected to be there all day again today. Woodgate has a heel injury and would be an unlikely selection were he available, but Bowyer, Leeds's player of the season to date, may be rushed back from court after today's evidence to face Anderlecht.
Leeds need Bowyer's drive more than Woodgate's defensive qualities. With Harry Kewell almost certain to be on the bench, Robbie Keane ineligible because he played for Inter Milan in the competition earlier in the season, and Mark Viduka and Alan Smith struggling to score of late, Bowyer's energy on the right could be one of Leeds's main threats this evening. Moreover, whereas Leeds have no ready-made replacement for Bowyer, in Rio Ferdinand David O'Leary has one for Woodgate. It cost Leeds £18 million for that privilege of course, but after a somewhat shaky start to his Elland Road career, Ferdinand is now justifying a large percentage of his exaggerated fee. At least in O'Leary's eyes.
"Where are all those who said Rio couldn't play in a back four now?" O'Leary asked sarcastically before praising Ferdinand enthusiastically. "I'd many things I liked about him. To me he could play at right back if I wanted him to, or in central midfield in a one-off game. Where he has surprised me is his willingness to learn. He wants to be the best, he's hungry. I've found him very polite as well, a good person. "It was not going to happen overnight, but over time, like in a marriage, you get to see things. I see leadership within him, I want him to take more responsibility and I'm encouraging that. I spoke to him this morning (about that). I want him to have a presence, to go out on the pitch and say: `I'm class'."
Presumably O'Leary also encouraged Ferdinand, 22, to talk to the press, which he did in the manner in which he plays, cautious at first but adventurous quickly. Tonight will be his first bite at the Champions League, and it could be tasty in a sweet and sour way against Koller and his smaller partner, Tomas Radzinski. But then, this is the kind of night Ferdinand left West Ham for.
The 32 goals Koller and Radzinski have between them have propelled Anderlecht past Manchester United, Dynamo Kiev and Lazio in Europe this season and helped them establish a five-point gap over Bruges at the top of the Belgian league.
It is Koller who attracts most attention, particularly from defenders. "I've heard a lot about him, a big guy," said Ferdinand, "and I have seen him playing for the Czech Republic. He's not just good in the air, he's good on the floor."
Ferdinand then told an anecdote about marking Mark Hughes on his debut, aged 17. It ended: "It made me think I'd better get on the weights."
Koller, though, is more than just a target man. He is the apex of what O'Leary called "a no mug team" and the Leeds manager's assessment that he would be happy with four (or six) points from tonight and the return in Brussels next Wednesday seemed realistic.
O'Leary said Leeds's recent scoring problem - Robbie Keane aside - would only be a concern if they do not score tonight, but either Smith, one goal in four months, or Viduka, no goals in 10 games, need to regain their confidence. Both will play. Leeds's only doubt is Danny Mills, although there was intrigue when Paul Robinson turned up at the press conference rather than Nigel Martyn. Martyn has recently recaptured his place from Robinson but is set, in tabloid parlance, to have his desire to keep ahead of Robinson tested by Liverpool. Curious times at Elland Road, indeed.
