By Andy Baggott
March 8 2004

With no game played this weekend, it's a chance to catch up on the last 7 days or so down at Elland Road as another player leaves the club, and another is linked with a move away. Jody Morris left the club at the weekend, by mutual consent. Morris established himself as a regualr in the first part of the season, partnering Seth Johnson or Batty in the centre of midfield. When the rape allegations against him first came to light, he was suspended from the club as an internal investigation was held. Although all charges were later dropped, the club were furious that the player had put himself in such a position. Once back at the club, he had slipped behind the newly fit Bakke, Johnson and Mcphail in the pecking order, and even the axing of Batty failed to see him elavated back into the first team. His last piece of action was in the 3-0 home defeat to Middlesborough, where he came on as a sub, and nearly scored with a dipping volley. Morris has quality, but has never got near to reaching his full potential, as controvesy seems to follow him around. He is now looking for a club, and should do well in the first division, which is where he is likely to be plying his trade.

Alan Smith is the subject of more transfer talk. Hardly a week goes by without Smithy being linked with some team. Todays links are Newcastle (again), as a replacement for Shearer, and Charlton, who are monitoring the situation. Smithy's future will be decided on what happens in the next few weeks. If we survive, it's likely he will stay, but relegation would mean a dogfight for the 23 year old.

The consortium are still chugging along, trying to tie up the deal. Ex player, and Leeds ledgend Peter Lorimor is reported to have been approached to be involved on the board. A clear PR exercise, but there could be worse ones. Geoffrey Richmond has at last revealed that he is acting as an advisor for the group, bit that's all, although he admitted that a member of his family may be involved. That member is his son as I revealed several weeks ago, and this was a well known fact to many Leeds fans since the consortium first made themselves known....