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Maður vikunnar er Alan Smith.
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He may have dreamed of his Leeds United debut a hundred times, but for Alan Smith reality surpassed his wildest dreams, when, just three weeks on from his 18th birthday, he scored with his first touch in senior football, in front of the Anfield Kop to level the scores in a game United went on to win 3 -1 on Saturday the 14th November 1998.
Smithy then went on to establish himself as Jimmy Hasselbaink's first choice striking partner and scored nine goals in just sixteen starts, to earn himself a lucrative five year contract in May 1999.
However his 1999/00 campaign was more of a stop start season, when after injuring his ankle in a pre-season friendly his form dipped and in the end more than often had to settle for a place on the bench.
Now having had an operation on his troublesome injury, the Leeds born youngster started the 2000/2001 season on fire, scoring goals for fun, including the vital winner against 1860 Munich that took Leeds into the Champions League proper.
Smithy formed an instant rapport with new boy Mark Viduka and was rewarded for his super start to the campaign by a call up to the full England squad and a Carling Player of the Month Award.
He finished the season on a high with a career best 18 goal tally and by winning two full England caps.
The following campaign was a disappointment as Smith was hit by suspensions, a victim perhaps of his own reputation.
The time out of the game ultimately cost him the chance to go to the 2002 World Cup with England but he played aleading role for David Platt's Under-21 side in the European Championships in Switzerland, winning rave reviews.
Alan joined United's centre of excellence at the age of 10 and went on to attend the National Centre of Excellence at Lilleshall, where he represented England at U-16 level.
Within weeks of joining Leeds on a full time basis as a trainee, informed whispers suggested potentially he could be something special, as he allied a deadly eye for goal with a real aggression and a desire unusual in one so slight of stature.
That ability was recognised with selection by Howard Wilkinson for the England U-18 set up, and indeed had an England youth tournament not been cancelled in Israel, because of worries over a outbreak of violence in the Middle East, on the same weekend that Leeds went to Anfield, Smith would not have made his sensational bow after coming on as a 78th minute substitute for Clyde Wijnhard.
Alan had only played a handful of reserve games, and never even made the bench before he made his dramatic impact at Anfield, but after the appointment of David O'Leary in October 1998, the Rothwell born striker was one of several youngsters to benefit from the Irishman's belief in talent rather than reputations, as he blooded kids at the expense of first team regulars.
Smithy's debut came only a month after that of Johnny Woodgate at centre back, 18-year-old Steve McPhail was given an extended run in midfield by O'Leary, at the same time as 19-year-old keeper Paul Robinson made his bow in goal, and hopes rose that Leeds United were on the verge of something special, as the group of youngsters came through as the fruit of the long term policy set up by Howard Wilkinson in 1998 showed real potential.
Smith's progress since then has proved the people at Thorp Arch were right in their beliefs.
He remains one of the jewels in the Elland Road crown.
tekið af:http://www.leedsunited.com/player.asp?plid=999&clid=2&title=Alan+Smith+Player+Profile&navlid=players
