David Rocastle (part two) ⭑ From A-Z since '92
A flick of a surgeon's knife had restored Strachan's place as one of the best wide midfielders in the league, so with Batty, McAllister, Speed, Hodge and David Rocastle, Leeds had six international class midfielders. It didn't fit.
This is part of my (eight year long, it'll fly by) attempt to write about every Leeds United player since 1992. For more about why I'm doing this, go back to Aapo Halme, and to read all the players so far, browse the archive here.
Missed part one about David Rocastle? You can read it here.
David Rocastle's transfer to Leeds was meant to usher in a new era for the league champions, during which inspirational captain Gordon Strachan would be phased out and United's £2m record signing would blossom into the prime of his career.
Instead, as Leeds' title defence collapsed into farce in 1992/93, Rocky faced two problems. First, rather than slowing down, Strachan was accelerating into old age. Second, strict new manager Howard Wilkinson had discovered, unhappily, how knee problems had affected Rocastle's fitness so much that Arsenal manager George Graham had decided to sell him. Fitness was, to Wilkinson, one of "the facts of life. If a player wants to keep playing he's got to keep fit."
Rocastle became stuck in a cycle that was not of his making. For the first few weeks of the season he was curiously absent, even from the bench, but for a debut in the European Cup away to Stuttgart. When his first Premier League start came, in mid-November, he was brilliant filling in for David Batty against his former club Arsenal, helping to inflict their heaviest defeat in over three years. Strachan started wide left, Rocastle wide right, Gary McAllister and Gary Speed were in the centre, and the Gunners — including Rocastle's replacement, John Jensen — were beaten 3-0.
There was a moment's worry when Rocky's backpass went to his best friend, Ian Wright, and goalkeeper John Lukic had to rescue him with an excellent save. But there was a moment's glory, too, when Rocastle held off Ray Parlour, swerved inside Nigel Winterburn, and as Jensen approached, played wide for Rod Wallace. His cross was headed in by Lee Chapman for 2-0, and while Chappy was congratulated Wallace jumped straight into Rocastle's arms, and Strachan led the sprints, thirty yards across the pitch, to fling his arms around Rocky's neck and hug him.
It felt like the post-Eric Cantona fresh start that Leeds needed, and that Rocastle needed, but momentum was ungraspable for him or the team. The Strachan left side, Rocky right idea continued for four games — one win and three defeats, including 4-1 to Nottingham Forest at Elland Road in one of the worst performances seen under Wilkinson. When Batty was fit, he had to return. Speed couldn't be left out, as despite everything he was on course for making the Premier League team of the year. Strachan made way for him, by going back to the right. McAllister was the essential creator in the centre.
So Rocastle went back to the reserves, who were being helped to a good season by the quality midfielders who couldn't make the first team. In one game, against Wolves, Scott Sellars, Steve Hodge, Rocastle and Carl Shutt all scored, a match that Strachan also started. Rocky reappeared in March when Strachan was injured for three games, and scored, lashing a bouncing ball past Tony Coton to get the only goal of the game at home to Manchester City — although there should have been another, from Rocastle's low cross to Lee Chapman.
To keep reading, please become a More to Read or More Listening member
Leedsista is supported by Leeds fans who think decent writing about their football team is worth £3 a month to read, or £5 a month for a podcast version.
Try free for 30 days.