YOU wonder why people are surprised at Terry Venables' worse than expected performance as Leeds United's manager.

The media touted him as the returning Messiah but why, when all his managerial career has brought him is one league title (with Barcelona) and an FA Cup win (with Spurs).

They were both a long time ago and his only other lasting achievement was in guiding England to the last four of the 1996 European Championships which was actually a scrappy campaign apart from a great win over Holland.

Venables' reputation is one of a wonder coach, but his record is that of an average one. Leeds' statistics of five wins, seven defeats and two draws under the darling of the southern-based media is about right.