Leeds need more than water pistols

Still more alarming with a view to the return was the uncomfortable regularity with which Valencia themselves almost put the tie beyond reach, what with Gaizka Mendieta heading against the bar, a couple of inspired Nigel Martyn saves and only a panicky retreat and goalline clearance from Rio Ferdinand keeping out Vicente's last-second strike.

This was captain Ferdinand demonstrating, as he did for most of the night, the sort of quality which had one admiring visitor here, Leeds old boy Gary McAllister, suggesting that he might one day be England skipper. But the world's most costly defender also has the maddening capacity to momentarily look like a cheap imitation, as his careless header which nearly gifted the dangerous Juan Sanchez a first-half goal reminded us.

In the absence of Lucas Radebe and Gary Kelly, Leeds still look in need of a commanding organiser in the rear-guard. Ferdinand, for all his quality, still does not quite convince in this area even if he is clearly relishing and growing into his stand-in captain's role.

"We don't fear anyone and feel we can go anywhere and score. We are definitely optimistic about next week," he said, reflecting his team's bullish post-match mantra.

That's the beauty of O'Leary's side. While the doubters keep thinking they have run out of surprises and found their level, they take pleasure in proving us wrong and carry on believing in themselves, each time raising the bar of their ambition that bit higher.

"It's the spirit of individuals playing as a team; a team which is never going to be satisfied, which will never stand still, which shows no fear," explained O'Leary. "I'm not into kissing mega-stars' rears. I want mega-stars who want to play for the team."

On that score, O'Leary's megababes have never let him down.

Which is why next Tuesday, three days after resting as many of them as he dare afford for another significant encounter with Arsenal, which he now concedes has to take a back seat, O'Leary will not care one hoot about the gloomy omens informing us that Valencia have not lost a home Champions League game for two years and that Leeds have lost all three of their games in Spain this season, 9-2 on aggregate.

Exactly the sort of statistics Leeds would enjoy mocking.

Remember that 4-0 humiliation in Barcelona last September, someone mentioned to O'Leary. "No, forget Barcelona," he barked.

"That was when we were without eight players. You can't fight wars with water pistols."

Next week, he made it sound as if we can expect water cannons instead.