The persistent question about the Don Revie era is, in retrospect, what if the boss had let his players off the leash before 1973?

Leeds United were the best team in the country. No other club had so many internationals. No other club won as many games from 1964 to 1969, or lost as few. They finished in the top four in nine consecutive seasons. They had nothing to fear from any other team. And yet, and yet. And yet the domestic trophies their dominance deserved were elusive. The First Division title: once. The FA Cup: once. The League Cup: once. While lesser teams racked up championships and doubles, Leeds United kept failing at the last, and people kept asking: what was holding them back?

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