ALFIE OUT TO PROVE A POINT
The Norwegian midfielder, who has been appointed City's captain after the axing of Richard Edghill, remains bitter at how O'Leary treated him last season before his £2.5 million move to Maine Road.
"If you are at a big club you have got to expect competition for places, but what annoyed me was when I came into the team for some Uefa Cup games he (O'Leary) said to me 'if you do well you will stay in the side'," said Haaland.
"I felt I performed well when I played, but the first chance he got I was dropped again and I wasn't even on the bench. That's when I realised it was better to look for something else. He just didn't want me and we didn't even speak when I left the club.
"I enjoyed my first two years there, but last season was tough. There were some low moments, like when you are playing in the reserves and travelling with the first-team squad every week on the long coach journeys when you know you are not going to be involved and thinking you could be spending time with the family."
Haaland always had a good relationship with the Elland Road faithful and he has sympathy with Edghill whose has been targeted by Maine Road fans for some abuse for his poor performances.
"Fans shouldn't boo one of their own players," said Haaland. "It doesn't help the individual or the team. It's unfortunate for Richard but maybe this has taken the pressure off him and I'm sure he will bounce back."
Edghill, who will sit out the Leeds game after being relieved of his starting place by City boss Joe Royle, has admitted he did consider quitting after his nightmare performance against Coventry.
In that game he scored an own goal, was at fault for the other and was taken off by Royle at half time, but he has vowed to fight back.
"I'm determined that a mindless few who seem to get pleasure out of slagging me off will not drive me away from the club," said Edghill.
"There was a time last week just after the Coventry game when I felt like packing things in. But I had a long chat with my family and friends and got things in perspective.
"I've had bad games before, scored own goals before, but I've always bounced back. Losing the captaincy hurts a great deal but I'll keep my head up work hard in training and fight to get my place back," said Edghill.
