Telegraph Sunday 20/4/08
Leeds remain focused on promotion
By Les Roopanarine
Millwall (0) 0 Leeds United (0) 2
Leeds United remain the club of innumerable quandaries, and no wonder.
What else can you be when, having almost reached a Champions League final, you are relegated twice in four seasons, forced into administration, threatened with league exclusion and then hit with a 15-point deduction, the largest in Football League history, for an alleged breach of insolvency rules?
How do you deal with the emotional topsy-turvy of starting the season at breakneck pace, losing your momentum and management team in mid-campaign, then reclaiming a play-off spot with five games to go, all against the backdrop of a protracted and acrimonious legal struggle to reclaim the docked points?
If you are Gary McAllister, the man whose task it is to steer a course through this sea of questions and into the Championship, you simply ignore the bigger picture and focus on the present.
"It's been a very eventful season, but my job is not to mention it and just keep the players fully focused," said McAllister after a win that consolidated Leeds' grip on the final League One play-off spot.
Little fazes McAllister, and that includes the news that the arbitration hearing into Leeds' points penalty, originally meant to conclude on Friday, will continue on Monday before delivering a verdict by the beginning of May.
McAllister's equilibrium is not mirrored by Leeds' promotion rivals, who remain aghast at the possibility of the points deduction being overturned.
Yet the clubs now scrambling for the moral high ground were occupying less exalted territory back in August, when a meeting of the 71 Football League chairmen ratified Leeds' punishment by an overwhelming majority.
From the League One clubs in direct opposition to Leeds, through their potential promotion rivals in the Championship to the League Two sides whose gate receipts would be swelled by Leeds' fanatical travelling support, all present at that gathering had something to gain.
Despite dominating Leeds for long stretches, and hitting the bar through Jem Karacan, Millwall fell behind 20 minutes from time when David Prutton volleyed home Tony Craig's clearance from 30 yards. Substitute Andy Hughes doubled the visitors' advantage nine minutes later.
Will victory prove a stepping stone to the Championship, or merely a footnote to a more significant chapter in the club's history? As ever with Leeds, it as an open question.
Yorkshire Evening Post Saturday, 19/4/08
Play-offs in sight now for Leeds United
By Phil Hay
ON the afternoon when Gary McAllister was welcomed to Elland Road by a 2-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers it may not have occurred to him that Leeds United might reach the sanctuary of the play-offs with a game in hand.
McAllister's first job was to oil United's creaking engine and the fruits of his labour were rewarded by the sight of Leeds monopolising sixth place in League One in London yesterday.
A splendid volley from David Prutton and a close-range finish from Andrew Hughes put paid to Millwall at the end of a frenetic game at the New Den.
And the assistance of results elsewhere carried United to a position where their involvement in the play-offs is just one more positive result away from being ratified.
A late winning goal for Brighton against Hartlepool United prevented Leeds from travelling home with complete assurance, but the situation has been placed in their hands so comprehensively that it would surprise Albion's manager Dean Wilkins if their fingers released the prize. Brighton – the only club now in touch with sixth position – are at the stage where divine intervention is required.
United's list of beaten opponents has swelled impressively over the past month with the addition of Doncaster Rovers and Carlisle United among other capable clubs and McAllister's players are on the verge of accepting the offer of time off for good behaviour and rapid improvement.
A defeat to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday was in danger of being followed by a goalless stalemate yesterday, a result which would not have been disastrous but which would have cast a degree of doubt over United's final league position. There is every possibility, however, that United's last game of the season at home to Gillingham will be meaningless in a competitive sense.
Arbitration is the off-field means by which Leeds could ensure not only a top-six finish but also automatic promotion at the end of the season, but McAllister has been consistently transparent about his desire to ignore extraneous issues which his players can neither influence nor predict.
If, as seems likely, a play-off position belongs to United by the end of next weekend's game at Yeovil – and their protective cushion over Brighton stands at four points – the city of Leeds will breathe a collective sigh of relief at the end of a compelling and exceptional year.
It is easy, nine months on, to overlook the fact that United have negated a points penalty which equated to five league victories, and to forget that the win gained yesterday secured their 85th point of the term.
To be on the cusp of reaching the play-offs at all is a stellar achievement; to do it with a game remaining would be a creditable bonus.
The loss of Jermaine Beckford's pace had been an obvious factor in United's 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield on Tuesday night and he was missing again yesterday, held back by the ankle injury which McAllister had hoped would heal before kick-off.
LEEDS UNITED: Howson hails Mac's influence
By Phil Hay
Midfielder Jonathan Howson admits that he is thriving on the guidance and advice of one of Leeds United's finest ever players after being taken under the wing of Gary McAllister.
The youngster has completed his step up from the fringes of United's squad to the centre of their first team this season and has started every one of McAllister's games in charge of the Elland Road club.
Howson was thrown into United's line-up for their 2-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers on February 2 – McAllister's first fixture as manager – after a month of exile from the first team and yesterday's outing at Millwall was his 15th successive start.
The 19-year-old, who made his senior debut in a Carling Cup clash with Barnet last season, made 11 outings in total during the 2006-07 term and his increased exposure this term has been matched by a noticeable improvement in performances.
Howson was trusted with the captain's armband at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night after Jonathan Douglas' first-half dismissal and the youngster has credited his progression to both McAllister's influence and the faith shown in him by former United boss Dennis Wise.
Howson said: "Since Gary's come in I've managed to play every game under him.
"Just before he came here I was talking to a couple of the older lads and they were saying that anything can happen when a new manager comes in. "He's either going to like you or he's not. You can see that with a couple of players.
"Obviously, he hasn't favoured them and they've gone out on loan. That's no disrespect to them, it's just the way he feels.
"They were playing at the beginning of the season and now it has changed. Experienced people always give you advice and help you out.
"The old manager, Dennis Wise, was a midfielder and he would give you tips.
"It's nice because you've watched them play. You can believe what they're saying and what they're telling you because they've been there and done it at the highest level."
Howson has been a mainstay in United's line-up for more than two months now and is likely to be central to McAllister's plans for both the League One play-offs and beyond.
McAllister will remain at Elland Road next season after agreeing a 12-month rolling contract at the start of this month and he has so far been willing to put his faith in his younger players.
His starting line-up at the Galpharm Stadium on Tuesday had an average age of 24, but McAllister admitted he was keeping a close eye on the likes of Howson to protect the greener members of his squad from burn-out.
McAllister said: "On occasions I've got to be looking at the young ones."Some guys have played in a run of games that they haven't done before. "I do have an experienced squad but I've got some youngsters in the team at the moment so there are times when I've got to be mindful of looking after their legs.
"A lot of demands have been put on them but I've got the chance of changing little things round just to keep everybody's legs and minds fully alert.
"Sitting on the bench the other night I had David Prutton and Andrew Hughes, guys with masses of experience. That's going to be crucial going into this vital period."
United are awaiting the outcome of the arbitration hearing into their 15-point deduction, but McAllister and his players have set their minds on the possibility that their season will end in the play-offs.
Leeds sat in sixth position yesterday with a four-point lead over the clubs beneath them in League One and Howson could see his first full season finish at Wembley if United are asked to fight their way through the play-offs.
Howson said: "It's been a crazy old season and it would be nice for me, but I'm not going to think about it too much until we get there.
"Our aim is to get out of this division no matter what and the more games we're winning the more you can see the team growing in confidence.
"When you aren't winning, you don't believe. You might not make a pass like you know you can and play safe instead.
"When you do get a few wins, you go to play the difficult passes and they come off. It is all about confidence.
"We had our bad patch just after Christmas and now we're coming into form. We're performing like we know we can."
Leeds remain focused on promotion
By Les Roopanarine
Millwall (0) 0 Leeds United (0) 2
Leeds United remain the club of innumerable quandaries, and no wonder.
What else can you be when, having almost reached a Champions League final, you are relegated twice in four seasons, forced into administration, threatened with league exclusion and then hit with a 15-point deduction, the largest in Football League history, for an alleged breach of insolvency rules?
How do you deal with the emotional topsy-turvy of starting the season at breakneck pace, losing your momentum and management team in mid-campaign, then reclaiming a play-off spot with five games to go, all against the backdrop of a protracted and acrimonious legal struggle to reclaim the docked points?
If you are Gary McAllister, the man whose task it is to steer a course through this sea of questions and into the Championship, you simply ignore the bigger picture and focus on the present.
"It's been a very eventful season, but my job is not to mention it and just keep the players fully focused," said McAllister after a win that consolidated Leeds' grip on the final League One play-off spot.
Little fazes McAllister, and that includes the news that the arbitration hearing into Leeds' points penalty, originally meant to conclude on Friday, will continue on Monday before delivering a verdict by the beginning of May.
McAllister's equilibrium is not mirrored by Leeds' promotion rivals, who remain aghast at the possibility of the points deduction being overturned.
Yet the clubs now scrambling for the moral high ground were occupying less exalted territory back in August, when a meeting of the 71 Football League chairmen ratified Leeds' punishment by an overwhelming majority.
From the League One clubs in direct opposition to Leeds, through their potential promotion rivals in the Championship to the League Two sides whose gate receipts would be swelled by Leeds' fanatical travelling support, all present at that gathering had something to gain.
Despite dominating Leeds for long stretches, and hitting the bar through Jem Karacan, Millwall fell behind 20 minutes from time when David Prutton volleyed home Tony Craig's clearance from 30 yards. Substitute Andy Hughes doubled the visitors' advantage nine minutes later.
Will victory prove a stepping stone to the Championship, or merely a footnote to a more significant chapter in the club's history? As ever with Leeds, it as an open question.
Yorkshire Evening Post Saturday, 19/4/08
Play-offs in sight now for Leeds United
By Phil Hay
ON the afternoon when Gary McAllister was welcomed to Elland Road by a 2-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers it may not have occurred to him that Leeds United might reach the sanctuary of the play-offs with a game in hand.
McAllister's first job was to oil United's creaking engine and the fruits of his labour were rewarded by the sight of Leeds monopolising sixth place in League One in London yesterday.
A splendid volley from David Prutton and a close-range finish from Andrew Hughes put paid to Millwall at the end of a frenetic game at the New Den.
And the assistance of results elsewhere carried United to a position where their involvement in the play-offs is just one more positive result away from being ratified.
A late winning goal for Brighton against Hartlepool United prevented Leeds from travelling home with complete assurance, but the situation has been placed in their hands so comprehensively that it would surprise Albion's manager Dean Wilkins if their fingers released the prize. Brighton – the only club now in touch with sixth position – are at the stage where divine intervention is required.
United's list of beaten opponents has swelled impressively over the past month with the addition of Doncaster Rovers and Carlisle United among other capable clubs and McAllister's players are on the verge of accepting the offer of time off for good behaviour and rapid improvement.
A defeat to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday was in danger of being followed by a goalless stalemate yesterday, a result which would not have been disastrous but which would have cast a degree of doubt over United's final league position. There is every possibility, however, that United's last game of the season at home to Gillingham will be meaningless in a competitive sense.
Arbitration is the off-field means by which Leeds could ensure not only a top-six finish but also automatic promotion at the end of the season, but McAllister has been consistently transparent about his desire to ignore extraneous issues which his players can neither influence nor predict.
If, as seems likely, a play-off position belongs to United by the end of next weekend's game at Yeovil – and their protective cushion over Brighton stands at four points – the city of Leeds will breathe a collective sigh of relief at the end of a compelling and exceptional year.
It is easy, nine months on, to overlook the fact that United have negated a points penalty which equated to five league victories, and to forget that the win gained yesterday secured their 85th point of the term.
To be on the cusp of reaching the play-offs at all is a stellar achievement; to do it with a game remaining would be a creditable bonus.
The loss of Jermaine Beckford's pace had been an obvious factor in United's 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield on Tuesday night and he was missing again yesterday, held back by the ankle injury which McAllister had hoped would heal before kick-off.
LEEDS UNITED: Howson hails Mac's influence
By Phil Hay
Midfielder Jonathan Howson admits that he is thriving on the guidance and advice of one of Leeds United's finest ever players after being taken under the wing of Gary McAllister.
The youngster has completed his step up from the fringes of United's squad to the centre of their first team this season and has started every one of McAllister's games in charge of the Elland Road club.
Howson was thrown into United's line-up for their 2-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers on February 2 – McAllister's first fixture as manager – after a month of exile from the first team and yesterday's outing at Millwall was his 15th successive start.
The 19-year-old, who made his senior debut in a Carling Cup clash with Barnet last season, made 11 outings in total during the 2006-07 term and his increased exposure this term has been matched by a noticeable improvement in performances.
Howson was trusted with the captain's armband at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night after Jonathan Douglas' first-half dismissal and the youngster has credited his progression to both McAllister's influence and the faith shown in him by former United boss Dennis Wise.
Howson said: "Since Gary's come in I've managed to play every game under him.
"Just before he came here I was talking to a couple of the older lads and they were saying that anything can happen when a new manager comes in. "He's either going to like you or he's not. You can see that with a couple of players.
"Obviously, he hasn't favoured them and they've gone out on loan. That's no disrespect to them, it's just the way he feels.
"They were playing at the beginning of the season and now it has changed. Experienced people always give you advice and help you out.
"The old manager, Dennis Wise, was a midfielder and he would give you tips.
"It's nice because you've watched them play. You can believe what they're saying and what they're telling you because they've been there and done it at the highest level."
Howson has been a mainstay in United's line-up for more than two months now and is likely to be central to McAllister's plans for both the League One play-offs and beyond.
McAllister will remain at Elland Road next season after agreeing a 12-month rolling contract at the start of this month and he has so far been willing to put his faith in his younger players.
His starting line-up at the Galpharm Stadium on Tuesday had an average age of 24, but McAllister admitted he was keeping a close eye on the likes of Howson to protect the greener members of his squad from burn-out.
McAllister said: "On occasions I've got to be looking at the young ones."Some guys have played in a run of games that they haven't done before. "I do have an experienced squad but I've got some youngsters in the team at the moment so there are times when I've got to be mindful of looking after their legs.
"A lot of demands have been put on them but I've got the chance of changing little things round just to keep everybody's legs and minds fully alert.
"Sitting on the bench the other night I had David Prutton and Andrew Hughes, guys with masses of experience. That's going to be crucial going into this vital period."
United are awaiting the outcome of the arbitration hearing into their 15-point deduction, but McAllister and his players have set their minds on the possibility that their season will end in the play-offs.
Leeds sat in sixth position yesterday with a four-point lead over the clubs beneath them in League One and Howson could see his first full season finish at Wembley if United are asked to fight their way through the play-offs.
Howson said: "It's been a crazy old season and it would be nice for me, but I'm not going to think about it too much until we get there.
"Our aim is to get out of this division no matter what and the more games we're winning the more you can see the team growing in confidence.
"When you aren't winning, you don't believe. You might not make a pass like you know you can and play safe instead.
"When you do get a few wins, you go to play the difficult passes and they come off. It is all about confidence.
"We had our bad patch just after Christmas and now we're coming into form. We're performing like we know we can."
