Yorkshire Evening Post 29/8/10
Long wait may soon be over for listed players
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson expects to receive approaches for some or all of his transfer-listed players before Tuesday's deadline, potentially ending their frustrating summers at Elland Road.
Grayson offered hope to Alan Sheehan, Andy Robinson and Lubomir Michalik – all of whom have waited for almost four months for moves out of Leeds – by stating that interest in them was likely to increase before the transfer window closes.
The three players were made available by Grayson at the end of last season, along with striker Tresor Kandol.
Leeds agreed to terminate the remainder of Kandol's four-year contract this month after failing to find a new club for him, but Sheehan, Robinson and Michalik remain on the books at Elland Road with the summer window set to close in little more than 48 hours time.
Grayson said: "They're good lads, they've trained hard and they've done what's been asked of them but it's in their interests to play football. They know they won't play many games here.
"I'm sure there'll be one or two inquiries before Tuesday."
Swindon were expected to pursue Sheehan's signature after taking the left-back on loan last season, but a permanent switch to the County Ground has not developed while interest from Swansea City failed to lead to a move.
United's manager revealed that he had received no offers for any of his senior players, despite rumours of interest in certain professionals.
Scottish Premier League club Celtic were said to be monitoring Luciano Becchio, whose contract at Elland Road is less than 12 months from expiring, but Grayson said he would not invite or entertain any attempts to capture key members of his squad.
"I've had no phone calls about players who are in the team or out of the team," he said.
"That might change in the next few days but I'm certainly not looking to sell any player who is in my team.
"The only ones I'm looking to let leave are the ones who've been available since the start of the summer."
United's signings this summer have run towards double figures and, beyond his immediate transfer dealings, Grayson revealed this week that former West Ham United defender Calum Davenport is likely to be added to his squad in the near future.
The out-of-contract 27-year-old is training with Leeds with a view to joining the club permanently.
Sporting Life 28/8/10
GRAYSON PLEASED WITH RESILIENT LEEDS
Leeds manager Simon Grayson paid tribute to his side's defensive display after they registered their first away win of the season with a 1-0 win at Watford.
Richard Naylor's sixth-minute strike was enough to see United claim the points and notch up back-to-back npower Championship wins after last week's victory over Millwall.
The Hornets pushed forward for an equaliser, but they came up against a Leeds defence who were in no mood to give anything away to the delight of Grayson.
"It's a good result because it's our first away win of the season, a clean sheet as well and this is a difficult place to come and get a result," he said.
"Watford have a way of playing, we have to deal with that and show different sides of our game. We passed the ball as well as we can do, although we were not creative as we like to think we can be.
"But we had to show a resilience, defend properly, head things, keeper coming for the ball and catching and we showed a lot of good aspects in terms of our defending.
"When you get the early score, it gives you something to, not hang on to, but it gives you the opportunity to make sure that you try and keep a clean sheet and we did that."
Watford boss Malky Mackay was left frustrated after his side failed to take anything out of the game.
He said: "We huffed and puffed and we had some near misses but once Leeds got the early goal they set out their stall to be very resilient but, on another day, the break of the ball goes the other way and we come out of that with a draw."
Mackay disputed the suggestion that his side struggled to create many clear-cut chances and said: "John Eustace had a real clear-cut one in the first half where it bounced to him on the six-yard line and I thought Marvin Sordell, on another day, when he was slipped in on the right-hand side, he scores.
"I thought we had a lot of pressure and we had three or four at least where, on another day, they would have been in the net."
leedsunited.com
BATTLING UNITED WIN AT WATFORD
WATFORD 0, LEEDS 1 (Naylor 6)
Watford: Loach, Doyley, Taylor, Mariappa, Hodson, Eustace, McGinn (Buckley 64), Cowie, Mutch, Deeney Sordell. Subs: Gilmartin, Henderson, Bennett, Jenkins, Walker, Bryan,
Leeds: Schmeichel, Connolly, Naylor, Collins, Bessone (Hughes 46), Sam (Gradel 60), Howson, Kilkenny, Johnson, Becchio, Watt (McCormack 70) . Subs: Bruce, Higgs, Clayton, Somma.
Referee: J Linington
Booked: Watt, Howson, Schmeichel (Leeds)
Att: 14.039 (2199 Leeds)
United manager Simon Grayson named an unchanged side from the one which beat Millwall last time out, and his squad was further styrengthened by the presence of new signing Ross McCormack, who was among the subs.
But it was Luciano Becchio who forced the first save of the game when Scott Loach tipped over a firm header from a Neil Kilkenny corner.
Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howson both had shots blocked from the resultant corner and when the ball came back into the box, Richard Naylor was on hand to stab the ball over the line from close range to make it 1-0.
It was a great start for Leeds, but Watford responded immediately by carving out an opening that led to an unmarked Marvin Sordell heading over Kasper Schmeichel's bar.
Around 2,400 United fans packed into the away end belting out chorus and chorus of last season's anthem "Leeds are going up" as the travelling army continued to enjoy what has been an entertaining start to life in the Championship.
Lloyd Sam, back from injury, carved out the next chance on 14 minutes when his cross from the right was headed wide by Sanchez Watt. United were playing some good football once again and were a threat going forward.
Watford were on the back foot, but on the break, Sordell played in Troy Deeney who tested the advancing Schmeichel. The United keeper also spread himself well to deny Sordell, but more significantly he was causing Watford major problems at the other end with his powerful kicking.
Watford did enjoy a spell of possession leading up to half-time and Schmeichel was called upon to make another decent save, this time from a John Eustace header.
It hadn't been the most entertaining 45 minutes, but United went in at the interval with the advantage. Grayson made a change at half-time with Andrew Hughes replacing Fede Bessone at left-back.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first with little for either set of fans to get excited about. Schmeichel was called into action early on, but only to make a routine collection from a Deeney header following a cross from the right. The Dane also smothered a low drive from distance from Jordon Mutch.
The game also started to be littered with free-kicks and Naylor headed clear one such set-play.
On the hour, Grayson made his second change with Max Gradel replacing Sam on the right flank.
But Leeds were on the defensive again when Schmeichel hammered the ball clear after Don Cowie battled with Hughes on the United left.
United had been under some pressure, but the response came when Gradel had a shot deflected and when Johnson seized on the loose ball there were shouts for a handball.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, Grayson handed McCormack his Leeds United debut, and the striker immediately made a nuisance of himself as Loach was forced into making a save.
The game was becoming increasingly stop-start, Loach was ordered back five yards when taking a free-kick, and both sets of fans were venting their frustrations.
McCormack, pictured above, also forced Loach into a hasty rearguard action when he look to turn the ball goalwards from close range. Becchio was crowded out while trying to seize on the loose ball.
But it was Schmeichel who had to be alert moments later when Martin Taylor back-headed towards goal.
United were again having to get men behind the ball, Naylor and Collins both making good headed clearances, yet Leeds always looked capable on the break, and Loach had to save a deflected effort from McCormack on 82 minutes.
The new signing looked lively and keen to make an impression and had a free-kick blocked as the game headed towards the final whistle.
He also played a key role in teeing up Johnson who fired wide of the mark in the first minuite of time added on as Leeds looked to make the game safe.United did come under some more pressure, but some resolute defending ensured a hard-fought forst away win of the season.
Long wait may soon be over for listed players
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson expects to receive approaches for some or all of his transfer-listed players before Tuesday's deadline, potentially ending their frustrating summers at Elland Road.
Grayson offered hope to Alan Sheehan, Andy Robinson and Lubomir Michalik – all of whom have waited for almost four months for moves out of Leeds – by stating that interest in them was likely to increase before the transfer window closes.
The three players were made available by Grayson at the end of last season, along with striker Tresor Kandol.
Leeds agreed to terminate the remainder of Kandol's four-year contract this month after failing to find a new club for him, but Sheehan, Robinson and Michalik remain on the books at Elland Road with the summer window set to close in little more than 48 hours time.
Grayson said: "They're good lads, they've trained hard and they've done what's been asked of them but it's in their interests to play football. They know they won't play many games here.
"I'm sure there'll be one or two inquiries before Tuesday."
Swindon were expected to pursue Sheehan's signature after taking the left-back on loan last season, but a permanent switch to the County Ground has not developed while interest from Swansea City failed to lead to a move.
United's manager revealed that he had received no offers for any of his senior players, despite rumours of interest in certain professionals.
Scottish Premier League club Celtic were said to be monitoring Luciano Becchio, whose contract at Elland Road is less than 12 months from expiring, but Grayson said he would not invite or entertain any attempts to capture key members of his squad.
"I've had no phone calls about players who are in the team or out of the team," he said.
"That might change in the next few days but I'm certainly not looking to sell any player who is in my team.
"The only ones I'm looking to let leave are the ones who've been available since the start of the summer."
United's signings this summer have run towards double figures and, beyond his immediate transfer dealings, Grayson revealed this week that former West Ham United defender Calum Davenport is likely to be added to his squad in the near future.
The out-of-contract 27-year-old is training with Leeds with a view to joining the club permanently.
Sporting Life 28/8/10
GRAYSON PLEASED WITH RESILIENT LEEDS
Leeds manager Simon Grayson paid tribute to his side's defensive display after they registered their first away win of the season with a 1-0 win at Watford.
Richard Naylor's sixth-minute strike was enough to see United claim the points and notch up back-to-back npower Championship wins after last week's victory over Millwall.
The Hornets pushed forward for an equaliser, but they came up against a Leeds defence who were in no mood to give anything away to the delight of Grayson.
"It's a good result because it's our first away win of the season, a clean sheet as well and this is a difficult place to come and get a result," he said.
"Watford have a way of playing, we have to deal with that and show different sides of our game. We passed the ball as well as we can do, although we were not creative as we like to think we can be.
"But we had to show a resilience, defend properly, head things, keeper coming for the ball and catching and we showed a lot of good aspects in terms of our defending.
"When you get the early score, it gives you something to, not hang on to, but it gives you the opportunity to make sure that you try and keep a clean sheet and we did that."
Watford boss Malky Mackay was left frustrated after his side failed to take anything out of the game.
He said: "We huffed and puffed and we had some near misses but once Leeds got the early goal they set out their stall to be very resilient but, on another day, the break of the ball goes the other way and we come out of that with a draw."
Mackay disputed the suggestion that his side struggled to create many clear-cut chances and said: "John Eustace had a real clear-cut one in the first half where it bounced to him on the six-yard line and I thought Marvin Sordell, on another day, when he was slipped in on the right-hand side, he scores.
"I thought we had a lot of pressure and we had three or four at least where, on another day, they would have been in the net."
leedsunited.com
BATTLING UNITED WIN AT WATFORD
WATFORD 0, LEEDS 1 (Naylor 6)
Watford: Loach, Doyley, Taylor, Mariappa, Hodson, Eustace, McGinn (Buckley 64), Cowie, Mutch, Deeney Sordell. Subs: Gilmartin, Henderson, Bennett, Jenkins, Walker, Bryan,
Leeds: Schmeichel, Connolly, Naylor, Collins, Bessone (Hughes 46), Sam (Gradel 60), Howson, Kilkenny, Johnson, Becchio, Watt (McCormack 70) . Subs: Bruce, Higgs, Clayton, Somma.
Referee: J Linington
Booked: Watt, Howson, Schmeichel (Leeds)
Att: 14.039 (2199 Leeds)
United manager Simon Grayson named an unchanged side from the one which beat Millwall last time out, and his squad was further styrengthened by the presence of new signing Ross McCormack, who was among the subs.
But it was Luciano Becchio who forced the first save of the game when Scott Loach tipped over a firm header from a Neil Kilkenny corner.
Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howson both had shots blocked from the resultant corner and when the ball came back into the box, Richard Naylor was on hand to stab the ball over the line from close range to make it 1-0.
It was a great start for Leeds, but Watford responded immediately by carving out an opening that led to an unmarked Marvin Sordell heading over Kasper Schmeichel's bar.
Around 2,400 United fans packed into the away end belting out chorus and chorus of last season's anthem "Leeds are going up" as the travelling army continued to enjoy what has been an entertaining start to life in the Championship.
Lloyd Sam, back from injury, carved out the next chance on 14 minutes when his cross from the right was headed wide by Sanchez Watt. United were playing some good football once again and were a threat going forward.
Watford were on the back foot, but on the break, Sordell played in Troy Deeney who tested the advancing Schmeichel. The United keeper also spread himself well to deny Sordell, but more significantly he was causing Watford major problems at the other end with his powerful kicking.
Watford did enjoy a spell of possession leading up to half-time and Schmeichel was called upon to make another decent save, this time from a John Eustace header.
It hadn't been the most entertaining 45 minutes, but United went in at the interval with the advantage. Grayson made a change at half-time with Andrew Hughes replacing Fede Bessone at left-back.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first with little for either set of fans to get excited about. Schmeichel was called into action early on, but only to make a routine collection from a Deeney header following a cross from the right. The Dane also smothered a low drive from distance from Jordon Mutch.
The game also started to be littered with free-kicks and Naylor headed clear one such set-play.
On the hour, Grayson made his second change with Max Gradel replacing Sam on the right flank.
But Leeds were on the defensive again when Schmeichel hammered the ball clear after Don Cowie battled with Hughes on the United left.
United had been under some pressure, but the response came when Gradel had a shot deflected and when Johnson seized on the loose ball there were shouts for a handball.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, Grayson handed McCormack his Leeds United debut, and the striker immediately made a nuisance of himself as Loach was forced into making a save.
The game was becoming increasingly stop-start, Loach was ordered back five yards when taking a free-kick, and both sets of fans were venting their frustrations.
McCormack, pictured above, also forced Loach into a hasty rearguard action when he look to turn the ball goalwards from close range. Becchio was crowded out while trying to seize on the loose ball.
But it was Schmeichel who had to be alert moments later when Martin Taylor back-headed towards goal.
United were again having to get men behind the ball, Naylor and Collins both making good headed clearances, yet Leeds always looked capable on the break, and Loach had to save a deflected effort from McCormack on 82 minutes.
The new signing looked lively and keen to make an impression and had a free-kick blocked as the game headed towards the final whistle.
He also played a key role in teeing up Johnson who fired wide of the mark in the first minuite of time added on as Leeds looked to make the game safe.United did come under some more pressure, but some resolute defending ensured a hard-fought forst away win of the season.
