leedsunited.com 29/9/10
ASHAMED AND EMBARRASSED...
Manager Simon Grayson apologised to the Leeds United fans after Tuesday's 6-4 home defeat at the hands of Preston and admitted he was "embarrassed and ashamed" by the performance of his players at Elland Road.
Leeds contrived to surrender a 4-1 lead in the game to concede six goals on home soil for the first time in the club's history as Preston staged the most amazing comeback in their own history.
It was a completely stunning game to watch, and the United manager was furious with his players after the game.
"It was absolutely gobsmacking," said Grayson.
"I was lost for words. I was embarrassed and ashamed...unprofessional is another word you could use.
"We actually looked decent for a period in the first half, went 4-1 up, and were a major threat - but it still wasn't good enough. We said to keep it tight and see the first half out, but the goal before half-time gave them a lift and made it 4-2.
"I had a right go at them at half-time because there were too many things going wrong. We were being unprofessional and we told them.
"But in the second half we completely capitulated in terms doing all the wrong things. There were too many players playing as individuals and not as a team. There were too many mistakes. I could be here all day and night talking about the wrong things.
"It was like groundhog day again. To say it was disappointing would be a complete understatement.
"I've never been involved in a game like that before and I never want to be involved in another one."It was so frustrating because you look like you have turned a corner with a couple of decent results after the Barnsley game and then you get done six. Football amazes you."


Yorkshire Evening Post 29/9/10
Whites forced to watch video nasty
By Phil Hay
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson planned to subject his squad to a repeat of their horror show against Preston North End today after a 6-4 defeat which left him "humiliated".
United's squad were dragged into Thorp Arch this morning to dissect video footage of their spectacular collapse in a 10-goal epic at Elland Road.Grayson was almost lost for words at the end of an incredible game which Leeds led 4-1 after 39 minutes and 4-2 at half-time.
Preston tore apart his defence in the second half, striking four times without reply and becoming the first visiting team ever to score six goals in a first-team game at Elland Road.
A hat-trick from Jon Parkin, praised by Preston manager Darren Ferguson as "unplayable", did irreparable damage to Grayson's side.
The defeat came exactly a fortnight after United's 5-2 loss to Barnsley and a dejected Grayson, whose team were booed from the field at Elland Road, bemoaned "Groundhog Day" as he contemplate his next move before Saturday's game at Ipswich Town.
Grayson said: "It's groundhog day after two weeks ago at Barnsley. There aren't many words to describe it.
"I take responsibility because it's my team and my players but you don't expect this to be happening. To lose the game 6-4 is unbelievable – an embarrassment.
"Even at half-time, the players got a right rollicking because the scoreline could have been eight-all. We were far to open and unprofessional. They're as gobsmacked and dumbstruck as I am and if we get more games like this, I'm not sure I'll be here much longer in terms of my health.
"The players are in today to see what went wrong, just like two weeks ago.
"After they see the video, they'll realise what that game was like to watch, never mind what it was like to play in it."
Ferguson said: "That's heart attack material but my team were outstanding. Parkin was unplayable and Leeds' centre-backs couldn't cope with him."

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