Guardian 31/12/11
Barnsley thrash Leeds to heap more pressure on manager Simon Grayson
Barnsley 4 Leeds United 1
David Hopps at Oakwell
Chants of "Bates out" sounded from a sizeable contingent of Leeds United fans as their side stumbled to their most humiliating defeat of the season, but old chairmen do not depart as automatically as an old year. As much as they would like to see the back of Ken Bates, the man who increasingly looks in most danger is Simon Grayson.
Disenchanted as they were, Leeds' supporters dredged up a brief show of support for the manager, but after three successive defeats, and now lying 10th, four points adrift of the play-offs, Grayson's reputation has never been lower in his three years in charge. His side is going backwards.
Barnsley's Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Tê sunk Leeds with a hat-trick after his early appearance from the substitutes' bench to replace the injured captain, Jacob Butterfield, their outstanding player of the season, had initially left the home supporters fearing the worst. "Everything happens for a reason," said Barnsley's manager, Keith Hill, a South Yorkshire philosopher in the making.
Austerity Leeds were not a pretty sight. They were a shambles in central defence, lacked pace and imagination in midfield and were defeatist in attack. Bates, who likes a promotion challenge, even if it does not actually end in promotion, will be re-examining his loyalties in his Monte Carlo retreat.
Peter Lorimer, a Leeds striker in their heyday, former publican, and now a director, is regarded by many as Bates' mouthpiece and had been critical enough before kick-off. "I'd be lying to the fans if I said I wasn't worried," he said. "The situation for Leeds is precarious."
As chants for Bates's removal broke out, Lorimer briefly swung round in the directors' box to glower in their direction before watching an increasingly inept display in silence.
Grayson did not underplay Leeds's lack of cohesion and spirit. "It was embarrassing, shambolic," he said. "We didn't show passion or desire.
"We had too many players making wrong decisions, playing as individuals rather than collectively as a team.
"Any footballer can have a poor day at the office in terms of passing and giving the ball away but it doesn't stop you running around, and that's a massive downside to our team today. It's embarrassing to be the manager of the club. I take responsibility because it's my players, my team, but one or two of the players might not play for the team again."
Robert Snodgrass, Leeds's most creative force, was absent after an appendix operation. Someone also seemed to have ripped the heart out of the Leeds side.
Vaz Tê put Barnsley ahead with his first meaningful touch, shooting past Andy Lonergan after Patrick Kisnorbo had failed to cope with Craig Davies's direct run. Things could have been worse – Aidy White survived handball appeals after a left-wing cross by Jay McEveley and Darren O'Dea looked a liability.
Leeds's only replies came from a couple of long-range efforts by Ramón Núñez, who was the only player applauded off by the supporters at half-time.
Vaz Tê's second goal came from a corner, an angled shot from beyond the far post as a disorganised central defence left him in yards of space. Grayson tried to pep up Leeds by throwing on Luciano Becchio and Adam Clayton, only for Davies to take advantage of more weak defending to curl in a superb third goal from the edge of the area.
Vaz Tê's hat-trick came 18 minutes from time when he cut in from the left, making light of O'Dea's challenge. Becchio headed in an injury-time reply for Leeds from Núñez's free-kick.
Leeds have not beaten Barnsley since they knocked them out of the FA Cup in 2001, but it is this year's third round that now fills them with dread. As Barnsley's fourth goal flew in, they voiced it. "Bring on the Arsenal," they chanted.
Barnsley thrash Leeds to heap more pressure on manager Simon Grayson
Barnsley 4 Leeds United 1
David Hopps at Oakwell
Chants of "Bates out" sounded from a sizeable contingent of Leeds United fans as their side stumbled to their most humiliating defeat of the season, but old chairmen do not depart as automatically as an old year. As much as they would like to see the back of Ken Bates, the man who increasingly looks in most danger is Simon Grayson.
Disenchanted as they were, Leeds' supporters dredged up a brief show of support for the manager, but after three successive defeats, and now lying 10th, four points adrift of the play-offs, Grayson's reputation has never been lower in his three years in charge. His side is going backwards.
Barnsley's Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Tê sunk Leeds with a hat-trick after his early appearance from the substitutes' bench to replace the injured captain, Jacob Butterfield, their outstanding player of the season, had initially left the home supporters fearing the worst. "Everything happens for a reason," said Barnsley's manager, Keith Hill, a South Yorkshire philosopher in the making.
Austerity Leeds were not a pretty sight. They were a shambles in central defence, lacked pace and imagination in midfield and were defeatist in attack. Bates, who likes a promotion challenge, even if it does not actually end in promotion, will be re-examining his loyalties in his Monte Carlo retreat.
Peter Lorimer, a Leeds striker in their heyday, former publican, and now a director, is regarded by many as Bates' mouthpiece and had been critical enough before kick-off. "I'd be lying to the fans if I said I wasn't worried," he said. "The situation for Leeds is precarious."
As chants for Bates's removal broke out, Lorimer briefly swung round in the directors' box to glower in their direction before watching an increasingly inept display in silence.
Grayson did not underplay Leeds's lack of cohesion and spirit. "It was embarrassing, shambolic," he said. "We didn't show passion or desire.
"We had too many players making wrong decisions, playing as individuals rather than collectively as a team.
"Any footballer can have a poor day at the office in terms of passing and giving the ball away but it doesn't stop you running around, and that's a massive downside to our team today. It's embarrassing to be the manager of the club. I take responsibility because it's my players, my team, but one or two of the players might not play for the team again."
Robert Snodgrass, Leeds's most creative force, was absent after an appendix operation. Someone also seemed to have ripped the heart out of the Leeds side.
Vaz Tê put Barnsley ahead with his first meaningful touch, shooting past Andy Lonergan after Patrick Kisnorbo had failed to cope with Craig Davies's direct run. Things could have been worse – Aidy White survived handball appeals after a left-wing cross by Jay McEveley and Darren O'Dea looked a liability.
Leeds's only replies came from a couple of long-range efforts by Ramón Núñez, who was the only player applauded off by the supporters at half-time.
Vaz Tê's second goal came from a corner, an angled shot from beyond the far post as a disorganised central defence left him in yards of space. Grayson tried to pep up Leeds by throwing on Luciano Becchio and Adam Clayton, only for Davies to take advantage of more weak defending to curl in a superb third goal from the edge of the area.
Vaz Tê's hat-trick came 18 minutes from time when he cut in from the left, making light of O'Dea's challenge. Becchio headed in an injury-time reply for Leeds from Núñez's free-kick.
Leeds have not beaten Barnsley since they knocked them out of the FA Cup in 2001, but it is this year's third round that now fills them with dread. As Barnsley's fourth goal flew in, they voiced it. "Bring on the Arsenal," they chanted.
