Leeds United 1 Doncaster Rovers 2: McDermott waits on Monday verdict
Yorkshire Evening Post 29/3/14
Brian McDermott is eagerly awaiting the outcome of Monday’s appeal by Massimo Cellino against the Italian’s failure to pass the Football League’s directors and owners test.
The beleaguered Leeds manager saw his team suffer a fifth defeat in six games as Doncaster cashed in on the financial crisis which left Leeds players agreeing to defer half last month’s wages until next week as they claimed a 2-1 win at Elland Road.
McDermott, who sees Monday’s verdict as vital to the club’s future, said: “The big picture is that Massimo has his appeal heard on Monday which is a very important day for this club. Forget about me. It is all about what is right for Leeds United going forward.
“We need this ownership issue sorted out as of yesterday because it has been a very difficult few months. I am not looking for excuses.
“I spoke to the players on Friday about the wages situation and it wasn’t an easy day but an agreement was reached.”
McDermott added: “We were in the top six around Christmas and what has happened since is frightening.
“Our first half performance was embarrassing. It was just horrible to watch. The two halves were as different as night and day. The first half was shocking but we got the goal quite early in the second half and there was a big improvement but we can’t go two goals down before starting to play.”
Doncaster gained their first win over their Yorkshire rivals in eight attempts and manager Paul Dickov said: “I was delighted. In the first half we were fantastic. You have to give Leeds a lot of credit because they put us under real pressure in the second half.
“This result gets us closer to safety, we have seven games left and our recent form is good. It was a rare away win and we are dedicating it to the fans who have supported us all over the country. All credit to the players for the pride they showed in their performance.
“We were disappointed with the goal they scored because we switched off and you can’t do that with Ross McCormack in their team. You can’t give yourselves a points target for survival in this league but we have given ourselves a chance.”
David Cotterill and Billy Sharp put Rovers two goals up in the first half but Leeds then raised their game and captain McCormack nodded his 28th goal of the season.
Leeds fans staged a mini demonstration against owners Gulf Finance House 20 minutes into the game by turning round and chanting: “Turn your backs on GFH.”
Three minutes later Doncaster were ahead. Cotterill’s corner was headed out by defender Sam Byram to Robbie Wellens who laid the ball off for Cotterill to fire past Jack Butland from 15 angled yards.
The lead was doubled in first half time added on. Byram failed to get the ball away from just inside the penalty box, leaving Sharp to plant the ball past the stranded Butland with ease.
Leeds pulled a goal back four minutes later. A free-kick was headed on by Smith for McCormack to head his fourth in as many games.
Rovers keeper Sam Johnstone was fortunate to escape with a yellow card when he brought down McCormack in full flight to the right of the penalty area as Rovers held out.
Brian McDermott is eagerly awaiting the outcome of Monday’s appeal by Massimo Cellino against the Italian’s failure to pass the Football League’s directors and owners test.
The beleaguered Leeds manager saw his team suffer a fifth defeat in six games as Doncaster cashed in on the financial crisis which left Leeds players agreeing to defer half last month’s wages until next week as they claimed a 2-1 win at Elland Road.
McDermott, who sees Monday’s verdict as vital to the club’s future, said: “The big picture is that Massimo has his appeal heard on Monday which is a very important day for this club. Forget about me. It is all about what is right for Leeds United going forward.
“We need this ownership issue sorted out as of yesterday because it has been a very difficult few months. I am not looking for excuses.
“I spoke to the players on Friday about the wages situation and it wasn’t an easy day but an agreement was reached.”
McDermott added: “We were in the top six around Christmas and what has happened since is frightening.
“Our first half performance was embarrassing. It was just horrible to watch. The two halves were as different as night and day. The first half was shocking but we got the goal quite early in the second half and there was a big improvement but we can’t go two goals down before starting to play.”
Doncaster gained their first win over their Yorkshire rivals in eight attempts and manager Paul Dickov said: “I was delighted. In the first half we were fantastic. You have to give Leeds a lot of credit because they put us under real pressure in the second half.
“This result gets us closer to safety, we have seven games left and our recent form is good. It was a rare away win and we are dedicating it to the fans who have supported us all over the country. All credit to the players for the pride they showed in their performance.
“We were disappointed with the goal they scored because we switched off and you can’t do that with Ross McCormack in their team. You can’t give yourselves a points target for survival in this league but we have given ourselves a chance.”
David Cotterill and Billy Sharp put Rovers two goals up in the first half but Leeds then raised their game and captain McCormack nodded his 28th goal of the season.
Leeds fans staged a mini demonstration against owners Gulf Finance House 20 minutes into the game by turning round and chanting: “Turn your backs on GFH.”
Three minutes later Doncaster were ahead. Cotterill’s corner was headed out by defender Sam Byram to Robbie Wellens who laid the ball off for Cotterill to fire past Jack Butland from 15 angled yards.
The lead was doubled in first half time added on. Byram failed to get the ball away from just inside the penalty box, leaving Sharp to plant the ball past the stranded Butland with ease.
Leeds pulled a goal back four minutes later. A free-kick was headed on by Smith for McCormack to head his fourth in as many games.
Rovers keeper Sam Johnstone was fortunate to escape with a yellow card when he brought down McCormack in full flight to the right of the penalty area as Rovers held out.
