Mighty Leeds Weblog

Dougie Double: United 2 Hull 0 leedsunited.com A double from Jonathan Douglas gave Leeds their third straight win in an entertaining derby with Hull in front of the biggest crowd Elland Road his seen this season. Pre-Match United boss Kevin Blackwell made two changes to the side that beat Stoke on Wednesday night, one of the changes forced on him through injury. Left-back Dan Harding took a knock that he failed to recover from in time and he missed the chance to impress at first hand the England under-21 coach, Peter Taylor, manager of the opposition. Stephen Crainey came in for his first start since September. The other change saw David Healy, somewhat withdrawn in recent games, dropped to the bench with Liam Miller coming in on the right hand side of midfield. Hull had a surprise of their own for Leeds, dropping former United and England midfielder Nick Barmby to the bench on his first return to Elland Road. The Match A crowd of 26,387 turned up to watch the game and were not disapp...

United boss Kevin Blackwell believes staying in business was the club's greatest achievement of 2005. The club was facing the imminent threat of being made insolvent when Chairman Ken Bates strode into Elland Road and completed his takeover with the minimum of fuss. At the time Blackwell was battling to improve United's fortunes on the field and he admits he, like most people, had no idea just how grave the situation was at the time. "Being here right now is our greatest achievement of 2005," said Blackwell today in his office at Thorp Arch. "Beating the winding up order on the 24th of January must be it because if we had not beaten that we would not be here today. "I think will show how much of a D-Day that was for Leeds United because at the time even I wasn't aware of the gravity of the situation to the point where on the Monday we would not have been able to train at Thorp Arch because the doors would have been locked. "2005 has been a real wat...

Sully Does It Again! Stoke 0 United 1 leedsunited.com Pre-match A goal from Eddie Lewis was enough to give Leeds a well earned win at the Britannia Stadium after Neil Sullivan had earlier made a crucial penalty save for the Whites. United boss Kevin Blackwell was able to name the same side that beat Coventry City 3-1 for the game at the Britannia Stadium. It meant that despite Manchester United loan signing Liam Miller being available after suspension, another on-loan midfielder, Blackburn's Jonathan Douglas kept his place. Miller meanwhile had to be content with a place on the bench. Stoke meanwhile included former Leeds defender Michael Duberry for what was his first game against his former club. The £4.5m signing has settled well in the Potteries and the Stoke captain was certainly out to put one over his old team-mates. The game saw Stoke's largest crowd of the season at 20,408 turn out with United once again proving a big draw. The Match Leeds saw plenty of early possessio...

Leeds post victory By Garry Doolan Leeds United 3 Coventry City 1 The Times MISFORTUNE COMBINED with misdemeanour to condemn Coventry City to their first defeat in four matches. The visiting team hit the woodwork four times and missed a penalty, but still could have won had woeful defending not fatally undermined them in front of the biggest crowd of the season at Elland Road. Micky Adams, the Coventry manager, rued the intervention of the goal frame at the ground where he was once a hero. “We created the chances and have been very unfortunate,” he said. “We dominated possession and certainly frustrated Leeds, but, if you hit the post and the crossbar as many times as us, there is a feeling it is not going to be your day.” Even Sam Ellis, the Leeds assistant manager, was forced to concede some measure of support for Coventry. “They certainly top the table for hitting the post and bar,” he said. “It is usually us complaining about that bad luck in front of goal, so we know exactly how ...

Merry Christmas after all: United 3 Coventry 1 leedsunited.com An action packed affair at Elland Road saw Leeds return to winning ways thanks to goals from Jonathan Douglas, Robbie Blake and Richard Cresswell - his first league goal for the club. Three points made for the perfect present for Kevin Blackwell's men. Pre-Match Manager Kevin Blackwell was forced to reshuffle his pack again after a rash of suspensions ruled Liam Miller and Simon Walton out. Gary Kelly did return from his one match ban though to take up his position at right-back in place of Walton, whilst Miller's absence saw another loan signing, Blackburn's Jonathan Douglas, return to the starting line up for the first time in seven games. Shaun Derry had been a pre-match doubt after going down with a virus but he was able to shake it off in time to keep his place in midfield, whilst Rob Hulse recovered sufficiently from his hip problem to take his place on the bench. The Match The biggest crowd of the season ...

Triumph out of tragedy - new pages uploaded at mightyleeds.co.uk I've just uploaded my review of the Fairs Cup game between Torino and Leeds United on 6 October 1965 Leeds' first foray into European competition sees them emerge triumphant, although success was achieved at the grievous expense of the loss of captain Bobby Collins Read the full story at http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/matches/19651006.htm

Wolves 1 Leeds 0: Ganea beats clueless Leeds Sunday Times Ivo Tennant at Molineux FOR Wolverhampton Wanderers, a victory more straightforward than would be apparent from the scoreline. This was primarily because Leeds United created only one opening all afternoon and then had Simon Walton sent off late in the second half. Viorel Ganea, injury-prone for so long, scored his fifth goal of the season in front of a crowd of 26,821 that was the biggest at Molineux this season. Ganea, who missed last season because of a cruciate ligament injury, is out of contract in the summer. Nobody doubts his ability — not least England at Euro 2000 — but his age, 32, is against him. Do not bank on him being around next season, whether or not Wolves have reached the Premiership. For the time being, though, he has plenty to commend him. A series of draws before this match and an initial shortage of transfers would suggest that Wolves have been falling back on defence to too great a degree. Not so, even if ...

Whites Bitten: Wolves 1 United 0 leedsunited.com United went down to a single goal at Molineux but Kevin Blackwell's patched up side still put up a good fight against the Wolves. Pre-Match United boss Kevin Blackwell made three changes for the trip to Molineux from the side that lost at home to Cardiff, two of them were forced on him. Striker Rob Hulse received a painkilling injection at the start of the week to help soften the impact of a hip injury he has been playing with, but even that was not enough to ease the pain and Leeds decided enough pressure had been put on the forward. He was forced to miss the game and the indications now are that he will undergo an operation next week to find a final solution to the injury. His place was taken by fit-again striker Richard Cresswell, just back from spending the past two and a half months out after rupturing a tendon in his knee. His only competitive action before this game since returning to fitness was 45 minutes for the reserves i...

Leeds 0 Cardiff 1: Ridsdale has last laugh Richard Rae at Elland Road Sunday Times PETER RIDSDALE can be accused of many things, but the man whose financial profligacy was responsible, most Leeds United fans believe, for almost driving their club out of existence, does not lack nerve. Now deputy chairman at Cardiff City, he turned up at his old stamping ground smiling, waving and ignoring the chants that suggested he might be less than welcome. The variety and venom of those chants can only have made the satisfaction of seeing his new club prevail all the greater. It was unfortunate for Ridsdale, although only in one respect, that the first half was one in which the Leeds supporters needed no encouragement to turn their attention from the pitch to the directors’ box, because for a team coming into the game with the confidence that stemmed from having won their previous four matches, they were appalling. Dave Jones’s decision to start with what was essentially a five-man midfield, albei...

Licence to thrill pays dividends Yorkshire Post Money well spent as Bates gets ideal birthday present Richard Sutcliffe at Elland Road Leeds United 2Leicester City 1 AS Ken Bates tucked into his birthday lunch surrounded by family and friends at Elland Road yesterday, he will have been able to reflect contentedly on the progress being made by Leeds United. A fourth consecutive league win, the first time Leeds have enjoyed such a rewarding run of results since the closing weeks of the 2000-01 season, was enough to nudge United up to the highest position of Kevin Blackwell's reign. There is a genuine air of optimism surrounding the club with the manner of the victory over an attack-minded Leicester side offering further proof that the growing confidence of supporters and players alike is not misplaced. Blackwell's policy of recruting proven goal-scoring talent – he has spent more than £3.5m on his four frontline strikers – meant against the Foxes the United manager was able to ad...

Leeds setting their sights higher than the play-offs By Richard Holdsworth Leeds United (1) 2 Leicester City (0) 1 Telegraph.co.uk Slowly but surely, the dark clouds that have encircled Elland Road for some time now, are beginning to part. This victory over Leicester City - their fourth consecutive in the Championship - moves Leeds into third place and many supporters believe their latest ensemble have the ability to catch the distant top two. "We know what the supporters expect and we're not content with reaching the play-offs,'' John Carver, the Leeds head coach, said. ''If we continue to show the character we did today, there's no reason why we can't push the leaders." Before David Healy opened the scoring with a well-worked free-kick late in the first half, an Eddie Lewis shot that just went over was all Leeds had to show for their attacking efforts. In fact only the woodwork had prevented Paul Butler from heading past his own goalkeeper and gi...

Four In A Row: United 2 Leicester 1 leedsunited.com An enthralling game saw Leeds stretch their winning run to four games thanks to goals from David Healy and Matthew Kilgallon, whilst the Foxes were awarded a dubious penalty.United though are definitely on a roll. Pre-Match United manager Kevin Blackwell was left with a bit of a midfield crisis for this game following a hamstring injury to Shaun Derry in last week's win at Millwall. The same game saw two of his likely replacements, Sean Gregan and Jonathan Douglas, pick up their fifth bookings of the season - ruling them out of this game through suspension. That left Simon Walton as the only fit player with any tangible central midfield experience and it was no surprise to see him named in the starting XI, making his first appearance of the season. That, and the return of skipper Paul Butler after suspension, were the only changes for Leeds, not that Blackwell had much scope to make changes anyway with just 17 senior players avail...

Blackwell set for new deal By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 3 Dec 2005 Sky Sports Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell is set to enter into negotiations with the club's board in an attempt to extend his current contract. The Yorkshire outfit are going well in The Championship and are strongly fancied to secure promotion to the top flight. Blackwell has been winning plaudits for his management, and chairman Ken Bates is keen for him to agree a new deal. "My contract is up at the end of the season, but I would love to stay here beyond that. I'd like to lay my roots here," hoped Blackwell.

Lucky Ending! Millwall 0 United 1 leedsunited.com A last minute shot from David Healy deflected in for the only goal of the game gave Leeds a crucial win at the New Den...the first time they have put three back to back wins together in almost three years. Pre-Match United boss Kevin Blackwell counted himself fortunate to only be forced into making the one change following the 2-0 win over Burnley in midweek. Rob Hulse, Shaun Derry and Liam Miller had all been doubts for the game, but had recovered sufficiently to keep their places, and in the case of Miller, special dispensation was granted by the referee for him to play with a cast on his fractured wrist. Skipper Paul Butler was absent though whilst he served a one match ban. His absence gave Sean Gregan the chance to come in and stake a claim for a more permanent recall to the starting XI. The Match David Healy wore an armband in respect of George Best, his fellow Ulsterman who the Leeds striker regarded as one of his big heroes in t...

BLACKWELL EYES PROMOTION PUSH Sporting Life Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell has challenged his side to catch the Coca-Cola Championship's top two after a 2-0 home win over Burnley. Second-half goals from David Healy and Robbie Blake clinched victory in a game against a side that put up a determined effort at Elland Road and controlled proceedings for a large period. And on the back of their superb comeback victory against Southampton on Saturday, Blackwell has challenged his team to build a run that will haul them into one of the automatic promotion places. "That's what football's about," said Blackwell. "We're half-way through the season and there's no doubt them (Reading) and Sheffield United are flying. "But you've just got to keep playing every game and keep knocking points on the board. "It's like a bike race, people go way out in front but it's funny how they get caught. "The problem for both of those clubs is that they...

Blake Haunts Clarets: United 2 Burnley 0 leedsunited.com Leeds kept pace with the play-off contenders thanks to a David Healy penalty and a special free-kick from Robbie Blake to give them all three points against Burnley. Pre-Match United boss Kevin Blackwell made just the one change to the side that enjoyed a remarkable comeback against Southampton at the weekend. David Healy gets the chance to start the game at the expense of Frazer Richardson, but unlike Saturday when Leeds adopted a 4-3-3 formation, Healy would be operating as a winger in a more traditional 4-42. Liam Miller had been a doubt for the game with a thigh strain but he was passed fit before the game and kept his place. Burnley recalled goalkeeper Brian Jensen and Frank Sinclair after suspension. The Match With just four minutes on the clock Matthew Kilgallon was unlucky not to claim the third goal of his Leeds United career. Healy won and took a corner on the right and Kilgallon got a flick on but no-one was there to g...

One Of Our Best leedsunited.com Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell hailed his side's remarkable comeback against Southampton as one of the best of all time - anywhere. The Whites were trailing 3-0 at half-time but inspired by 3,000 fans who kept backing them, and the introduction of David Healy in the second half, they produced a memorable fightback that culminated in Liam Miller scoring the fourth and winning goal. Not since United turned the tables on Derby County in November 1997 after finding themselves 3-0 at Elland Road have Leeds produced such a remarkable comeback, and Blackwell says it is the best game he's ever been involved in. "It's up there with the top victories because at 3-0 down nobody could see us winning that game," he said. "I remember a night with Sheffield United against Leeds United when we were 1-0 down with 2 minutes to go and we won 2-1, that was some night, but this was a lot more elongated because the comeback had to be a long longer and s...

AMAZING! 4.31pm: Saints 3 United 04.46pm: Saints 3 United 4 Blackwell: It has to be the most dramatic game I've ever seen By PAUL DEWS Yorkshire Evening Post LEEDS UNITED boss Kevin Blackwell hailed his side's stunning 4-3 success at Southampton as the most dramatic game he has ever seen. Blackwell's side were dead and buried at 3-0 down with 20 minutes remaining, but they staged an amazing fightback to win 4-3 after scoring all four goals in the space of just 15 minutes. The recovery ranks as one of the greatest in United's history – loan man Liam Miller bagged the dramatic winner – and Blackwell was almost speechless. "It's up there with the top victories I've been involved in because at 3-0 down nobody could see us winning that game," said Blackwell. "I remember a night with Sheffield United against Leeds when we were 1-0 down with two minutes to go and we won 2-1. "That was some night, but Saturday was a lot more dramatic because the come...

United's Miracle! Saints 3 - Leeds 4! leedsunited.com Three-nil down at half-time, Leeds were dead and buried - but never count United out as they produced the most remarkable of comebacks to take all three points in an action packed thriller at St Mary's. Pre-Match United boss Kevin Blackwell had endured some frustration over the international break after his plans to get all the strikers working together in training fell through, namely David Healy's ankle problems that kept the Northern Ireland international on the bench for this game. Healy was still not 100% fit and as such Blackwell made the decision to start with Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake together, the pair having prepared well in the build up to the game. Healy would feature on the bench and be used as an impact player. That was the only change from the side that drew with Preston at Elland Road in what had been a low key performance for the Whites. Results before the game had seen Leeds fall out of the top six and...

United fail in loan bid for Brown by Phil Hay Yorkshire Evening Post Kevin Blackwell today admitted the transfer market has become a closed shop after Leeds United missed out on the signature of Michael Brown. United attempted to strike a loan deal with the Tottenham midfielder after securing Liam Miller from Manchester United, but Brown has opted to remain in London and fight for his place at White Hart Lane. The 28-year-old, who worked with Blackwell at Sheffield United, has made just four appearances for Martin Jol's side this season after Spurs invested heavily in midfield talent during the summer. Blackwell had hoped to secure Brown in time for Saturday's Championship clash at Southampton, but his loan options are growing thin as the country's clubs close ranks ahead of the demanding Christmas schedule. Blackwell admitted: "We had a try for Michael but it didn't come off. We'll move on and explore other avenues. "It's very difficult at this moment...

Blake: Give Us A Break BY PAUL DEWS In Rodez Yorkshire Evening Post LEEDS UNITED striker Robbie Blake today dismissed notions of a mini-crisis at Elland Road and insisted the international break couldn't have come at a better time. United's goalless draw against Preston on Saturday was enough to ensure that Kevin Blackwell's side will resume their Championship campaign at Southampton on Saturday week in fifth place in the division. But, after losing to Crewe and being held at home by Preston, Leeds have wavered in recent weeks and have missed repeated chances to cement themselves as Sheffield United and Reading's main promotion rivals. "Saturday was a pretty tough game and we have to be disappointed with the performance," conceded former Birmingham marksman Blake ahead of tonight's friendly clash against French side Rodez. "But we've only lost one in eight league games, so it's not that much of a crisis. "Hopefully the break will do us th...

The Match: United 0 Preston 0 leedsunited.com An average game at Elland Road saw Leeds held to a 0-0 draw by Preston North End but it was an encouraging performance from new-boy Liam Miller. Pre-match United boss Kevin Blackwell gave Liam Miller his debut in midfield, just 24 hours after the Irish international arrived on loan from Manchester United. Miller's inclusion saw another loan signing, Jonathan Douglas, drop down to the bench. There was one further change with Ian Moore also dropping out of the starting XI and Frazer Richardson returning to the right wing. With David Healy and Eddie Lewis starting there were two former Preston players up against the former club, whilst Sean Gregan, who once captained the Lilywhites, was on the bench. The Match Kevin Blackwell's decision to throw Liam Miller straight into the thick of the action barely 24 hours after his arrival at Elland Road may on the face of it appeared bold (Remember Roque Junior!), but straight away the Irishman s...