leedsunited.com 16/9/06
United beaten at Coventry
United manager Kevin Blackwell marked his 100th game in charge of the club by ringing the changes, following the midweek defeat at the hands of Sunderland.
Kevin Nicholls was handed his full debut at the centre of a three-man midfield with Sean Gregan making his first Coca-Cola Championship start of the season as the anchor man. Steve Stone and Jonathan Douglas were the men who made way by dropping to the bench.
Seb Carole was also recalled to the starting line-up in place of Eddie Lewis as Blackwell opted for a 4-3-3 system at the Ricoh Arena.
It's a formation favoured by the manager, particularly away from home, and it almost paid dividends as early as the eighth minute when, after soaking up early Coventry pressure, United broke quickly and David Healy rattled the bar with a header, following an Ian Westlake cross from the left.
Westlake also forced City's Elliott Ward into evasive action when the defender had to react quickly to clear a low pass intended for an unmarked Geoff Horsfield.
But the home side looked lively going forward and their first clear opportunity came midway through the first half when Jay Tabb stabbed a weak shot straight at United goalkeeper Tony Warner, following some neat build-up play.
Moments later, though, Coventry were rewarded for their perseverance when Marcus Hall released Tabb on the left and Stern John was on hand to capitalise on a low cross to fire the Sky Blues into a 25th minute lead.
John's strike was enough to give Coventry the advantage as the game edged its way towards the half-time break.
The United manager re-shuffled his pack during the interval with Douglas replacing Gregan. United also switched to a 4-4-2 as
they sought to gain a route back into the contest.
Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall was forced into making his first save of the contest shortly after the break - Westlake shooting from distance - and Horsfield narrowly failed to connect with a low cross from Healy as Leeds started brightly.
The two front-men linked up well again moments later, but with Horsfield bearing down on goal Marshall reacted quickly to prevent the danger. Horsfield also sent a header flashing wide of the upright as United threatened again.
At the other end, Warner did well to deny Michael Doyle when the Coventry midfielder was handed a good opportunity after the hosts broke quickly and incisively.
But Leeds pushed forward again and Nicholls could consider himself unfortunate when a curling effort from 20 yards drifted wide of the upright with Marshall floundering.
United threw men forward in the hope of salvaging an equaliser, but almost paid a price with eight minutes left on the clock when, after Coventry broke quickly, Warner pulled off a fine save to deny home debutant Leon McKenzie.With three minutes to go, United almost snatched an equaliser when Horsfield met a Nicholl's corner but his header was tipped over the bar by Marshall. But that was United's last chance and the Sky Blues celebrated victory by the only goal of the game.
Sky Sports 16/9/06
Blackwell rejects Curbs talk
By Peter ORourke
Under-fire Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell has rejected talk that Alan Curbishley could replace him at Elland Road.
Blackwell's future has been the subject of intense speculation after a disastrous run of form saw the team slip into the Championship relegation zone.
Angry fans called for Blackwell's head after Wednesday's defeat to Sunderland, but Blackwell is refusing to give up.
Former Charlton chief Curbishley has been strongly linked with succeeding Blackwell should the axe fall on the Leeds boss, but Blackwell has laughed off talk that Curbishley could replace him.
"Alan wouldn't come here unless he had millions to spend - and we don't. Whoever came in here would face the same problems I've had," said Blackwell. "The club's lost enough money paying three ex-managers so I am sure the chairman would not want to do that again."
United beaten at Coventry
United manager Kevin Blackwell marked his 100th game in charge of the club by ringing the changes, following the midweek defeat at the hands of Sunderland.
Kevin Nicholls was handed his full debut at the centre of a three-man midfield with Sean Gregan making his first Coca-Cola Championship start of the season as the anchor man. Steve Stone and Jonathan Douglas were the men who made way by dropping to the bench.
Seb Carole was also recalled to the starting line-up in place of Eddie Lewis as Blackwell opted for a 4-3-3 system at the Ricoh Arena.
It's a formation favoured by the manager, particularly away from home, and it almost paid dividends as early as the eighth minute when, after soaking up early Coventry pressure, United broke quickly and David Healy rattled the bar with a header, following an Ian Westlake cross from the left.
Westlake also forced City's Elliott Ward into evasive action when the defender had to react quickly to clear a low pass intended for an unmarked Geoff Horsfield.
But the home side looked lively going forward and their first clear opportunity came midway through the first half when Jay Tabb stabbed a weak shot straight at United goalkeeper Tony Warner, following some neat build-up play.
Moments later, though, Coventry were rewarded for their perseverance when Marcus Hall released Tabb on the left and Stern John was on hand to capitalise on a low cross to fire the Sky Blues into a 25th minute lead.
John's strike was enough to give Coventry the advantage as the game edged its way towards the half-time break.
The United manager re-shuffled his pack during the interval with Douglas replacing Gregan. United also switched to a 4-4-2 as
they sought to gain a route back into the contest.Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall was forced into making his first save of the contest shortly after the break - Westlake shooting from distance - and Horsfield narrowly failed to connect with a low cross from Healy as Leeds started brightly.
The two front-men linked up well again moments later, but with Horsfield bearing down on goal Marshall reacted quickly to prevent the danger. Horsfield also sent a header flashing wide of the upright as United threatened again.
At the other end, Warner did well to deny Michael Doyle when the Coventry midfielder was handed a good opportunity after the hosts broke quickly and incisively.
But Leeds pushed forward again and Nicholls could consider himself unfortunate when a curling effort from 20 yards drifted wide of the upright with Marshall floundering.
United threw men forward in the hope of salvaging an equaliser, but almost paid a price with eight minutes left on the clock when, after Coventry broke quickly, Warner pulled off a fine save to deny home debutant Leon McKenzie.With three minutes to go, United almost snatched an equaliser when Horsfield met a Nicholl's corner but his header was tipped over the bar by Marshall. But that was United's last chance and the Sky Blues celebrated victory by the only goal of the game.
Sky Sports 16/9/06
Blackwell rejects Curbs talk
By Peter ORourke
Under-fire Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell has rejected talk that Alan Curbishley could replace him at Elland Road.
Blackwell's future has been the subject of intense speculation after a disastrous run of form saw the team slip into the Championship relegation zone.
Angry fans called for Blackwell's head after Wednesday's defeat to Sunderland, but Blackwell is refusing to give up.
Former Charlton chief Curbishley has been strongly linked with succeeding Blackwell should the axe fall on the Leeds boss, but Blackwell has laughed off talk that Curbishley could replace him.
"Alan wouldn't come here unless he had millions to spend - and we don't. Whoever came in here would face the same problems I've had," said Blackwell. "The club's lost enough money paying three ex-managers so I am sure the chairman would not want to do that again."