Leedsunited.com 15/9/07
JOY OF SIX
Gus Poyet was quick to salute the players after they moved off the bottom and out of the relegation places after winning in Bristol on Friday night.
The lads made it six successive wins by beating Bristol Rovers 3-0 at the Memorial Stadium and the victory was enough to haul United off bottom spot for the first time this season.
It was another gritty performance from the side - in front of Rovers biggest ever crowd - and three quality goals sealed another memorable evening.
"The team was very professional," said a delighted Gus. "We knew when to play, when to defend, when to suffer and when to pass it.
"We scored at the right times, and I think professional is the word.
"I think the team understand that when you have players like Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol on the pitch, you always have the chance to score.
"The other nine know they have to work very hard for them and give them one or two chances, because they will take them.
"They understood and they defended very well for 20 minutes in the second half.
"They pushed a lot and put in so many crosses, but the second goal killed the game. The last one was there to enjoy because it was different class."
After clawing back the 15-point deduction - imposed by the Football League - in record time, the win on Friday was enough to keep the amazing start going.
Victory against Swansea next weekend would equal the club's best ever start to a league campaign and could even lift the lads into mid-table. Without the deduction United, the only side with a 100 per cent record in the Football League, would be well clear at the top.
"It's great for everyone to have the table on Friday and not see Leeds bottom," said Gus.
"It's hard to take because everyone knows we've won six games and we're still in there so we'll keep going and try to get points, no matter who we play or where we play. We'll keep being professional, like on Friday.
"The only way is to think about the next game. We are taking it game by game and the lads know that. The supporters understand that as well. This is another step but there's a long way away.
"We have a good group of players and they're pulling together, with great supporters behind them. It's working.
"There's a long way to go, 40 games, but we can enjoy the weekend."
Daily Mail 15/9/07
Beckford gives Leeds a big lift
Bristol Rovers 0 Leeds United 3
Jermaine Beckford fired Leeds United off the bottom of League One with two classy goals at the Memorial Stadium last night.
The former Wealdstone striker scored in each half as Leeds maintained their 100 per cent start to the league campaign.
A sixth straight victory was enough to lift Dennis Wise's side out of the relegation places, continuing the club's remarkable recovery from the 15-point penalty imposed by the Football League.
But Rovers manager Paul Trollope was left to rue a series of missed chances as his side surrendered their unbeaten league record.
United opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Beckford ran into space and flicked in a cross from Sebastien Carole.
The hosts dominated for long periods but Craig Disley wasted their best opportunity in the 25th minute, nodding wide a free header from a Ryan Green corner.
And Rovers had a strong penalty appeal turned down after Bryan Anthony's header hit a flailing arm.
But Tresor Kandol put the result beyond doubt with a close-range finish on 77 minutes before Beckford's sublime overhead kick completed United's victory in injury-time.
JOY OF SIX
Gus Poyet was quick to salute the players after they moved off the bottom and out of the relegation places after winning in Bristol on Friday night.
The lads made it six successive wins by beating Bristol Rovers 3-0 at the Memorial Stadium and the victory was enough to haul United off bottom spot for the first time this season.
It was another gritty performance from the side - in front of Rovers biggest ever crowd - and three quality goals sealed another memorable evening.
"The team was very professional," said a delighted Gus. "We knew when to play, when to defend, when to suffer and when to pass it.
"We scored at the right times, and I think professional is the word.
"I think the team understand that when you have players like Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol on the pitch, you always have the chance to score.
"The other nine know they have to work very hard for them and give them one or two chances, because they will take them.
"They understood and they defended very well for 20 minutes in the second half.
"They pushed a lot and put in so many crosses, but the second goal killed the game. The last one was there to enjoy because it was different class."
After clawing back the 15-point deduction - imposed by the Football League - in record time, the win on Friday was enough to keep the amazing start going.
Victory against Swansea next weekend would equal the club's best ever start to a league campaign and could even lift the lads into mid-table. Without the deduction United, the only side with a 100 per cent record in the Football League, would be well clear at the top.
"It's great for everyone to have the table on Friday and not see Leeds bottom," said Gus.
"It's hard to take because everyone knows we've won six games and we're still in there so we'll keep going and try to get points, no matter who we play or where we play. We'll keep being professional, like on Friday.
"The only way is to think about the next game. We are taking it game by game and the lads know that. The supporters understand that as well. This is another step but there's a long way away.
"We have a good group of players and they're pulling together, with great supporters behind them. It's working.
"There's a long way to go, 40 games, but we can enjoy the weekend."
Daily Mail 15/9/07
Beckford gives Leeds a big lift
Bristol Rovers 0 Leeds United 3
Jermaine Beckford fired Leeds United off the bottom of League One with two classy goals at the Memorial Stadium last night.
The former Wealdstone striker scored in each half as Leeds maintained their 100 per cent start to the league campaign.
A sixth straight victory was enough to lift Dennis Wise's side out of the relegation places, continuing the club's remarkable recovery from the 15-point penalty imposed by the Football League.
But Rovers manager Paul Trollope was left to rue a series of missed chances as his side surrendered their unbeaten league record.
United opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Beckford ran into space and flicked in a cross from Sebastien Carole.
The hosts dominated for long periods but Craig Disley wasted their best opportunity in the 25th minute, nodding wide a free header from a Ryan Green corner.
And Rovers had a strong penalty appeal turned down after Bryan Anthony's header hit a flailing arm.
But Tresor Kandol put the result beyond doubt with a close-range finish on 77 minutes before Beckford's sublime overhead kick completed United's victory in injury-time.