Yorkshire Post 4/2/08
McAllister looks to bolster Leeds squad
By Richard Sutcliffe
NEW Leeds United manager Gary McAllister says he may bolster his squad when the loan market re-opens on Friday.
The former Scotland international made his Elland Road bow over the weekend and was a frustrated spectactor as United crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Tranmere Rovers ».As a result, Leeds slipped out of the play-off positions for the first time since early November.McAllister was one of the busiest managers around ahead of the transfer window closing last Thursday with Anthony Elding, Lubomir Michalik and Alan Sheehan arriving at the club.
Despite that, and Dennis Wise having made five other signings in 2008, the new United manager admits he may enter the emergency loan market when it opens at the end of this week.
He said: "The players that came in had been tracked by the club for a bit of time. As for the emergency loan market, the chairman has made it pretty clear if there is anyone I can bring here who will add to the squad then he will support that.
"There is a big portfolio of players to look at. I know the board will be as supportive as they can.
"Everyone knows this club has had its problems over the years, but it is turning around. It is on its way back."
On the disappointment of slipping to eighth place in League One and losing ground on their promotion rivals, he added: "Like all divisions below the Premier League, everyone is capable of beating each other in League One.
"The players have proved already this season they are capable of going 10, 11, 12 matches without defeat.
"I managed in the Championship for 18 months and watched a lot of games in and around the Midlands, so I am fully aware about what is needed to get out of this division."
McAllister will be in no doubt as to the size of the task facing him if Leeds are to win an instant return back to the Championship.
If that is to be the case, there will have to be a huge improvement on the woeful showing against Tranmere when goals from Jennison Myrie-Williams and Ian Moore condemned United to a third home defeat of the season.
The new Leeds chief said: "The game did not have a great deal of quality in it, but Tranmere came here and did a job.
"It is obvious there is a bit of work to be done to get us back on track. We have a free week now and will be putting in a lot of work on the training ground. I am going to encourage them to play football.
"We have to snap out of this rut quickly. The job I expect of them is simple – to get us out of this division in 16 games. But we will have to be better than we were against Tranmere."
McAllister, who was forced into a couple of changes on Saturday with Frazer Richardson (groin) and Tresor Kandol (sickness) being unavailable, added: "We have got to show more bravery on the ball.
"First of all, we have to compete and win battles across the pitch before you have the right to get the ball down and pass.
"There is loads I can work on. There were a couple of plusses with Jonny Howson and Bradley Johnson, two of the younger players, showing little bits of bravery to get on the ball."
McAllister is hoping to confirm the identity of his new assistant manager today with former Bolton and England coach Sammy Lee believed to be his No 1 target.
The Scot said: "I would love to tell you, but we have been negotiating around the clock for the last day and a half to try and get the man I want here. Hopefully, we will have some progress by Monday."
Yorkshire Evening Post 4/2/08
Staunton is McAllister's man
Leeds United were today poised to confirm former Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton as Gary McAllister's assistant manager.
Staunton linked up with United's squad for training at Thorp Arch this morning, and Leeds are in the process of finalising his contract, six days after announcing the appointment of McAllister. The club's new boss operated without an assistant against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, but Staunton is set to become the first addition to his backroom team.
The 39-year-old is expected to receive a short-term contract until the end of the season, in line with the deal agreed by McAllister.
Staunton enjoyed a long playing career which included two spells with both Liverpool and Aston Villa, and he won 102 caps for the Republic of Ireland during an international career spanning 13 years.
He was taken on as the Republic's manager in 2006 but had his contract terminated by mutual consent in October after the Irish failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Sammy Lee and Gary Speed had both been linked to assistant's job at Leeds, but United will aim to tie up a deal with Staunton in time for Saturday's visit to Northampton Town. Staunton played under McAllister briefly at Coventry City in 2003.
A statement from the club read: "Steve Staunton joined the squad on Monday with a view to assisting Gary McAllister until the end of the season."
McAllister looks to bolster Leeds squad
By Richard Sutcliffe
NEW Leeds United manager Gary McAllister says he may bolster his squad when the loan market re-opens on Friday.
The former Scotland international made his Elland Road bow over the weekend and was a frustrated spectactor as United crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Tranmere Rovers ».As a result, Leeds slipped out of the play-off positions for the first time since early November.McAllister was one of the busiest managers around ahead of the transfer window closing last Thursday with Anthony Elding, Lubomir Michalik and Alan Sheehan arriving at the club.
Despite that, and Dennis Wise having made five other signings in 2008, the new United manager admits he may enter the emergency loan market when it opens at the end of this week.
He said: "The players that came in had been tracked by the club for a bit of time. As for the emergency loan market, the chairman has made it pretty clear if there is anyone I can bring here who will add to the squad then he will support that.
"There is a big portfolio of players to look at. I know the board will be as supportive as they can.
"Everyone knows this club has had its problems over the years, but it is turning around. It is on its way back."
On the disappointment of slipping to eighth place in League One and losing ground on their promotion rivals, he added: "Like all divisions below the Premier League, everyone is capable of beating each other in League One.
"The players have proved already this season they are capable of going 10, 11, 12 matches without defeat.
"I managed in the Championship for 18 months and watched a lot of games in and around the Midlands, so I am fully aware about what is needed to get out of this division."
McAllister will be in no doubt as to the size of the task facing him if Leeds are to win an instant return back to the Championship.
If that is to be the case, there will have to be a huge improvement on the woeful showing against Tranmere when goals from Jennison Myrie-Williams and Ian Moore condemned United to a third home defeat of the season.
The new Leeds chief said: "The game did not have a great deal of quality in it, but Tranmere came here and did a job.
"It is obvious there is a bit of work to be done to get us back on track. We have a free week now and will be putting in a lot of work on the training ground. I am going to encourage them to play football.
"We have to snap out of this rut quickly. The job I expect of them is simple – to get us out of this division in 16 games. But we will have to be better than we were against Tranmere."
McAllister, who was forced into a couple of changes on Saturday with Frazer Richardson (groin) and Tresor Kandol (sickness) being unavailable, added: "We have got to show more bravery on the ball.
"First of all, we have to compete and win battles across the pitch before you have the right to get the ball down and pass.
"There is loads I can work on. There were a couple of plusses with Jonny Howson and Bradley Johnson, two of the younger players, showing little bits of bravery to get on the ball."
McAllister is hoping to confirm the identity of his new assistant manager today with former Bolton and England coach Sammy Lee believed to be his No 1 target.
The Scot said: "I would love to tell you, but we have been negotiating around the clock for the last day and a half to try and get the man I want here. Hopefully, we will have some progress by Monday."
Yorkshire Evening Post 4/2/08
Staunton is McAllister's man
Leeds United were today poised to confirm former Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton as Gary McAllister's assistant manager.
Staunton linked up with United's squad for training at Thorp Arch this morning, and Leeds are in the process of finalising his contract, six days after announcing the appointment of McAllister. The club's new boss operated without an assistant against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, but Staunton is set to become the first addition to his backroom team.
The 39-year-old is expected to receive a short-term contract until the end of the season, in line with the deal agreed by McAllister.
Staunton enjoyed a long playing career which included two spells with both Liverpool and Aston Villa, and he won 102 caps for the Republic of Ireland during an international career spanning 13 years.
He was taken on as the Republic's manager in 2006 but had his contract terminated by mutual consent in October after the Irish failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Sammy Lee and Gary Speed had both been linked to assistant's job at Leeds, but United will aim to tie up a deal with Staunton in time for Saturday's visit to Northampton Town. Staunton played under McAllister briefly at Coventry City in 2003.
A statement from the club read: "Steve Staunton joined the squad on Monday with a view to assisting Gary McAllister until the end of the season."