Yorkshire Evening Post 10/5/08
Leeds United's Huntington can stand the heat
By Phil Hay
Gary McAllister has offered a firm vote of confidence to Paul Huntington as the Leeds United defender prepares to renew hostilities with Carlisle United.
Huntington was the subject of controversy during Carlisle's visit to Elland Road last month after gesturing repeatedly towards the Cumbrian club's fans, but McAllister has no concerns over his ability to cope with the intensity of the forthcoming League One play-off semi-final between the two clubs.
The former Newcastle United trainee – a £200,000 signing last summer – has been one of the most successful stories of McAllister's short tenure, establishing himself as a regular partner for Lubomir Michalik in the centre of Leeds' defence.
His consistent and outstanding form was responsible for relegating Rui Marques to the substitutes bench at Elland Road, but Huntington was forced to make a public apology over his behaviour during Carlisle's 3-2 defeat in Yorkshire on April 12. The 20-year-old was allegedly the subject of death threats from irate Carlisle supporters and the coincidental pairing for the play-off semi-finals will lead him into a hostile atmosphere at Brunton Park for the second leg on Thursday night.
But McAllister, whose side will begin the tie at Elland Road on Monday evening, said: "It's a fantastic test for him and I'm sure he'll be fine."
Huntington's connection with Carlisle – the city where he was born – is an obvious sub-plot to the semi-final, but McAllister is hoping to benefit from the other member of his staff with Cumbrian links. Neil McDonald, Leeds' first-team coach, was manager at Brunton Park for 14 months before Carlisle sacked him after the first game of this season, and the 42-year-old worked with a number of the players in the squad now managed by John Ward.
McAllister said: "He knows their players and worked in close with the Carlisle lads. We know a wee bit more about the psyche of the Carlisle players than other opponents."
Leedsunited.com 8/5/08
BECKFORD HOPE
United boss Gary McAllister is anticipating the return of Jermaine Beckford for Monday's Play-Off semi-final first leg against Carlisle United at Elland Road.
Our leading scorer has been sidelined with an ankle injury since the 3-2 win against the Cumbrians last month.
Becks, who suffered the injury during the 2-0 win at Leyton Orient on April 5, returned to training at Thorp Arch on Thursday morning.
The boss said: "We're hopeful about Jermaine. He trained with us on Thursday, the boys are off on Friday, and then they are back Saturday and Sunday before the game."
Dougie Freedman has played alongside both Tresor Kandol and Anthony Elding during Beckford's absence from the side.
McAllister has no new injury worries, but must decide who will fill the left-back slot against Carlisle with Alan Sheehan suspended.
Bradley Johnson filled the void last time out against Gillingham, and the boss is giving away no clues. "I know my 11," he said.
Yorkshire Evening Post 9/5/08
Carlisle player accuses Leeds United of arrogance
By Phil Hay
Peter Murphy has stirred up the forthcoming play-off semi-final between Carlisle United and Leeds United by accusing the Elland Road club of "arrogance".
The Irish defender claims comments from Gary McAllister's camp suggesting the club were content to be paired with Carlisle in League One's play-offs were "disrespecting us a little bit".
Murphy said: "Leeds will probably say they're happy to be playing anybody because they don't think they should be in this league.
"Hopefully that little bit of arrogance will work in our favour and if we do get promoted it will be all the better.
"Leeds have a very good squad and we know we'll have to step up our game. You expect to play good sides in the play-offs. But that's where Leeds are disrespecting us a little bit, saying they are happy to play us.
"According to Leeds, everything has gone against them this season - they shouldn't be in this league, the 15 points deduction and so on.
"If Leeds are such a big club, and if we are the underdogs, that's the way it's got to be. Everyone is expecting them to win and there's no pressure on us."
The semi-final begins with the first leg at Elland Road on Monday night, with Leeds travelling to Brunton Park to conclude the tie three days later.
Carlisle have spent £30,000 repairing the pitch at Brunton Park ahead of next Thursday's second leg. The condition of the surface is a growing cause for concern, and the Cumbrian club were forced to protect the pitch by delaying a junior football tournament scheduled to be held at Brunton Park last weekend.
Leeds United's Huntington can stand the heat
By Phil Hay
Gary McAllister has offered a firm vote of confidence to Paul Huntington as the Leeds United defender prepares to renew hostilities with Carlisle United.
Huntington was the subject of controversy during Carlisle's visit to Elland Road last month after gesturing repeatedly towards the Cumbrian club's fans, but McAllister has no concerns over his ability to cope with the intensity of the forthcoming League One play-off semi-final between the two clubs.
The former Newcastle United trainee – a £200,000 signing last summer – has been one of the most successful stories of McAllister's short tenure, establishing himself as a regular partner for Lubomir Michalik in the centre of Leeds' defence.
His consistent and outstanding form was responsible for relegating Rui Marques to the substitutes bench at Elland Road, but Huntington was forced to make a public apology over his behaviour during Carlisle's 3-2 defeat in Yorkshire on April 12. The 20-year-old was allegedly the subject of death threats from irate Carlisle supporters and the coincidental pairing for the play-off semi-finals will lead him into a hostile atmosphere at Brunton Park for the second leg on Thursday night.
But McAllister, whose side will begin the tie at Elland Road on Monday evening, said: "It's a fantastic test for him and I'm sure he'll be fine."
Huntington's connection with Carlisle – the city where he was born – is an obvious sub-plot to the semi-final, but McAllister is hoping to benefit from the other member of his staff with Cumbrian links. Neil McDonald, Leeds' first-team coach, was manager at Brunton Park for 14 months before Carlisle sacked him after the first game of this season, and the 42-year-old worked with a number of the players in the squad now managed by John Ward.
McAllister said: "He knows their players and worked in close with the Carlisle lads. We know a wee bit more about the psyche of the Carlisle players than other opponents."
Leedsunited.com 8/5/08
BECKFORD HOPE
United boss Gary McAllister is anticipating the return of Jermaine Beckford for Monday's Play-Off semi-final first leg against Carlisle United at Elland Road.
Our leading scorer has been sidelined with an ankle injury since the 3-2 win against the Cumbrians last month.
Becks, who suffered the injury during the 2-0 win at Leyton Orient on April 5, returned to training at Thorp Arch on Thursday morning.
The boss said: "We're hopeful about Jermaine. He trained with us on Thursday, the boys are off on Friday, and then they are back Saturday and Sunday before the game."
Dougie Freedman has played alongside both Tresor Kandol and Anthony Elding during Beckford's absence from the side.
McAllister has no new injury worries, but must decide who will fill the left-back slot against Carlisle with Alan Sheehan suspended.
Bradley Johnson filled the void last time out against Gillingham, and the boss is giving away no clues. "I know my 11," he said.
Yorkshire Evening Post 9/5/08
Carlisle player accuses Leeds United of arrogance
By Phil Hay
Peter Murphy has stirred up the forthcoming play-off semi-final between Carlisle United and Leeds United by accusing the Elland Road club of "arrogance".
The Irish defender claims comments from Gary McAllister's camp suggesting the club were content to be paired with Carlisle in League One's play-offs were "disrespecting us a little bit".
Murphy said: "Leeds will probably say they're happy to be playing anybody because they don't think they should be in this league.
"Hopefully that little bit of arrogance will work in our favour and if we do get promoted it will be all the better.
"Leeds have a very good squad and we know we'll have to step up our game. You expect to play good sides in the play-offs. But that's where Leeds are disrespecting us a little bit, saying they are happy to play us.
"According to Leeds, everything has gone against them this season - they shouldn't be in this league, the 15 points deduction and so on.
"If Leeds are such a big club, and if we are the underdogs, that's the way it's got to be. Everyone is expecting them to win and there's no pressure on us."
The semi-final begins with the first leg at Elland Road on Monday night, with Leeds travelling to Brunton Park to conclude the tie three days later.
Carlisle have spent £30,000 repairing the pitch at Brunton Park ahead of next Thursday's second leg. The condition of the surface is a growing cause for concern, and the Cumbrian club were forced to protect the pitch by delaying a junior football tournament scheduled to be held at Brunton Park last weekend.