17/7/08
Bothroyd linked with Leeds
Leeds have agreed terms with a club for a striker believed to be transfer-listed Wolves hitman Jay Bothroyd, reports say.
The 26-year-old is on his way out of Molineux this summer but so far Whites manager Gary McAllister has refused to name his target.
He told the Express and Star: "I don't want to show our cards too much, but we have agreed terms with a club for another player.
"It's not completed and I'd rather wait before I say who it is."
Wolves have already sold Freddy Eastwood this summer and it appears Bothroyd could follow him if he agrees to drop down into League One.
Yorkshire Evening Post 17/7/08
Mac targets strike support for Becks
By Phil Hay
Leeds United boss Gary McAllister has reiterated his intention to secure greater attacking support for Jermaine Beckford after the striker secured the club's first pre-season victory in Galway last night.
Beckford struck twice as Leeds began their tour of the Republic of Ireland with a 2-0 win over Galway United, and McAllister hopes to give the 24-year-old the best possible chance of exceeding the haul of 20 goals he produced last season during the 2008-09 term.
United's manager is moving closer to his fourth summer signing – believed to be a forward – after Leeds reached a deal with his unnamed target's club, but Beckford's pre-season form has once again highlighted him as a priceless part of McAllister's squad.
The ex-Wealdstone forward scored in last week's 1-1 draw with York City, and two well-taken goals in either half set up yesterday evening's win over eircom Premier Division side Galway at Terryland Park.
McAllister said: "We've got to watch that Jermaine doesn't peak during pre-season but he's been looking lively right from the start.
"He got 20 goals last season and he's come back hungry, wanting to show that it wasn't a freak. He wants to prove he's a guy who can follow it up with an even better season.
"The test of a player at any level is being able to repeat, and that's the demand we've put on him. He's set his standards high, but he's got enough in his locker to better that tally next season.
"He looks fit and he looks lean, and we just need to get a bit more help in and around him. We're close to a couple of signings and I'd still like a bit more firepower."
United's defeat in last season's League One play-off final seemed to increase the threat of Beckford leaving Elland Road this summer, but McAllister is under no pressure to sell the forward and has included him at the centre of his plans for next season.
"There's always going to be speculation with Jermaine because goalscorers are hard to come by," said McAllister.
"But I don't see any reason why he'd want to leave Leeds United. The club's in a good position and I've got a feeling in my gut that we're ready to move forward."
Beckford was one of 11 players who completed an hour of last night's game, and United's victory was secured by the time he left the field in the 63rd minute.McAllister's starting line-up also featured out-of-contract defender Paul Telfer, who flew with Leeds to Galway on Monday and made his first appearance in a United shirt at Terryland Park.
The 37-year-old was compelled to terminate his contract at Bournemouth last season due to a persistent foot injury, but he eased through 73 minutes last night and helped United to keep a clean sheet against a Galway team who competed gamely but lacked quality in the final third of the pitch.
McAllister confirmed that Telfer – his former team-mate at Coventry City – had a serious possibility of winning a deal at Elland Road this summer, saying: "He looked promising.
"Paul's a guy who's played at a higher level and he's not attached to anybody so he could be an option. He was steady and he's very experienced."
United's performance last night brought a satisfied reaction from their manager and the club are now preparing for their second match abroad, against Bray Wanderers on Sunday.
McAllister said: "The first XI got an hour and we'll flip the team around when we go to Bray.
"The pleasing thing is that we've picked up no injuries, and there was some good play in the first half.
"When the substitutes went on it got a bit scrappy but the team that played the first hour didn't do badly.
"You could see at certain stages that Galway are halfway through their season, but we were pretty comfortable by the end."
Leedsunited.com 17/7/08
BECKS AT DOUBLE
GALWAY UNITED 0, LEEDS UNITED 2 (Beckford 25, 46)
Galway: Rouse, Kenna, Fitzgerald, Hansen, McCulloch, Lester, Keane, Foley, Fenn, Foster, Konig.
Galway (2nd half): Rogers, Connelly, A Keane, Molloy, J Keane, Foley (Fahy 80), McBrien, Hansen (Brodrick 70), Glynn, Konig (Faherty 71), Sinnott.
United: Ankergren (Martin 74), Richardson (Gardner 74), Telfer (Michalik 74), Huntington, Sheehan (Parker 74), Howson (Bayly 62), Hughes (Douglas 62), Johnson (Sweeney 62), Beckford (Haber 62), Showunmi, Robinson (Prutton 62). Subs: Marques.
Att: 2749
Gary McAllister moved swiftly away from the early pre-season policy of naming a different side in each half, planning to use his substitutes later in the contest to give some of his players increased time on the park.
And there was little chance of his players suffering from the usual pre-season heat with grey skies and a cold wind swirling around Terryland Park.
Paul Telfer was handed his first start in a Leeds shirt, playing alongside Paul Huntington at the heart of the defence, and McAllister's men started in positive fashion playing some neat passing football.
But it was Galway who went close after five minutes when a shot was deflected for a corner. The resultant set-play was headed over the top. United responded with a quick passing move, but Jermaine Beckford was denied by an offside flag after latching onto a through ball.
Andrew Hughes also fired wide for Leeds before Galway's John Lester smashed a free-kick high over Casper Ankegren's bar.
Galway, who are mid-season at the moment, looked a lively side and Alan Keane fired wide of the mark after a good cross-field ball released him down the right.
Leeds had the ball in the net after 18 minutes when Beckford converted, following good work by Bradley Johnson, but the effort was ruled by an offside flag.
Leeds also carved out a great chance in the 23rd minute. Jonny Howson fed Andy Robinson, Alan Sheehan provided the overlap, and Enoch Showunmi headed the Irishman's cross narrowly over the top.
Two minutes later United were in front though. The industrious Robinson fed Beckford and the striker made no mistake in tucking the ball beyond Galway goalkeeper Kalvin Rouse to score his second pre-season goal.
With both sides looking to pass the ball it made for an entertaining opening period, and United debutant Telfer was called upon to make a good challenge to deny Ian Foster after some neat play from Galway.
Frazer Richardson and Howson both had shots off target and in the moments leading up to half-time United won a couple of corners before Galway cleared their lines.
Galway, who made a number of changes at half-time, didn't have chance to clear their lines at the start of the second period with United scoring a second goal straight from the kick-off.
Beckford picked up the ball just inside the Galway half and embarked on a strong run before producing a good finish to make it 2-0.
The home side came back strongly, though, and after having a penalty shout waved away, Telfer made a timely challenge before Cian McBrien fired wide.
On 62 minutes, McAllister made five changes, including handing an introduction to Canadian under-21 international Marcus Haber, who is on trial with United. Twelve minutes later he made another re-shuffle, leaving Huntington as the only member of the starting lineup remaining.
As often happens in the final stages of pre-season games after a number of changes, the game became a more scrappy affair, although Galway did have a great chance to pull a goal back when Derek Glynn should have done better from close range.
The hosts had another opportunity on 82 minutes when Scott Gardner did enough to put off Glynn.
There was little else to excite the near 3,000 crowd, though, as the game drifted towards it conclusion with United able to toast a winning start to the Irish tour.
McAllister's men have their next outing against Bray Wanderers on Sunday.
Bothroyd linked with Leeds
Leeds have agreed terms with a club for a striker believed to be transfer-listed Wolves hitman Jay Bothroyd, reports say.
The 26-year-old is on his way out of Molineux this summer but so far Whites manager Gary McAllister has refused to name his target.
He told the Express and Star: "I don't want to show our cards too much, but we have agreed terms with a club for another player.
"It's not completed and I'd rather wait before I say who it is."
Wolves have already sold Freddy Eastwood this summer and it appears Bothroyd could follow him if he agrees to drop down into League One.
Yorkshire Evening Post 17/7/08
Mac targets strike support for Becks
By Phil Hay
Leeds United boss Gary McAllister has reiterated his intention to secure greater attacking support for Jermaine Beckford after the striker secured the club's first pre-season victory in Galway last night.
Beckford struck twice as Leeds began their tour of the Republic of Ireland with a 2-0 win over Galway United, and McAllister hopes to give the 24-year-old the best possible chance of exceeding the haul of 20 goals he produced last season during the 2008-09 term.
United's manager is moving closer to his fourth summer signing – believed to be a forward – after Leeds reached a deal with his unnamed target's club, but Beckford's pre-season form has once again highlighted him as a priceless part of McAllister's squad.
The ex-Wealdstone forward scored in last week's 1-1 draw with York City, and two well-taken goals in either half set up yesterday evening's win over eircom Premier Division side Galway at Terryland Park.
McAllister said: "We've got to watch that Jermaine doesn't peak during pre-season but he's been looking lively right from the start.
"He got 20 goals last season and he's come back hungry, wanting to show that it wasn't a freak. He wants to prove he's a guy who can follow it up with an even better season.
"The test of a player at any level is being able to repeat, and that's the demand we've put on him. He's set his standards high, but he's got enough in his locker to better that tally next season.
"He looks fit and he looks lean, and we just need to get a bit more help in and around him. We're close to a couple of signings and I'd still like a bit more firepower."
United's defeat in last season's League One play-off final seemed to increase the threat of Beckford leaving Elland Road this summer, but McAllister is under no pressure to sell the forward and has included him at the centre of his plans for next season.
"There's always going to be speculation with Jermaine because goalscorers are hard to come by," said McAllister.
"But I don't see any reason why he'd want to leave Leeds United. The club's in a good position and I've got a feeling in my gut that we're ready to move forward."
Beckford was one of 11 players who completed an hour of last night's game, and United's victory was secured by the time he left the field in the 63rd minute.McAllister's starting line-up also featured out-of-contract defender Paul Telfer, who flew with Leeds to Galway on Monday and made his first appearance in a United shirt at Terryland Park.
The 37-year-old was compelled to terminate his contract at Bournemouth last season due to a persistent foot injury, but he eased through 73 minutes last night and helped United to keep a clean sheet against a Galway team who competed gamely but lacked quality in the final third of the pitch.
McAllister confirmed that Telfer – his former team-mate at Coventry City – had a serious possibility of winning a deal at Elland Road this summer, saying: "He looked promising.
"Paul's a guy who's played at a higher level and he's not attached to anybody so he could be an option. He was steady and he's very experienced."
United's performance last night brought a satisfied reaction from their manager and the club are now preparing for their second match abroad, against Bray Wanderers on Sunday.
McAllister said: "The first XI got an hour and we'll flip the team around when we go to Bray.
"The pleasing thing is that we've picked up no injuries, and there was some good play in the first half.
"When the substitutes went on it got a bit scrappy but the team that played the first hour didn't do badly.
"You could see at certain stages that Galway are halfway through their season, but we were pretty comfortable by the end."
Leedsunited.com 17/7/08
BECKS AT DOUBLE
GALWAY UNITED 0, LEEDS UNITED 2 (Beckford 25, 46)
Galway: Rouse, Kenna, Fitzgerald, Hansen, McCulloch, Lester, Keane, Foley, Fenn, Foster, Konig.
Galway (2nd half): Rogers, Connelly, A Keane, Molloy, J Keane, Foley (Fahy 80), McBrien, Hansen (Brodrick 70), Glynn, Konig (Faherty 71), Sinnott.
United: Ankergren (Martin 74), Richardson (Gardner 74), Telfer (Michalik 74), Huntington, Sheehan (Parker 74), Howson (Bayly 62), Hughes (Douglas 62), Johnson (Sweeney 62), Beckford (Haber 62), Showunmi, Robinson (Prutton 62). Subs: Marques.
Att: 2749
Gary McAllister moved swiftly away from the early pre-season policy of naming a different side in each half, planning to use his substitutes later in the contest to give some of his players increased time on the park.
And there was little chance of his players suffering from the usual pre-season heat with grey skies and a cold wind swirling around Terryland Park.
Paul Telfer was handed his first start in a Leeds shirt, playing alongside Paul Huntington at the heart of the defence, and McAllister's men started in positive fashion playing some neat passing football.
But it was Galway who went close after five minutes when a shot was deflected for a corner. The resultant set-play was headed over the top. United responded with a quick passing move, but Jermaine Beckford was denied by an offside flag after latching onto a through ball.
Andrew Hughes also fired wide for Leeds before Galway's John Lester smashed a free-kick high over Casper Ankegren's bar.
Galway, who are mid-season at the moment, looked a lively side and Alan Keane fired wide of the mark after a good cross-field ball released him down the right.
Leeds had the ball in the net after 18 minutes when Beckford converted, following good work by Bradley Johnson, but the effort was ruled by an offside flag.
Leeds also carved out a great chance in the 23rd minute. Jonny Howson fed Andy Robinson, Alan Sheehan provided the overlap, and Enoch Showunmi headed the Irishman's cross narrowly over the top.
Two minutes later United were in front though. The industrious Robinson fed Beckford and the striker made no mistake in tucking the ball beyond Galway goalkeeper Kalvin Rouse to score his second pre-season goal.
With both sides looking to pass the ball it made for an entertaining opening period, and United debutant Telfer was called upon to make a good challenge to deny Ian Foster after some neat play from Galway.
Frazer Richardson and Howson both had shots off target and in the moments leading up to half-time United won a couple of corners before Galway cleared their lines.
Galway, who made a number of changes at half-time, didn't have chance to clear their lines at the start of the second period with United scoring a second goal straight from the kick-off.
Beckford picked up the ball just inside the Galway half and embarked on a strong run before producing a good finish to make it 2-0.
The home side came back strongly, though, and after having a penalty shout waved away, Telfer made a timely challenge before Cian McBrien fired wide.
On 62 minutes, McAllister made five changes, including handing an introduction to Canadian under-21 international Marcus Haber, who is on trial with United. Twelve minutes later he made another re-shuffle, leaving Huntington as the only member of the starting lineup remaining.
As often happens in the final stages of pre-season games after a number of changes, the game became a more scrappy affair, although Galway did have a great chance to pull a goal back when Derek Glynn should have done better from close range.
The hosts had another opportunity on 82 minutes when Scott Gardner did enough to put off Glynn.
There was little else to excite the near 3,000 crowd, though, as the game drifted towards it conclusion with United able to toast a winning start to the Irish tour.
McAllister's men have their next outing against Bray Wanderers on Sunday.