Yorkshire Post 24/1/09
Leeds United 3 Peterborough 1: Trundle is ready to prove again he's the best man for United job
by Richard Sutcliffe
ANDY ROBINSON has urged Lee Trundle to extend his stay at Elland Road and help shoot Leeds United back into the Championship.
The two native Scousers, team-mates at Swansea City for four successful years, were reunited this month when Trundle moved to Elland Road on a month-long loan deal after falling out of favour at Bristol City. Robinson was particularly delighted by the signing with the Robins striker being such a close friend that he fulfilled the role of best man at the United winger's wedding last summer.
Trundle has made an immediate impact in a Leeds shirt with his goal in a 2-0 win at Brighton having been followed by a superb display against in-form Peterborough that brought a standing ovation from the 22,766 crowd when he was substituted shortly before the end. The home fans' appreciation was understandable with the 32-year-old having capped an impressive showing with a sublime piece of skill to create Jermaine Beckford's second goal.
Trundle's loan spell runs out on February 9 after Leeds have hosted Millwall and Robinson admits he is already busy trying to persuade his best man to stay longer at Elland Road.
The 29-year-old wideman said: "I was in (previous manager Gary) McAllister's ear all the time about Lee because I knew he was not in the team at Bristol City. Or if he was in, he was being played out of position.
"So, it was great when I found out we were in for Lee. It is a big coup for Leeds United to have someone like Lee in League One.
"We are from similar backgrounds and we both came into the game at a later age. We both want to play on the big stage and there is no better club to do that at than Leeds United.
"I would like to see his stay become permanent. I have told him that, though the good thing is I do not have to sell Leeds to Lee. This club sells itself.
"I am sure the fans would like Lee to stay as well because he is an entertainer. Some of his skills are unbelievable. You saw that with the skill that created out second goal. He has that in his locker.
"Maybe we can extend the deal to the end of the season and then we can both have a crack at the Championship next season."
United's hopes of mounting a promotion challenge were certainly given a boost by the manner in which Darren Ferguson's side were condemned to only their second defeat in 22 league outings. The visitors were well organised, possessed plenty of attacking verve and, in George Boyd, had the game's top performer. That it was Leeds who prevailed was testament to the resilience and determination that new manager Simon Grayson has instilled since succeeding McAllister a little over a month ago. United had been marginally second best in the opening 45 minutes with Casper Ankergren twice having to react smartly to deny Boyd, whose movement when coming in off the flank made him a constant threat.
After the restart, however, it was a different story with the introduction of Beckford just before the hour proving key. It took just four minutes for the club's top scorer to make a mark, the striker winning the free-kick that Bradley Johnson drilled so fiercely that Posh goalkeeper Joe Lewis could only parry into the path of Beckford and he made no mistake from close range. Nine minutes later, Beckford had netted his 21st of the season after taking advantage of a stunning piece of vision and skill from Trundle on halfway. The game seemed to be over, only for Mackail-Smith to set home nerves jangling by scoring from close range after Boyd's header had struck the crossbar.
Suddenly, Posh sensed a way back and only a brilliantly timed tackle by Naylor prevented Mackail-Smith having a clear sight of goal after seemingly getting away from the defence. The fourth official revealing a few moments later that there would be four minutes of stoppage time only added to the drama with the home fans, mindful of how Ferguson senior's Manchester United has benefited from late goals over the years, bemoaning the likelihood that the referee's watch was running on 'Fergie time'.
They need not have worried with it being Leeds who scored the game's final goal in the first of those four minutes when a long ball out of defence was flicked into the path of Jonny Howson by Beckford.
The substitute, one of three outnumbering Posh defender Gabriel Zakuani, then bizarrely opted to try and pass to Robert Snodgrass rather than shoot, a decision that was rectified a few seconds later when the Scot returned the ball to Howson and he drilled a shot into the net.
MATCH FOCUS
Hero: Richard Naylor
The Leeds-born defender brought some much-needed organisation and determination to a defence that has been a shambles for much of the season, meaning Naylor just pipped the game’s standout performer – Posh midfielder George Boyd.
Villain: Darren Ferguson
Guaranteed a hot reception from the home fans due to who his father is, the Peterborough manager was mercilessly taunted with chants of 'Fergie, Fergie, what's the score?' late on.
Key moment
88th minute: Richard Naylor slides in to make a timely block and deny Craig Mackail-Smith an equaliser.
Ref watch
Anthony Taylor: Kept an entertaining end-to-end encounter flowing, though was inconsistent in use of cards.
Verdict
If the club's top scorer, Jermaine Beckford, can remain free of injury from hereon in, promotion may yet be on the cards for United.
Quote of the day
We might have to go unbeaten between now and the rest of the season if we are to go up.– Darren Ferguson's take on how competitive the League One promotion race is shaping up.
Leeds United 3 Peterborough 1: Trundle is ready to prove again he's the best man for United job
by Richard Sutcliffe
ANDY ROBINSON has urged Lee Trundle to extend his stay at Elland Road and help shoot Leeds United back into the Championship.
The two native Scousers, team-mates at Swansea City for four successful years, were reunited this month when Trundle moved to Elland Road on a month-long loan deal after falling out of favour at Bristol City. Robinson was particularly delighted by the signing with the Robins striker being such a close friend that he fulfilled the role of best man at the United winger's wedding last summer.
Trundle has made an immediate impact in a Leeds shirt with his goal in a 2-0 win at Brighton having been followed by a superb display against in-form Peterborough that brought a standing ovation from the 22,766 crowd when he was substituted shortly before the end. The home fans' appreciation was understandable with the 32-year-old having capped an impressive showing with a sublime piece of skill to create Jermaine Beckford's second goal.
Trundle's loan spell runs out on February 9 after Leeds have hosted Millwall and Robinson admits he is already busy trying to persuade his best man to stay longer at Elland Road.
The 29-year-old wideman said: "I was in (previous manager Gary) McAllister's ear all the time about Lee because I knew he was not in the team at Bristol City. Or if he was in, he was being played out of position.
"So, it was great when I found out we were in for Lee. It is a big coup for Leeds United to have someone like Lee in League One.
"We are from similar backgrounds and we both came into the game at a later age. We both want to play on the big stage and there is no better club to do that at than Leeds United.
"I would like to see his stay become permanent. I have told him that, though the good thing is I do not have to sell Leeds to Lee. This club sells itself.
"I am sure the fans would like Lee to stay as well because he is an entertainer. Some of his skills are unbelievable. You saw that with the skill that created out second goal. He has that in his locker.
"Maybe we can extend the deal to the end of the season and then we can both have a crack at the Championship next season."
United's hopes of mounting a promotion challenge were certainly given a boost by the manner in which Darren Ferguson's side were condemned to only their second defeat in 22 league outings. The visitors were well organised, possessed plenty of attacking verve and, in George Boyd, had the game's top performer. That it was Leeds who prevailed was testament to the resilience and determination that new manager Simon Grayson has instilled since succeeding McAllister a little over a month ago. United had been marginally second best in the opening 45 minutes with Casper Ankergren twice having to react smartly to deny Boyd, whose movement when coming in off the flank made him a constant threat.
After the restart, however, it was a different story with the introduction of Beckford just before the hour proving key. It took just four minutes for the club's top scorer to make a mark, the striker winning the free-kick that Bradley Johnson drilled so fiercely that Posh goalkeeper Joe Lewis could only parry into the path of Beckford and he made no mistake from close range. Nine minutes later, Beckford had netted his 21st of the season after taking advantage of a stunning piece of vision and skill from Trundle on halfway. The game seemed to be over, only for Mackail-Smith to set home nerves jangling by scoring from close range after Boyd's header had struck the crossbar.
Suddenly, Posh sensed a way back and only a brilliantly timed tackle by Naylor prevented Mackail-Smith having a clear sight of goal after seemingly getting away from the defence. The fourth official revealing a few moments later that there would be four minutes of stoppage time only added to the drama with the home fans, mindful of how Ferguson senior's Manchester United has benefited from late goals over the years, bemoaning the likelihood that the referee's watch was running on 'Fergie time'.
They need not have worried with it being Leeds who scored the game's final goal in the first of those four minutes when a long ball out of defence was flicked into the path of Jonny Howson by Beckford.
The substitute, one of three outnumbering Posh defender Gabriel Zakuani, then bizarrely opted to try and pass to Robert Snodgrass rather than shoot, a decision that was rectified a few seconds later when the Scot returned the ball to Howson and he drilled a shot into the net.
MATCH FOCUS
Hero: Richard Naylor
The Leeds-born defender brought some much-needed organisation and determination to a defence that has been a shambles for much of the season, meaning Naylor just pipped the game’s standout performer – Posh midfielder George Boyd.
Villain: Darren Ferguson
Guaranteed a hot reception from the home fans due to who his father is, the Peterborough manager was mercilessly taunted with chants of 'Fergie, Fergie, what's the score?' late on.
Key moment
88th minute: Richard Naylor slides in to make a timely block and deny Craig Mackail-Smith an equaliser.
Ref watch
Anthony Taylor: Kept an entertaining end-to-end encounter flowing, though was inconsistent in use of cards.
Verdict
If the club's top scorer, Jermaine Beckford, can remain free of injury from hereon in, promotion may yet be on the cards for United.
Quote of the day
We might have to go unbeaten between now and the rest of the season if we are to go up.– Darren Ferguson's take on how competitive the League One promotion race is shaping up.