Yorkshire Evening Post 22/12/09
50 reasons to be optimistic Whites fan
By Phil Hay
Back in business was the convincing message sent from Elland Road on Saturday, supported by Leeds United's arrival at the significant total of 50 points.
That benchmark is routinely identified by Football League managers as sufficient to avoid relegation and, with 25 games still to complete, Simon Grayson can chalk that milestone off his list.
The idea of United dropping from League One this season was always ridiculous but the fact that the club have made that eventuality mathematically impossible before Christmas gives the perfect indication of how quickly they are proceeding towards a far greater end.
Their dominance of League One weakened slightly this month but, after a victory over Southampton secured by a performance of characteristic quality and persistence, Leeds might finish December in as strong a position as they started it. Forthcoming matches against Hartlepool United and Stockport County will be seen by Grayson as prime opportunities to stretch the division further.
United's manager underplayed the club's position on Saturday when he spoke of a "good opportunity" for a squad who have been anxious for promotion for two-and-half years and were desperate to realise that goal this season without being dragged into the play-offs.
Leeds are three points better off than last season's champions Leicester City were at the same stage of the 2008-09 term and seven further forward than Swansea City were after 21 matches of their recent title-winning campaign. But as Grayson pointed out, not all of the 23 clubs below them have been swept away by United's form.
For a while on Saturday, Charlton Athletic were threatening to erase Leeds' advantage at the head of League One, and the extent to which the structure of the division changed in the closing stages of Saturday's matches explained Grayson's continuing refusal to presume too much of this season.
Grayson said: "It's a good opportunity for us to build on until the end of the season but the teams around us are keeping us close.
"Charlton, Huddersfield and Norwich are winning matches regularly and you have to give them credit for that. It’s nice to be where we are and to have our lead but we’re still there to be shot at.”
The early weeks of December seemed to be the division’s best chance to draw Leeds in after successive draws against Huddersfield Town and Brentford – results which Grayson saw as points gained, despite the opportunity they presented to Charlton to cut United’s lead – but an existing four-point advantage is strengthened further by a game in hand and a sequence of fixtures in the coming weeks which many would see as favourable.
Hartlepool, United’s Boxing Day opponents, are seven points outside League One’s play-off positions but Stockport sit at the bottom of the division with 14 points from 21 games and a demeanour which suggests they will be relegated at the end of the season.
United’s league campaign will be broken up by their attractive FA Cup match at Manchester United on January 3, but the fixture precedes games against Wycombe Wanderers, Exeter City and Walsall. Grayson’s squad are unlikely to meet a top-six team until they travel to Swindon Town at the end of next month.
In beating Southampton through a 77th-minute goal from Robert Snodgrass, Leeds out-fought one the league’s in-form teams, a result which midfielder Michael Doyle saw as crucial.
“It’s a massive win for us,” he said. “Southampton are a Championship-quality side who had the unfortunate saga of going into administration but they’ve done what they needed to do by getting into mid-table and they’ll kick on. They were on a really strong run.
“The goal turned the game on its head, although we were dominating and creating a load of chances which weren’t going in.
“Snoddy’s the type of player who can change a game. It was a special goal from a special player.”
Grayson said: “We showed quality on the ball when we needed to and limited a very good Southampton team to few opportunities.
“What I wanted was enthusiasm and desire when we didn’t have the ball, and composure and quality when we did. I got that and there were a lot of outstanding performances.”
None were more impressive than those of Richard Naylor and Patrick Kisnorbo, Grayson’s experienced partnership at the centre of defence.What would seem to be United’s most capable pairing has been available infrequently this season with both players affected by injuries and Kisnorbo repeatedly absent on international duty with Australia.
Naylor started his first league match since the end of October at the weekend and he and Kisnorbo were able to take to the field together for only the eighth time this season. Their handling of two high-rated strikers in Rickie Lambert and David Connolly restricted Southampton to one shot on target and a limited number of chances throughout.
Grayson said: “You know what you’re going to get from Naylor and Kisnorbo. They’re warrior types who’ll head and defend everything.
“The two full-backs (Andrew Hughes and Leigh Bromby) were excellent as well, and the midfield gave the energy we needed to limit the opposition.”
United’s prospects have been aided by the sight of their injury list diminishing, although goalkeeper Shane Higgs was absent from Grayson’s squad again on Saturday.Higgs’ thigh strain has now forced him to miss 17 matches but the 32-year-old is thought to be on the verge of full fitness.
Yorkshire Evening Post 22/12/09
Jermaine Beckford's in demand
Jermaine Beckford's display of dissent towards Leeds United manager Simon Grayson could re-ignite interest in his signature with a major Championship club vying to sign him next month.
A prominently-placed second-tier side are understood to have made a firm inquiry about Beckford last week, and the striker's petulant behaviour during United's 1-0 win over Southampton has increased their hopes of reaching a deal before the end of the January transfer window.
Leeds have insisted throughout this season that Beckford would be off-limits next month and Grayson reiterated that stance after Saturday's victory, but the 26-year-old's admirers have been alerted by his reaction to being substituted towards the end of the Southampton clash.
Beckford angered the crowd at Elland Road by pushing away Grayson's attempt at a handshake and walking down the tunnel, moments before Robert Snodgrass settled the match with a 77th-minute goal.
United's supporters jeered Beckford before offering a strong show of support for Grayson, and the striker was expected to be fined by Leeds for his loss of discipline.
Grayson discussed the matter with Beckford at the club's Thorp Arch training ground yesterday, when he received an apology from the forward, and has already stated that he had no intention of selling Beckford unless a "stupid bid" was forthcoming next month.
The player's contract is six months from expiring, however, with no sign that a fresh agreement is imminent and United's resolve is likely to be tested throughout the transfer window.
Coventry City and Sheffield United failed to meet the club's valuation while Beckford was on the transfer list in the summer and Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion have also been strongly linked with him. West Brom were rumoured to be willing to pay in the region of £2million for Beckford in August. Any decision to sell Beckford would be seen as a major call midway through a season in which he has scored 15 goals.
Leeds are in command of League One and moved on to 50 points on Saturday but Beckford is their leading scorer and the only player to reach double figures so far this term.
United attempted to tie him to a new three-year deal at the end of last season but Beckford rejected those terms and is coming to the end of the contract he signed in October 2007.
The January transfer window would be the last opportunity for Leeds to earn a fee for a player who would be entitled to leave Elland Road on a free transfer in July, but Grayson chose to retain him during the summer and said he had no interest in selling his top scorer next month.
Grayson said: "This doesn't make any difference at all. It won't affect my thoughts on it and the only thought we've had about Jermaine is that he'll probably be leaving in the summer, unless a stupid offer comes in for him in January – which we're not looking for."
50 reasons to be optimistic Whites fan
By Phil Hay
Back in business was the convincing message sent from Elland Road on Saturday, supported by Leeds United's arrival at the significant total of 50 points.
That benchmark is routinely identified by Football League managers as sufficient to avoid relegation and, with 25 games still to complete, Simon Grayson can chalk that milestone off his list.
The idea of United dropping from League One this season was always ridiculous but the fact that the club have made that eventuality mathematically impossible before Christmas gives the perfect indication of how quickly they are proceeding towards a far greater end.
Their dominance of League One weakened slightly this month but, after a victory over Southampton secured by a performance of characteristic quality and persistence, Leeds might finish December in as strong a position as they started it. Forthcoming matches against Hartlepool United and Stockport County will be seen by Grayson as prime opportunities to stretch the division further.
United's manager underplayed the club's position on Saturday when he spoke of a "good opportunity" for a squad who have been anxious for promotion for two-and-half years and were desperate to realise that goal this season without being dragged into the play-offs.
Leeds are three points better off than last season's champions Leicester City were at the same stage of the 2008-09 term and seven further forward than Swansea City were after 21 matches of their recent title-winning campaign. But as Grayson pointed out, not all of the 23 clubs below them have been swept away by United's form.
For a while on Saturday, Charlton Athletic were threatening to erase Leeds' advantage at the head of League One, and the extent to which the structure of the division changed in the closing stages of Saturday's matches explained Grayson's continuing refusal to presume too much of this season.
Grayson said: "It's a good opportunity for us to build on until the end of the season but the teams around us are keeping us close.
"Charlton, Huddersfield and Norwich are winning matches regularly and you have to give them credit for that. It’s nice to be where we are and to have our lead but we’re still there to be shot at.”
The early weeks of December seemed to be the division’s best chance to draw Leeds in after successive draws against Huddersfield Town and Brentford – results which Grayson saw as points gained, despite the opportunity they presented to Charlton to cut United’s lead – but an existing four-point advantage is strengthened further by a game in hand and a sequence of fixtures in the coming weeks which many would see as favourable.
Hartlepool, United’s Boxing Day opponents, are seven points outside League One’s play-off positions but Stockport sit at the bottom of the division with 14 points from 21 games and a demeanour which suggests they will be relegated at the end of the season.
United’s league campaign will be broken up by their attractive FA Cup match at Manchester United on January 3, but the fixture precedes games against Wycombe Wanderers, Exeter City and Walsall. Grayson’s squad are unlikely to meet a top-six team until they travel to Swindon Town at the end of next month.
In beating Southampton through a 77th-minute goal from Robert Snodgrass, Leeds out-fought one the league’s in-form teams, a result which midfielder Michael Doyle saw as crucial.
“It’s a massive win for us,” he said. “Southampton are a Championship-quality side who had the unfortunate saga of going into administration but they’ve done what they needed to do by getting into mid-table and they’ll kick on. They were on a really strong run.
“The goal turned the game on its head, although we were dominating and creating a load of chances which weren’t going in.
“Snoddy’s the type of player who can change a game. It was a special goal from a special player.”
Grayson said: “We showed quality on the ball when we needed to and limited a very good Southampton team to few opportunities.
“What I wanted was enthusiasm and desire when we didn’t have the ball, and composure and quality when we did. I got that and there were a lot of outstanding performances.”
None were more impressive than those of Richard Naylor and Patrick Kisnorbo, Grayson’s experienced partnership at the centre of defence.What would seem to be United’s most capable pairing has been available infrequently this season with both players affected by injuries and Kisnorbo repeatedly absent on international duty with Australia.
Naylor started his first league match since the end of October at the weekend and he and Kisnorbo were able to take to the field together for only the eighth time this season. Their handling of two high-rated strikers in Rickie Lambert and David Connolly restricted Southampton to one shot on target and a limited number of chances throughout.
Grayson said: “You know what you’re going to get from Naylor and Kisnorbo. They’re warrior types who’ll head and defend everything.
“The two full-backs (Andrew Hughes and Leigh Bromby) were excellent as well, and the midfield gave the energy we needed to limit the opposition.”
United’s prospects have been aided by the sight of their injury list diminishing, although goalkeeper Shane Higgs was absent from Grayson’s squad again on Saturday.Higgs’ thigh strain has now forced him to miss 17 matches but the 32-year-old is thought to be on the verge of full fitness.
Yorkshire Evening Post 22/12/09
Jermaine Beckford's in demand
Jermaine Beckford's display of dissent towards Leeds United manager Simon Grayson could re-ignite interest in his signature with a major Championship club vying to sign him next month.
A prominently-placed second-tier side are understood to have made a firm inquiry about Beckford last week, and the striker's petulant behaviour during United's 1-0 win over Southampton has increased their hopes of reaching a deal before the end of the January transfer window.
Leeds have insisted throughout this season that Beckford would be off-limits next month and Grayson reiterated that stance after Saturday's victory, but the 26-year-old's admirers have been alerted by his reaction to being substituted towards the end of the Southampton clash.
Beckford angered the crowd at Elland Road by pushing away Grayson's attempt at a handshake and walking down the tunnel, moments before Robert Snodgrass settled the match with a 77th-minute goal.
United's supporters jeered Beckford before offering a strong show of support for Grayson, and the striker was expected to be fined by Leeds for his loss of discipline.
Grayson discussed the matter with Beckford at the club's Thorp Arch training ground yesterday, when he received an apology from the forward, and has already stated that he had no intention of selling Beckford unless a "stupid bid" was forthcoming next month.
The player's contract is six months from expiring, however, with no sign that a fresh agreement is imminent and United's resolve is likely to be tested throughout the transfer window.
Coventry City and Sheffield United failed to meet the club's valuation while Beckford was on the transfer list in the summer and Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion have also been strongly linked with him. West Brom were rumoured to be willing to pay in the region of £2million for Beckford in August. Any decision to sell Beckford would be seen as a major call midway through a season in which he has scored 15 goals.
Leeds are in command of League One and moved on to 50 points on Saturday but Beckford is their leading scorer and the only player to reach double figures so far this term.
United attempted to tie him to a new three-year deal at the end of last season but Beckford rejected those terms and is coming to the end of the contract he signed in October 2007.
The January transfer window would be the last opportunity for Leeds to earn a fee for a player who would be entitled to leave Elland Road on a free transfer in July, but Grayson chose to retain him during the summer and said he had no interest in selling his top scorer next month.
Grayson said: "This doesn't make any difference at all. It won't affect my thoughts on it and the only thought we've had about Jermaine is that he'll probably be leaving in the summer, unless a stupid offer comes in for him in January – which we're not looking for."