leedsunited.com 29/3/10
FIRM FOUNDATION FOR FINAL EIGHT - BOSS
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson said he was proud of his side's performance at Norwich on Saturday - but still left Carrow Road "gutted" after the league leaders stole a late, late winner.
An 89th minute goal from Chris Martin condemned Grayson's men to an ill-deserved defeat as Norwich gained revenge for their late loss at Elland Road back in October.
Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow - particularly after news that Millwall's 5-0 win against Stockport had pulled them level with Leeds - but the boss said he couldn't fault the performance of his players in East Anglia.
"We stifled them, we passed it as we can do and we created half decent opportunities," he said.
"We never looked like losing the game. That was their only opportunity. We didn't deserve that.
"It was a good ball in and a good header, but we didn't deserve to lose. I know how Paul Lambert felt at Elland Road now when we beat them in the last minute.
"I thought our back four were outstanding all game and the lads in front of them did a great job. That enabled us to play and we kept the ball for large parts of the game.
"We got into some decent positions, but we knew we needed to have a bit more composure.
"The players were hugely disappointefd afterwards, but they can look at themselves and know they did themselves proud."
United weren't helped by the early loss of Luciano Becchio, who was stretchered from the field inside the opening 20 minutes after being caught in the face by a boot.
The player received on-field treatment and medical attention before travelling back to Thorp Arch with his team-mates after the game.
FIRM FOUNDATION FOR FINAL EIGHT - BOSS
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson said he was proud of his side's performance at Norwich on Saturday - but still left Carrow Road "gutted" after the league leaders stole a late, late winner.
An 89th minute goal from Chris Martin condemned Grayson's men to an ill-deserved defeat as Norwich gained revenge for their late loss at Elland Road back in October.
Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow - particularly after news that Millwall's 5-0 win against Stockport had pulled them level with Leeds - but the boss said he couldn't fault the performance of his players in East Anglia.
"We stifled them, we passed it as we can do and we created half decent opportunities," he said.
"We never looked like losing the game. That was their only opportunity. We didn't deserve that.
"It was a good ball in and a good header, but we didn't deserve to lose. I know how Paul Lambert felt at Elland Road now when we beat them in the last minute.
"I thought our back four were outstanding all game and the lads in front of them did a great job. That enabled us to play and we kept the ball for large parts of the game.
"We got into some decent positions, but we knew we needed to have a bit more composure.
"The players were hugely disappointefd afterwards, but they can look at themselves and know they did themselves proud."
United weren't helped by the early loss of Luciano Becchio, who was stretchered from the field inside the opening 20 minutes after being caught in the face by a boot.
The player received on-field treatment and medical attention before travelling back to Thorp Arch with his team-mates after the game.