Yorkshire Evening Post 11/5/10
I will have to be ruthless - Grayson
By Phil Hay and Leon Wobschall
Simon Grayson said today that a large number of his Leeds United players will go with him to the Championship – but he warned of "ruthless" decisions as he prepares for next season.
United's manager insisted that sentimentality would have no bearing on the future make-up of his squad as he began the complex task of restructuring it for the club's first term in the Championship since 2007.
Leeds are expected to announce their retained list this week, confirming their intentions for the small group of players who are out of contract at Elland Road.
Jermaine Beckford heads a list which includes Andrew Hughes, Casper Ankergren and Rui Marques, and Paul Dickov is also at the end of a short stint with Leeds which saw him start only one game.
United, meanwhile, finished the season in possession of several loanees, all of whom will now return to their parent clubs while Grayson considers their longer-term potential.
Over the past nine months, he has stated repeatedly that many of his players would be capable of stepping from League One into the Championship and contributing to a competitive campaign, and they will have that opportunity next season after sealing automatic promotion in frantic fashion against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
But Grayson said additions to his squad were essential after vowing to make a serious attempt to win promotion to the Premier League at the first attempt.
"I'll give the players here the opportunity to take us on," he said. "But sometimes you have to make ruthless decisions and that's what I'll do. I want this club to be successful.
"I've got a group who in large parts can cope with the Championship but we will need strengthening. There's no question about that.
"The players here were brought in to get us out of League One. I brought them in last summer to get us promoted and then move on from there. That's no different now.
"Every level you step up to, the squad has to be improved. If players do leave the club then I'll thank them for what they've done and bring in lads who can take us to the next level. A lot of those here can cope with the Championship but we still need new players, that's for sure."
A large proportion of United's squad are under contract, though several players are approaching the final year of their contracts.Patrick Kisnorbo, Luciano Becchio, Neil Kilkenny and Richard Naylor are among those whose existing deals will expire in 12 months' time and Leeds chief executive Shaun Harvey said prior to the end of the season that the club would reassess the contractual positions of their entire squad once the campaign finished.
United's squad are beginning a two-month holiday with pre-season training expected to begin at the start of July but Grayson's respite will be less substantial, dictated entirely by his success in the transfer market and the speed with which his plans come together.
Leeds completed 60 competitive games during the 2009-10 term, a fixture list swollen by their run to the fourth round of the FA Cup and their appearance in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy's northern area final.
"It's been a long season for everybody," Grayson said. "The players will disappear for seven or eight weeks.
"As a manager, you get a holiday somewhere down the line but I've got to start planning for next year. You start planning straight away.
"My next objective is to try and get the club out of the Championship. It won't be easy but it's something the club are capable of doing. I've seen two of my former clubs, Blackpool and Leicester City, get into the (Championship) play-offs when nobody expected them to.
"We'll have a retained list out soon saying who we're going to keep and there might well be players under contract who'll move on. It's all about deciding who we think will be good enough and seeing what sort of budget I've got available.
"But the results from the first half of the season were proof that we've got good players here. We went to Old Trafford and won (against Manchester United) with more or less the same group who played against Bristol Rovers.
"We also went to Tottenham and gave a good account of ourselves and we got to the Johnstone's Paint northern final as well. We've had a fantastic year."
Beyond his own players, Grayson is likely to give some consideration to the men who contributed to United's season while on loan at Elland Road.
Michael Doyle started 42 league fixtures, more than any other member of Grayson's squad, and the Irish midfielder has made no secret of his wish for a permanent transfer from Coventry City, a club where he is his still under contract.
Gary McSheffrey and Shane Lowry are at the end of their deals with Birmingham City and Aston Villa respectively, though McSheffrey in particular made less of an impact in Leeds than Grayson anticipated.
Teenager winger Sanchez Watt is returning to Arsenal with the intention of playing some role with the Premier League club's first team next season.
Neill Collins, meanwhile, nailed his colours to the mast by insisting that he would "walk from Preston" to take up a long-term deal with Leeds having joined the club from Preston North End at a time of crisis in March.
Collins was signed in the wake of a serious injury to influential centre-back Kisnorbo, and the Scot played nine times to help United close out their League One campaign.
Preston manager Darren Ferguson appears to have deemed surplus to requirements a defender who was signed by his predecessor, Alan Irvine, in January for a six-figure sum.
Collins, 26, said: "Leeds are a club you fall in love with because it's everything you want in a football club. I'd love to stay.
"Preston have made it known in the media that they want to sell me. If Leeds United want me, I'd walk from Preston to come here.
"I've got such a good feeling about this club and I'd like to think that in the short time I've been here I've showed how much I've wanted to play for them."
Yorkshire Evening Post 10/5/10
Leeds United promoted: Nice to end with a smile - Howson
By Phil Hay
Jonathan Howson welcomed the end of three years of disappointment after leading the fightback which carried Leeds United into the Championship.
The midfielder described as "the most important goal of my career" the strike which inspired a 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers and gave him his first taste of success in his fourth season as a senior player at Elland Road.
United were relegated from the Championship during Howson's debut term and the past two seasons have both ended in defeat in League One's play-offs, one in a two-legged semi-final and the other in the final at Wembley.
Leeds appeared to be heading for a third play-off campaign in as many seasons with the club trailing 1-0 to Bristol Rovers and in danger of losing League One's last automatic promotion place, but Howson's sublime goal five minutes after appearing as a substitute put within reach a win which Jermaine Beckford sealed four minutes later.
Howson said: "A few of us have been at this club through all of it – the 15-point deduction, relegation from the Championship, losing in the play-offs and everything else.
"It's great to achieve what we set out to achieve and, as I said to people close to me before the game, it's nice to finish the season with a smile on my face.
"It's my fourth season and the other three have always left me disappointed. I'm just pleased that we've done this and it'll be nice now to get a full season in the Championship."
Howson admitted that he was beginning to fear for United's chances of retaining second place with Bristol Rovers ahead and Leeds suffering from the earlier loss of winger Max Gradel to a red card.
Howson said: "For me personally, there was just a slight doubt starting to kick in.
"It's not over until the final whistle but one goal down and a man down is a problem against any team.
"But we kept believing – everybody on the pitch kept believing – and we've pulled it off.
"When you come off the bench, you just want to make an impact and put yourself about. I can't remember too much about the goal and it was a bit of pot luck but I knew when I hit it that it had a chance of going in.
"It's definitely the most important goal I've scored."
Leedsunited.com 9/5/10
SIMON SALUTES PROMOTION SUCCESS
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson saluted the greatest achievement of his career after
leading Leeds United to promotion on Saturday.
The Elland Road boss presided over the club's return to the Championship, following Saturday's 2-1 defeat of Bristol Rovers in an emotion charged clash.
"This means so much to everybody connected with this club," said a delighted Grayson.
"The staff, the players, and the people behind the scenes have all worked so hard to achieve this.
"Winning any promotion is a great achievement, but to do it as manager of the club I supported and the club where I started my career is something else.
"It really is a great achievement and everyone should be so proud."
In keeping with the nature of United's season, it was a far from straightforward afternoon.
Max Gradel was red carded in the first half and when Bristol Rovers went 1-0 up in the game, Charlton Athletic, who were winning at Oldham, were suddenly propelled into the promotion spot.
But substitute Jonny Howson levelled the scores before Jermaine Beckford secured the win - and promotion - with a second goal moments later.
"We don't seem to do things the easy way here, but I always had a confidence and belief in the players," said the boss.
"Okay, we left it to the last day, had 10 men, and came from a goal behind, but the players deserve have showed the desire, not only on Saturday, but on other days as well.
"The crowd made up for the loss of Max and the atmosphere was incredible. I think we've all been through every emotion possible these past nine months."It was all about getting the team, the club, and the city promoted, and we're back in a league we deserve to be in."
I will have to be ruthless - Grayson
By Phil Hay and Leon Wobschall
Simon Grayson said today that a large number of his Leeds United players will go with him to the Championship – but he warned of "ruthless" decisions as he prepares for next season.
United's manager insisted that sentimentality would have no bearing on the future make-up of his squad as he began the complex task of restructuring it for the club's first term in the Championship since 2007.
Leeds are expected to announce their retained list this week, confirming their intentions for the small group of players who are out of contract at Elland Road.
Jermaine Beckford heads a list which includes Andrew Hughes, Casper Ankergren and Rui Marques, and Paul Dickov is also at the end of a short stint with Leeds which saw him start only one game.
United, meanwhile, finished the season in possession of several loanees, all of whom will now return to their parent clubs while Grayson considers their longer-term potential.
Over the past nine months, he has stated repeatedly that many of his players would be capable of stepping from League One into the Championship and contributing to a competitive campaign, and they will have that opportunity next season after sealing automatic promotion in frantic fashion against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
But Grayson said additions to his squad were essential after vowing to make a serious attempt to win promotion to the Premier League at the first attempt.
"I'll give the players here the opportunity to take us on," he said. "But sometimes you have to make ruthless decisions and that's what I'll do. I want this club to be successful.
"I've got a group who in large parts can cope with the Championship but we will need strengthening. There's no question about that.
"The players here were brought in to get us out of League One. I brought them in last summer to get us promoted and then move on from there. That's no different now.
"Every level you step up to, the squad has to be improved. If players do leave the club then I'll thank them for what they've done and bring in lads who can take us to the next level. A lot of those here can cope with the Championship but we still need new players, that's for sure."
A large proportion of United's squad are under contract, though several players are approaching the final year of their contracts.Patrick Kisnorbo, Luciano Becchio, Neil Kilkenny and Richard Naylor are among those whose existing deals will expire in 12 months' time and Leeds chief executive Shaun Harvey said prior to the end of the season that the club would reassess the contractual positions of their entire squad once the campaign finished.
United's squad are beginning a two-month holiday with pre-season training expected to begin at the start of July but Grayson's respite will be less substantial, dictated entirely by his success in the transfer market and the speed with which his plans come together.
Leeds completed 60 competitive games during the 2009-10 term, a fixture list swollen by their run to the fourth round of the FA Cup and their appearance in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy's northern area final.
"It's been a long season for everybody," Grayson said. "The players will disappear for seven or eight weeks.
"As a manager, you get a holiday somewhere down the line but I've got to start planning for next year. You start planning straight away.
"My next objective is to try and get the club out of the Championship. It won't be easy but it's something the club are capable of doing. I've seen two of my former clubs, Blackpool and Leicester City, get into the (Championship) play-offs when nobody expected them to.
"We'll have a retained list out soon saying who we're going to keep and there might well be players under contract who'll move on. It's all about deciding who we think will be good enough and seeing what sort of budget I've got available.
"But the results from the first half of the season were proof that we've got good players here. We went to Old Trafford and won (against Manchester United) with more or less the same group who played against Bristol Rovers.
"We also went to Tottenham and gave a good account of ourselves and we got to the Johnstone's Paint northern final as well. We've had a fantastic year."
Beyond his own players, Grayson is likely to give some consideration to the men who contributed to United's season while on loan at Elland Road.
Michael Doyle started 42 league fixtures, more than any other member of Grayson's squad, and the Irish midfielder has made no secret of his wish for a permanent transfer from Coventry City, a club where he is his still under contract.
Gary McSheffrey and Shane Lowry are at the end of their deals with Birmingham City and Aston Villa respectively, though McSheffrey in particular made less of an impact in Leeds than Grayson anticipated.
Teenager winger Sanchez Watt is returning to Arsenal with the intention of playing some role with the Premier League club's first team next season.
Neill Collins, meanwhile, nailed his colours to the mast by insisting that he would "walk from Preston" to take up a long-term deal with Leeds having joined the club from Preston North End at a time of crisis in March.
Collins was signed in the wake of a serious injury to influential centre-back Kisnorbo, and the Scot played nine times to help United close out their League One campaign.
Preston manager Darren Ferguson appears to have deemed surplus to requirements a defender who was signed by his predecessor, Alan Irvine, in January for a six-figure sum.
Collins, 26, said: "Leeds are a club you fall in love with because it's everything you want in a football club. I'd love to stay.
"Preston have made it known in the media that they want to sell me. If Leeds United want me, I'd walk from Preston to come here.
"I've got such a good feeling about this club and I'd like to think that in the short time I've been here I've showed how much I've wanted to play for them."
Yorkshire Evening Post 10/5/10
Leeds United promoted: Nice to end with a smile - Howson
By Phil Hay
Jonathan Howson welcomed the end of three years of disappointment after leading the fightback which carried Leeds United into the Championship.
The midfielder described as "the most important goal of my career" the strike which inspired a 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers and gave him his first taste of success in his fourth season as a senior player at Elland Road.
United were relegated from the Championship during Howson's debut term and the past two seasons have both ended in defeat in League One's play-offs, one in a two-legged semi-final and the other in the final at Wembley.
Leeds appeared to be heading for a third play-off campaign in as many seasons with the club trailing 1-0 to Bristol Rovers and in danger of losing League One's last automatic promotion place, but Howson's sublime goal five minutes after appearing as a substitute put within reach a win which Jermaine Beckford sealed four minutes later.
Howson said: "A few of us have been at this club through all of it – the 15-point deduction, relegation from the Championship, losing in the play-offs and everything else.
"It's great to achieve what we set out to achieve and, as I said to people close to me before the game, it's nice to finish the season with a smile on my face.
"It's my fourth season and the other three have always left me disappointed. I'm just pleased that we've done this and it'll be nice now to get a full season in the Championship."
Howson admitted that he was beginning to fear for United's chances of retaining second place with Bristol Rovers ahead and Leeds suffering from the earlier loss of winger Max Gradel to a red card.
Howson said: "For me personally, there was just a slight doubt starting to kick in.
"It's not over until the final whistle but one goal down and a man down is a problem against any team.
"But we kept believing – everybody on the pitch kept believing – and we've pulled it off.
"When you come off the bench, you just want to make an impact and put yourself about. I can't remember too much about the goal and it was a bit of pot luck but I knew when I hit it that it had a chance of going in.
"It's definitely the most important goal I've scored."
Leedsunited.com 9/5/10
SIMON SALUTES PROMOTION SUCCESS
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson saluted the greatest achievement of his career after
leading Leeds United to promotion on Saturday.The Elland Road boss presided over the club's return to the Championship, following Saturday's 2-1 defeat of Bristol Rovers in an emotion charged clash.
"This means so much to everybody connected with this club," said a delighted Grayson.
"The staff, the players, and the people behind the scenes have all worked so hard to achieve this.
"Winning any promotion is a great achievement, but to do it as manager of the club I supported and the club where I started my career is something else.
"It really is a great achievement and everyone should be so proud."
In keeping with the nature of United's season, it was a far from straightforward afternoon.
Max Gradel was red carded in the first half and when Bristol Rovers went 1-0 up in the game, Charlton Athletic, who were winning at Oldham, were suddenly propelled into the promotion spot.
But substitute Jonny Howson levelled the scores before Jermaine Beckford secured the win - and promotion - with a second goal moments later.
"We don't seem to do things the easy way here, but I always had a confidence and belief in the players," said the boss.
"Okay, we left it to the last day, had 10 men, and came from a goal behind, but the players deserve have showed the desire, not only on Saturday, but on other days as well.
"The crowd made up for the loss of Max and the atmosphere was incredible. I think we've all been through every emotion possible these past nine months."It was all about getting the team, the club, and the city promoted, and we're back in a league we deserve to be in."