Yorkshire Evening Post 22/1/11 Grayson content to just tinker with his squad Simon Grayson has backed the core of his existing squad to see Leeds United through the remainder of the Championship season after insisting it was never his intention to make "wholesale" changes in the January transfer window. Grayson has taken a conservative approach to the market this month, making only two significant signings in the first three weeks of the winter window, and he admitted he was wary of unsettling a group of players who reached the turn of the year with a tight hold on a play-off position. United exceeded expectation during the first half of the season, climbing to second place in the Championship before Christmas Day, and Grayson intended to use January as an opportunity to carefully improve a reliable squad. A deal to recruit Andy O'Brien on a permanent basis from Bolton Wanderers was agreed on December 31 and concluded the following week, and Grayson made another important...
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BBC 22/1/11 Portsmouth 2 - 2 Leeds Substitute Davide Somma scored with his first touch to earn Leeds a point at Portsmouth in a match twice halted for floodlight failure. Joe Ward fired Pompey ahead from Liam Lawrence's cutback, before Luciano Becchio levelled from close range. John Utaka's angled drive restored Pompey's lead but Leeds levelled for a second time when Somma lashed home a minute after coming on. The game was then interrupted twice late on when the floodlights went off. Leeds were first to threaten when Max Gradel forced Portsmouth goalkeeper Richard Ashdown to punch away his thumping 25-yard drive in the second minute. Portsmouth responded and almost took the lead two minutes later when Ibrahima Sonko met Lawrence's corner with a firm header, only for the ball to rebound off the crossbar. Greg Halford twice went close with headers from two more Lawrence corners and both David Nugent and Utaka fired off target as the home side took control. Portsmouth dese...
Daily Mail 19/1/11 Leeds 1 Arsenal 3: Classy Samir Nasri is just knockout in lead role By Matt Lawton Captain for this cracker of a Cup replay and the classiest player on the pitch, Samir Nasri even attracted praise from Arsenal's opponents last night. As well as the applause he received from Leeds fans as he left the field, he was the subject of a message from Manchester United's most prolific tweeter. Rio Ferdinand declared him his 'player of the season so far' and quite right too given how consistently impressive the young Frenchman has been. There had been flashes of brilliance in the past, not least in the form of some truly spectacular goals. But Nasri is fast maturing into the complete package: an industrious, inventive attacking midfielder very much realising the potential identified by Arsene Wenger. Last night he scored his 14th goal of the season, a fine return for a midfielder in May, never mind January. But Nasri is about so much more than that. It is the p...
BBC 19/1/11 Leeds 1 - 3 Arsenal By Jonathan Stevenson Arsenal produced a clinical performance at Championship side Leeds to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round. The Gunners were impressive throughout and took an early lead when Samir Nasri slotted in from Andrey Arshavin's pass. Kasper Schmeichel brilliantly denied Marouane Chamakh before Bacary Sagna thumped home a second, though Bradley Johnson's screamer halved the deficit. Davide Somma's effort flew wide before Robin van Persie headed in a superb Nicklas Bendtner cross to settle it. Arsenal, who are still in the hunt for four trophies this season, will now entertain League One side Huddersfield Town next. The Gunners have never gone out of the FA Cup in the third round nor lost to a lower division side in the competition under Arsene Wenger, two impressive runs they kept going at Elland Road on an evening that was fraught with potential dangers. Arsenal must have been pleased that Leeds' leading scorer Lucia...
New pages uploaded at mightyleeds.co.uk 2009/10 - The most exciting season for years
Part 1 – Our time at last? Surely, surely, this would be the year that United took the first steps back up the football ladder Read the full story at http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/seasons/200910part1.htm Part 2 – Off field set backs Besides playing success, for Leeds United the 2009/10 season will be remembered for a number of behind the scenes controversies Read the full story at http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/seasons/200910part2.htm For a copy of the full judgement in the Levi v Bates court case http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/pdf/Judgement%20Levi%20v%20Bates%202%20July%202009.pdf Part 3 – Cup highs and League lows A famous victory at Old Trafford and two sterling performances against Spurs almost derailed United's promotion chances Read the full story at http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/seasons/200910part3.htm Part 4 – Results, table and transfers All the results, scorers and attendances and final table from the 2009/10 season Read the full story at http://www.mig...
leedsunited.com 15/1/11 IRON FLATTENED AT ELLAND ROAD UNITED 4 (Watt 16, Gradel 20, Johnson 29, Somma 89), SCUNTHORPE 0 United manager Simon Grayson made one change from the side which drew with Arsenal last weekend - George McCartney returning in place of Ben Parker - while Scunthorpe boss Ian Baraclough made wholesale changes from his Iron side which lost to Everton in the FA Cup third round. Scunthorpe's away record, in terms of victories, is one of the best in the division, but it was visiting keeper Joe Murphy who had to make the first save when a Robert Snodgrass shot took a deflection. It was a low key opening to the game, but Leeds were in front inside 16 minutes. Sanchez Watt shrugged off a Scunthorpe defender on the edge of the box before delivering a strike too powerful for Murphy to keep out to fire Leeds ahead. And it was 2-0 within four minutes. Watt won the ball in midfield, Snodgrass picked out Max Gradel, and Gradel showed great footwork in rounding the goalkeeper...
leedsunited.com 14/1/11 MACCA IS BACK TO SEE SEASON OUT Defender George McCartney has returned to Leeds United on loan until the end of the season. The Sunderland left-back returned to the north east after his most recent loan spell came to an end following our 3-3 draw with Portsmouth on December 28. The Northern Ireland international made 17 appearances on loan at the end of last year in the left-back role, and played a major part in United's unbeaten run. McCartney is likely to be named in the squad for Saturday's clash with Scunthorpe, but won't be available for the FA Cup third round replay with Arsenal on Wednesday. United manager Simon Grayson said: "I'm delighted we've been able to bring George back until the end of the season. He did well over the course of his last loan spell and I know what he can bring to the table." United chairman Ken Bates added: "The additional revenue earned from the Arsenal game has helped make this loan possible as ...
Yorkshire Evening Post 13/1/11 Ken Bates' cash pledge By Phil Hay Leeds United chairman Ken Bates expects the club's FA Cup ties with Arsenal to seriously strengthen their financial position after revealing that he budgeted for negligible income from the competition this season. United are preparing for a second televised fixture in the space of 11 days after taking Arsenal to a third-round replay, and Bates confirmed that the revenue would be used in part to support Simon Grayson's attempts to strengthen his first-team squad. Leeds are believed to have earned in excess of £500,000 for last Saturday's initial tie at the Emirates Stadium – a match which pulled in a broadcast fee of £144,000 – and Wednesday's replay at Elland Road will generate £72,000 in television money alone after ITV opted to cover the game for a second time. The club have already sold 27,000 tickets for the replay and the crowd is likely to edge towards a capacity attendance for the first time si...
leedsunited.com 8/1/11 LATE LEVELLER DENIES UNITED ARSENAL SCALP 90th minute penalty ensures Gunners scrape draw... ARSENAL 1 (Fabregas 90 pen), UNITED 1 (Snodgrass 54 pen) United manager Simon Grayson shuffled his pack for the FA Cup third round clash at the Emirates with Alex Bruce returning in place of Neill Collins, and Sanchez Watt, on loan from Arsenal, coming in for a dream start against his parent club in place of Ross McCormack. Robert Snodgrass was handed the role of playing behind Luciano Becchio, a similar position to the one he occupied at Tottenham in the competition last season. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had also made changes to his side, but included in the starting XI were Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue, Tomas Rosicky, and Nicklas Bendtner. United were backed by a sell-out following of 8,500, potentially the biggest turnout of visiting fans ever seen at the Emirates Stadium. The away support ensured the game kicked off in a cracking atmosphere and United started brig...
Telegraph 4/1/11 Cardiff City 2 Leeds United 1: match report By Graham Clutton Michael Chopra lifted the pressure from the shoulders of manager Dave Jones as Cardiff City won for only the third time in 11 matches. The diminutive striker struck his sixth goal of the season, 11 minutes from time, to lever the Bluebirds back into an automatic promotion place and send Leeds United spinning to a first defeat in 13 games. A spectacular strike from Robert Snodgrass, 14 minutes into the second half, suggested that Leeds would extend their impressive run that dates back to their 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Cardiff. However, Chopra added to Craig Bellamy's fifth goal of the season, after 11 minutes of the first half, to secure a vital victory for Jones. Chopra said: "We have tried to put the recent criticism to the back of our minds, but yes, to get a win tonight is great for all of us. People might have thought that after what has happened to us over the past few weeks that our hea...
Bradford Telegraph and Argus 2/1/11 O'Brien signs laugh-a-minute deal for Leeds United By John Wray Leeds United 1, Middlesbrough 1 Former Bantams defender Andy O’Brien agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Leeds United before yesterday's npower Championship game and later revealed his hilarious meeting with chairman Ken Bates. O’Brien, who has been on loan at Elland Road from Bolton, rejected Cardiff’s offer and represented himself at the contract talks with Bates, who also met the player’s father. “It was a funny, enjoyable meeting with Mr Bates and one I will remember for the rest of my life,” O’Brien beamed. “My dad is a 20st bloke and the chairman said: ‘I will, sign the fat one instead’. “Then it went along the lines of my dad saying he had been on a diet and Mr Bates told him ‘well that isn’t working, is it?’. My dad is quick-witted so he replied: ‘I don’t know what your excuse is’ and it went on from there. “My dad has my best interests at heart, and that has been ...
Yorkshire Evening Post 2/1/11 Whites pip Cardiff City to land O'Brien By Phil Hay Andy O'Brien admitted his acceptance of a permanent deal at Leeds United had ended a run of sleepless nights after the Elland Road club sealed his signature by matching an offer from Cardiff City. O'Brien has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract with Leeds following negotiations with both United and Cardiff last week and the 31-year-old said United's willingness to meet the terms proposed to him in south Wales had convinced him of their determination to tie him down to a deal. Leeds will make O'Brien their first signing of the January transfer window after his loan from Bolton Wanderers expires tomorrow and confirmation of the deal was announced before United's 1-1 home draw with Middlesbrough on New Year's Day. Cardiff made a late attempt to sign O'Brien and held talks with the experienced centre-back on Thursday, but O'Brien returned to Yorkshire for negotiations wit...
New pages uploaded at mightyleeds.co.uk The games that took us up Matches – 8/5/2010 - Leeds United 2 Bristol Rovers 1 Everything came down to this one-game season in true United fashion - one man down, one goal down, the local hero comes on to equalise, Beckford scores the winner, cue celebrations - LEEDS ARE UP!!! Read the full story at http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/matches/20100508.htm Matches – 24/4/2010 - Leeds United 4 Milton Keynes Dons 1 After getting a real battering the previous week at Gillingham, United are back on form. Sanchez Watt makes a fine debut and Jermaine Beckford grabs a late brace as they batter a troubled MK Dons Read the full story at http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/matches/20100424.htm Matches – 13/4/2010 – Carlisle United 1 Leeds United 3 Against a club that had become almost omnipresent opponents, United gain revenge for a Johnstones Paint Trophy roughing up and give their hopes of promotion from League One a major boost Read the full story at http://www.mighty...
BBC 1/1/11 Leeds 1 - 1 Middlesbrough Leeds waited until stoppage time to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches thanks to Luciano Becchio's strike. David Wheater opened the scoring on 20 minutes when he glanced in Julio Arca's in-swinging corner and Arca could have extended Boro's lead when he shot wide. Lacklustre Leeds burst into life when Lloyd Sam went close after a fine run and shot, but it looked like they would lose before Becchio intervened. Ross McCormack then had a great chance to win it but his header was wide. Leeds' performance was, at times, worthy of a New Year's Day hangover, and during the second half even the Boro fans were asking their Leeds counterparts if they could sign a song for them. But the victory moves them into third place in the Championship while Boro's supporters will travel back to Teeside buoyed by a sterling display, although they will be heartbroken by Becchio's lifeline which, frankly, got the hosts out of jail. Whea...
Leedsunited.com 1/1/11 BECCHIO GOAL SECURES POINT UNITED 1 (Becchio 90+1), MIDDLESBROUGH 1 (Wheater 20) United boss Simon Grayson ushered in the New Year with the news that Andy O'Brien had agreed to join the club on a permanent deal, and the central defender was named in a starting line-up that included two changes. Andrew Hughes came in for the departed George McCartney while Luciano Becchio returned in place of Billy Paynter . The first opening came inside the opening eight minutes when Robert Snodgrass volleyed over the bar after some great play by United. It was a decent start again by Leeds who were looking to move the ball and get Boro on the back foot. But it was the visitors who snatched the lead, David Wheater claiming the goal. Julio Arca whipped in a corner and Wheater got enough to turn the ball into the far corner. United looked to respond and Max Gradel sent an angled shot rasping over the bar shortly before the half-hour. But it was Boro who went close again wh...
Leedsunited.com 1/1/11 DEAL AGREED TO SIGN DEFENDER Central defender Andy O'Brien will make his move to Leeds United from Bolton Wanderers permanent in January. United chairman Ken Bates revealed on LUTV ahead of the New Year's Day game against Middlesbrough that a deal has been agreed for O'Brien to join on a two-and-a-half-year contract once his current loan finishes. The 31-year-old's current loan from Bolton is due to expire after Tuesday's trip to face Cardiff City - and his move will become permanent ahead of the weekend trip to Arsenal. The United chairman said: "I met with Andy on Friday and despite a tempting offer from Cardiff, he has agreed to join us on a two-and-half-year deal which we are delighted about." O'Brien has made 10 appearances since joining on loan from Bolton on loan and has impressed.United manager Simon Grayson said the defender has been "calm and assured" and is delighted to have an agreement in place to capture ...
Mail 29/12/10 Leeds 3 Portsmouth 3: Nightmare for Andy O'Brien as hosts throw away another two-goal lead By John Edwards The sure touch that has helped seal a leaky Leeds defence deserted Andy O'Brien at the worst moment as Simon Grayson's promotion-chasers threw away a two-goal lead at Elland Road. Manager Grayson took O'Brien on loan from Bolton two months ago in direct response to defensive failings that cost his side five goals at Barnsley, six at home to Preston and four against Cardiff. It looked a shrewd move as he launched his stay with a 4-1 win at Scunthorpe that began an undefeated run which saw Leeds emerge as genuine contenders for a belated return to the Barclays Premier League. The sequence stands at 11 games after this pulsating 3-3 draw, but O'Brien, 31, looked inconsolable after turning Nadir Ciftci's innocuous cross past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with seconds remaining. At least it did nothing to jeopardise a proposed £250,000 permanent tr...