Yorkshire Post 10/5/11
Grayson pays tribute to Naylor as he opts to re-shape Leeds without his captain
LEEDS United manager Simon Grayson is allowing captain Richard Naylor to leave the club as part of his summer shake-up at Elland Road.
The Leeds-born defender was Grayson’s first signing as boss over two years ago and played a key role in getting the club back into the Championship.
However, his appearances this season have been limited by injury and added competition for places and Grayson feels the time is right to part company, albeit with a fond farewell.
“I’d like to thank Richard for everything he has done during his two-and-a-half years with us,” said Grayson.
“He’s been a great captain for the club, both on and off the field, and I can’t speak highly enough of him and what he’s done.
“Unfortunately, we’re not in a position where I can offer him regular football now and allowing him to move on will give him the best possible opportunity elsewhere.”
Leeds have been unable to agree terms with out-of-contract midfielders Bradley Johnson and Neil Kilkenny but Grayson is keeping the door open for both to stay at the club.
He has also offered a new deal to Australian international defender Patrick Kisnorbo who returned from a 13-month injury absence in the final game of the season against Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.
“It was great to see Paddy come back. It’s obviously been a long, hard road for him and he’s had a tough time with injury. We will be putting together a contract which we hope will suit both parties,” said Grayson.
On Johnson and Kilkenny, he added: “I want things concluding quickly so we can plan ahead and move forward with certainty.”
Goalkeeper Shane Higgs, whose path to the first team has been blocked by Kasper Schmeichel this season, was also released last night.
Loan players Sanchez Watt (Arsenal), Jake Livermore (Tottenham), George McCartney (Sunderland) and David Gonzalez (Manchester City) have returned to their parent clubs.
“I’d like to thank all the loan players who have come at different stages,” said Grayson.
“Sanchez has obviously been with us for the full year and the end of last season, but each and every one of them has played a part in what we have done over the past 12 months.”
Leeds were beaten to a play-off place by Nottingham Forest in the closing stages of the season but had started the campaign targeting survival.
Grayson has also handed a new six-month deal to Honduran international winger Ramon Nunez, who finished the season on loan at Scunthorpe United.
Nunez, 25, has made only two substitute appearances for Leeds but scored three goals in eight appearances for the Iron.
“He’s a talented player and he’s proved that by doing well at Scunthorpe,” said Grayson.
“Ramon will come back in the summer with an opportunity to make an impression here.”
Leeds, meanwhile, have offered first professional deals to second-year scholars Nathan and Lewis Turner and goalkeeper Alex Cairns.
However, James Booker, James Baxendale and Johnny Birbeck have been released along with Brandon Cardwell.
Yorkshire Evening Post 9/5/11
Let’s get the fizz back for 2012 - Grayson
SIMON GRAYSON said the tardy timing of the findings of the Alejandro Faurlin inquiry left a lot to be desired after watching his Leeds United side triumph 2-1 at champions QPR.
The match became a side issue after Rangers were told around an hour before kick-off they wouldn’t be docked points following the FA hearing into the signing of the midfielder in 2009, the cue for mass celebrations in the home dressing room before a ball was kicked.
Whites boss Grayson was critical of the announcement, 60 minutes before the final fixture of the season, which the visitors went into with the slimmest of play-off hopes, needing a hefty win allied to a big defeat for Nottingham Forest at Crystal Palace to gatecrash the top six.
On the announcement of the Faurlin verdict, originally expected to be made on Friday, but delayed, he said: “It probably just typifies the whole scenario that’s happened.
“The verdict should have been done weeks ago. It should never have been left until the last minute and to an hour before kick-off or whatever time it was.
“You have an announcement before kick-off and it should have been weeks or months ago... That’s the ludicrous (nature) of it all.
“It’s not for me to decide but somewhere down the line there has to be some sort of wording or opportunity, or whatever way you want to describe it, to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Despite missing out on the play-offs by just one place Grayson insisted his side can be proud of their efforts and, after watching the home players’ celebrations after the match, he challenged his troops to make sure it’s them cracking open the bubbly this time next year.
He said: “We wanted to finish the season on a real high. Not just for this season but in terms of the manner of next season, as we want to be out there celebrating in the manner that QPR were.
“You don’t like to come to a football ground and see another team celebrate. You want to be celebrating on your ground and hopefully this time next year we might be the team doing that. It’s got to be a motivation.
“We were celebrating at home this time last year and it’s a great feeling and we want to get back to that next year.
“We had to have a belief that we could win the game and that anything else out of our hands might happen for us as you never know. But we got off to the worst possible start.
“We warned the players there would be a party atmosphere, but we wanted to spoil the party. But, as the game went on, we got better and it was a good performance in the end. We came here to get a result and we’ve beaten the champions twice this season and that’s a great testament to the players.
“The players have given their all for the football club and the shirt.
“We could have won a few more games in the last six or seven but all credit to the players, we’ve had a really good season and achieved a lot of positives and we can learn from the experience and look to next year.
“We can’t be down too much as we’d have settled for our position at the start of the season. You look back at what we’ve done and we’ve done ever so well and we’ll learn from it.”
While it was ultimately no red-letter day for the Whites, it did at least prove a milestone occasion for defender Patrick Kisnorbo, whose appearance as a 79th-minute sub was his first in almost 14 months following his injury nightmare.
On the Aussie’s big moment, Grayson said: “The timescale was that he wouldn’t probably play again this season but, ultimately, his fitness levels were good, he’s done well in training. and we just thought 15 minutes at the end of the game would be ideal.
“He grasped the opportunity and looked very comfortable.
“He was in the squad and not used last week, but after another week’s training he was always going to play some part and he did very well.
“It’s his first minutes on the pitch at any level this season, even reserve team or practice match, but he’s come on and done what he’s needed to and worked ever so hard.
“Physically and mentally, it’s been a really tough time for him. But what he’s achieved is full credit to him and the medical staff.
“Unfortunately, the season is finishing a little bit too early for him, but he’s worked really hard and if we can get him really fit over this summer and get a good pre-season inn him, then we’ve certainly got a player on our hands.”
Grayson pays tribute to Naylor as he opts to re-shape Leeds without his captain
LEEDS United manager Simon Grayson is allowing captain Richard Naylor to leave the club as part of his summer shake-up at Elland Road.
The Leeds-born defender was Grayson’s first signing as boss over two years ago and played a key role in getting the club back into the Championship.
However, his appearances this season have been limited by injury and added competition for places and Grayson feels the time is right to part company, albeit with a fond farewell.
“I’d like to thank Richard for everything he has done during his two-and-a-half years with us,” said Grayson.
“He’s been a great captain for the club, both on and off the field, and I can’t speak highly enough of him and what he’s done.
“Unfortunately, we’re not in a position where I can offer him regular football now and allowing him to move on will give him the best possible opportunity elsewhere.”
Leeds have been unable to agree terms with out-of-contract midfielders Bradley Johnson and Neil Kilkenny but Grayson is keeping the door open for both to stay at the club.
He has also offered a new deal to Australian international defender Patrick Kisnorbo who returned from a 13-month injury absence in the final game of the season against Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.
“It was great to see Paddy come back. It’s obviously been a long, hard road for him and he’s had a tough time with injury. We will be putting together a contract which we hope will suit both parties,” said Grayson.
On Johnson and Kilkenny, he added: “I want things concluding quickly so we can plan ahead and move forward with certainty.”
Goalkeeper Shane Higgs, whose path to the first team has been blocked by Kasper Schmeichel this season, was also released last night.
Loan players Sanchez Watt (Arsenal), Jake Livermore (Tottenham), George McCartney (Sunderland) and David Gonzalez (Manchester City) have returned to their parent clubs.
“I’d like to thank all the loan players who have come at different stages,” said Grayson.
“Sanchez has obviously been with us for the full year and the end of last season, but each and every one of them has played a part in what we have done over the past 12 months.”
Leeds were beaten to a play-off place by Nottingham Forest in the closing stages of the season but had started the campaign targeting survival.
Grayson has also handed a new six-month deal to Honduran international winger Ramon Nunez, who finished the season on loan at Scunthorpe United.
Nunez, 25, has made only two substitute appearances for Leeds but scored three goals in eight appearances for the Iron.
“He’s a talented player and he’s proved that by doing well at Scunthorpe,” said Grayson.
“Ramon will come back in the summer with an opportunity to make an impression here.”
Leeds, meanwhile, have offered first professional deals to second-year scholars Nathan and Lewis Turner and goalkeeper Alex Cairns.
However, James Booker, James Baxendale and Johnny Birbeck have been released along with Brandon Cardwell.
Yorkshire Evening Post 9/5/11
Let’s get the fizz back for 2012 - Grayson
SIMON GRAYSON said the tardy timing of the findings of the Alejandro Faurlin inquiry left a lot to be desired after watching his Leeds United side triumph 2-1 at champions QPR.
The match became a side issue after Rangers were told around an hour before kick-off they wouldn’t be docked points following the FA hearing into the signing of the midfielder in 2009, the cue for mass celebrations in the home dressing room before a ball was kicked.
Whites boss Grayson was critical of the announcement, 60 minutes before the final fixture of the season, which the visitors went into with the slimmest of play-off hopes, needing a hefty win allied to a big defeat for Nottingham Forest at Crystal Palace to gatecrash the top six.
On the announcement of the Faurlin verdict, originally expected to be made on Friday, but delayed, he said: “It probably just typifies the whole scenario that’s happened.
“The verdict should have been done weeks ago. It should never have been left until the last minute and to an hour before kick-off or whatever time it was.
“You have an announcement before kick-off and it should have been weeks or months ago... That’s the ludicrous (nature) of it all.
“It’s not for me to decide but somewhere down the line there has to be some sort of wording or opportunity, or whatever way you want to describe it, to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Despite missing out on the play-offs by just one place Grayson insisted his side can be proud of their efforts and, after watching the home players’ celebrations after the match, he challenged his troops to make sure it’s them cracking open the bubbly this time next year.
He said: “We wanted to finish the season on a real high. Not just for this season but in terms of the manner of next season, as we want to be out there celebrating in the manner that QPR were.
“You don’t like to come to a football ground and see another team celebrate. You want to be celebrating on your ground and hopefully this time next year we might be the team doing that. It’s got to be a motivation.
“We were celebrating at home this time last year and it’s a great feeling and we want to get back to that next year.
“We had to have a belief that we could win the game and that anything else out of our hands might happen for us as you never know. But we got off to the worst possible start.
“We warned the players there would be a party atmosphere, but we wanted to spoil the party. But, as the game went on, we got better and it was a good performance in the end. We came here to get a result and we’ve beaten the champions twice this season and that’s a great testament to the players.
“The players have given their all for the football club and the shirt.
“We could have won a few more games in the last six or seven but all credit to the players, we’ve had a really good season and achieved a lot of positives and we can learn from the experience and look to next year.
“We can’t be down too much as we’d have settled for our position at the start of the season. You look back at what we’ve done and we’ve done ever so well and we’ll learn from it.”
While it was ultimately no red-letter day for the Whites, it did at least prove a milestone occasion for defender Patrick Kisnorbo, whose appearance as a 79th-minute sub was his first in almost 14 months following his injury nightmare.
On the Aussie’s big moment, Grayson said: “The timescale was that he wouldn’t probably play again this season but, ultimately, his fitness levels were good, he’s done well in training. and we just thought 15 minutes at the end of the game would be ideal.
“He grasped the opportunity and looked very comfortable.
“He was in the squad and not used last week, but after another week’s training he was always going to play some part and he did very well.
“It’s his first minutes on the pitch at any level this season, even reserve team or practice match, but he’s come on and done what he’s needed to and worked ever so hard.
“Physically and mentally, it’s been a really tough time for him. But what he’s achieved is full credit to him and the medical staff.
“Unfortunately, the season is finishing a little bit too early for him, but he’s worked really hard and if we can get him really fit over this summer and get a good pre-season inn him, then we’ve certainly got a player on our hands.”