www.leedsunited.com 30/9/11
DEFENDER SIGNS NEW UNITED CONTRACT
Leeds United defender Tom Lees has signed a new contract with the club, taking him up to 2015.
The 20-year had signed a new contract last Christmas while on loan at Bury, but the club has moved to secure his services for the longer-term.
Tom has made seven appearances so far this season, having made his debut against Bradford City in the Carling Cup in August. He also scored his first goal for the club, against Hull City during the same month.
Having made over 100 appearances during loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Bury over the past two years, Tom returned to the club during the summer knowing it was a crucial year for him as a Leeds player.
"I'm delighted to be in this situation and I'm delighted to sign a new contract.
"I'm really chuffed with how things have gone so far. It's been tough, and I've been learning lots, but I've really enjoyed playing regularly and being a part of the first team.
"It's been a step up for me and it's a good challenge. I wouldn't have thought I would be in this position now, but I know my future is here and my aim is to keep improving, keep learning, and keep getting better."
Yorkshire Evening Post 30/9/11
Great Scot Ross can’t do anymore - Grayson
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson admitted today that he was “bewildered” by the omission of Ross McCormack from the latest Scotland squad.
Grayson expressed his surprise after the in-form striker failed to feature in the 25-man pool named for Scotland’s forthcoming matches against Liechtenstein and Spain.
McCormack has established himself as the Championship’s top scorer with nine goals this season, but national coach Craig Levein found no space for him in a group of players which included Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass and Brighton forward Craig Mackail-Smith.
Scotland’s slim chances of qualifying for Euro 2012 finals hinge on the matches, and McCormack made a strong case for inclusion with five goals for United in recent league games against Brighton, Bristol City and Crystal Palace.
The 25-year-old has made eight appearances for Scotland during his career and came onto Levein’s radar during the summer, but he was absent from the squad used for European qualifiers against Lithuania and the Czech Republic earlier this month and will play no part for Scotland during the international break which follows tomorrow’s game clash with Portsmouth.
Grayson said: “He’s scoring goals for fun and I’m slightly bewildered that he’s not been called up. That’s not my decision, though, and Craig obviously thinks he’s got other players he can use to do the job.
“All Ross can do is work hard and keep scoring and his chance will come. International football is great recognition for players.
“From a selfish point of view as a manager, I wouldn’t want any of my players going away because it gives me a free week to work with them, but he’ll be disappointed and understandably so.
“But his time will come, whether it’s in the next squad or whenever. He can’t do much more than he’s doing at the moment.”
McCormack has hit form on the back of a difficult first season with Leeds in which he played only sporadically and scored just twice.
Eight of his goals this term have come in Championship fixtures and his influence is justifying the investment made by United when they moved to sign him from Cardiff City for a six-figure sum at the end of the summer transfer window in 2010.
“When I paid the money, I knew he had quality in abundance,” Grayson said. “He’s seen an opportunity this season and he’s taken it.
“It wasn’t really his fault that he didn’t play too much last year. Other players got ahead of him and when you’re out of the team, it’s difficult to step in and replicate the form you showed before you came to the club. You’re under pressure straight away.
“He’s started almost every game this season and he knows that if plays well he’s going to be picked. The longer his form continues the more goals he’s going to get and the more his confidence will grow. That can only make him better again.”
Six members of Grayson’s squad will take part in international games during the coming fortnight with Mikael Forssell and Mika Vayrynen included in Finland’s squad, Darren O’Dea and Andy Keogh set to play for the Republic of Ireland and Aidan White preparing to link up with Eire’s Under-21s.
DEFENDER SIGNS NEW UNITED CONTRACT
Leeds United defender Tom Lees has signed a new contract with the club, taking him up to 2015.
The 20-year had signed a new contract last Christmas while on loan at Bury, but the club has moved to secure his services for the longer-term.
Tom has made seven appearances so far this season, having made his debut against Bradford City in the Carling Cup in August. He also scored his first goal for the club, against Hull City during the same month.
Having made over 100 appearances during loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Bury over the past two years, Tom returned to the club during the summer knowing it was a crucial year for him as a Leeds player.
"I'm delighted to be in this situation and I'm delighted to sign a new contract.
"I'm really chuffed with how things have gone so far. It's been tough, and I've been learning lots, but I've really enjoyed playing regularly and being a part of the first team.
"It's been a step up for me and it's a good challenge. I wouldn't have thought I would be in this position now, but I know my future is here and my aim is to keep improving, keep learning, and keep getting better."
Yorkshire Evening Post 30/9/11
Great Scot Ross can’t do anymore - Grayson
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson admitted today that he was “bewildered” by the omission of Ross McCormack from the latest Scotland squad.
Grayson expressed his surprise after the in-form striker failed to feature in the 25-man pool named for Scotland’s forthcoming matches against Liechtenstein and Spain.
McCormack has established himself as the Championship’s top scorer with nine goals this season, but national coach Craig Levein found no space for him in a group of players which included Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass and Brighton forward Craig Mackail-Smith.
Scotland’s slim chances of qualifying for Euro 2012 finals hinge on the matches, and McCormack made a strong case for inclusion with five goals for United in recent league games against Brighton, Bristol City and Crystal Palace.
The 25-year-old has made eight appearances for Scotland during his career and came onto Levein’s radar during the summer, but he was absent from the squad used for European qualifiers against Lithuania and the Czech Republic earlier this month and will play no part for Scotland during the international break which follows tomorrow’s game clash with Portsmouth.
Grayson said: “He’s scoring goals for fun and I’m slightly bewildered that he’s not been called up. That’s not my decision, though, and Craig obviously thinks he’s got other players he can use to do the job.
“All Ross can do is work hard and keep scoring and his chance will come. International football is great recognition for players.
“From a selfish point of view as a manager, I wouldn’t want any of my players going away because it gives me a free week to work with them, but he’ll be disappointed and understandably so.
“But his time will come, whether it’s in the next squad or whenever. He can’t do much more than he’s doing at the moment.”
McCormack has hit form on the back of a difficult first season with Leeds in which he played only sporadically and scored just twice.
Eight of his goals this term have come in Championship fixtures and his influence is justifying the investment made by United when they moved to sign him from Cardiff City for a six-figure sum at the end of the summer transfer window in 2010.
“When I paid the money, I knew he had quality in abundance,” Grayson said. “He’s seen an opportunity this season and he’s taken it.
“It wasn’t really his fault that he didn’t play too much last year. Other players got ahead of him and when you’re out of the team, it’s difficult to step in and replicate the form you showed before you came to the club. You’re under pressure straight away.
“He’s started almost every game this season and he knows that if plays well he’s going to be picked. The longer his form continues the more goals he’s going to get and the more his confidence will grow. That can only make him better again.”
Six members of Grayson’s squad will take part in international games during the coming fortnight with Mikael Forssell and Mika Vayrynen included in Finland’s squad, Darren O’Dea and Andy Keogh set to play for the Republic of Ireland and Aidan White preparing to link up with Eire’s Under-21s.
