Yorkshire Evening Post 3/1/12
Leeds United v Burnley: What a relief! - Grayson
By Phil Hay
Simon Grayson celebrated a “massive result” after Leeds United eased the pressure on him
with a sensational victory over Burnley.
The United manager punched the air in relief as a winner from Ross McCormack in the fifth minute of injury-time averted a fourth straight defeat.
Grayson’s future as manager looked doubtful after Charlie Austin’s 69th-minute strike put 10-man Burnley within reach of three points, but two goals in the dying moments at Elland Road – one an own goal from Brian Easton – salvaged a vital 2-1 win.
McCormack’s last-gasp effort sparked dramatic celebrations among United’s players and staff, and Leeds climbed to eighth place in the Championship after their first win since December 3.
Grayson, who made five changes to the team routed at Barnsley on Saturday, said: “It shows the relief amongst everyone – the supporters, the players and the staff. I wasn’t going to stand on the touchline and do nothing because this is a big result for us.
“It’s massive because we don’t want to fall adrift of the play-off positions. The players responded after being criticised on Saturday and rightly so. We had a team meeting on Sunday, watched the DVD, and they’ve actually done what we wanted them to do at Barnsley.
Results
“With five minutes to go we were staring down the barrel of another defeat but we played well enough to win and we deserved to win.
“We showed a bit of character and got a bit of luck with both of our goals. It stops the rot. When you’ve lost three on the bounce, you don’t want to make it four, especially at home. It’s a big result for us all.”
Asked if he feared for his job as the Clarets defended a 1-0 lead in the closing stages, Grayson said: “No, not really. I believe that my team are good enough to get results and football’s all about results.
“Other people decided those things (his future) but one thing I won’t do is shy away from the challenge or from hard work.”
United were inspired by an impressive debut from Andros Townsend, who joined on a half-season loan from Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and McCormack was on hand to bury the rebound after Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant failed to hold Townsend’s shot.
Grayson said: “He’s a talent and he’s played against us a few times over the years. He only trained briefly with the team on Sunday and he had to have his boots sent up from Tottenham by taxi yesterday morning, but he gave us something we’ve been missing – pace and directness.
“I made five changes and I could have made 11 after what happened at Barnsley, but I felt that certain players would respond. This season’s going to go to the wire and I said that when we were winning games. We’ve got a group here who are capable of anything and the Championship’s so tight it’s unbelievable.”
Burnley were hit by the first-half dismissal of defender Kieran Trippier, booked by referee Mark Brown for two fouls on Townsend and boss Eddie Howe was incensed by the red card, saying: “The second booking wasn’t even a foul.
“It’s a disgraceful decision and I hope he looks at it and learns from it because I felt he was totally swayed by the crowd.”
Leeds United v Burnley: What a relief! - Grayson
By Phil Hay
Simon Grayson celebrated a “massive result” after Leeds United eased the pressure on him
with a sensational victory over Burnley.The United manager punched the air in relief as a winner from Ross McCormack in the fifth minute of injury-time averted a fourth straight defeat.
Grayson’s future as manager looked doubtful after Charlie Austin’s 69th-minute strike put 10-man Burnley within reach of three points, but two goals in the dying moments at Elland Road – one an own goal from Brian Easton – salvaged a vital 2-1 win.
McCormack’s last-gasp effort sparked dramatic celebrations among United’s players and staff, and Leeds climbed to eighth place in the Championship after their first win since December 3.
Grayson, who made five changes to the team routed at Barnsley on Saturday, said: “It shows the relief amongst everyone – the supporters, the players and the staff. I wasn’t going to stand on the touchline and do nothing because this is a big result for us.
“It’s massive because we don’t want to fall adrift of the play-off positions. The players responded after being criticised on Saturday and rightly so. We had a team meeting on Sunday, watched the DVD, and they’ve actually done what we wanted them to do at Barnsley.
Results
“With five minutes to go we were staring down the barrel of another defeat but we played well enough to win and we deserved to win.
“We showed a bit of character and got a bit of luck with both of our goals. It stops the rot. When you’ve lost three on the bounce, you don’t want to make it four, especially at home. It’s a big result for us all.”
Asked if he feared for his job as the Clarets defended a 1-0 lead in the closing stages, Grayson said: “No, not really. I believe that my team are good enough to get results and football’s all about results.
“Other people decided those things (his future) but one thing I won’t do is shy away from the challenge or from hard work.”
United were inspired by an impressive debut from Andros Townsend, who joined on a half-season loan from Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and McCormack was on hand to bury the rebound after Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant failed to hold Townsend’s shot.
Grayson said: “He’s a talent and he’s played against us a few times over the years. He only trained briefly with the team on Sunday and he had to have his boots sent up from Tottenham by taxi yesterday morning, but he gave us something we’ve been missing – pace and directness.
“I made five changes and I could have made 11 after what happened at Barnsley, but I felt that certain players would respond. This season’s going to go to the wire and I said that when we were winning games. We’ve got a group here who are capable of anything and the Championship’s so tight it’s unbelievable.”
Burnley were hit by the first-half dismissal of defender Kieran Trippier, booked by referee Mark Brown for two fouls on Townsend and boss Eddie Howe was incensed by the red card, saying: “The second booking wasn’t even a foul.
“It’s a disgraceful decision and I hope he looks at it and learns from it because I felt he was totally swayed by the crowd.”