McCormack ready and willing to take Becchio’s mantle of leading Leeds line
Yorkshire Post 29/1/13
By Richard Sutcliffe
ROSS McCORMACK hopes netting the goal that fired Leeds United into the FA Cup fifth round will cement his place at the head of the Yorkshire club’s attack.
The Scottish international showed tremendous poise and ability to net United’s second in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
In the process, McCormack made it three goals in as many games and after spending most of the season playing either out wide or in midfield, he hopes that mini-burst of scoring form will persuade Neil Warnock to play him up front every week.
The 26-year-old said: “This season has been frustrating, for one reason or another. I have said from day one when I came to this club that I am a striker and that is where I want to play.
“Hopefully, (by scoring against Spurs) I have maybe given the gaffer some food for thought that I can play that role.” Luciano Becchio’s submitting of a transfer request last week paved the way for McCormack to move up front alongside El-Hadji Diouf in Sunday’s Cup tie.
McCormack, who now has five goals to his name this season after netting 19 as a striker in 2011-12, added: “When Luciano was playing well and scoring, it was hard to get a game up top.
“Now, obviously, with what has happened and the circumstances, maybe I will get a chance and a half decent run up there.
“If I played in that position I would be expected to score goals. I think when Luciano is in the team, I change my game completely for the good of him to create a lot more than I would like to because, like I have said, I am a striker. I am here to score goals and if I play up front, that is going to be my priority.”
Becchio’s future remains unclear with the transfer deadline looming large amid continued interest from China and Turkey.
Leeds have rejected several bids for the striker already, but the 29-year-old remains keen to secure a move that would see his £13,000-per-week Elland Road wages rise significantly.
Along with the Becchio saga, manager Warnock is focusing on the need to bring in “two or three new faces” ahead of the window closing at 11pm on Thursday.
With Leeds due to host runaway leaders – and McCormack’s former club – Cardiff City this weekend, the need to strengthen is obvious as Warnock’s men try to bridge a six-point gap on the play-off places.
On the chances of United gate-crashing the top six, McCormack said: “We’re not daft. We know we are two or three quality players short. But if we can get them, you never know.
“What’s the gap? Six points? That is nothing in this league.
“The fans have every right to expect more consistency from us. They come here and pay their money, they get behind the team and the lads want to give them the success they deserve.
“We just hope they keep turning out in their numbers and if we do get some additions into the squad, then hopefully that will kick us on.
“We have to take the Cup win into the league. When a Premier League team comes to Elland Road, the attendance goes up and the atmosphere is electric.
“It is easier to get yourself up for the game. The fans will say we should be able to get up for all the games – and I do (agree).
“But it just means when you come here on a Saturday against a side in the Championship, the fans are expecting you to entertain them and get them off their seats. When the fans turn up against Tottenham, Everton, Southampton, they are on the ball.”
Luke Varney, United’s other goalscorer on Sunday, is also hoping to use the Spurs tie as a springboard for a happier few months after coming in for some unwarranted stick from supporters since his summer move from Portsmouth.
McCormack added: “He has (had some stick) because of a lack of goals, but since the gaffer has come in I have played most of my time wide left so know it is difficult to get goals from there. Given a good run of games, he will get the fans’ backing.”
Leeds were last night still waiting to hear if their fifth round tie at Manchester City will be shown live on television.
Meanwhile, former Player of the Year Max Gradel has ruled out a possible return to Elland Road.
The St Etienne wideman said: “I love Leeds and hope one day to go back there. But right now I am in the top league (in France) and want to move forward and play Champions League football.”
By Richard Sutcliffe
ROSS McCORMACK hopes netting the goal that fired Leeds United into the FA Cup fifth round will cement his place at the head of the Yorkshire club’s attack.
The Scottish international showed tremendous poise and ability to net United’s second in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
In the process, McCormack made it three goals in as many games and after spending most of the season playing either out wide or in midfield, he hopes that mini-burst of scoring form will persuade Neil Warnock to play him up front every week.
The 26-year-old said: “This season has been frustrating, for one reason or another. I have said from day one when I came to this club that I am a striker and that is where I want to play.
“Hopefully, (by scoring against Spurs) I have maybe given the gaffer some food for thought that I can play that role.” Luciano Becchio’s submitting of a transfer request last week paved the way for McCormack to move up front alongside El-Hadji Diouf in Sunday’s Cup tie.
McCormack, who now has five goals to his name this season after netting 19 as a striker in 2011-12, added: “When Luciano was playing well and scoring, it was hard to get a game up top.
“Now, obviously, with what has happened and the circumstances, maybe I will get a chance and a half decent run up there.
“If I played in that position I would be expected to score goals. I think when Luciano is in the team, I change my game completely for the good of him to create a lot more than I would like to because, like I have said, I am a striker. I am here to score goals and if I play up front, that is going to be my priority.”
Becchio’s future remains unclear with the transfer deadline looming large amid continued interest from China and Turkey.
Leeds have rejected several bids for the striker already, but the 29-year-old remains keen to secure a move that would see his £13,000-per-week Elland Road wages rise significantly.
Along with the Becchio saga, manager Warnock is focusing on the need to bring in “two or three new faces” ahead of the window closing at 11pm on Thursday.
With Leeds due to host runaway leaders – and McCormack’s former club – Cardiff City this weekend, the need to strengthen is obvious as Warnock’s men try to bridge a six-point gap on the play-off places.
On the chances of United gate-crashing the top six, McCormack said: “We’re not daft. We know we are two or three quality players short. But if we can get them, you never know.
“What’s the gap? Six points? That is nothing in this league.
“The fans have every right to expect more consistency from us. They come here and pay their money, they get behind the team and the lads want to give them the success they deserve.
“We just hope they keep turning out in their numbers and if we do get some additions into the squad, then hopefully that will kick us on.
“We have to take the Cup win into the league. When a Premier League team comes to Elland Road, the attendance goes up and the atmosphere is electric.
“It is easier to get yourself up for the game. The fans will say we should be able to get up for all the games – and I do (agree).
“But it just means when you come here on a Saturday against a side in the Championship, the fans are expecting you to entertain them and get them off their seats. When the fans turn up against Tottenham, Everton, Southampton, they are on the ball.”
Luke Varney, United’s other goalscorer on Sunday, is also hoping to use the Spurs tie as a springboard for a happier few months after coming in for some unwarranted stick from supporters since his summer move from Portsmouth.
McCormack added: “He has (had some stick) because of a lack of goals, but since the gaffer has come in I have played most of my time wide left so know it is difficult to get goals from there. Given a good run of games, he will get the fans’ backing.”
Leeds were last night still waiting to hear if their fifth round tie at Manchester City will be shown live on television.
Meanwhile, former Player of the Year Max Gradel has ruled out a possible return to Elland Road.
The St Etienne wideman said: “I love Leeds and hope one day to go back there. But right now I am in the top league (in France) and want to move forward and play Champions League football.”