Leeds 2 Blackpool 0: Ince family fortunes hit by sorry start thanks to second-half strikes
By Richard Gibson
For one manager a new beginning, for the other the beginning of the end. At least that was how the opening of Paul Ince’s reign as Blackpool manager appeared to be against a man in the opposite dug-out whose days were looking increasingly numbered.
However, the fresh optimism Blackpool arrived with at Elland Road was nabbed for Neil Warnock by his spirited Leeds team.
They claimed only a second Championship victory since New Year’s Day — courtesy of goals from David Norris and Steve Morison — to rekindle hopes of a top-six finish.
Warnock revealed after Sunday’s FA Cup exit to Premier League champions Manchester City that he expects to be out of a job unless promotion is secured in May. It is also understood Warnock, 64, will not seek a new deal if they fail.
This week, which marks the first anniversary of his tenure, and also includes a trip to Blackburn, appears to be key to any play-off push.
Leeds’s current mid-table place has led to apathy among supporters, who expected greater investment in the squad last month. However, new owners GFH Capital have preached patience as they seek further investment, and used their programme notes to confirm they turned down a bid for a majority shareholding this week.
If Warnock fails in his bid for a record eighth promotion as a Football League manager, he insists his legacy will be a squad of great character.
Indeed, the Yorkshire team’s endeavour could not be faulted and Luke Varney had several early chances. A fifth-minute snapshot on the turn sailed wide, and two headers were repelled by the visitors’ goalkeeper Matt Gilks.
The best chance fell to Ross McCormack in the 11th minute but, following Steve Morison’s exposure of a Kirk Broadfoot error, he could not get a shot away. When McCormack did strike cleanly on the half-hour, Gilks saved well.
Ince recalled son Thomas and three times in the opening period, the England Under 21 star had shots saved by Paddy Kenny.
However, Kenny’s best save came not from Ince but Matt Phillips in first-half injury time. Kenny flung himself to his left to claw a 20-yard drive out of the bottom corner and was relieved an offside flag ruled out Gary Taylor-Fletcher’s effort on the rebound.
Leeds continued to squander openings after the break but Norris and Morison both found the net either side of the hour.
Warnock’s team took the lead when McCormack’s corner found its way to Norris, who fired in through a crowded goalmouth. Morison, a makeweight in the January deal that took Luciano Becchio to Norwich, then doubled the advantage with a composed side-footed finish.