Brian McDermott enjoying life at Leeds after a winning week in charge
Bradford Telegraph & Argus 17/4/13
Leeds United 1 Burnley 0
Leeds manager Brian McDermott does not want the season to end after steering his new club to a second vital Championship win in the space of four days.
The former Reading boss replaced Neil Warnock last Friday in time to take charge of Saturday’s derby win over Sheffield Wednesday and last night saw Leeds play with a freedom seldom seen at Elland Road this season.
Rodolph Austin struck his first goal since September, sweeping the ball home first time following a perfectly-weighted ball from El-Hadji Diouf in the 62nd minute.
The Jamaica international’s fine finish was scant reward for some of the passing football Leeds served up, with Saturday’s two-goal hero Luke Varney going close on three occasions – one header hit the crossbar – in the first half.
“We’re pleased,” the 52-year-old said after Leeds had climbed to within six points of the play-offs and seven above the bottom three.
“We controlled possession really. We had a few opportunities and I thought the goal was excellent, a really good bit of skill by Dioufy and that was a really good finish.
“I’ve come here to enjoy myself, the staff want to enjoy themselves and I want the players and the fans to enjoy themselves, that’s what life’s about.
“I’ve told the players, I have no fear about a game of football and I want them to have the same philosophy.
“I’ve learned an awful lot in the last three weeks from what happened to me at my previous club and I hope Leeds have got a better manager on the back of what’s happened.
“I think there’s something tangible left this season. Every game there’s something tangible. When you’re stood on that line and it’s 1-0, it’s definitely tangible in my heart, so every game there’s something to play for because you’re playing for your fans.
“You want to finish the season strongly. You want to do as well as you possibly can.
“I’m just a bit upset there’s only three games left, it’s a shame there’s not six.”
Burnley were not completely overrun but were restricted to several half-chances in the absence of leading goalscorer Charlie Austin.
The 28-goal striker is out for the rest of the season after undergoing emergency surgery to have his appendix removed after falling ill during training on Monday.
The Clarets have won only two of their last 15 league games and after this latest setback lie just three points above the relegation zone.
Leeds United 1 Burnley 0
Leeds manager Brian McDermott does not want the season to end after steering his new club to a second vital Championship win in the space of four days.
The former Reading boss replaced Neil Warnock last Friday in time to take charge of Saturday’s derby win over Sheffield Wednesday and last night saw Leeds play with a freedom seldom seen at Elland Road this season.
Rodolph Austin struck his first goal since September, sweeping the ball home first time following a perfectly-weighted ball from El-Hadji Diouf in the 62nd minute.
The Jamaica international’s fine finish was scant reward for some of the passing football Leeds served up, with Saturday’s two-goal hero Luke Varney going close on three occasions – one header hit the crossbar – in the first half.
“We’re pleased,” the 52-year-old said after Leeds had climbed to within six points of the play-offs and seven above the bottom three.
“We controlled possession really. We had a few opportunities and I thought the goal was excellent, a really good bit of skill by Dioufy and that was a really good finish.
“I’ve come here to enjoy myself, the staff want to enjoy themselves and I want the players and the fans to enjoy themselves, that’s what life’s about.
“I’ve told the players, I have no fear about a game of football and I want them to have the same philosophy.
“I’ve learned an awful lot in the last three weeks from what happened to me at my previous club and I hope Leeds have got a better manager on the back of what’s happened.
“I think there’s something tangible left this season. Every game there’s something tangible. When you’re stood on that line and it’s 1-0, it’s definitely tangible in my heart, so every game there’s something to play for because you’re playing for your fans.
“You want to finish the season strongly. You want to do as well as you possibly can.
“I’m just a bit upset there’s only three games left, it’s a shame there’s not six.”
Burnley were not completely overrun but were restricted to several half-chances in the absence of leading goalscorer Charlie Austin.
The 28-goal striker is out for the rest of the season after undergoing emergency surgery to have his appendix removed after falling ill during training on Monday.
The Clarets have won only two of their last 15 league games and after this latest setback lie just three points above the relegation zone.