McDermott: My agenda for Leeds
Yorkshire Post 16/4/13
By Leon Wobschall
BRIAN McDERMOTT is backing Leeds United striker Steve Morison to come good – despite a slow start to his career at Elland Road.
The newly-appointed Whites boss enjoyed the near-perfect start to his managerial tenure on Saturday, when United turned around an interval deficit to see off derby rivals Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 – and is hoping that the new manager ‘bounce’ continues in tonight’s Roses clash with visiting Burnley.
The priceless weekend win over the Owls has all but secured United’s Championship status after a run of four successive defeats had seen them plunge too close to the relegation zone for comfort, with the one slightly disappointing aspect of a memorable afternoon seeing Morison endure another inauspicious outing in United colours.
The former Norwich City and Millwall man was substituted just past the hour mark, with Luke Varney switching to centre forward with impressive effect – netting both home goals in quick succession and strengthening his claims of starting in his preferred position of central striker in the process.
All told, Morison, assigned to fill the goalscoring void vacated by Luciano Becchio at the end of January, has found the net just three times in 14 appearances for Leeds.
But despite the barren statistics, McDermott feels the 29-year-old has the qualities to ultimately prosper at Elland Road as he bids to rediscover the form that persuaded Norwich to stump up an undisclosed six-figure fee for his services from Millwall in the summer of 2011.
McDermott said: “I have known Steve Morison from my scouting days when he was playing for Stevenage. He works really, really hard.
“He had a tough time at Norwich and did not play too many games or have too many opportunities.
“He has come here and played all the games under the previous manager and I know he is a good player and a good lad.
“We will get him to be in the right place for Steve Morison because that is really important for us. If Steve is in the right place, it is really good for Leeds United.”
Meanwhile, McDermott has revealed that Academy boss Neil Redfearn will continue to work with the first-team squad in the coming weeks – hinting at a promotion for the 47-year-old following two separate stints in charge of United on a caretaker basis.
McDermott envisages Redfearn working closely on the training pitch with his number two Nigel Gibbs, concentrating on first-team matters.
On the future of Redfearn, who he first got to know when they were doing their pro-licence together, McDermott, not plotting any changes to his backroom staff as it stands, said: “I want Neil to be with us and Nigel and Neil to be together with me. “(Youth coach) Richard Naylor is also obviously on the staff with Leigh Bromby and they are all good people. I know that after only being here a short space of time.”
Saturday’s victory pushed United up to 11th spot, six points above the relegation zone with four matches to play, but McDermott insists his planning for next season - with United virtually safe - won’t begin in earnest yet, with his sole concern being to finish an inconsistent season with a bit of a flourish to enable supporters to head into the summer with a bit of renewed hope.
McDermott said: “You want to finish the season on a high and I am not looking at the squad. The squad is our squad at this moment in time. All we are doing is concentrating on our training and on what we have to do in the Burnley game. Nothing else matters; that is the only thing that matters.”
On tonight’s clash, he added: “First and foremost, you want to win. But I also want the team to play well and pass the ball and enjoy the game.
“I also want the crowd to get into the game and enjoy the experience.
“You want to win with a certain style as well. But if you can’t, then win.”
By Leon Wobschall
BRIAN McDERMOTT is backing Leeds United striker Steve Morison to come good – despite a slow start to his career at Elland Road.
The newly-appointed Whites boss enjoyed the near-perfect start to his managerial tenure on Saturday, when United turned around an interval deficit to see off derby rivals Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 – and is hoping that the new manager ‘bounce’ continues in tonight’s Roses clash with visiting Burnley.
The priceless weekend win over the Owls has all but secured United’s Championship status after a run of four successive defeats had seen them plunge too close to the relegation zone for comfort, with the one slightly disappointing aspect of a memorable afternoon seeing Morison endure another inauspicious outing in United colours.
The former Norwich City and Millwall man was substituted just past the hour mark, with Luke Varney switching to centre forward with impressive effect – netting both home goals in quick succession and strengthening his claims of starting in his preferred position of central striker in the process.
All told, Morison, assigned to fill the goalscoring void vacated by Luciano Becchio at the end of January, has found the net just three times in 14 appearances for Leeds.
But despite the barren statistics, McDermott feels the 29-year-old has the qualities to ultimately prosper at Elland Road as he bids to rediscover the form that persuaded Norwich to stump up an undisclosed six-figure fee for his services from Millwall in the summer of 2011.
McDermott said: “I have known Steve Morison from my scouting days when he was playing for Stevenage. He works really, really hard.
“He had a tough time at Norwich and did not play too many games or have too many opportunities.
“He has come here and played all the games under the previous manager and I know he is a good player and a good lad.
“We will get him to be in the right place for Steve Morison because that is really important for us. If Steve is in the right place, it is really good for Leeds United.”
Meanwhile, McDermott has revealed that Academy boss Neil Redfearn will continue to work with the first-team squad in the coming weeks – hinting at a promotion for the 47-year-old following two separate stints in charge of United on a caretaker basis.
McDermott envisages Redfearn working closely on the training pitch with his number two Nigel Gibbs, concentrating on first-team matters.
On the future of Redfearn, who he first got to know when they were doing their pro-licence together, McDermott, not plotting any changes to his backroom staff as it stands, said: “I want Neil to be with us and Nigel and Neil to be together with me. “(Youth coach) Richard Naylor is also obviously on the staff with Leigh Bromby and they are all good people. I know that after only being here a short space of time.”
Saturday’s victory pushed United up to 11th spot, six points above the relegation zone with four matches to play, but McDermott insists his planning for next season - with United virtually safe - won’t begin in earnest yet, with his sole concern being to finish an inconsistent season with a bit of a flourish to enable supporters to head into the summer with a bit of renewed hope.
McDermott said: “You want to finish the season on a high and I am not looking at the squad. The squad is our squad at this moment in time. All we are doing is concentrating on our training and on what we have to do in the Burnley game. Nothing else matters; that is the only thing that matters.”
On tonight’s clash, he added: “First and foremost, you want to win. But I also want the team to play well and pass the ball and enjoy the game.
“I also want the crowd to get into the game and enjoy the experience.
“You want to win with a certain style as well. But if you can’t, then win.”