Telegraph 7/8/13 - Leeds United 2 Chesterfield 1: match report
By Henry Winter
The long queue of Leeds United fans shuffling slowly forward in the sunshine outside the John Charles West Stand told its own story of reviving spirits at Elland Road.
It was after kick-off and they still queued to get in. The final tally was 17,466, including a lively contingent 2,356 from Chesterfield, a healthy gate given the low-key nature of the game, a Capital One Cup first-round tie against League Two visitors.
“There were 16,000 at my first game here and now there are 17,000 for a League Cup tie,’’ reflected the Leeds manager, Brian McDermott, whose calm, honest management style has been so well received here. “I feel I’ve been adopted. It’s a good environment.’’
McDermott has been helping the club re-connect with its supporters, many of whom had become disenchanted during the Ken Bates era.
“The fans are coming back,’’ added McDermott, who described as “phenomenal’’ the 33,432 at Saturday’s home win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
“They were great again tonight. I sense a connection between fans, players and staff. The fans want that connection. They deserve it. They deserve success.”
Leeds supporters had been hoping for a change in mood with a change in the board-room. An advertisement in the programme for season tickets told fans that “times are changing at Elland Road, be part of it,’’ adding that “the past is the past... let’s be United”, marching on together again.
The calm, sensible McDermott is playing his part in the rebuilding, winning many friends amongst the Leeds faithful on the pre-season tour of Slovenia.
Hearing a chant of “it’s your round, Brian” after one game, McDermott gave the fans a €50 note. News of such small gestures spread swiftly in the age of social media, immediately enhancing McDermott’s reputation. There is also huge respect for the job he did at Reading before being unceremoniously dismissed.
A winning start to this season has added to the feelgood factor. Salah Nooruddin used his chairman’s notes in the programme — words far less caustic than Bates’ — to praise the fans, particularly for the atmosphere generated against Brighton.
“With the feeling of goodwill around, and the buzz within the city, hopefully we can have many more days like that in the coming weeks,’’ Nooruddin wrote.
Yet Chesterfield seemed little daunted by the surroundings last night, taking the lead through a header from the unmarked Eoin Doyle from Drew Talbot’s excellent cross. Paul Cook’s enterprising side gave Leeds many nervous moments through the game.
“I didn’t really enjoy it,’’ said McDermott. “But in my last League Cup tie we (Reading) were 4-1 up and lost 7-5 (to Arsenal) and this is a better feeling.”
Leeds responded well to falling behind. It helped that McDermott stayed composed in the technical area, marching up and down, looking ready for business but never looking worried.
Taking their cue from their manager, Leeds did not panic. They were driven on by the experienced Michael Brown, who equalised after 28 minutes with a magnificent strike from 25 yards.
Five minutes later, Leeds were ahead, this time with a fine goal from Dominic Poleon, who shaped to place his shot one way and then deceived Tommy Lee by placing it the other.
Asked whether Poleon was “one for the future”, McDermott replied: “With a goal like that, he’s one for the present. He’s got potential. We’re trying to get him to be the all-round player.’’
Poleon’s emergence is good news for Leeds as was McDermott’s update on Ross McCormack. Leeds manager reiterated the fans’ chant of “Ross McCormack — not for sale’’, saying: “Ross wants to stay. I want him to stay. He’s staying.
"There’s been a couple of offers for him knocked back. He loves it at Leeds. He loves the fans. He’s not for sale.’’ McDermott wants to strengthen. “We’ve two young centre-halves, no wingers,’’ said McDermott, who confirmed there was no interest in Matt Taylor of West Ham United.
They need more quality but there was no questioning their commitment. This was seen in the way Jason Pearce slid in determinedly to clear Tendayi Darikwa’s shot off the line, and Brown closing down opponents as nerve bit late on.
Leeds were fortunate when Nathan Smith’s shot then hit the post but they held on, reaching the second round of the Capital One Cup and continuing to pick up some momentum under McDermott.
His mission is promotion, a difficult task in such a tough Championship, continuing against Leicester City on Sunday but the Leeds supporters will travel hopefully down the M1, queuing patiently to get in to see McDermott’s men.
It was after kick-off and they still queued to get in. The final tally was 17,466, including a lively contingent 2,356 from Chesterfield, a healthy gate given the low-key nature of the game, a Capital One Cup first-round tie against League Two visitors.
“There were 16,000 at my first game here and now there are 17,000 for a League Cup tie,’’ reflected the Leeds manager, Brian McDermott, whose calm, honest management style has been so well received here. “I feel I’ve been adopted. It’s a good environment.’’
McDermott has been helping the club re-connect with its supporters, many of whom had become disenchanted during the Ken Bates era.
“The fans are coming back,’’ added McDermott, who described as “phenomenal’’ the 33,432 at Saturday’s home win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
“They were great again tonight. I sense a connection between fans, players and staff. The fans want that connection. They deserve it. They deserve success.”
Leeds supporters had been hoping for a change in mood with a change in the board-room. An advertisement in the programme for season tickets told fans that “times are changing at Elland Road, be part of it,’’ adding that “the past is the past... let’s be United”, marching on together again.
The calm, sensible McDermott is playing his part in the rebuilding, winning many friends amongst the Leeds faithful on the pre-season tour of Slovenia.
Hearing a chant of “it’s your round, Brian” after one game, McDermott gave the fans a €50 note. News of such small gestures spread swiftly in the age of social media, immediately enhancing McDermott’s reputation. There is also huge respect for the job he did at Reading before being unceremoniously dismissed.
A winning start to this season has added to the feelgood factor. Salah Nooruddin used his chairman’s notes in the programme — words far less caustic than Bates’ — to praise the fans, particularly for the atmosphere generated against Brighton.
“With the feeling of goodwill around, and the buzz within the city, hopefully we can have many more days like that in the coming weeks,’’ Nooruddin wrote.
Yet Chesterfield seemed little daunted by the surroundings last night, taking the lead through a header from the unmarked Eoin Doyle from Drew Talbot’s excellent cross. Paul Cook’s enterprising side gave Leeds many nervous moments through the game.
“I didn’t really enjoy it,’’ said McDermott. “But in my last League Cup tie we (Reading) were 4-1 up and lost 7-5 (to Arsenal) and this is a better feeling.”
Leeds responded well to falling behind. It helped that McDermott stayed composed in the technical area, marching up and down, looking ready for business but never looking worried.
Taking their cue from their manager, Leeds did not panic. They were driven on by the experienced Michael Brown, who equalised after 28 minutes with a magnificent strike from 25 yards.
Five minutes later, Leeds were ahead, this time with a fine goal from Dominic Poleon, who shaped to place his shot one way and then deceived Tommy Lee by placing it the other.
Asked whether Poleon was “one for the future”, McDermott replied: “With a goal like that, he’s one for the present. He’s got potential. We’re trying to get him to be the all-round player.’’
Poleon’s emergence is good news for Leeds as was McDermott’s update on Ross McCormack. Leeds manager reiterated the fans’ chant of “Ross McCormack — not for sale’’, saying: “Ross wants to stay. I want him to stay. He’s staying.
"There’s been a couple of offers for him knocked back. He loves it at Leeds. He loves the fans. He’s not for sale.’’ McDermott wants to strengthen. “We’ve two young centre-halves, no wingers,’’ said McDermott, who confirmed there was no interest in Matt Taylor of West Ham United.
They need more quality but there was no questioning their commitment. This was seen in the way Jason Pearce slid in determinedly to clear Tendayi Darikwa’s shot off the line, and Brown closing down opponents as nerve bit late on.
Leeds were fortunate when Nathan Smith’s shot then hit the post but they held on, reaching the second round of the Capital One Cup and continuing to pick up some momentum under McDermott.
His mission is promotion, a difficult task in such a tough Championship, continuing against Leicester City on Sunday but the Leeds supporters will travel hopefully down the M1, queuing patiently to get in to see McDermott’s men.