'Lose control' — Preston North End boss admits Leeds United sympathy amid comments on refereeing display — YEP 14/12/24

-

By Joe Donnohue

Preston North End head coach Paul Heckingbottom was pleased with his side's display on Saturday afternoon but worried the game could spin out of control after a fiery opening 45 minutes.

Leeds felt hard done by not to see their opponents go down to ten men during the first half as Ben Whiteman fouled Jayden Bogle on the edge of the Preston penalty area. The infraction was Whiteman's second in the space of four minutes and prior to the controversial incident, had been shown a yellow card for a blatant trip on Brenden Aaronson.

Referee John Busby took the view that Whiteman's second challenge in quick succession was not worthy of a yellow card, although those of a Leeds persuasion - and even Heckingbottom - believed there was a case for a second booking to be shown.

"Definitely [can see why Leeds were upset about the lack of second yellow]. Players are clever at drawing a foul and Ben did extremely well not to make another one [with Gnonto just after]. The only decision was only whether to wait for half-time to do it," the ex-Leeds manager said, on the decision to substitute Whiteman at half-time in order to avoid a sending off.

"My initial thoughts looking at it yeah [it was a second yellow] but I've not watched it back," he added.

"I was worried the ref was going to lose control at one point but credit to the players, it was an honest game, which I think helped John out in the second half.

"Credit to both sets of players, there could have been moments, potential flash points but everyone was honest."

On the performance, Heckingbottom admitted disappointment at conceding so late in the game and in the manner in which Jack Whatmough put through his own goal, but was overall pleased with the resilience his team showed to hold the lead, gleaned from Brad Potts' opener, for as long as they managed.

"Leeds make you work so hard without the ball. You're talking about top level players.

"It would have been better if we'd won. The fans are same as me, this hurts for different reasons because of the type of goal.

"Leeds threw everything at us and we stood strong until the very last minutes. We played against a good side who really made us work. You could see it would take a goal like that to beat us today. We defended well as a team, when Freddie [Woodman] was called upon it was from 25, 30 yards. Disappointed not to get the three but I don't feel as bad as I have in other games when we've been dominant."

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more