Busy period takes its toll on United

The string of games around Christmas in the English game has been criticised as of late and the FA are under increasing scrutiny to slacken the workload of squads - especially those who are shy of investment.

Leeds manager Brian McDermott.
                                                                                 Picture from http://www.bbc.co.uk

Leeds took just two points from three games so far over the busy period and after a disappointing display at Nottingham, United now sit at 7th place in the table. In a press conference with the Yorkshire Evening Post, McDermott took the positives after two difficult back-to-back away games but also highlighted an issue that needs addressing at Elland Road, should United wish to issue a real promotion challenge this season: “My lads have done fantastically well for me and we’re seventh in the league. We've got results and we’re in an okay position. But we know we need to add to what we've got next month.”

And the White's manager has a point. The proposed take-over - led by Leeds managing director Andrew Haigh and Andrew Flowers - will ideally provide much needed investment in order to strengthen a United squad that gave a tired performance against Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest's Matt Derbyshire and Gred Halford 
                                                                            Picture from www1.skysports.com

Leeds struggled to get in the game during the first half at City Ground and looked off the pace for most of the match. Forest did a good job of closing down quickly, restricting possession and pressuring the ball. The home team looked by far the superior side for 90 minutes and an ankle injury sustained by Kenny in the opening minutes of the match did not help matters but he battled on and played through it admirably.

Andy Reid's free-kick found its way to Forest's make-shift striker Greg Halford, who jumped above Zaliukas to force his header past Kenny after 23 minutes. Forest pressed and almost added a second moments after the restart but Reid's attempted chip landed on the roof of the net. Leeds showed some signs of life however, as Luke Murphy fired in a corner that Matt Smith almost got his head to on 33 minutes. Radoslaw Majewski's drive for Nottingham was tipped past the post by Kenny, who was blatantly struggling. Djamal Abdoun's lay-off then looked to be a gift for Jamie Mackie but the Scot put his effort wide of goal.

During the interval Leeds assessed Kenny's ankle injury and allowed him to carry on but it wasn't long before Forest  produced another effort on target, in the form of Abdoun's shot that was saved by the United keeper. Leeds continued to hang on, despite significant pressure from the home side and United introduced American youngster Gboly Ariyibi to make his debut. Nottingham went close again when Reid hit the post with a long range strike but Leeds broke forward and Byrams's effort almost found its way to goal before being cleared by the Forest defence but only as far as Ross McCormack, who didn't need to be asked twice to thrash the ball past the scrambling Forest goalkeeper on 83 minutes played.

The two teams were not on level terms for long as the home side's attacking restart provided substitute Matt Derbyshire with a yard of space and the former Olympiacos man sent a 25 yard missile into the corner of United's goal, sparking an intense argument between Kenny and Leeds captain Rodolph Austin.

Blackpool's Tom Ince.
                                                       Picture from www1.skysports.com

The defeat at Forest was the second away game Leeds played in three days, visiting Blackpool on Boxing day and playing out to a 1-1 draw. The game at Bloomfield Road was another difficult battle for McDermott's men who, after a strong first half culminating in an excellent looping header by Lee Peltier, fizzled out as Tom Ince proceeded to thrust the Tangerines forward. The England under-21 international lashed a shot from distance which took a wicked deflection from Marius Zaliukas and Kenny was unable to adjust. Although an away draw on boxing day at Blackpool would usually be a decent result, it did feel like a loss for Leeds after the Whites dominated for most of the game.

The referee was certainly not on Leeds' side either. When Ross McCormack was pulled down by Kirk Broadfoot after controlling the ball and appearing to be through on goal, the Blackpool defender was only shown a yellow card for his foul on the Scot. In an interview with the YEP, McDermott said: “It’s a certain sending off and when the referee looks back at it he’ll realise that he’s made an error. It’s unfortunate for him and for us." United were given some reprieve on 85 minutes, when the same man was the culprit of a wildly dangerous tackle and referee Scott Mathieson made no mistake this time, showing a straight red card. The man advantage came too late for the Leeds though, who were unable to find a goal late on.

United will host Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on New Years Day and fatigue will undoubtedly play its part in a fixture that will be integral if Leeds are going to threaten a play-off place this season.

Match report: Leeds United v Barnsley F.C.

Leeds welcomed fellow Yorkshire side Barnsley to Elland Road this week in a fixture that never fails to live up to the occasion but despite the high intensity of the match, it ended 0-0 at full-time.

New Barnsley boss Danny Wilson.
                                                  Picture from http://www.dailystar.co.uk

The game was manager Danny Wilson's first in charge since returning for his second spell with the club after the Reds sacked David Flitcroft following a poor run of results which has left them at the very foot of the Sky Bet Championship. Leeds on the other hand went into the Yorkshrie derby at sixth-place in the league and were eyeing the fixture as an opportunity to take advantage of a struggling side.

Bizarrely, Barnsley are the fifth team Leeds have played this season with a new manager. Players always seem to 'put on a show' when a new manager comes into the fold at their club and Barnsley were certainly no different, restricting Leeds to a draw despite the home side dominating for most of the match. Manager Brian McDermott told the YEP after the match: “It was new manager syndrome for us again. I said to my players beforehand ‘play like you've got a new manager.’ They didn't but that’s life."

Wilson set his side up to contain Leeds, utilising Bobby Hassell as a protective barrier sandwiched between two banks of four defenders and four midfielders. This contrstricted the home side, allowing for little room to breathe and it showed. ""The first half wasn't good from our point of view." McDermott said, noting the difficulty that United had combating the strangle-hold that Barnsley implemented.

Leeds striker Matt Smith chasing the ball.
                                 Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

Barnsley could have easily gone behind though had it not been for stalwart England international goalkeeper Jack Butland. The on-loan Stoke man kept his side in the game in the first half after his flash of brilliance denied Matt Smith a goal, parrying the Leeds striker's point-blank volley. Smith continued to threaten though and after showing strength to shrug off defender Peter Ramage, he latched onto Ross McCormack's pass but only to hit it straight at Butland.

Barnsley frustrated Leeds in the middle of the park all afternoon. David Perkins and Jim O'Brien pulled the strings and ensured that Leeds could not set their own pace from midfield. Marcus Tudgay also came close, in a game of few chances for the away side, but Kenny managed to tip his header safely over the bar.

Young Leeds midfielder Alex Mowatt picked up a yellow card in the first half and made way as McDermott introduced Michael Tonge and Sam Byram after the interval, but both failed to provide an impact as the tempo of the game continued to rise. The heroics of Butland also continued, saving a Danny Pugh volley before keeping out McCormack's on-target header. Striker Matt Smith once again went agonisingly close in the final stages but his shot dragged just wide of the post.

Barnsley were hanging on but in the 85th-minute Marcus Tudgay took a reckless swipe at Leeds defender Marius Zaliukus and saw a straight red card for his troubles. When asked about the dismissal, the Barnsley boss said: "He’s not that type of guy but I've no qualms with the referee. He was right on top of the incident." Six  minutes of injury time were added on at Elland Road but to no avail for the home side, who were held to a draw as the final whistle blew.

Luke Murphy picked up a yellow card in the match and his fifth of the season, inevitably ruling him out of the next game against Blackpool and the feeling is that he could be sorely missed. Though Leeds do have a readily available replacement in Michael Tonge, McDermott could opt for Michael Brown - the veteran's thorny style can be an asset when playing away at big clubs. Despite a disappointing draw against the Championship's bottom-placed side, Leeds moved up to fifth and, if the Whites can claim victory at Bloomfield Road, they will edge even closer to the automatic promotion spots.

Scoreline flatters as Leeds pick up away win

Leeds united left the Keepmoat stadium unscathed in a match that was marred by the controversy of a disallowed Doncaster goal. Smith, McCormack and Austin all score to thrust Leeds into sixth place.

Doncaster manager Paul Dickov.
                                                         Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

When Paddy Kenny was beaten by Theo Robinson's 67th minute finish after he latched onto Richie Wellens' through ball, the outcome of the match looked daunting for the Whites but the assistant referee flagged late, ruling out the goal. Doncaster manager Dickov was baffled by the decision, he told the BBC in the post-match interview: "I've had the benefit of replaying the incident about 20 times on the video and Theo is clearly a yard on side." The Scot failed to fathom why the assistant seemed to change his mind after initially not raising his flag. "It's a massive decision because we were all over them at that stage and had we got a goal it could have changed the course of the game."

And Dickov seemed to have a case. The decision to reverse the goal during that stage in the game was a huge call in the fiery Yorkshire derby. Leeds largely dominated the first half and Alex Mowatt's free-kick delivery proved dangerous again, as it was met by striker Matt Smith who headed home after 19 minutes, putting Doncaster under pressure. Smith's goal came just minutes after McCormack headed over the bar with a chance that could have easily been a goal. Rovers didn't lie down for long though, ending the half strong with chances for Richie Wellens and Theo Robinson but both players failed convert their efforts.

Leeds Alex Mowatt provided the assist for Matt Smith's opener
                                                     Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

Despite a difficult first half, Doncaster came out after the interval fighting. Matt smith went close with another header for Leeds but Rovers began to put Leeds under the cosh at the Keepmoat. Wellens could have had a brace had he taken his two opportunities and when Robinson ran onto the former's pass, it looked as though the home side could go on and win the tie but their luck ran out and the goal was controversially disallowed.

Desperately chasing the equaliser, Doncaster threw bodies forward and Leeds caught them exposed. On 76 minutes, McCormack burst into Rovers' penalty area and from a tight angle, he slid the ball past Turnbull and left the Keepmoat in shock. The goal took the championship top scorer's tally to 16 for the season, 4 goals ahead of Burnley's Danny Ings, as he continues his average of a goal a game - a stat that Leeds boss Brian McDermott is all too aware of, he told the YEP: “You have to find a way to win in these situations and it helps when you have a player like Ross McCormack who can’t stop scoring and took his goal really well. That gave us some breathing space and I always thought we would see the game out after that.”

McCormack gave energetic midfielder Rodolph Austin an early Christmas present when he fizzed a cross into the Jamaican international's path and Austin buried a volley into Turnbull's net after 87 minutes. The heavily one-sided score line flatters Leeds, who struggled for periods of the game against Doncaster. Nevertheless, United come home with a vital away win and now look to establish themselves as solid play-off promotion candidates ahead of hosting the championships' bottom-placed side Barnsley, in another Yorkshire derby on Saturday.

Match report: Leeds United v Watford F.C.

December has already brought with it blistering cold, unusually mild temperatures and even freak wind gusts at alarming speeds to West Yorkshire. And before long, Leeds would have to weather a different kind of storm that had worked its way up from Watford - but this time Leeds fought back.

Both managers were in awe after their teams threw everything but the kitchen sink at each other during a six goal thriller that ended 3-3 with honours even at Elland Road. Watford came to Leeds on the back of eight games without a win but they certainly started well. So well in fact that Leeds went through the tunnel at half-time 2-0 down after Troy Deeney and Christian Battocchio grabbed a goal each for Watford. United will have felt somewhat aggrieved to be trailing by two goals at half-time after being in control for long periods of the first half. Deeney struck first against the Whites, latching onto the end of a cross in the 12th minute and slotting it smartly past Kenny. Then, in injury time of the first half, Christian Battocchio doubled Watford's lead after Leeds piled too many players forward for an Alex Mowatt free-kick and were battered on the break.

Brian McDermott (left) watching the match from the touchline.
                                                          Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

During the interval McDermott seemed to have his work cut out for him if he was going to breathe life back into his players. "All I said to the players was 'let's get the next goal.'" explained the Leeds boss after the match to the YEP. Zola's message in the Watford dressing room was a simple one he said, telling his players to keep the game quiet for ten minutes. And it did look as though Gianfranco Zola's side could have had a comfortable finish to the afternoon. Could have. But United were whirring up a storm of their own and, right from the whistle, Leeds launched a relentless assault upon the Watford goal and were unlucky not to score as Matt Smith twice came very close in under a minute. By the 50th minute Watford were a bag of nerves and finally caved. Ross McCormack fired a cross into Danny Pugh and the United left-back beat Jonathan bond from an unbelievably tight angle.

Elland Road boomed after the goal and Zola admitted to the YEP that he could feel the atmosphere. "We couldn't afford to show any signs of going backwards. Especially in a stadium like this. It can be very intimidating and the crowd were on top of our players." he said. The Yorkshire twelfth man was definitely on the pitch as the Whites continued to chase the game. Sure enough, like a pack of hungry sharks after smelling blood in the water, Leeds struck again just six minutes later. Peltier drove a pass to McCormack who was waiting on the wing, the Leeds striker proceeded to dribble on and stand a perfect ball up for United's towering forward Matt Smith, who headed home to make it 2-2. 

Leeds had clawed back to level pegging and another goal was in their sights. Mowatt's deflected shot hit the bar and Watford goalkeeper Bond managed to block Austin's close-range header. Watford looked very shaky. After 78 minutes, Murphy floated a beautiful cross-field, quarterback-style pass up the pitch to Ross McCormack. The Scot took the ball down with finesse, before swerving it past Bond as he came to clear. It was McCormack's fifteenth goal of the season and he once again cemented himself firmly as the top goalscorer in the Sky Bet Championship for yet another week.

McCormack's goal against Watford, putting Leeds ahead 3-2.
                                                              Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

With the game turned upside down, Leeds led 3-2 at Elland road and Watford looked a defeated side. But Troy Deeney's reactions provided Watford with a vital goal just when they needed it and drew the sides level again. United centre-back Marius Zaliukas made a hero's challenge in the dying moments to deny Swedish forward Joel Ekstrand from snatching the victory.

Although Leeds could and perhaps should have won, the match was a distinct reminder of just what the championship has to offer in terms of goals and excitement and neither team is at fault in that regard, they both gave it 100 percent. At full-time McDermott noted the errors which led to Watford's goals "I suppose with every one of Watford's goals you could say that it should have been stopped but that's football. I'd rather see 4-3 than a scrappy 1-0 and it's a good point gained."

United will travel to Doncaster on Saturday for a fixture that Leeds have already won once this season, in the
league cup back in August. Doncaster are hovering just above the relegation zone on twenty points and in twentieth position, whereas Leeds are eighth and just two points from fifth. Leeds will visit the Keepmoat stadium on the back of the Watford goal extravaganza but Doncaster will be looking to rekindle their season after a 3-0 loss to Bolton.

The stage is set for a proper Yorkshire derby.

Leeds United: Kenny, Peltier, Zaliukas, Pearce, Byram, Murphy, Mowatt, Pugh, Austin, McCormack, Smith. Subs (not used): Cairns, Brown, Tonge, Varney, Drury, Poleon. Warnock.
Watford: Bond, Faraoni (Cassetti 73), Nosworthy, Ekstrand, Pudil, Thorne, Bellerin, Battocchio (Hall 90), McGugan (Murray 67), Anya, Deeney. Subs (not used): Woods, Iriney, Fabbrini, Forestieri.

McCormack form blasts Leeds to seventh

Four matches have taken place since the international break in November and once again Leeds United have had some up and down performances. At Elland Road it has been all smiles more or less and, building on the victories at home against Birmingham City and Yeovil Town, Leeds have taken seven points from a possible nine at home against teams that could have easily snatched the win.

Leeds entertained Middlesbrough in late November and a full house at Elland Road ensured a tasty afternoon was on the cards. The home side took the lead after 35 minutes through the ever-present Ross McCormack. Middlesbrough fought back but only for their goalkeeper Jason Steele to be shown a red card just before half-time. Despite being down to ten men, Boro came out of the blocks strong after half-time and equalised just eight minutes after the starting the half. Leeds were not finished yet though and just four minutes later Jason Pearce secured all three points with a header as Leeds held their 2-1 lead. New Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka spoke to BBC Sport after suffering defeat in his first game in charge "It would have been better if we had won, but I am happy because we played very well in the second half when we were down to 10 players. I have had just 10 days with the players but they have shown a good attitude and with that we can build."

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jason Steele,
moments before he is sent off for this challenge on Dexter Blackstock.
                                     Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

For the last game in November Leeds United travelled to Lancashire to face a Blackburn side who have struggled as of late. It was a match of few chances for The Whites, who recorded just two of their six shots on target. The game ended  in a 1-0 victory for The Rovers but United will have felt as though they could have won, having seen Danny Pugh fail to score at point-blank range after a skilful flick-on by McCormack. After the game Leeds boss Brian McDermott said: "I didn't think we deserved to lose. I think if we'd have scored in the first half we would have won the game."

As November drew to a close, Leeds striker Ross McCormack picked up Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for his dazzling November performances. Brian McDermott exclaimed his delight at the Scottish international's form last month and added: "He has started December well with two goals, and let's hope he can win it this month as well."

Striker Ross McCormack receiving the Sky Bet Player of the Month award.
                                                                           Picture from http://www1.skysports.com

And McCormack was certainly not finished when it came to the goals department. When Leeds welcomed manager-less Wigan to Elland Road on the 4th December the fixture was destined to be a feisty affair. Both sides registered 13 and 14 shots a piece by the end of the game but it was the Yorkshire side that walked back down the tunnel with the win after ninety minutes. McCormack wasted no time getting on the score sheet either, displaying quick reactions to beat England goalkeeper Scott Carson after a Leeds corner in the 15th minute of play. The visitors could have equalised through Manchester United loanee Keane but Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny proved to be his nemesis that afternoon, who first beat him to a stray ball and later parried a close range strike to great applause.

Matt Smith could have improved the scoreline for the Whites but his shot was directed straight at Carson in the Wigan goal but Leeds fans would forgive him when the home side doubled their lead minutes after Smith's chance. McCormack once again lifted the stadium, curling a free-kick goal-ward and despite centre-back Jason Pearce initially appearing to get a touch on it, replays showed that the 77th minute goal was in fact McCormack's. Leeds hung on for the remainder of the match, keeping a clean sheet and moving up to 7th position in the process - racking up yet another home victory at Elland Road, which is fast becoming a fortress in Yorkshire. United manager Brian McDermott pointed out the difference in the home side's performances this season: "We've played better this season, but we're learning how to win together. They had a lot of the ball in the second half, but i didn't think they really got behind us and two good finishes by Ross, that's it in a nutshell."