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.