Jeg har ikke skrevet på en stund nå, ikke siden gutta våre hadde spilt mot Bristol City og vant imponerende 3-0 på bortebane. Etter den har det gått litt trått under Redfearns ledelse, men i hans siste kamp skulle han bringe oss tilbake der vi hører tilbake.

Kampene etter Bristol City-kampen:

Sat 11	15:00	Brighton and Hove Albion	H	FLC	L	1-2	23,171
Tue 14	19:45	Coventry City	A	FLC	L	2-1	15,704

Så var vi kommet til Neil Redfearns siste kamp som fungerende Leeds-manager, siden Neil Warnock lørdag ble formelt ansatt som ny manager i Leeds United.

Da jeg så høydepunktene fra kampen, var jeg først litt betenkt. Doncaster skulle ikke være den største utfordringen for oss, likevel tok de ledelsen på tampen av en første-omgang der Leeds definitivt hadde spilt best. Den påtroppende manageren uttalte i går at han var nede i garderoben for å ta en alvorsprat med spillerne i pausen. Det hjalp nok.

Selv om Doncaster gikk opp i en tomåls-ledelse i det 52. minutt, mens Leeds reduserte i det 53. ved Townsend Slik jeg ser det, var det Leeds som kjørte kampen, ikke bare i første, men også i andre omgang. Jubelen på tribunene sto i taket da Leeds i det 80. minutt utlignet når Clayton satte ballen i venstre kryss etter en lav innsvinger fra Snodgrass. På overtid ble det et lite avbrekk på ca. 5. minutter da det oppsto en skadesituasjon på banen. Så det var ikke før i det niende overtidsminuttet at Becchioetter to forsøk satte ballen kontant i mål.

Leeds United v Doncaster Rovers..Leeds player Lucianno Becchio scores the winner..18th February 2012..Picture by Simon Hulme

Leeds snudde 0-2 til 3-2, det virker som om Redfearn fikk en fantastisk slutt som fungerende manager, og Warnock får et fantastisk utgangspunkt som fast manager. Det er verdt å nevne at Redfearn nå går tilbake til hans tidligere jobb i akademiet.

vs

The visit of Doncaster was preceeded by the announcement that Neil Warnock had been appointed as the club’s new manager, leaving temporary boss Neil Redfearn at the helm for the final time.

Warnock met the players for the first time before the game and was sat in the stand watching, and witnessed an unusual start as Doncaster kicked off with 10 men after Pascal Chimbonda was sent back to the dressing room to remove an earring.

United started well, the recalled Andros Townsend initiating one early raid, but it was Doncaster who had the first chance when Habib Bamogo hit the post with a header.

When Leeds came forward, Luciano Becchio put the ball over the top after a good ball from Adam Clayton.

It was an untidy opening half hour with neither side really taking a grip on the game and chances being at a premium. Robert Snodgrass created one opportunity for Clayton, but the midfielder’s shot was charged down.

And it was Doncaster who took the lead on 31 minutes when Andy Lonergan made a good block from James Hayter and the ball fell to Mamadou Bagayoko who drilled it home into an empty net.

United actually came close to an equaliser on 37 minutes when Chimbonda almost headed a free-kick into his own goal.

But it was the visitors who should have gone further ahead early in the second half when Hayter found space to get in a powerful strike on goal – but his effort struck the bar and bounced to safety.

Almost immediately, United responded and Becchio headed an Alex Bruce cross just over the top.

But Doncaster were 2-0 up on 52 minutes when they again found plenty of space and Bagayoko converted from close range after good work by El Hadj Diouf.

United pulled one back within less than two minutes, though, when Andros Townsend levelled with a good low strike from just inside the box.

Townsend went close again shortly after the hour when he tried his luck from distance with a shot that flew wide of the mark. And the on loan Tottenham midfielder also provided Becchio with an inviting cross, but his header was saved by David Button.

United had built up a good head of steam now and were pushing forward in search of a leveller. Ross McCormack was next to be denied by the Doncaster goalkeeper as he looked to take the ball around Button.

Robbie Rogers was introduced with 12 minutes to go, but it was Snodgrass who created the next chance with another good delivery for Becchio.

But Leeds were level with 10 minutes left when Clayton got on the end of a good ball in from Snodgrass and scored with a sweet strike to make it 2-2.

With the impetus firmly with United, Doncaster looked to slow things down and hold on to the point. As the game hit the 90-minute mark, and the fourth official displayed five minutes of added time, there was a lengthy and worrying stoppage after Rogers and Tommy Spurr had a clash of heads and both were stretchered off.

Play eventually resumed almost six minutes later, and in the 99th minute it was the Leeds who were celebrating when Becchio latched on to a loose ball to smash it home from just inside the box to settle the points.

Ok folkens, til neste kamp!

It was Saturday the 4th of February, and I were hoping for a win for my beloved Leeds. After getting rid of Simon Grayson as a manager, it would be interessting to see if the care-taking manager Neil Redfearn was able to lead us into a win.

So, in a first half with few chances for both of the team, perhaps the best to Bristol City, Robert Snodgrass was able to put in the first goal. During the second half of this game, where Bristol City had two players sent off, Ross McCormack was netting a lot of times, but all but one with the flag up for offside. And in the last minutes of the game, it was a pleasure to see that Luciano Becchio was putting the ball behind the keeper, and making it three to us, and a clean sheet in bonus.

Bristol City vs Leeds United

	0 – 3
Date: 04/02/2012		Venue: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 15,257		Referee: James Linington

Leeds United vs Birmingham

	1 – 4
Date: 31/01/2012		Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 19,628		Referee: Mike Dean

3 – 1

Vel vel vel…….denne skulle vi kanskje ha vunnet når vi ser ut til å ha kommet i siget igjen…..men neida det holdt hardt å få med seg et poeng i denne kampen selv om Leeds spilte best i store deler av kampen. Kanskje er det at vi ikke har noen goalgettere, siden det først var da Robert Snodgrass kom inn(nettopp kommet tilbake fra skade) at vi klarte å få hull på byllen.

Well well well…..we were supposed to make it better than this, when we seemed to get in a positive row again, I feel we didn’t gain one point – rather that we lost two!!! As I

Andros Townsend in match action against Crystal Palace.

understand, Leeds was the best side during great parts of the game…..I think it is because of the need of goalgetters that we «lost» two points. It was Robert Snodgrass, who have been out injured for a while, who managed to come in from the substitute’s bench and make a breakthrough.

Jeg må selvfølgelig legge til at Speroni, keeperen til Palace hadde en kjempedag på jobben!!

It’s worth mentioning that Palaces keeper, Speroni, had a great day at work, with a lot of saves……

Match Report from Leeds’ website:

CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (Martin 6), UNITED 1 (Snodgrass 62)

Palace: Speroni, Wright, Parr, McCarthy, Gardner.Ambrose, Dikagcoi, Scannell, Easter (Murray 83), Martin (Zaha 71), Dumbuya (McShane 67). Subs: Price, Jedinak.

United: Lonergan, Thompson, Lees, O’Dea, White (Snodgrass 56), Clayton, Pugh, Brown, Townsend, McCormack, Becchio (Forssell 79). Subs: M Taylor, Bruce, Nunez.

Referee: D Coote

Booked: Scannell (Palace)

Sent-off: Scannell (Palace)

Att: 17,796 (4004 Leeds)

United manager Simon Grayson recalled Ross McCormack and Michael Brown to his starting line-up and also welcomed Robert Snodgrass back to the substitutes bench for the clash with Crystal Palace.

Andy Lonergan was again the United captain and he was called upon inside the first two minutes to save from Chris Martin after Jonathan Parr crossed from the Palace left. From the resultant corner, he also saved from

But it was 1-0 in the sixth minute when Chris Martin latched on to a ball in the middle of the park and advanced before drilling it low past Lonergan.

United responded by winning a corner which was dealt with and followed that a McCormack free-kick from distance which flew over the top.

But when Palace threatened again, Darren Ambrose cut in from the right and delivered a thundering strike which flew just over the bar.

It wasn’t the most entertaining start to a game, particularly from a Leeds perspective, but McCormack almost profited on a defence-splitting pass on 20 minutes when he was denied by the quick thinking of Julian Speroni.

Andros Townsend was next to send a shot wide as United started to see more of the ball and were more constructive in possession.

At the other end, Tom Lees made a good block to deny Sean Scannell with a shot that was turned into the hands of Lonergan.

Danny Pugh came within a whisker on 32 minutes when he drilled a shot just wide after a passage of play that was brought back following a foul on Adam Clayton on the edge of the box. McCormack took the free-kick and his effort was deflected wide by the Palace wall.

And it took two good saves from Speroni to deny Leeds moments later. First he clawed away a Clayton effort then he reacted superbly to smother a Tom Lees shot from close range.

But Palace fashioned out another chance moments before half-time when Martn should have done better than blasting over thye bar with only Lonergan to beat.

For the second game in succession, the opposition were reduced to 10 men, this time it was Scannell who was sent-off for a second yellow card, following a foul on Pugh.

From the free-kick, Luciano Becchio got up well, but Speroni proved equal to his header.

United started the second half positively and Lees had an early header saved by Speroni. At the other end, Darren O’Dea did well to deny Easter, who was looking to force an opening.

Eleven minutes into the half, Grayson made his first change when he introduced Snodgrass in place of Aidy White.

Michael Brown won successive free-kicks, following clashes with Martin, but Leeds were unable to make headway, Clayton having a shot blocked from the second set-play.

United were back on level terms on 63 minutes though when McCormack fed Snodgrass, and the Scot swept the ball home to make it 1-1.

Moments later, Townsend whipped in a powerful cross from the Leeds left which Palace had to clear, and United were starting to make all the running.

Snodgrass threatened again on 75 minutes after Leeds won the ball in midfield, but his left foot strike was over the bar. Pugh was next to try his luck with a shot from distance which flew just wide.

Grayson replaced Becchio with Mikael Forssell for the final 10 minutes as United looked to win the game, but it was Palace substitute Wilfred Zaha who almost made an impact as he weaved his way through the defence before delivering a poor final ball.

Both sides were looking to win the game. United were  enjoying the better pressure going into the final moments while Palace looked to attack on the counter.

Speroni made another good save to deny Forssell as Leeds battled gamely into stoppage time, chasing the winning goal.

United applied all the presure and Palace threw everyone behind the ball, but there was to be no way through for Leeds during those final moments.

OK FOLKS, THAT’S ALL FOR THIS TIME! SEE YOU LATER – MOT!!!

WE’RE APPLYING OUR OWN PRESSURE – LONNERS

06 Jan 2012

Cup trip excites United goalkeeper..

United goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has welcomed the break from league football this weekend – but insists there is no lifting of pressure for Simon Grayson‘s underdogs at Arsenal.

Leeds will head south boasting a good cup pedigree from recent meetings against Arsenal, Tottenham, and Man United and with the club currently sitting within touching distance of the Play-Offs and with promotion being the aim, the goalkeeper says there will be an expectancy of a good performance on the big stage.

«It’s nice to have that little bit of a breather from the league and this is a different sort of pressure from league games,» said Lonergan.

«Of course there’s pressure on us because we’re professionals and we put that pressure on ourselves because we want to go out and do the best we can for ourselves and the team.

«The outcome of the other games Leeds have had against Premier League teams over the past few years brings a bit of pressure too because there’s an expectancy that we can do well, but this is a different Arsenal team and a different Leeds team to last year.»

While the recent cup meetings with Man United have revolved around the rivalry between the two clubs, the clashes with Arsenal have a different kind of feel with the Gunners being one of the few clubs to be applauded from the pitch at Elland Road during the last decade.

«For me, Arsenal seem like the perfect club,» conceded Lonergan. «They play football the perfect way. There’s only a handful of teams play like that.

«When you play football for a living you tend not to watch as much as the fans because sometimes you need to get away from it, but if there’s an Arsenal game or a Tottenham game on, they are clubs you want to watch because they play it the right way.»

Having beaten Burnley at Elland Road on Monday to return to winning ways after a fraught few weeks, United will travel south with renewed confidence about the trip to Arsenal.

«You can’t stress the importance of beating Burnley if you believe everything you read,» said Lonergan.

«It keeps us in touch, we’re one point off the play-Offs and people are happy again. It just shows how quickly it all changes.

«Barnsley was a horrible game all around and you don’t want to dwell on it. The thing about the league is you always get a chance to redeem yourselves quickly and 48 hours later we did that.

«Of course it’s changed the mood. On Saturday we came back to the training ground after the Barnsley game and went through the video and you’re on a downer. Then you win Monday, come back in Tuesday and everyone is buzzing.»

And Simon Grayson and his «buzzing» troops will now have the opportunity to test themselves against the cream of the crop in the Premier League when all hopes will be on a cup upset.

Lonergan added: «Can we get a result? Of course we can. You go there to enjoy it, but you don’t enjoy it if you don’t win.»

Nå er låneperiodene for henholdsvis angriper Keogh og keeper McCarthy over, og vi må si takk for nå for denne gang i alle fall.

Now the loan deals with forward Keogh and keeper McCarthy ran out, and we have to thank them for this time anyway.

Keogh and McCarthy head away from Elland Road…

Loan duo Andy Keogh and Alex McCarthy have now returned to their parent clubs after spells with Leeds United.

Keogh’s loan spell ended after Monday’s game against Burnley and the Wolves striker, who wasn’t involved in the clash with the Clarets, has now returned to Molineux.

Keogh made 24 appearances after arriving in August, scoring two goals, at Brighton and Peterborough.

Goalkeeper McCarthy made six appearances after joining from Reading in November. He kept three clean sheets and saved a penalty during the 1-1 draw at Watford.

United boss Simon Grayson said: «I’d like to thank both Wolves and Reading for allowing the players to come here, and I’d like to thank to the two lads for everything they have contributed.»

McCarthy’s departure leaves Andy Lonergan as the only senior goalkeeper on a longer term contract currently at the club, but Maik Taylor’s short-term deal covers the next three games and boss Simon Grayson has confirmed that he is looking to extend the player’s stay with the club.

Denne posten inneholder Review for to kamper. Alt i denne artikkelen er hentet fra Leeds sin offisielle hjemmeside. Sånn går det når man har lite tid folkens, men – det gjorde godt med en seier igjen…..

This post is a review from the two latest matches of Leeds United. All from this article is taken from the official homesite of Leeds United. That’s the way it has to be, when you haven’t got enough time.

LEEDS vs BURNLEY

ROSS WINS IT AT THE LAST!

02 Jan 2012

Late goals secure Leeds Elland Road win…

UNITED 1 (Easton OG 88, McCormack 90+5), BURNLEY 1 (Austin 68)

United: Lonergan, Bruce, Kisnorbo (Sam 17), O’Dea, White, Townsend, Clayton, Thompson, Pugh, Becchio (Forssell 70), Nunez (McCormack 75). Subs:  McCarthy, Brown.

Burnley: Grant, Edgar, Easton, Mee, Trippier, Wallace, Marney, McCann, Stanislas (Amougou 37), Austin (Vokes 74), Rodriguez. Subs: Hines, Stewart, McDonald.

Referee: M Brown

Booked: Pugh (Leeds), Trippier, Edgar, Mee, Grant (Burnley)

Sent-off: Trippier (Burnley)

United manager Simon Grayson rang the changes for the visit of Burnley, making no less than five as his side faced their second game in the space of 48 hours. New loan signing Andros Townsend came in for his debut while young midfielder Zac Thompson was called into the side. Alex Bruce was also handed his first start of the season while Luciano Becchio and Adam Clayton were both recalled.

United had gone down 4-1 at Barnsley two days earlier, and it was Burnley who had the first opportunity of 2012 at Elland Road when a misplaced pass gave Charlie Austin sight of goal, but Aidy White did well to restrict the chance.

White also delivered one early teasing cross after Thompson had earlier had a shot blocked. Paddy Kisnorbo also lifted the ball over the top, following a Townsend corner.

There was a lengthy stoppage inside the opening 15 minutes when Kisnorbo received treatment after taking a tumble while looking to clear, and the defender was replaced by Lloyd Sam, prompting another re-shuffle at the back with Thompson moving to right-back and Bruce to the centre.

Andy Lonergan took over the captain’s armband and the United skipper was immediately called upon to make a good save. He also raced off his line to clear just ahead of Jay Rodriguez as the Burnley striker looked to latch on to a long ball forward.

But, when United went forward Thompson sent in two excellent crosses and Townsend fired wide after a good attacking run forward.

The visitors were dealt a blow when Trippier picked up a second yellow card shortly before the half-hour, following a foul on the lively Townsend.

That was the cue for United to take greater control of the contest during the period leading up to half-time. There were four minutes of time added on, and Danny Pugh went into the book in the first of those, following a challenge on Ben Mee.

United started the second period on the front foot and Ramon Nunez was thwarted in the opening minutes. Townsend also went close when he cut in from the right and sent a shot flying over the top.

Sam was next to be denied when he had an acrobatic effort blocked, following a free-kick, and it took some desperate defending to clear a Sam cross as United pressed again. A corner was also awarded when a Darren O’Dea header hit the top of the bar.

Townsend continued to be a threat and Mee had to react well to clear one low cross and as the game headed past the hour mark Leeds were very much in the acendancy.

There was more desperate defending from the visitors to deny Becchio and Mee became the third player to be booked following a foul on Townsend. From the resultant free-kick, Lee Grant had to be at full stretch to beat away a curling effort from Nunez.

Thompson was next to go close when he sent a first time effort from just outside of the box fizzing past the post.

But it was Burnley who took the lead against the run of play when Charlie Austin, latching on to a ball down the right channel, delivered a low strike which left Lonergan with no chance.

United had dominated the second period, but were suddenly playing catch-up against the 10 men of Burnley. Mikael Forssell and Ross McCormack were both drafted into the fray as Leeds looked for the all-important leveller, but Burnley were defending stoutly and keeping men behind the ball.

Forssell did send a shot flying over the top as the game headed into the final five minutes, and the fans were celebrating moments later when Brian Easton somehow contrived to turn a Clayton corner into his own goal to make it 1-1.

That was the cue for Leeds to come forward in numbers once again and Thompson had another effort deflected wide in the 90th minute.

With five minutes added on, Townsend won a corner after another enterprising run and Grant had to punch the resultant corner clear. Sam also went close in the 94th minute when he sent a shot just wide of the post.

And the winning goal came in the last minute when Grant failed to hold a strike from distance and McCormack seized to tap home his 11th goal of the season from close range.

That proved the last action of the game as the 27,000 plus crowd celebrated a vital late victory.

Og denne artikkelen er hentet fra YORKSHIRE POST og omhandler kampen på nyttårsaften, som ble alt annet enn festlig.

And this article is taken from the YORKSHIRE POST, about the new year’s eve clash.

Barnsley v Leeds United: Horror show to end the old year

Published on Monday 2 January 2012 08:30

YEP football writer Leon Wobschall provides his view from the press box.

YOU just hope that the adults in the Leeds United end on Saturday started early…

Many people don’t remember what they did on New Year’s Eve. For any Whites followers among the 5,760 away contingent, that would be a blessing.

Oakwell has been a graveyard for United in recent history and it was a case of plus ca change following the most miserable party possible. It was a time for alka-seltzers well before the end following a display that would make the most cast-ironed Whites fan chunder.

A fitful and punch-drunk performance and a time for gallows humour in the visiting stand. “Sign him up” was the chant at half-time when newly-crowned OBE Dickie Bird staged an inpromptu kick-about on the pitch, a rare moment of mirth in the United end.

United duly delivered a second-half performance where you truly had to send for the men in white coats and it certainly wasn’t cricket and the cry of “Bring on the Arsenal” shortly after Vaz Te made it four-nil said it all.

A re-run of last season’s shameful episode at Oakwell and for many seasoned United followers, a repeat of some desperate derby episodes in the eighties when Yorkshire upstarts such as Barnsley, Sheffield United and Hull City joyously feasted on the corpse of United. Many have been here before….

“It’s just like watching Brazil.’ and ‘Can we play you every week’ was the cutting chorus from the Pontefract Road end, while the United hordes stood comatose, apart from the odd mocking aside.

Quite how so many United followers stayed until the end is anyone’s guess after a sheer humiliation.

Think they call it blind loyalty, those on the pitch didn’t deserve it.

Happy new year.

Jeg kom over et preview for kampen Barnsley – Leeds i Yorkshire Evening Post som jeg gjerne vil dele på bloggen

Here’s a preview of the clash between the Yorkshire rivals Barnsley and Leeds that I want to share with the readers of this blog.

(Taken from the Yorkshire Evening Post)

Barnsley v Leeds United: Whites want to pay Tykes back

 
Published on Thursday 29 December 2011 09:00

PAUL CONNOLLY says Leeds United have a big score to settle at Yorkshire rivals Barnsley on New Year’s Eve – and insists Oakwell is the perfect venue to arrest their recent slump.

United’s darkest hour on the road last term arrived agansinst the Reds, with the scars still lingering following an embarrassing and unacceptable 5-2 loss on September 14, 2010 in front of around 7,000 stunned Whites followers.

Another big contingent are expected to make the short trip down the M1 on Saturday, with United desperate to end the calendar year on a high after a three-match winless Championship streak, which has seen them fall out of the play-off positions.

Eager to wipe out bitter memories of last season’s X-rated Oakwell episode, Connolly said: “It’s a great game because we owe them.

“I’m sure we’ll have another six or seven thousand there again and have nearly half the stadium.

“Last season, we got off to a good start there and just faded away.

“Hopefully, this year, we can start well and keep going and give the fans a massive cheer going into the New Year. Because we need to.

“I remember us taking the lead (last season) and thinking: ‘Here we go.’ We were on a decent run going into it and we were hoping to pass it around and keep the ball, but these Yorkshire derbies aren’t like that.

“Barnsley gave us an absolute doing-over; I don’t know why or how, but they did.

“Massively, it was the worst game personally, for me (in my time at Leeds).

“It was terrible to play in and we definitely owe them one, especially after they beat us at Elland Road only a few weeks ago.”

United head into the game on the back of a disappointing festive loss to Derby County in front of a bumper 4,000-plus away turnout and while alarm bells are ringing with many supporters after a haul of just one point from the last nine available, right-back Connolly feels the sequence is just a blip and isn’t overly worried by the Whites’ current predicament.

And on the notion of pressure and expectation, he insists that will always come with the territory whenever you represent United.

He said:“We all knew that (there would be pressure) when we put our signature on that contract to sign for this club.

“I’m not worried at all, me personally. I don’t think there’s signs of lads worrying in training and round and about the training ground day in, day out. I’m quietly confident we can turn it around.

“It’s up to us to dig ourselves out of it and go to Barnsley and produce in a local derby. The desire and passion was there at Derby, although the game was lacking in quality from start to finish.

“It was huff and puff and us who bombarded them at the end and there were a couple of great goalline clearances and their keeper probably got man of the match in the end, which told it’s own story.

“The fans backed us unbelievably again to come down in such numbers and spend their hard-earned cash over Christmas. Credit to them.

“But the one thing they can’t point a finger at this time is effort, desire and passion because we were battling right to the very end.”

OK, GREETINGS – TARALD….

Jeg kom over en ganske interessant artikkel på Leeds sin hjemmeside, og vil gjerne dele den med dere. Det kan virke som om Simon Grayson har fått med seg Ken Bates for å styrke stallen, selv om det kanskje ikke er noen panikk-kjøp – det vet jeg forresten ikke – det er jo ikke godt å vite hvordan de to hjernene tenker sammen……

I’ve read an interesting article on the Leeds’ web-site that I like to share with the readers of this blog. It seems like Simon Grayson will get Ken Bates to supply him with resources for making the squad stronger. Even if it might knot be a panic-buy  - well, it’s hard to know how their brains work together…..

NEW FACES FOR NEW YEAR?