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Leeds United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 2: We lacked professionalism, admits Redfearn
Leeds United's caretaker manager Neil Redfearn.
Temporary manager Neil Redfearn believes a lack of professionalism is running through his Leeds players, having watched them slip to a 2-1 injury-time defeat to Brighton.
Alan Navarro’s 91st-minute winner ensured the Seagulls remain unbeaten in 2012, but condemned United to a sixth home defeat of the season.
That statistic alone is one of the reasons why Redfearn has been asked to mind the shop by chairman Ken Bates, who last week dismissed Simon Grayson as manager amid fears that the club’s promotion hopes were fading.
With Bates promising to take his time over an appointment, Redfearn, a lifelong Leeds fan, has effectively been given a four-game interview to prove his credentials, although the presence of Keith Curle, long-term assistant to bookmakers favourite Neil Warnock in the stands today, could suggest the decision may already be out of Redfearn’s hands.
Today’s game was something he could control, though, and he looked to have followed up last weekend’s 3-0 win at Bristol City with a point when Luciano Becchio cancelled out Craig Mackail-Smith’s opener.
But Navarro’s late effort would win it for Gus Poyet’s side, leaving Redfearn to assess the reasons as to why he has been asked to run the side for the time being.
“Conceding two so late on is a trait that has run through this season and you can understand why it’s been a problem,” he said.
“Clean sheets win football matches, as daft as it sounds. What they (the players) don’t realise is, this is a fantastic club and a fantastic way to earn a living. I need to instil that in them. The problems that have been there in the past are there to see.
“It’s a lack of professionalism and that’s something that has run through for a while.”
Redfearn knows he has Tuesday’s trip to Coventry and next Saturday’s home meeting with Doncaster to come, and is confident that today’s defeat will not have harmed his own chances too much.
“My position doesn’t change,” he added.
“If I looked at it as though I had to win every game I’d never get up in a morning. I’m doing my best for the club. There are problems there and that’s why I am sat here. If I can help in any way, then great.”
For the best reports and reaction to the game read Sports Monday, free inside Monday’s Yorkshire Post newspaper.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Bluesman
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 10:32 AMI dont think that Neil should be blamed for the performance or the late goal. We were up against a well organised side, who are improving all the time. They have a better policy and technical set up than at ER. Neil cannot work miracles. He has the same squad to pick from and he can't be expected to sort out a long standing problem with the defence after one game. Give the bloke a chance to sort things out and it won't realistically be this season. There are too many average players in the squad and not enough good ones. Who is going to sort this mess out? Half of them are loanees. The technical director should work with the new manager to sort this mess out, because he must accept some responsibility for this situation, together with Bates!!
cisco 1
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:39 AMTotally agree with Jonno.63. We are all leeds fans together and should stick together. We are always going to have differences of opinnions as to who should run what at a club and differences as to who should be manager,tactics be etc. Most important thing is lets get behind the team.The East stand is magnificent and built now so this cant be undone. Lets enjoy it use the money for player improvement and march on together (Bates will go eventually so ignore him and get behind the team) remember when we were docked points and went into league 1 ? Well fan support pushed us up the league with our support so lets channel this support again for the team and watch us fly into the playoffs!
buckstonewhites16
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 09:35 AMThe marchers should be ashamed of themselves - I want Bates out as much as the next man but when my wife and kids have to go in another entrance because the rest of my family had been screamed and sworn at because they were going in the main East Stand entrance then enough is enough! Behaving like this is just what Bates wants - to prove you are morons! Marching does nothing - don't renew season tickets - don't buy anything at the ground (which I bet you did yesterday after burning all those calories on your walk)! DON'T SCREAM AND SHOUT AT OTHER LEEDS FANS BECAUSE THEY SIT IN ANOTHER AREA - MUPPETS!
jonno63
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:49 PMPending Moderation
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