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Players to turn deaf ear to the Elland Road protests
LEEDS UNITED manager Simon Grayson insists discontent on the terraces will not affect his team.
Tuesday night’s Carling Cup derby win over Bradford City saw a section of the Elland Road crowd chant ‘Bates out’ in protest at what they see as a disappointing summer of transfer dealings by the club.
Similar sentiments were expressed during the opening day defeat at Southampton, while fans are planning a protest outside the ground ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Middlesbrough.
When asked if he was worried about unrest among fans possibly affecting his players against Boro, Grayson said: “The players have to be focused and put in a performance. Unless you have earmuffs on, it is very difficult not to hear things. But what you have to make sure you do is fully concentrate on what you are doing. If we are winning matches, it doesn’t become so much of an issue.
“That is the major thing. When you look at Tuesday night, I thought the fans were excellent. We were 1-0 and then 2-1 down against local rivals but they stuck with the team.
“It is a test of character to go 1-0 down anyway but when one or two then start getting restless it makes it more of a test.
“But I have to say the only time I have had a problem with the crowd here was early on as Elland Road had become a difficult place for the players to play. In the two-and-a-half years since then, the fans have backed the team.”
Leeds will welcome back Robert Snodgrass, Max Gradel and Darren O’Dea after the trio missed the midweek win over the Bantams on international duty.
Billy Paynter is also unlikely to be fit, meaning Ross McCormack will once again be the only fit striker available in the absence of injured duo Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma.
Grayson did try and solve that problem on Monday by bringing in an experienced forward on loan only for the deal to collapse at the eleventh hour.
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Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Neil1964
Friday, August 12, 2011 at 03:50 PMForget" free scoring Grella", he aint good enough. He had chances last season and did nowt. He needs regular League 1 football as does his mate Billy Barn Door. Having a trick and a flick dont make you a good footballer.
Stonemonkey
Friday, August 12, 2011 at 11:37 AMGrayson won't entertain Grella because MasterBates has already stated that he will never play for the club again. The guy has been scoring freely in pre-season and clearly has talent and passion, enough passion in fact to walk away from a loan spell (misguided obviously) to try to fight for his place at leeds. I have always stood by Grayson with my comments as it can not be easy dealing with Bates on a day to day, but he has to stop being so stubborn and pig headed. Both Beckford and killkenny went on record to say that Grella was the most skillfull player at the club and if given a propper chance I believe he would prove better than what we have at the moment (injuries in mind). Come on Grayson and give the young lad a chance and sod what Bates thinks as you are the Manager are you not? Me thinks he won't though and the poor lad will end up leaving with his once mighty confidence in the gutter. Come on you Proud Peacocks!
Bathonian
Friday, August 12, 2011 at 10:49 AMI am life-long West Country Leeds fan, I have followed them through thick in thin. I have never complained, not even when we went down to League 1. However I do feel that the lack of quality signings this summer to be a kick in the teeth to the long suffering fans. After finishing so close last season and losing 3-4 players over the summer surely it is only natural that you strengthen the team to get it over the finishing line next season? I like to think that all the fans are realistic and understand that we are not going to spend multi-millions of pounds of players but you only have to look at Leicester who have signed 10-11 high quality players for less than 10million (less than £100,00 per player). I honestly really fear for our survival this season, you look at the teams around us and see them bringing quality that is going to improve their team and then you look at us 3 Goalkeeper, a vetran Midfielder and a journeyed defender - it doesn't exactly fill with you with hope! One ray of sunlight is Nunez, he clearly has the skill and hunger to be a class player but he needs confidence and I just fear that Grayson is not going to give him that oppurtunity. Please pull a rabbit out of the hat Grayson and give us something to be hopeful for?
1leeds_lad
Friday, August 12, 2011 at 10:40 AMI agree with Bubionwhite, and the protests must be clearly focussed directly on Bates. Regarding the striker problem, Grayson needs to answer why he will not at least use Grella on the bench ? Larrys appears to be still sulking because Grella would not be pushed out on loan to a club he did not wish to play for. He simply wanted to stay and fight for his place, at the club he signed for, As far as I am concerned, Grella may not be the finished article, but has still played well enough when previously called on. SORT IT GRAYSON !
Bubionwhite
Friday, August 12, 2011 at 10:13 AMHave the protests outside the ground by all means and inside only until the players come onto the pitch ... once they do there must be full support for the team. Further protests after the game.
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