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Leeds United 1 Huddersfield Town 2: Town in safe hands with Murphy after Leeds press self-destruct
FRESH from scoring his first senior goal, Joe Skarz has insisted the safe hands of Gerry Murphy mean the Huddersfield Town board can take their time in appointing a new manager.
The Terriers' Academy manager took charge on a temporary basis for a third time earlier this month following the sacking of Stan Ternent.
With Town now looking to make what will be their eighth managerial appointment in a little over a decade, chairman-elect Dean Hoyle is understandably determined not to make any rash decisions.
Skarz, whose goal sparked the second-half fightback that culminated in Michael Collins sealing Huddersfield's first win at Elland Road in 25 years with a dramatic stoppage-time winner, believes the presence of Murphy in the dugout means the club can be patient.
The 19-year-old defender said: "I am not sure what Gerry's secret is. Obviously, a lot of the lads know him from when we were in the Academy but it seems all the lads seem to like him and Graham Mitchell.
"Gerry likes to concentrate on the football side and passing, even though we have also been doing some fitness work this week because he was worried about the number of late goals we have been conceding.
"When Stan departed, everyone was down but Gerry came in and told us we had to start playing to our strengths.
"The 3-5-2 formation suits our players, as we showed against Leeds. We are enjoying our football again because we want to pass the ball.
"Gerry has done well every time he has stepped in as caretaker. He is not someone to raise his voice and he helps to generate confidence.
"A few of the newer lads didn't know him when he came in but they are getting to know his methods.
"Mr Hoyle knows that Gerry is a safe pair of hands, he knows he is more than capable of leading us up the table while the board decide what to do next.
"I don't know what is happening with a new manager but I do know the lads are happy under Gerry and Mitch."
The magnitude of this derby win was perhaps best illustrated after the final whistle when many of the overjoyed Huddersfield players celebrated by throwing their shirts to the equally delighted fans.
Such elation was understandable with Collins' stoppage-time winner ensuring what has undoubtedly been a difficult fortnight had ended on a high.
Elsewhere in the stadium, however, the mood could not have been more contrasting with United manager Gary McAllister admitting his huge sense of frustration after the game.
Once again, Leeds had dominated possession and played some attractive football only to be let down by a defence that is now giving serious cause for concern.
Neither Casper Ankergren nor any of the back four emerged with credit from the West Yorkshire derby with both of Town's goals coming from the type of individual mistake that is becoming more and more common.
For the equaliser, the Danish goalkeeper failed to collect Keigan Parker's cross and after Andy Holdsworth had touched the ball on, Skarz gleefully took advantage by firing through a crowded six-yard box.
It was a similar tale for the late winner with a poor attempted pass by Paul Telfer gifting possession to the visitors on halfway. Telfer then compounded his error by being unable to get close to Danny Cadamarteri as he scampered away down the right.
Even then, Leeds should have had enough bodies back in the area to clear the danger only for Collins, outnumbered three to one by white shirts, to reach the cross and calmly shoot past Ankergren.
United's frustration at the final whistle was only added to by the manner in which they had dominated the opening 45 minutes. It took just four minutes for the home side to go ahead, the impressive Robert Snodgrass capitalising on hesitant defending from the visitors to touch in a looping cross from Luciano Becchio.
Snodgrass then had an audacious shot with the outside of his left foot that went just wide before having a fierce shot deflected just wide.
Even after Town had equalised 30 seconds into the second half, United continued to create chances with Matt Glennon saving superbly from Jermaine Beckford and Becchio heading against the crossbar after being picked out by Snodgrass.
Huddersfield, buoyed by Skarz's equaliser, also contributed to an entertaining second half and Gary Roberts really should have done better after springing the offside trap than clumsily over-hit a cross as Jon Worthington raced into the area unmarked.
It did not, however, prove costly with Collins stunning League One's biggest crowd
of the season with his dramatic late winner to leave team-mate Skarz, switched to wing-back after experimenting in central defence, predicting better times ahead.
The Town defender said: "I think this win could be a turning point. Our problem has been inconsistency but, hopefully, we can take the confidence from this and get another good result at Brighton next week.
"It is a tight division and a few wins can push us up to the top six. We believe there is the quality in this squad to mount a challenge."
Leeds United: Ankergren; Richardson, Michalik, Telfer, Parker; Douglas (Prutton 76), Delph (Howson 76), Kilkenny (Beckford 62); Snodgrass, Robinson; Becchio. Unused substitute: Lucas, Showunmi.
Huddersfield Town: Glennon; N Clarke, Butler, Berrett; Holdsworth, Craney (Worthington 64), Goodwin, Collins, Skarz; Roberts (Williams 85), Parker (Cadamarteri 81). Unused substitutes: Smithies, Jevons.
Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).MATCH FOCUS
Hero: James Berrett
A surprise inclusion at the heart of the defence, the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was outstanding to bounce back from being partly culpable for the Leeds opener.
Villain: Leeds defence
Once again, the Elland Road backline looked capable of conceding every time the opposition attacked. Needs sorting out. And fast.
Key moment
90th minute: Danny Cadamarteri exposes Paul Telfer's lack of pace before crossing for Michael Collins to convert and send 2,000 travelling fans into raptures.
Ref watch
Mark Halsey. Baffling decisions produced cries of 'Premiership? You're having a laugh?' at the top-flight official.
Verdict
If Leeds are not careful, their defence is going to undermine their season. Huddersfield will be hoping their season is now up and running.
Next game
Northampton v Leeds, tonight, 7.45pm, FA Cup. Brighton v Town; Sat; League One.
n Quote of the day
I should really retire now.
– Huddersfield Town's caretaker manager Gerry Murphy's response to a question about having beaten Leeds twice in as many attempts.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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