Bristol City v Leeds United: Grayson plans to adapt against faltering dark horses

SIMON GRAYSON returns to the scene of where it all began for him in management today backing Leeds United to maintain their push for promotion.

The Elland Road club make the trip to Bristol City sitting in sixth place after a run that has brought just one defeat in 17 Championship outings.

Ashton Gate may not be a regular feature on United’s travelling itinerary, the last league meeting between the two clubs having come more than 30 years ago.

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However, for Grayson, it is a venue he knows well after making his managerial debut at the home of Bristol City when handed the Blackpool reins on a temporary basis in 2004.

The Seasiders lost that game 2-1 but Grayson, who took permanent charge at Bloomfield Road a couple of years later, said: “I was caretaker manager for one game right at the end of the season after Steve McMahon had left.

“It is a tough ground and it will be another near sell-out but we will go there looking to get a positive result.”

Leeds beat the Robins at Elland Road in November when Luciano Becchio came off the bench to net a hat-trick in a 3-1 win.

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At the time, City were on a decent run after a difficult start but since then they have again endured another poor bout of form.

Despite that, Keith Millen’s men did bounce back last weekend with a 4-0 victory at bottom club Preston North End.

Grayson said: “I think Bristol City were one or two people’s dark horses at the start of the season. They lost Steve Coppell early on and Keith likes to play football. They have some decent players, such as (former Leeds junior) Andy Keogh, who came in from Wolves.”

On City’s win at Deepdale, Grayson added: “They changed their shape a couple of times last weekend and we have been working on different scenarios in training in case we have to adapt.”

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Eric Lichaj will make his United debut after being brought in on loan from Aston Villa as cover for the injured Paul Connolly.

Lichaj has not played since December 28 but Grayson has no qualms about starting the right-back.

Leeds’s home game against Reading is switched to Friday, April 22 and will be shown live on Sky Television.