This could be anyone's Championship year says Grayson

LEEDS UNITED manager Simon Grayson believes the lack of a dominant force in this season's Championship means promotion is up for grabs.

The Elland Road club have adapted well to life back in the second tier after a three-year stint in League One.

United, who sit fifth with 14 points from eight games, host Preston North End tonight knowing victory could be enough to move into the automatic promotion places for the first time since being relegated from the Premier League in 2004.

Grayson has been hugely encouraged by his side's start, especially considering the injuries that have kept key players such as Kasper Schmeichel, Robert Snodgrass and Billy Paynter on the sidelines along with Max Gradel, who missed the first four games through suspension.

And while the United manager last night stopped short of making any rash predictions, he does admit any side showing consistency across the season will prosper in the Championship. Grayson said: "The nature of the division is that so many teams are evenly balanced. I genuinely believe there is not one outstanding team in the division.

"QPR have had a fantastic start and are the form team but that can change quickly.

"Last year, I felt West Brom and Newcastle were always going to be the standout teams. This year, it really could be anyone's year.

"Every week, a team go and get a good result after having had a bad one just a few days earlier. It is the nature of the division.

"Nothing amazes you in terms of results. It is very rare that a result comes along that makes you think, 'I didn't see that coming'."

Asked specifically about his own side, Grayson added: "We are still new to this division. We have been out of it for three years and are doing okay. But there is still a lot more to come.

"We also have to be realistic. Will we finish where we are now come the end of the season? We would like to think so. But if we finish halfway then it has been a consolidation season. That is not me being negative, I want to finish as high as possible.

"My expectation levels have not changed. I genuinely believed before the season we had a team capable of winning matches.

"I still think we can do better. Everyone needs to realise that we have achieved very little this season. What counts is how we do from December onwards.

"We have had a good start but have to keep it going by working hard. The table doesn't matter. We do analyse blocks of games but what we look at is if we are achieving what we were hoping to do in pre-season."

Preston's first visit to Elland Road since March 2007 offers a vivid illustration as to how far Leeds have come under Grayson.

Back then, Dennis Wise's United were rock bottom of the Championship and in dire straits. A season that had long since taken on the characteristics of a soap opera thanks to accusations of dressing room moles and a one-time captain refusing to play was destined to end in relegation and administration.

Now, though, the outlook is altogether brighter as Leeds look to follow last season's promotion with further success.

[email protected]

Last six games: Leeds United LWWLDW, Preston North End LLLLLW.

Referee: N Miller (County Durham).

Last time: Leeds United 2 Preston North End 1; March 30, 2007; Championship.