Dismayed Leeds United boss to wield the axe

The Elland Road club crashed to a 6-4 defeat on Tuesday night at home to Preston North End despite having led 4-1 just five minutes before the break.

Following on from the 5-2 thrashing at Barnsley two weeks earlier, it underlined the defensive frailties that United are suffering.

After the Oakwell humiliation, Grayson responded by making five changes as Richard Naylor, Fede Bessone, Paul Connolly, Lloyd Sam and Luciano Becchio all dropped out of the side.

Now, however, it seems all but injured pair Bessone and Connolly will come into contention for Saturday's trip to Ipswich Town.

Grayson said: "Everyone again comes into consideration. I

didn't make too many knee-jerk reactions after the Barnsley game.

"Certain decisions were made because I felt they were the right thing to do. But now there are all sorts of permutations open to me ahead of the weekend.

"I have certain thoughts as to how we need to play at the weekend, what players can come in.

"We pick ourselves up and have to be ready to go again. I will pick the team up ahead of what will be a great game to be involved in.

"I don't want to have to say this again that we need a response. I want to go through a 10-game period where any defeats are by one goal."

Tuesday night was the first time Leeds had conceded six goals on home soil in their history.

They have, though, been on the end of previous heavy drubbings at Elland Road with Ipswich triumphing 5-2 in 1960, Arsenal 5-0 in 1980 and Liverpool 5-4 in 1991.

Few of the players who surrendered so lamely against Preston emerged with credit with the entire back four surely due to spend the next 48 hours worried about retaining their place.

Likewise, goalkeeper Shane Higgs had a night to forget with his below-par efforts perhaps being best summed up by how he allowed Keith Treacy's corner to sail over his head and into the net as Davide Somma tried desperately to head off the line.

With Kasper Schmeichel possibly out for another few weeks with a foot injury, Blackburn's on-loan Jason Brown may come into consideration as Grayson looks to shake things up.

The United manager has plenty to ponder as he tries to raise spirits ahead of what will be a tough 90 minutes against Ipswich at Portman Road.

He said: "The players were as gobsmacked as me afterwards.

"If we get too many games like this, I don't think I will be here too much longer in terms of my health.

"It was so hugely disappointing. Football never surprises you but I certainly didn't see that coming. We work hard to do things right but then something comes along to kick you where it hurts.

"I never expected to see a result like that, even though in a way it felt like Groundhog Day after what happened at Barnsley two weeks earlier.

"We had started poorly but still got to 4-1. Even then, though, I wasn't happy because we were still giving Preston too many opportunities.

"I felt we should be more professional – there was no need to win the game by five, six or seven goals.

"There were far too many mistakes and too many players playing their own game. I take responsibility because it is my team.

"It was embarrassing. People sitting at home who saw the result must have thought '6-4? They must have had some players sent off'.

"For large parts it felt like we were playing with eight or nine men."

Counterpart Darren Ferguson said of Preston's astonishing win, led by Jon Parkin's hat-trick: "I have never been involved in such an amazing game but all credit to my players for their sensational comeback.

"It's brilliant to get six goals. It would have been nice if we had not conceded four but all credit goes to my players.

"The spirit and character was remarkable, the boys were magnificent and I am incredibly proud of the team."