Grayson will keep Leeds players grounded, says Bates

KEN BATES believes Simon Grayson will ensure no-one at Leeds United is allowed to get carried away by the club's FA Cup heroics.

United pulled off one of the biggest giantkilling acts in recent years with a 1-0 victory over Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford to earn a fourth-round tie at Tottenham Hotspur, which will be shown live on ITV on Saturday, January 23 (5.15).

Bates was understandably delighted with Sunday's result, though he is also quick to stress the importance not to lose focus ahead of the two League One fixtures scheduled to take place before the trip to White Hart Lane.

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And with the double-header against Wycombe Wanderers and Exeter City in mind, the Leeds chairman believes Grayson is the ideal man to keep everyone's feet on the ground at Elland Road.

Bates said: "Sunday was a great day for Leeds United and our profile has risen significantly as a result. The manager and players deserve tremendous credit as we were the better team and fully deserved to go through.

"The important thing now, though, is we beat Wycombe this Saturday and then Exeter the following weekend. We need those six points.

"The big plus in our favour is the manager is the sort who will have been focusing on the Wycombe game as soon as the Cup tie finished.

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"Simon is level-headed and not a boastful character at all. He will ensure all the players are fully focused and not getting too carried away with what happened at Manchester United. Simon is doing an amazing job and everyone is delighted with what is happening at this club."

Leeds's triumph at the home of their bitter rivals means the club has lost just twice in 33 games across four competitions this season, the reverses coming against Liverpool in the Carling Cup third round and Millwall in the league.

Following the Old Trafford win, United may have been hoping for an easier assignment than Spurs away in the fourth round.

Bates, however, was delighted to draw another Premier League team – though he does admit to wishing the tie was taking place at Elland Road.

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He said: "We were so close to getting a home tie. Paul Elliott, who I know really well from his time as a Chelsea player, was doing the draw and he, initially, picked our ball up first only to change his mind.

"We were down to the last two teams by that stage so it would have been Leeds v Spurs. It is a shame he changed his mind as Elland Road has a bigger capacity than White Hart Lane.

"After Liverpool and Manchester United, Tottenham are one of the biggest teams in the country so it is another good draw for us.

"I had been hoping for Chelsea, even though it would have meant me having to field calls from so-called life-long friends who I haven't heard from for five years.

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"Once again, we have nothing to lose as no-one expects us to win so we can travel without any pressure."

Meanwhile, United's Johnstone's Paint Trophy semi-final second leg tie at Carlisle will take place on February 9. The first leg at Elland Road is scheduled for January 19.