Leeds United v Hull City: Bromby adamant spirit will pull Leeds through

Jonny Howson, the man of the moment after scoring a dramatic winner at Burnley just a few days earlier, was unsurprisingly chosen to represent the Elland Road club at an event that also saw the Championship trophy on display.

Fans were invited along, as were the media, and the most noteworthy moment came when United’s then stand-in captain declined, for fear of tempting fate, a request from a waiting photographer to hold the trophy aloft.

Also in attendance with Howson was Leigh Bromby, a surprising choice considering the Dewsbury-born defender had managed just five minutes playing time in Leeds’s 23 league and cup outings.

Sure enough, Howson proved the star attraction with Bromby, at one stage, reduced to nipping off to get a couple of teas from a nearby shop as his team-mate patiently dealt with every request, whether it be from the press, the fans or npower’s PR staff.

Watching him walk up Albion Street in search of a warming cuppa, it was hard not to feel for the former Sheffield United defender. It was also not difficult to foresee Bromby’s time at Elland Road soon coming to an end.

Credit to the 31-year-old, however, as before long he had forced his way back into manager Simon Grayson’s plans to make 14 more appearances as Leeds just missed out on the play-offs. Now, after two solid displays against Bradford City and Middlesbrough in the past week, he is hoping to cement his place in Grayson’s first choice XI.

“It has been great to be back involved,” admits Bromby, who moved to Elland Road almost two years ago from Watford. “The big focus after last season has been the defence.

“We have to be more difficult to play against and, hopefully, I can be part of a successful defence. We have a lot of competition here and it is tough to get that shirt.

“We have some good defensive players but now we have to prove it on the pitch.

“I do want a run in the team. Centre-back is my position and, hopefully, I can keep hold of that shirt.”

United’s defensive travails last term were clear for all to see in a goals against column that read ‘70’. No matter what combination Grayson chose across the back four, Leeds invariably struggled as they kept just 11 clean sheets – less than all six sides who finished higher in the table, barring a Norwich side that also achieved 11 shutouts.

A clean sheet has also proved beyond United in the opening three games of 2011-12 with new goalkeeper Andy Lonergan having been beaten half-a-dozen times in his first three outings.

The sixth of those came in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough as Marvin Emnes netted the winner in a game that saw three players red-carded.

For Leeds, it was Howson and Max Gradel who were dismissed, and Boro full-back Tony McMahon’s afternoon also ended early courtesy of referee Anthony Taylor.

Bromby said: “Losing like we did was frustrating. I can understand why referees get stick for performances like that. I know it is a difficult job but it was disappointing and I thought it spoiled the game.

“We even looked comfortable when down to 10 men. But it became really difficult when down to nine men as things were more or less out of our hands.

“I’d never played in a game with nine men before. The best we could hope for was to look dangerous at set-pieces.”

Losing to Tony Mowbray’s team means United are one of four sides in the Championship still to claim their first point of the season.

Another reverse tonight against Hull would make it the first time Leeds have lost the opening three games of a season since 1936-37.

More worryingly for fans, however, with trips to West Ham and Ipswich Town still to come before the end of the month is that a Tigers win would open up the possibility of United ending August without a point.

Bromby, though, insists no one should panic. “It is still early days and, okay, stuff has gone against us against Boro. We also weren’t up to it on the opening day at Southampton. Things went against us that day.

“But we have a good squad and a good team so I believe we can push on. We have a great spirit, probably one of the best I have witnessed in my football career. That goes a long way and it should help us.

“We will miss Jonny and Max (against Hull) as they are two of our main players. They also didn’t miss many games at all last season. So, they will be a big loss.

“But this is a big chance for other lads such as Ramon (Nunez) and Lloyd (Sam) to show what they can do.”

Last six games: Leeds United LWWLWL, Hull City DDLLLW.

Last time: Leeds United 2 Hull City 2; November 9, 2010; Championship.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).