Leeds look to be star attraction once more at Millwall

OVER the past four seasons, the chant ‘we’ve filled your ground for you’ has become a common feature of Leeds United away games.

The boast emanating from the away seats has been far from an idle one, as a quick glance through the record books illustrates. This season, for instance, 11 Championship clubs have posted their highest gate when Leeds were in town.

A 12th seems certain tomorrow when United travel to Millwall after the last few tickets were snapped up by fans of the London club earlier this week.

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It means stepping into the Lions’ Den, where the natives delight in reminding visitors that no-one likes them, is likely to be an even more hostile experience than usual for Grayson’s men.

Not, however, that the Leeds manager is losing any sleep over the prospect of having to silence one of football’s most intimidating crowds.

“I haven’t spoken about it all week,” said Grayson to the Yorkshire Post yesterday when asked if the players had been given any special instructions ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

“The Den can be lively but so can Elland Road. We are used to playing in front of big crowds every week.

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“Plus, no matter where we go, it is a sell-out and everyone is hostile towards us. My players are used to that.”

Only Swansea City and Crystal Palace have been the star visiting attraction on more than one occasion this season, making Leeds clearly the Championship’s big draw. It is a feeling they are used to after three years in League One.

Grayson added: “I am sure it will be the same this weekend. Even when Millwall have local derbies, there won’t be as many at the game as when we go there.

“It is a passionate place and the fans are trying to help their team win football matches. But I expect my players to stand up and be counted. They know what to expect and what needs to be done to win the game. Our away record this season shows that.”

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Leeds will go into the game sitting fifth in the table, four points clear of a chasing pack that is led by Nottingham Forest. Millwall are three points further adrift of Billy Davies’s men so know that beating the Yorkshire club is paramount if they are to stand a chance of gate-crashing the play-off places.

Grayson, whose two previous visits in charge of United have ended in defeat, said: “Games between us have been very close. We have had some real competitive games.

“None of them have got out of hand and the rivalry is healthy. There is a good amount of respect between the two teams.”