Leeds United v Barnsley: Leeds’s derby emphasis is on points

JONNY HOWSON insists revenge will not be Leeds United’s motivation in tonight’s Yorkshire derby with Barnsley despite memories of their 5-2 mauling at Oakwell still being fresh in the mind.

Instead, the United captain says all that matters is claiming a win that could, depending on results elsewhere, leave the Elland Road club level on points with the side occupying the second automatic promotion place.

Such a lofty position was perhaps hard to imagine in the aftermath of Simon Grayson’s side being left humiliated and humbled last September on a night Barnsley supporters are likely to remember for a long time.

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That United had taken almost 7,000 fans to the derby made the beating even more of a crushing blow with many of those having already set off home up the M1 before referee Steve Tanner brought a merciful end to a chastening 90 minutes for the West Yorkshire club by blowing the final whistle.

Tonight, therefore, offers a chance for Leeds to make amends while also making sure they hold onto a place in the top six.

Howson, who put the visitors 1-0 up at Oakwell before Barnsley ran riot, said: “Games like that are always difficult to take as a player, just as I am sure it was for the staff and the supporters.

“Barnsley scored (to equalise) just before half-time and then the second half was a nightmare.

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“I am sure there are quite a few of our fans who work with Barnsley supporters so it won’t have been nice for them. Local derbies are like that and they will be hoping we can turn it round and get the bragging rights.

“But revenge isn’t what we are after. As a professional footballer, the three points are what matter. We can’t affect what happened in the past, that has gone. All that matters is Tuesday night and getting the result we want.”

Leeds host Barnsley in confident mood having extended their impressive run of form to just one defeat in 19 Championship outings with a thrilling 2-2 draw at home to Norwich City on Saturday.

It means Grayson’s men are firmly in the hunt for promotion with Nottingham Forest, who host bottom club Preston North End tonight, just three points ahead in second place.

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Howson added: “We have come a long way since playing Barnsley. Maybe after that defeat, it would have been hard to believe we would be where we are ahead of the return. But football is funny like that.

“This is a crazy league and anyone really can beat anyone else. You get freak results happening from time to time. You only have to look at what happened last week when Scunthorpe beat Nottingham Forest to realise that.

“Forest had not lost in a long time and Scunthorpe had not won at home since August so no one could have predicted a home win. But that is exactly what happened.

“The key in this league is how you bounce back from setbacks and we have done that since losing to Barnsley.

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”The run we are on is a good one. People may say there have been too many draws but we keep picking up points and that is what has kept us up there. Last season, we might have lost games like the Norwich one (when Leeds trailed 2-1 with 15 minutes remaining), even though to me it felt like a missed opportunity not to win.

“It may have been a point against a very good team but in terms of chances created we had enough to win it.

“We hit the post and crossbar, while even in the last minute Billy (Paynter) was denied by the goalkeeper getting a hand to it.

“Unfortunately, the win just wasn’t meant to be and we move on to face Barnsley now.”

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Barnsley manager Mark Robins has hailed the appointment of a Premier League referee for tonight’s game.

He said: “I am glad we have got Mark Clattenburg as the referee. He is an experienced referee and the game will need that.”

Fourteenth-placed Tykes are currently 12 points behind Leeds in the Championship table and have lost five of their last six games away from home.

“Leeds are a big club with a big following and the result against them at Oakwell gave our fans a lot to shout about and be proud of,” said Robins. “Obviously, they will want to turn that around.

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“There will be a big crowd at Elland Road and they get behind the team, who have been doing well.

“They have turned the season around since they played us and it will be a difficult game. We have played some really good games away from home, but just not enough of them.

“Our players will be ready for Tuesday night and hopefully get back to winning ways.”

Last six games: Leeds United WDDWWD, Barnsley DWWLDL.

Referee: M Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).

Last time: Leeds United 2 Barnsley 2; December 2, 2006; Championship.