Recruitment is the priority as Leeds count the cost of defeat

SIMON GRAYSON admits strengthening a Leeds United squad decimated by injury and suspension is the overriding priority before tomorrow’s derby clash with Hull City.

Controversial red cards handed to Max Gradel and captain Jonny Howson in the 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough mean the pair must serve a one-game ban apiece.

With strikers Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma also out injured, it means Grayson will be without United’s top four scorers from last season for the visit of the Tigers.

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The quartet, who all reached double figures last term, netted 58 of United’s 81 goals in the Championship, which is why Grayson has had a busy weekend trying to bring in at least one new face.

The United manager, who thought he had captured an experienced striker on a half-season loan last week only for the deal to break down at the eleventh hour, said: “We know where we have always been short in terms of the striking department and another midfield player.

“But Max and Jonny being suspended mean I have to get on the phone to see what I can do.

“We were trying to bring someone in all last week. We were making calls but it is difficult to do deals on a Friday because teams are preparing for the following day. But now we are going to have to push it even more.”

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The red cards shown to Gradel and Howson during United’s 1-0 defeat capped a turbulent day at Elland Road with supporters also staging a pre-match protest against chairman Ken Bates.

A few hundred fans gathered at the Billy Bremner statue 90 minutes before kick-off to chant ‘where’s all our money gone?’ and ‘build a team, not a hotel’ – a reference to the club’s plan to erect two hotels outside the stadium.

Around 200 then moved round to the directors’ entrance behind the West Stand to continue the protest before peacefully dispersing at 2.20pm.

On the field, United were left hugely frustrated by the performance of referee Anthony Taylor.

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The Manchester official, who had sent two players off on his previous visit to Elland Road last season against Sheffield United, brandished 10 yellow cards and sent off three players, Boro full-back Tony McMahon joining Gradel and Howson in being dismissed.

All three players could feel hard- done-by, especially McMahon whose two cautions were soft in the extreme.

Grayson was left incensed by the red cards, a feeling reciprocated by his players.

Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan said: “To send two people off in the first half of a football game for two yellow cards is remarkable.

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“We had a lady from the FA come in to talk to us about referees, the rights and wrongs and clamping down.

“Well, if that is what is going to happen this season then they are going to ruin football.

“The referee made it a niggly game by flashing cards around early on. Maybe he should have just given a word of warning.

“I know they have got a tough job but two red cards in the first half is just silly.”

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Grayson, who rang referee chief David Allison on his way home from Elland Road on Saturday night to register his annoyance, added: “Booking Max and McMahon after five minutes set the tone for the afternoon.

“My first reaction when it happened was to go to the fourth official and (Boro assistant manager) Mark Venus and say, ‘That has killed the game – why can’t common sense be used?’

“If they had both gone in over the top and caused a serious incident then he has a right to book them. But not when two players are just committed.

“Put it this way, if Max had pulled out of that challenge, he would have had a right rocket from me, that’s for sure.”

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Boro manager Tony Mowbray was left equally puzzled by the dismissals.

He said: “I won’t be dragged into any controversy or dragged in front of the FA.

“But I do think the atmosphere in the stadium has a part to play. Leeds United is a great club and the supporters generate an atmosphere that is seldom found on other grounds.

“Maybe officials have to be ready for that as well as the players.”

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Marvin Emnes’s 67th minute winner means Leeds will go into tomorrow’s meeting with Hull still searching for their first point of the season.

It is the first time since the 1980-81 season that United have been beaten in their opening two league games but Grayson insists there were grounds for optimism despite the loss.

He said: “I went into the game feeling really positive about how we played against Bradford and that we would win the game.

“I felt there had been a spark in training and it would be a great opportunity to get some points on the board to kick-start the season.

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“But, unfortunately, everything happened that was out of our control.

“Despite that, I have told the players how proud I was of them. If we play anything like that then we have a great chance of winning the game on Tuesday night.”

For Boro, Emnes’s strike means Tony Mowbray’s side have claimed four points from their opening two league games and reached the Carling Cup second round by beating Walsall.

Emnes, who has already found the net five times this season, said: “It has been a good week.

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“There is a positivity around the club. We have a lot of good players, the staff are nice, the club is good – all we want to do is win games and get promotion.

“There is definitely a chance – we just need to fight hard to win every game.

“We have done well to get all three points against Leeds and we look forward to the next game.

“There was a lot going on in the game but we got the three points in the end.”

United’s Carling Cup second round tie at Doncaster Rovers will be played on Tuesday August 23 – just two days after the club’s Championship visit to West Ham.