Warnock lets rip as victory is allowed to slip away

Never allowing standards to dip is something the 63-year-old has reinforced several times since accepting the offer to succeed Simon Grayson on February 18.

The latest instance came in the wake of United’s second draw of the season against big spending West Ham United, a result that at first glance appears a highly respectable one – not least because Sam Allardyce’s side needed a last-minute equaliser from Danny Collins to rescue a point.

Any hopes, however, that the Leeds squad may have harboured of Warnock being content with their efforts were firmly dispelled the moment he walked through the door of the home dressing room.

Full-back Paul Connolly explained: “The manager went nuts at us for not defending the corner. He let us know what he thought.

“We were all probably waiting for a pat on the back but he came in and went nuts. He told us we should have done better to get the three points and that it is a thin line between success and failure.

“And against West Ham, we had failed because we didn’t get the three points.”

The draw with the Hammers means Warnock has presided over five games and Connolly insists the United squad is relishing life under their new manager.

He said: “We are enjoying it. The manager has got us all smiling. He is quite laid back at times but then he will say if you’re not doing it. He will go nuts at you.

“He is a wily old fox and someone who knows how to get the best out of individuals. He knows what makes certain players tick and what doesn’t. If he keeps doing that, we will be all right.

“Players appreciate honesty. Without nailing the last manager, it is about being honest. He is as honest as the day is long and always has been throughout his career. If we give him some honesty back, I think he will support us all the way.”

Warnock’s frustration in the immediate aftermath of the draw with West Ham was perhaps understandable, particularly after coming so close to claiming a victory that would have firmly thrust Leeds back into the play-off race. But the United chief also had plenty to cheer him, not least the manner in which his side matched a West Ham outfit who are as physical and well-drilled as any other team in the Championship.

With Michael Brown revelling in the type of midfield combat that has been in danger of being made extinct by over-officious refereeing edicts, Leeds went toe to toe with Allardyce’s visitors and emerged with huge credit.

Some of their tackling may have bordered on the questionable, most notably the scything challenges that brought both Brown and Paul Robinson yellow cards in the second half.

But in a division where ability has to be combined with an inner steel to prosper, Leeds delivered the kind of battling display that bodes well for the future.

Amid the crunching tackles and occasional scuffle, genuine goalscoring chances were few and far between.

The best one of the first half fell to the visitors when Darren O’Dea found himself caught on the wrong side of Nicky Maynard, who, as a result, was able to race through on goal by latching on to Matt Taylor’s pass.

West Ham were, though, unable to capitalise on O’Dea’s poor positioning thanks to Andy Lonergan racing from his line and bravely throwing himself at the ball.

At the other end, Leeds went closest through a curled free-kick from Robert Snodgrass that flew inches wide of the post. That effort apart, however, Robert Green was rarely troubled in the Hammers goal.

That continued to be the case in the opening exchanges of the second half with it taking until the 70th minute for Green to finally be called into action to keep out Connolly’s header after the full-back had been picked out by Ross McCormack.

Connolly was also heavily involved in the move that led to Leeds taking the lead seven minutes from time, his header from Snodgrass’s cross crashing against the crossbar to allow Luciano Becchio to steam in and head the ball into the net from close range.

As Elland Road’s largest crowd in almost 18 months celebrated, Warnock and his coaching staff did the same in the technical area.

Any hopes of United holding out for all three points were, though, to be dashed in the very last minute as Collins capitalised on some slack marking – and, according to Warnock, a clear push by Carlton Cole on O’Dea – to claim a point with a brave header.

Connolly said: “It was a real blood and guts affair. The fans had turned out in their numbers and we didn’t want to disappoint them. Hopefully, that was the case and they will all come back for our last few games.

“The tackles were flying and we were first to most of them. But then we let it slip with a sloppy mistake.

“I thought we were aggressive from the first whistle to the last. Our two older lads, Browny and Paul Robinson, were flying in. There was Adam Clayton, too.

“All led by example. As soon as they smashed someone, it meant we all wanted to do the same.

“We fed off each other’s energy throughout the game.

“West Ham are a fully committed team with some big lads, including Cole and (Kevin) Nolan up front. If you don’t match them, you have no chance at all. They’ll bully you to defeat. I thought we matched them and probably deserved the three points.”