United manager takes positives from stalemate

BRIAN McDERMOTT insists Leeds United can take positives from their 0-0 draw at the Riverside Stadium – and singled out debutant goalkeeper Jack Butland for special praise, writes Leon Wobschall.
Leeds United manager Brian McDermottLeeds United manager Brian McDermott
Leeds United manager Brian McDermott

United may have produced an anaemic attacking performance, but McDermott took solace from his side’s defensive efforts without two regulars in Sam Byram (hamstring injury) and Tom Lees, who did not feature due to ‘family issues’.

The Leeds chief felt that on another day his side could have been awarded at least one spot-kick, with his players livid that they did not receive a penalty following a first-half challenge by Boro centre-half Kenneth Omeruo on the recalled Noel Hunt.

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McDermott said: “They had a chance late on which they could have scored from, but we had a blatant penalty turned down in the first half when Hunt was pulled back.

“The lads were going mad at half-time. They thought it was a nailed on penalty. I (also) thought we might have had one in the second half for handball.

“But a point is a good point at Middlesbrough. I was looking at their form beforehand and, at the Riverside, it’s good.

“They don’t lose too many games here, so, of course, we’ve got to take the positives from that.”

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On the performance of Butland, who came in for ankle-injury victim Paddy Kenny, he added: “Jack made a couple of really good saves, he came for crosses and we put him under a little bit of pressure in the first half with some of our back-passes which he dealt with well.

“He’s 20 years of age and he’s played 86 games already, so he’s very mature and he’s very hungry. He wants to be on that plane to Brazil with England. You can see that.”

Boro head coach Aitor Karanka saw his side claim an unwanted place in the club’s record books after extending their goal drought to an epic 10 and a quarter hours, but the Basque is confident their goalscoring rewards will come if they keep creating chances like they did against Leeds.

It was the third 0-0 home draw in the league for Boro, who now have not scored for over a month. “The point is no good for us. But after the Watford game last week, I was very disappointed with the team and the attitude of some players.

“You are never happy when you don’t win the game, but I was happy with the attitude of players on the pitch. Playing this way, the wins will arrive.”