Grayson calls for Leeds unity

The one-time League One pacesetters' poor start to 2010 continued on Tuesday night with a 2-1 defeat at home to Walsall.

Coupled with Colchester United winning at Yeovil Town to move to within three points of Leeds, the first league loss on home soil for 13 months has led to alarm bells ringing among the Elland Road faithful.

Grayson, however, is determined to remain positive and cites the 2-0 defeat at Hereford United on February 17 last year as proof his players have the mental strength to dig themselves out of the current rut.

As with the loss at Edgar Street, harsh words were said in the Elland Road dressing room after Tuesday night's setback as an inquest was held into what went wrong.

And Grayson is looking for a similar response to last term as his players bounced back from losing to the Bulls by winning 11 of their final 15 games and claiming 36 points.

He said: "We got what we deserved against Walsall – and that was nothing. We had a chat about certain situations and I asked them what had gone wrong.

"I was hugely disappointed with the result, but even more disappointed with the performance."

Asked if parallels could be draw with the low point of last season at Hereford when the 2,000 fans chanted 'we're s*** and we're sick of it', Grayson replied: "The only positive compared to Hereford was I did not have a four-hour journey home (on Tuesday).

"That night at Hereford was one where we threw things open to the players. We did the same after Walsall.

"I am not one for having a go after a game. I did at half-time against Walsall, but afterwards I try to be philosophical and reflect on how we can improve for the next game.

"The players will hopefully take on board what we said. And if we go on anything like the run we did after Hereford, we will get promoted.

"A lot of the lads were here last season and were hurt by the experience.

"They were hurting after Walsall. Now, I am looking for a reaction and I want a positive one.

"I want them in on Thursday morning showing the desire and determination to put it right.

"Those who have been rested recently will be wanting to get back in the team. And if I do make changes, no-one can have any complaints."

United have collected just six points from seven games since the turn of the year but remain in a strong position.

However, with back-to-back home games against Brighton and Oldham in the coming week, Leeds cannot afford too many setbacks like Tuesday night.

Grayson said: "The key now is to stick together as a group. Every team will go through a period of games where things don't go their way.

"We never got too carried away when eight or nine points clear and we certainly won't be getting too down now.

"Hopefully, the fans will stick together as well and not get too nervous."

On his side having won just once – at home to Colchester - in seven games this year, Grayson added: "I am disappointed and it is a concern. But I know we have enough in the dressing room to get us results.

"Teams below us are starting to catch us up and we have stressed to the players that anyone can go on a run like we did this time last year to get close to the top two."

Patrick Kisnorbo again missed the defeat to Walsall but has been running in training and his fitness will be assessed ahead of Saturday's game with Brighton.

Paul Dickov, meanwhile, flew back into England yesterday morning after training with MLS side Toronto at their Florida training camp. He is hoping to earn a short-term contract at Elland Road.