Grayson seeks pre-Christmas lift to ensure hard work pays dividends

The Elland Road club have pulled out all the stops to ensure their meeting with the Eagles goes ahead by drafting in an army of volunteers to clear the heavy snow that has fallen during much of the past week.

United's efforts have been a repeat of last January when the club staged their League One encounter with Wycombe Wanderers after similarly Arctic conditions had caused a wave of postponements across the north of England.

Coming just a week after the Yorkshire club had knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup, the resulting 1-1 draw came as something of a disappointment and Grayson is adamant today's meeting with third-bottom Palace must end in a victory.

The Leeds manager said: "It has affected us in terms of getting the players in – a couple of them haven't been able to because they are stranded in their mansions out in the countryside.

"But most of the team have been able to get in and a large amount of work has gone in from the groundstaff to get training on.

"On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, we had three-quarters of a pitch to train on. That is testament to the groundstaff.

"I have given them a lot of stick over the last few months about not doing a lot up there but they have certainly worked hard this week.

"The game is going to be on at Elland Road and that is also down to a lot of hard work from a lot of people. I hope it bears fruit with a good result and a good performance.

"The players can't wait for the game to come around. There could be a lot of clubs who go a full week without actually getting onto the grass and we have had the benefit of that.

"We couldn't have done more in terms of our preparation."

United's eagerness to get the Palace game on is understandable considering their recent form.

Grayson's side are unbeaten in half-a-dozen games with victories over Scunthorpe United, Coventry City and Bristol City interspersed with a trio of draws.

Two of those draws came in the past fortnight against major play-off rivals on the road – Norwich City and Reading – so spirits are high ahead of today's meeting with a side who have struggled again this season after only avoiding relegation to League One on the final day of last term when a 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday was enough to demote their hosts.

Grayson, however, is mindful that Palace have won three of their last four games to move within touching distance of the pack immediately above the drop zone.

The United manager said: "They have had a good run of results recently. They have got some good players and we have got to respect that. You don't take any notice of where they are in the division.

"They have got a few players who've played at the highest level. We can't get complacent and neither can the fans, thinking that if we turn up we'll be two or three up in 20 minutes.

"Bristol City proved a few weeks ago that you have to be patient and wait for opportunities to win the game. Whether we win it in the first few minutes or the last few minutes, I will take that either way.

"We are on a decent run, I want us to maintain that and be confident going into the Christmas period."

United will be forced into at least one change today with Paul Connolly suspended but Grayson insists the recent improvement in his side's defensive record can be maintained.

He said: "We won't be making too many changes. But it is frustrating because the back four have worked very hard and have looked solid.

"Against Reading they were resilient and at Norwich we got done by a set-piece and a foul on the goalkeeper. We were looking confident in that department but it gives someone else a chance and, hopefully, we can come off the back of one clean sheet and get another."

One player who has been in the news this week is on-loan George McCartney, who has been the subject of speculation that suggests Leeds are about to seal a 750,000 permanent transfer for the left-back.

Grayson, who is competing against Mark Robins (Barnsley), Neil Warnock (QPR) and Keith Millen (Bristol City) to be named Manager of the Month for November, added: "He has still got a long time on his contract at Sunderland, on decent money. He is a player who has done well for us and when we became aware of his availability, we snapped him up straight away.

"I know George is getting fitter and stronger and more confident and I am delighted that (Sunderland manager) Steve Bruce has allowed us to extend the loan. Beyond that, we will have to wait and see.

"There are lots of different reasons that allow you to sign a player or not sign a player. In the short-term I am delighted that we have got him for a busy period."

Leeds will today be looking to take advantage of Palace's woeful away record, the Londoners having claimed just four points from nine games on the road this term.

Despite that, manager George Burley is hopeful of ending such a barren run of form.

He said: "There's no concern over the pitch, Leeds have got fantastic undersoil heating,

"With three wins on the bounce at Selhurst, we need to start picking up the points away from home and I am sure we will be climbing the Championship table soon.

"I am not too worried about the away form, though, because I can't really fault the way we have played in our last two matches on the road.

"We were fantastic for a half against Middlesbrough and could easily have won that match.

"Then there was the game at Sheffield United and we all know what happened there (the Blades won a highly-controversial encounter 3-2).

"The decisions do tend to go against you when you are not at home."

Game on – elland road's proud record

It is a proud record and one Leeds United are determined not to surrender without a fight.

Not since the 1994-95 season has Elland Road been hit by a postponement when a waterlogged pitch caused the scheduled visit of Ipswich Town to be put back to the Spring.

In terms of snow and ice being the problem, the most recent United home game to perish was an FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United that was due to be shown live on the first Sunday of January, 1992, by ITV.

Such a record is impressive, especially when compared to other clubs who also boast undersoil heating but still find themselves falling victim to the weather due to surrounding areas being deemed unsafe.

United chief executive Shaun Harvey, said: "We are proud of the record but I must say that has not been our motivation this week. Instead, it is simply making sure our fans have a game of football to watch.

"Football fans spend a lot of money to come to games, while for a variety of reasons there tends to be less and less games kicking off at 3pm these days.

"Tuesday was when, armed with a preliminary weather forecast, we decided any attempts to clear the area would be futile until Thursday morning – there would simply be too much snow falling before then.

"We needed to make sure we had sufficient staff – including agency staff to clear the pitch and areas outside the ground. The primary aim was to make sure that, by 5pm on the Friday, we would be in a position to play the game at that time.

"Then, whatever is thrown at us on the Saturday, can hopefully be dealt with in the time available."

The Big Match: Leeds United v Crystal Palace, Championship, today, 3pm