Leeds in freefall as Grayson warns of changes

SIMON GRAYSON has warned his Leeds United flops to expect major changes at Yeovil Town today.

The Elland Road club slumped to a fourth-straight defeat as Swindon Town coasted to a comfortable 3-0 win on Easter Saturday.

Two goals from Billy Paynter plus a strike by Charlie Austin were enough to propel the Robins above Leeds and Millwall, who had drawn at home to Brentford on Friday night, to claim second place behind leaders Norwich City.

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Grayson was hugely critical of United's second-half efforts against Swindon and conducted a post-match dressing-room inquest that involved his players also being invited to say their piece.

And ahead of today's visit to Huish Park, the 40-year-old has vowed to shake things up in an attempt to kick-start a season that is threatening to unravel out of control.

He said: "After our first-half performance, I just did not see it coming. There was a 40-minute period when we just seemed to disappear.

"I don't think you can say the players gave up individually but we did give up in terms of being hard to beat. We also played as a team of individuals instead of as a group.

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"We were not ruthless enough in both boxes. At 2-0 down with 40 minutes to go, we could have still got back into the game.

"But to do that you have to dig in. The players have to learn from this and they have to accept responsibility.

"They listened to what the staff had to say but then we threw it open to the players. Some constructive stuff was said. It is now up to us all to put it right."

On this lunchtime's televised encounter at Yeovil, Grayson added: "There will be changes. There probably would have been anyway because of the games being so close together.

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"But after the Swindon game, I now have to pick a team that I feel can go and get us a result."

The defeat coupled with Charlton Athletic winning at Milton Keynes Dons means just two points separate the fifth-placed Addicks from Swindon in the second automatic promotion slot.

Huddersfield Town also won – 2-1 at Wycombe Wanderers – to return to the play-off places, leapfrogging Colchester United who have slipped to seventh.

It means the fight for promotion is certain to be a tight affair with Leeds, courtesy of a run that has yielded just 15 points from 16 games in 2010, now facing what was once an unthinkable prospect – missing out on a place in the top six altogether.

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Grayson, for his part, insists a place in the top two remains his target.

He said: "I am still looking upwards. We still feel we can kick on and get second place. If people want to rule us out, then so be it.

"But the determination is still there within the players to do it. If we don't make the top two, then we go into the play-offs and win promotion via that route.

"Everyone is frustrated and apprehensive because we were in a great position at the turn of the year.

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"No-one said winning promotion was going to be easy, but obviously we are making it hard for ourselves.

"Now we have to dig deep and do the things we feel need to be done differently."

Another defeat today at Yeovil would see Leeds lose a fifth-straight game for the first time since Gary McAllister was sacked shortly before Christmas, 2008.

Grayson, who led United into the play-offs only to be knocked out in the semi-finals by Millwall last May, added: "Everyone's career is on the line if results don't improve. Players are playing for contracts and for their own personal pride.

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"I said before the game 'go out and play for the shirt'. They did in the first half but not enough did it in the second.

"It hurts me and it has to hurt the players as well. They are privileged to be playing for this club. Okay, one or two may move on to higher divisions but if you are still in League One this time next year and not affecting results then your career is only going to go downhill.

"We are the biggest club in this division and if you are not performing in League One then there will not be too many places where you can go.

"That is what they have to realise. This is a fantastic club that can go to the highest levels. If you want to be part of it, get yourself sorted and stay with it.

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"I am hugely disappointed. You try and question everything you do. But I still firmly believe the players can turn this around.

"I did not get carried away at the start. Results are not what we want but that does not mean we can't get to where we want to get."

Mike Grella (calf) is the only injury doubt today as Leeds look to claim what would only be their fourth league win of 2010.