Warnock set to wield the axe and play the Kids

Neil Warnock is ready to give the kids a chance after another poor performance by his senior first team squad and suspensions mounting.Leeds go to Premier League chasing Reading on Friday afternoon, with both Darren O`Dea and Paul Connolly out through suspension.O`Dea is serving the second of his two game suspension for his tenth yellow card of the season at Millwall last weekend whilst Connolly will miss the trip flowing his red card in the defeat to Watford on Saturday.Connolly was shown his second yellow card of the game in injury time against Watford and Warnock questioned the defenders desire to play against the inform Reading next week.Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Warnock said, "Heaven knows what team I will put out next week. We have Connolly and O`Dea suspended. The sending off was irresponsible. He obviously does not want to play at Reading does he? That is how I look at it."If we have to play the kids we might has well. We are going to be beaten anyway with performances like this. I might has well put one or two in and have a look at them."Warnock could be without Aidan White next week after he limped out of the game at half time with an ankle injury.

Match Report Leeds 0 Watford 2

Neil Warnock made one change to his starting line-up with the suspended Darren O'Dea being replaced by Paul Connolly, who returned at right-back.But United got off to the worst possible start, conceding inside the opening five minutes. Chris Iwelumo was the goalscorer after Troy Deeney ended an advancing run by slipping the ball into his strike partner's path.United did look to respond immediately, Robert Snodgrass had a shot blocked and Alex Bruce headed the resultant corner over the bar. A free-kick was also directed over the top, but when Watford threatened again on 20 minutes, Andy Lonergan had to spread himself well to deny Deeney.It was a pretty untidy opening half hour or so with plenty of misplaced passes and scrappy challenges, yet neither side was able to take a firm grip on proceedings.There was a stoppage in the time leading up to half-time when Aidy White took another bang on the ankle, and he received lengthy treatment. Almost immediately afterwards, Bruce needed treatment for a head injury after he went up for a challenge with Iwelumo.Four minutes of time were added on and in the first minute, Snodgrass forced Tomasz Kusczak into making a good save. Lonergan also made a good save in the final minute to deny Deeney.
Warnock made a change at half-time, withdrawing White due to the injury and replacing him with Danny Webber. The second half started with Adam Clayton picking up his 10th booking of the season, meaning he will now miss the games against Reading and Derby.United started the second half on the front foot and looked to press Watford, but as the game hit the hour mark, Leeds still had nothing to show and the visitors were still looking to move on the break.With 23 minutes remaining, Warnock made his second change, Ramon Nunez replacing Clayton in the middle of the park. And, his first touch was to send a shot curling just wide of the upright from outside of the box.The game continued to be scrappy, and Snodgrass had a penalty shout waved away when he drilled a shot against a Watford defender.The game should have been all over on 82 minutes when Deeney cashed in on a defensive slip to find himself one-one-one with Lonergan, yet the Leeds keeper made a terrific save before Bruce cleared the follow-up off the line, allowing Lonergan to make a second vital stop to deny the visitors.But with less than two minutes remaining, Watford did wrap it up. Lonergan made a good save to deny Deeney, following good work by Sean Murray, but the ball fell to Iwelumo who drilled home the visitors second of the game.To compound United's woes, Paul Connolly received his marching orders in stoppage time for a second bookable offence.

Match Report Leeds 1 Portsmouth 0

Simon Grayson welcomed Paul Connolly back to his starting line-up for the first time since August on a day when the weather was more suited to the height of summer than the 1st of October.Leigh Bromby dropped to the bench with Tom Lees switching to centre-back. Paddy Kisnorbo missed out due to illness.The recalled Connolly almost carved out the first chance of the game when he sent in a good cross from the right, and Joel Ward had to clear the danger.Another cross from the right caused problems when Ross McCormack was denied after a good ball by Robert Snodgrass. That proved the cue for successive corners, and United went in from the second of those.Snodgrass was the provider with a good delivery and Danny Pugh found space to head home into an empty goal to put Leeds ahead.Snodgrass was causing all sorts of mayhem down the right and his next mazy run resulted in a low ball being drilled just wide of the upright.The opening half-hour was all Leeds, and Pugh went close again when he had a shot deflected wide.But the visitors did carve out an opening when Andy Lonergan was called upon to make a terrific save to claw a Greg Halford header away. When the ball was pumped back in, Halford again got up well, and his header rattled the woodwork.

But Leeds responded with McCormack sending a in a low ball and Tal Ben Haim had to clear over his own bar.
It was a good opening half from Leeds, who consistently looked a threat, particularly down the right with Snodgrass, and McCormack causing problems.
Adam Clayton was also busy in the middle of the park and he tried his luck with one effort which flew over the top.
Portsmouth offered little, but Jason Pearce led claims for a penalty when he went down as a ball came into the box, and Lonergan had to get down well to save one free-kick which was driven past the wall.
United's lead was well deserved at the interval, but the opening moments of the second period were always going to be vital in the quest for a fourth successive home league win.
And it was the visitors who opened up brightly, Liam Lawrence looking lively on the right, but Leeds were soon back on the front and Jonny Howson almost picked out Clayton with a ball into the box.
United fashioned out a half-chance on the hour when Pugh sent in a decent cross for Keogh, but the striker had to react under pressure and turned his shot wide.
With 22 minutes remaining, Grayson made his first change, introducing Luciano Becchio for Keogh.
The second half was more of a war of attrition than anything with little in the way of any clear cut chances being created. Leeds were holding the upper hand as the game entered the final 15 minutes, though.
Joel Ward did lift a shot over the bar for the visitors on 75 minutes after the visitors threatened and moments later Grayson made his final changes, bringing on Finnish duo Mika Vayrynen and Mikael Forssell for the impressive Snodgrass and McCormack.
As the game headed towards the final whistle, Forssell and Becchio linked up well and the Finn forced a great save from Stephen Henderson to thwart a certain goal.
Forssell also picked out Howson in the first minute of stoppage time, but Henderson got down well to deny the United captain.
At ther other end, Lonergan had to scramble back to tip over an audacious attempt from Lawrence and United had to deal with the corner before going on to record a fourth successive home league win, and a first clean sheet of the season.

Reserves Defeat Middlesbrough

Goals from Will Hatfield and Dominic Poleon secured Leeds United a behind-closed-doors win against Middlesbrough at Thorp Arch on Tuesday.Finnish internationals Mike Vayrynen and Mikael Forssell both featured in the game along with fellow senior pros Paul Rachubka and Paul Connolly.Vayrynen again impressed in midfield alongside Simon Lenighan while Ross Killock looked strong at centre-half, partnering Lewis Turner.
United boss Simon Grayson said: "It was another opportunity for the players to get some time on the pitch. It was largely a young side, but in the case of the senior boys, it was important for them in terms of match fitness."
United: Rachubka (Grimes 60), Connolly (Gimple 60), Killock, L.Turner, Taylor, Trialist (Mowatt 60), Vayrynen (Byram 60), Lenighan, N.Turner, Forssell (Poleon60 ), Hatfield.

Connolly on the way back

Paul Connolly put himself in contention for a first-team recall at Sheffield United with a 90-minute appearance for Leeds United’s second string last night.Connolly came through a second reserve appearance in the space of eight days to prove his fitness and stake a claim for a role in Saturday’s Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane.
The right-back has not featured for United’s first team since pulling a hamstring in the club’s victory over Coventry City on February 5, but his comfortable outing in a 6-0 rout of Gateshead has given manager Simon Grayson the option of recalling him ahead of on-loan Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj.Connolly featured at centre-back last night and was joined in United’s line-up by seven other senior players. Club captain Richard Naylor did not play at Elland Road despite being named in the original starting team.The weight of experience on the side of Leeds threatened to tell from an early stage, and goalkeeper Jonny Ball kept Gateshead in the game by blocking three attempts in quick succession from Ross McCormack, Ben Parker and Ramon Nunez.
Gateshead’s best chance fell to Gary Mulligan, whose glancing header found the safe hands of Shane Higgs, but the Blue Square Premier club fell behind in the 31st minute when Nathan Turner slipped in behind their defence and knocked a pass from Nunez under Ball’s body.Nunez removed any doubt about the outcome by striking in the 63rd minute, his fifth goal in two reserve games, and McCormack and Sanchez Watt rounded off the scoreline with two classy finishes apiece in the final 20 minutes

Leeds United players under no pressure

Leeds will head into the final ten matches of the season with manager Simon Grayson insisting: We are not feeling the pressure.It is around this stage of the campaign that nerves can creep in, causing some surprising results.But with Paul Jewell’s Ipswich due at Elland Road tomorrow, Grayson said: “The fans are enjoying the season and we will continue to play with a smile on our face.“There are no nerves in the camp and the lads are in vibrant mood. They are buzzing, which was proved in the game against Doncaster when we scored five goals. That was the sign of a team enjoying what they were doing and not feeling the pressure.”

United, who climbed to fifth in the Championship with their 2-1 win at Preston on Tuesday night, are just three points behind second-placed Swansea.The race is on for an automatic promotion berth and the final two matches of the season are potentially crucial.In their penultimate fixture on Saturday, April 30, United have home advantage against a Burnley side who are currently seventh but with two games in hand.The final game is then at QPR, who have a seven-point advantage at the summit but offered hope to the chasing pack by surprisingly losing at Millwall on Tuesday.

Leeds’ run-in, with current positions in brackets, reads: Ipswich (16th) H, Sheffied United (22nd) A, Nottingham Forest (sixth) H, Millwall (12th) A, Derby (19th) A, Watford (11th) H, Reading (eighth) H, Crystal Palace (21st) A, Burnley (seventh) H, QPR (first) A.

A third successive victory tomorrow would provide a perfect start to the season’s last lap and Grayson said: “Eight or nine teams will think the automatic promotion spots and play-off places are up for grabs with 30 points still to play for.“I am sure it will go down to the last couple of matches. It is a ten-match season now. We have over-achieved, bearing in mind we were only promoted last May, but this is a great opportunity for us.”Grayson has to decide whether to restore leading scorer Luciano Becchio to the starting line-up after Billy Paynter scored his first goal for the club at Preston.Fit-again right back Paul Connolly is challenging Eric Lichaj for his place and midfielder Barry Bannan is in contention for a home debut.

Lichaj is due to return to Aston Villa after the game but Grayson says he is keen to extend the defender’s stay for as long as possible, if his parent club agree.

Injuries may force changes

Leeds United boss Simon Grayson could be set to re-shuffle his pack at Preston on Tuesday as he weighs up his injury doubts ahead of the game.
Striker Luciano Becchio and central defender Andy O'Brien were both withdrawn during Saturday's win against Doncaster after picking up knocks, while defender Eric Lichaj also picked up a knock in the 5-2 win.
On the plus side, Grayson has welcomed new signing Barry Bannan to the ranks - the Scotland international trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Monday after joining on loan - and Paul Connolly and Lloyd Sam are both pushing for places in the squad.
Both players completed over an hour in the reserves on Monday afternoon, and the arrival of Bannan from Aston Villa plus the returning duo, gives Grayson plenty of food for thought for the trip to Deepdale.
"We've got a few knocks from the weekend, but we'll assess everyone on Tuesday morning," said the boss.
"Obviously we're delighted to bring Barry in, and Conns and Lloyd both played an hour in the reserves which is good news.
"We'll have a look and whatever we go with will be a fit, strong team for what will be a tough game.
"Preston have done well over the past few weeks under Phil Brown, and there's the Yorkshire-Lancashire thing as well about the game so it'll be a lively atmosphere and we won't be underestimating them."

Leeds v Doncaster :Pre-View

Midfielder Bradley Johnson will return from suspension for Leeds.Right-back Paul Connolly remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while midfielder Lloyd Sam is struggling with a virus.
Doncaster are assessing the fitness of Billy Sharp, who recently returned to action after a groin problem.Jason Euell (knee) may miss out again but James Hayter (calf) could make a timely return, with James Coppinger and Ryan Mason also hoping to feature.

Sixth-placed Leeds are looking for their first win in four games and have conceded a total of eight goals in their last three outings, but they are strong at Elland Road.

Leeds are unbeaten in 11 home matches and remain the division's top scorers, having netted 62 of the whopping 117 goals their league matches this season have produced. That could be a worrying sign for Doncaster, who have conceded more Championship goals in 2011 than any other team.
Injury-hit Rovers have let in 25 since the turn of the year and this season have managed one clean sheet away from home, and one away win against a team outside of the bottom six.
But Doncaster head into this Yorkshire buoyed by an excellent 3-1 win at fellow strugglers Derby in midweek, which was their first victory in seven matches and eased their relegation fears.

Midfielder search still going on

Simon Grayson’s search for a midfielder was ongoing this morning with the Leeds United manager once again insisting that he would not allow his need for fresh blood to bring sub-standard players to Elland Road.
Grayson saw his attempts to pull of an emergency loan signing frustrated in the 48 hours after United’s 3-3 draw with Barnsley on Tuesday, but he refused to rule out the possibility of a new face appearing in tomorrow’s match at Swansea City.Leeds lost Bradley Johnson to a red card on Tuesday night and the 23-year-old will serve a one-game ban during this weekend’s Championship game in Wales.

His suspension created a hole in Grayson’s midfield and forced United’s manager to consider a move in the transfer market or a change of formation prior to tomorrow’s 12.45pm kick-off.Grayson cast his eye over Manchester City’s Michael Johnson during a reserve fixture between City and Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday evening but he revealed that a number of approaches for unnamed players had so far come to nothing.“We’ve made a few enquiries and, as we stand, nothing’s come off,” Grayson said. “It’s simply because clubs want to keep their best players.“I could sign an average player and make us no better but I’ve got players in the squad who are ready and desperate to step into the team, whatever system I play. Any signing needs to be a really good player and I’m prepared to wait for one to become available.”

Right-back Paul Connolly is Grayson’s major injury concern with a hamstring strain but United’s boss said the club were still to receive any contact from Manchester City over the possible recall of goalkeeper David Gonzalez.

City manager Robert Mancini indicated earlier this week that he would end Gonzalez’s loan at Elland Road in response to a shoulder injury suffered by Shay Given, but Grayson said: “He’s been training with us and Manchester City haven’t been on the phone.”

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