Review of 2010/11 – Part 2 – Losing their way Leeds United’s return to the Championship had seen them exceed expectations, despite heavy defeats at home to Preston and Cardiff and an embarrassing 5-2 reverse at Barnsley. The sheen of beating table-topping QPR on 18 December had been dulled by losing two-goal leads against Leicester and Portsmouth, but as 2011 opened, Leeds were fourth in the table, level on 40 points with Cardiff and Swansea, with Rangers seven points clear of that pack. It was heady stuff after three years in the League One wilderness and supporters were hopeful of a real promotion push in the New Year. Andy O'Brien, pictured celebrating his goal against Hull City on 9 November, made his move to Elland Road permanent on New The positive mood was enhanced by the Year's Day announcement that Irish international centre-back Andy O’Brien, on loan from Bolton since 29 October, would make the move permanent. O’Brien, who represented himself in contract talks, commented: “The meeting with the chairman was something I will remember all my life. It was a bit like when I signed my first contract at Bradford with Geoffrey Richmond – that was entertaining as well. My Dad came in with me initially and he is a big bloke of around 20 stone. The chairman’s first words were, ‘We’ll sign the fat one instead.’ My Dad replied he had been on a diet for six weeks, to which the chairman said, ‘Well that isn't effing working, is it?’ Dad is quite quick-witted and said back, ‘Well I don’t know what your excuse is’. “I also had an offer to go to Cardiff and went down there to speak to Dave Jones… Cardiff came in with an offer and the first thing I did was ring Leeds and tell them exactly what the deal was. There was a bit of toing and froing and then I said, ‘If you offer me what Cardiff have offered then I will sign’. That is what happened.” O’Brien was a member of the United side that needed an injury time goal to earn a draw at home to Middlesbrough on New Year’s Day, having fallen behind to David Wheater’s 20th-minute header. Luciano Becchio volleyed home in superb fashion in the 91st minute and there was sufficient time remaining for Ross McCormack to head narrowly wide when he could have secured an unlikely three points. www.mightyleeds.co.uk - Review of 2010/11 Part 2 – Losing their way 1 Seconds before Becchio’s equaliser, Boro’s Justin Hoyte had come close to wrapping up the points for the visitors, but United broke quickly and Becchio hammered his strike past Jason Steele after Neill Collins’ flick had come back off the keeper. United manager Simon Grayson: “We’ve been on a decent run and, being honest, that was probably the least threatening we’ve been over the last 12 games. There was no real tempo about us, and that was disappointing. We didn’t pass the ball like we can do and we didn’t create the opportunities - yet we could still have won it right at the end when Ross McCormack had a decent chance. “I have to praise the belief and character shown by the players - and the backing given by the fans - because they stuck at it and got something out of the game. It keeps us unbeaten, it’s 12 games now, and it keeps the mind focused. If you can come through a game with a performance like that against a decent team and still get a result, it shows we are heading in the right direction.” The side was now playing 4-2-3-1 with Jonny Howson pushing up behind lone striker Luciano Becchio; the formation suited them admirably, though Grayson had to shuffle his personnel with Neil Kilkenny now off playing for Australia in the Asia Cup for a month. Initially, he opted to draft Ross McCormack into one of the deeper midfield roles, but eventually he settled for withdrawing Howson and bringing in Sanchez Watt, though United struggled until the return of Kilkenny. The unbeaten run came to an end two days later at promotion rivals Cardiff. Robert Snodgrass brought United level on the hour mark with a long range stunner after Craig Bellamy had given Cardiff the lead, but Michael Chopra proved United’s scourge again when he scored the winner 11 minutes from the end. The defeat saw Leeds slip to fifth, but their minds were Centre-back Alex Bruce, pictured tackling Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin, was in outstanding quickly on to other matters with form at the Emirates on 8 January a glamorous FA Cup third round tie on 8 January away to mighty Arsenal. United had been outstanding in the Cup a year earlier against Manchester United and Tottenham, and lightning struck a third time when they took the lead at the Emirates from a spot kick by Robert Snodgrass; Arsenal were reprieved by a late Fabregas penalty. Centre-back Alex Bruce, who gave a man of the match performance: “The lads are making a habit of going to big grounds and big opponents and putting in a performance. I watched them last year and on Saturday I was proud to be part of the team that did really well. I think people expect us to go to places like this and put in a good shift. “Last season there was a dip in the League after the Cup win, now we have to concentrate on the League because we want games like the one at Arsenal every week. The League is more important. www.mightyleeds.co.uk - Review of 2010/11 Part 2 – Losing their way 2 I’m sure the club will make a bit from the Cup, but our main aim is to get into the Premier League. “When you come to a place like the Emirates you know you have to defend well and have a bit of rub of the green. I think we had that, and we defended really well as a team.” It was reported that United earned in excess of £500,000 from the tie – including £144,000 in broadcasting fees – and that the replay would generate £72,000 in television money alone after ITV decided to cover the game. Chairman Ken Bates intimated the unbudgeted windfall would be used to allow Simon Grayson to reinforce his squad, but in the end there were no purchases in the January transfer window, though youngster Zac Thompson arrived on a free transfer from Everton, while Ramon Nunez extended his short term contract and George McCartney returned on another loan deal. Amdy Faye departed Elland Road after the club decided not to renew a short-term contract and Lubo Michalik, Liam Darville, Andy Hughes, Jason Crowe, Alan Martin, Tom Elliott and Neil Collins also left the club. Fears of a Cup anti-climax were quickly dispelled when United hammered Scunthorpe 4- 0 at Elland Road on 15 January. Sanchez Watt opened the scoring after seventeen minutes with his first United goal, beating central defender Paul Reid and leaving Michael Raynes on his backside before lashing home from 18 yards. Three minutes later, Watt won possession, allowing Robert Snodgrass to feed Max Gradel. The winger sold an audacious dummy to fool keeper Joe Murphy and defender Andrew Wright before shooting into the unguarded net for his sixth goal in 8 games. Sanchez Watt opens the scoring against Scunthorpe United’s wide men were also instrumental in the third. Snodgrass’ dribble was halted on the edge of the box, but Gradel found Bradley Johnson, who drilled in from 22 yards. Although Michael Collins and Jonathan Forte had chances for Scunthorpe, it was a surprise that the final margin was not greater, and it was not until the 88th minute that Davide Somma drilled in Gradel’s pass to complete a comprehensive victory. The one-sided victory sent United into the Cup replay with Arsenal in great heart. However, the Gunners were deserved 3-1 victors, though Bradley Johnson’s wonder goal was the best of the night and gave United new hope when it brought the scores back to 2-1. On 22 January, United twice came from behind to earn a draw at Portsmouth with goals from Becchio and Somma; local power cuts caused three floodlight failures. Ten days later, they had to come from 2-0 down to secure another 2-2 draw, this time at Hull City with Snodgrass and Somma the scorers. www.mightyleeds.co.uk - Review of 2010/11 Part 2 – Losing their way 3 The talking point of the night was the injury to Hull’s Liam Rosenior, following what Tigers’ manager Nigel Pearson termed a “coward’s challenge” by Lloyd Sam. “I didn’t realise how bad it was at the time, but he’s led with his arm.” Simon Grayson: “I was disappointed with how we allowed them to get a few chances … but sometimes that’s how it goes when you try and win games. They had a few good opportunities and Kasper had to work hard, but I thought we did well as well. “We showed a lot of spirit to try and get back in the game - it was a great free kick from Snod - and that gave us a big lift at half time. We needed to do things better in the second half, in terms of getting tighter up in the pitch and put them under more pressure.