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Friday 20 May 2011

Club captain says farewell

Richard Naylor has said farewell to the club and the fans after being released by Leeds United. Naylor was Simon Grayson's first permanent signing after his appointment. He was given the captaincy and led us to promotion from League 1. Naylor struggled with injury during his time at Elland Road but during his two and a half year spell the centre-back made 76 appearances clocking up a promotion on his CV as well as that historic win against Manchester United in the FA Cup.

The Leeds lad fulfilled his boyhood dream to pull on the famous White shirt and was a top servant for the club. All the best!

Who will stay and who will go?

Contract talks are currently ongoing at Leeds United with key players in talks including midfielders Bradley Johnson and Neil Kilkenny. Johnson has been linked with several clubs since being transfer listed in January. Negotiations broke down with the club and his agent over the highly rated midfielders wage. Brad has vowed he wants to stay at Elland Road but is looking to be paid the same as other first team players.

Alike Johnson, Kilkenny is out of contract in the summer and unless manager Simon Grayson offers the Australian a new contract he will part company with the Whites. Killa put in an impressive performance on the final day of the season against Champions QPR. Both players have expressed a desire to stay at Leeds but whether or not these two feature in the plans of Grayson is another matter entirely. These two along side Jonny Howson were ever presents in the United midfield during their successful campaign back in the Championship for the first time finishing 7th.

Ken Bates is expected to fund some summer spending allowing Grayson to strengthen their side for next season's promotion push. Leeds have worked hard at becoming a stable business which has involved working with a strict wage budget. What they have to decide now is do these two integral midfielders work within their financial plan and also decide what the best way is too take the club onto bigger and better things.

Thursday 12 May 2011

Jonny is Elland Road superstar

Jonny Howson has become the first player to start every league game for 6 years. That is an incredible feat for someone so young and playing in a dynamic midfield role. It is a credit to the youngster who has been deservedly noticed for his fantastic consistency this term by making Stuart Pearce's provisional U21's Euro Championship squad. This season he passed the 200 appearance mark and when Captaining the side in place of Richard Naylor became the youngest Captain since Leeds legend Billy Bremner. Howson turns 23 next week and became a father on Monday. What a prospect this Leeds born lad is. A possible England star. A probable Leeds legend!

Monday 9 May 2011

Double done over the Champions

Leeds finished their season with a 2-1 victory over QPR at Loftus Road, unfortunately it wasn't enough to book a play-off place and despite the loss Neil Warnock's side celebrated their deserved promotion to the Premier League. As for Simon Grayson and Leeds attentions turn to contract negotiations and sculpting a squad for the Promotion charge this August. Max Gradel and Ross McCormack scoring the goals which confirmed a super comeback against a strong Rangers side after Heider Helguson put them in-front within 1 minute.

Saturday 7 May 2011

Leeds keeping the faith!

Leeds United head to QPR today needing a 6 goal swing on Nottingham Forest who must lose at Crystal Palace  if United are to re-claim 6th place. Simon Grayson will be without Luciano Becchio after it was announced that he would have surgery on his hamstring injury. Aside from that he said there were no new injury worries. Neil Warnock's side will be crowned champions today and Simon Grayson is planning to sour the celebrations. Leeds may have another shock route into the Play-offs even if results don't go their way today. QPR face a points deduction for the breaches in rules involving the Alejandro Faurlin. Nobody knows what the outcome will be it could be anything from a fine to a heavy points deduction which could then push Leeds into the Play-offs. It's highly improbable but it it Leeds United you never know what crazy thing will happen next!

Thursday 5 May 2011

Luciano faces surgery

Top scorer Luciano Becchio has been confirmed to need surgery for the hamstring injury he received in the 2-2 draw with Watford in mid April. Becchio has been in unstoppable form for the Whites scoring 20 goals in their campaign. Everybody will be wishing him the best and hoping to see him back in action come pre-season.

Owner announced!

Ken Bates has been confirmed as the owner of Leeds United Football Club after plenty media speculation.

Gradel grabs goods

Max Gradel has scooped the annual end of season awards by winning the Player of the Year and Players Player of Year awards. The Ivorian has had a unbelievable season scoring 17 goals. In 12 months he has without a doubt gone from 'Mad Max' to 'Magic Max'!

Magic McCormack takes the drama to Loftus Road

Leeds met Burnley at Elland Road for this midday war of the roses clash with both sides striving to keep their Play-off aspirations alive. Simon Grayson made three changes to the side that lost to Palace. George McCartney came in for Paul Connolly, while Neil Kilkenny replaced loanee Jake Livermore and Ross McCormack entered the fray for the first time since January en-spite of Robert Snodgrass.

Leeds dominated throughout and will have been wondering how they weren't ahead was Paynter had two good chances. In the 33rd minute Ross McCormack curved his run perfectly to slot home his first Leeds United goal. He gave Brian Jenson the eyes and converted a deserved goal for the Whites. Goal difference could prove pivotal come the last day of the season and Grayson will have been frustrated as Burnley survived the United barrage.

Once more Leeds were involved in a mass bust up after a bad challenge on Gradel. Three players were booked once the flames settled, the referee doing well to keep the game 11 v 11. With the score at 1-0 Burnley were still in the game and Kasper Schmeichel had to come to the rescue when he made a miraculous save from a Burnley free-kick. The game eventually game to a conclusion and the Leeds players quickly returned to the pitch to pay their respects to all the fans who have supported them throughout an enthralling season.

Att. 31,186
Leeds 1-0 Burnley

Ross McCormack 33 - Leeds