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

Need a bit of luck as we enter the last chance saloon

Andy O'Brien fighting for Leeds as we go down to Palace

Leeds host Burnley tomorrow in what is a game that can only be described as 'win or bust'. United are 3 points adrift of 6th placed Nottingham Forest and just the one solitary point off Millwall and opponents Burnley in 7th and 8th with only two games remaining. Simon Grayson and his side are relying on both sides dropping points while they must pick up the maximum 6 points available from a difficult run-in. Beating Burnley will see the Whites move above their near by neighbours.

Leeds' game kicks off at 12.45 which allows them to apply the pressure on Forest and Millwall assuming United take all the points in a huge game which will say fair well to the Elland Road faithful for another season. Luciano Becchio is again doubtful and it is becoming for likely that our top goalscorer will watch the Championship seasons climax from the sidelines. Leeds are also without Barry Bannan who was recalled by Aston Villa earlier this week. George McCartney is expected to return to the side.

Leeds complete comeback at Burnley

Leeds are currently experiencing their worst run of their campaign having not seen themselves record a victory in 5 games. This run has dropped them out of the Play-offs and seen them slip to 9th which is their worst position in 6 months. As well as this United are no longer the league's top scorers with Norwich passing their total last weekend. Unlike Leeds the Clarets have won 3 of their last 4 games which has propelled them within contention of a Play-off place however they also rely on other sides slipping up.

It's now or never for both sides tomorrow afternoon as they are striving to keep their Npower Championship season alive with victory. 30,000 fans are expected to turn out to see this crucial match up. This sell-out crowd will say goodbye to their hero's after the game and the players will be doing everything to repay the fans fantastic support with a big 3 points tomorrow!

Barry get's recall

Barry Bannan has not been allowed to see out his tenure at Elland Road when Aston Villa recalled the midfielder earlier this week. The midfielder made seven appearances for Leeds since joining in March. He failed to score but was a superb addition to the squad and would have only hoped to help us secure a Play-off position. He rejoins Villa with the best wishes from all at Leeds United and on behalf of everybody thank him for his contribution.

Has our season come to a bitter end?

Leeds have lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace. A Neil Danns deflected strike after 75 seconds puts our Play-off hopes in tatters! The defeat has virtually sent both Sheffield United and Scunthorpe United down the trap door into League 1. A bad day for Yorkshire football.

Simon Grayson named an unchanged side which in my mind seemed a brainless decision as the players had just 2 days to recover and with players like Bannan and Somma on the bench I was utterly surprised. I'm a huge Simon Grayson fan and think he's a very good manager and I'm not blaming him, so don't think I'm pointing the gun at him. The players are 100% responsible. I think this current crop of players are extremely talented but probably lack a bit of experience. Robert Snodgrass and Max Gradel have had fantastic seasons but I must ask have their flames just burnt out at the wrong time. Both wingers missed the first month of the season, Snodgrass (injury) Gradel (suspension) but since then they have been ever presents in the United starting eleven.

Luciano Becchio has missed the last 2 games through injury and I believe that has had a big impact. Becchio always seems to score. The worst possible time to get injured and possibly the worst player to get injured. So where do we go from here? Burnley on Saturday. 4 games without a win and needing Notts Forest to lose. Not too difficult, surely. I'm a very optimistic Leeds fan and with this still possible we shouldn't give up hope on the men in white.

Let's journey back to May 8th 2010, at home to Bristol Rovers on the last day of the season. 33rd minute - Max Gradel sent off! 47th minute - Darryl Duffy scores, 1-0 down! Do we give up? NO. 58th minute - Jonny Howson scores, 1-1! 62nd minute Jermaine Beckford scores, 2-1! 90+5th minute - The final whistle blows, Leeds are PROMOTED to the Championship.


We must unite together once more. Yes it is out of our hands but we must fight until the end. Keep the faith in Simon Grayson, it has been a fantastic season no matter what happens and the future is bright for Leeds. I do strongly believe that the captains armband belongs around Jonny Howson's right bicep. Secondly Billy Paynter needs to be dropped, it just isn't his time.

Let's siege the Palace!

Leeds head to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace this Easter Monday off the back of a goalless draw against Reading on Friday night. Simon Grayson's young United side fell out of the play-off positions for the first time since early December. It couldn't be closer to decide you secures 6th spot and that final play-off spot with Notts Forest, Leeds and Burnley all tied on 66 points with just goal difference separating the sides. Even if all three teams win Leeds will return into the top 6 if they go 1 goal better than Forest during today's round of fixtures.

Leeds put in a valiant performance to end Reading's 8 game winning streak, the Whites did everything but score. That could be result of the absence of top scorer Luciano Becchio. He remains a doubt for today's clash. Grayson may consider a change after the fans got frustrated with the performance of Billy Paynter. With only two short days to recover and prepare Grayson is expected to ring the changes.

It's everything or nothing for Leeds now, with Burnley and QPR as their last two fixtures it is a must win if they are to keep the dream of a return to the Premier League alive.

Point drops us out, but keeps hopes alive

Simon Grayson's Leeds side hosted Reading at Elland Road, the atmosphere was tense as the home crowd were well aware of the games importance. Reading had the first chance of the game when Jobi McAnuff got a smart ball down the wing from Shane Long only for his chance to smothered by Kasper Schmeichel.

Leeds were next to excite when Jake Livermore's cross reached the head of Robert Snodgrass but his effort superbly tipped over the top by Alex McCarthy. The atmosphere was electric at times despite few chances being created. It was the right boot of Max Gradel which was next to test McCarthy his shot from range moved in the air and the Reading keeper's save agonisingly trickled past the post. Leeds looked the more likely in a half of few opportunities.

The second half started with a change in personnel for Grayson as he subbed the carded Livermore for Neil Kilkenny after the Spurs loanee put in a few rash challenges. United had a flurry of chances as they began to seize control. But it was Reading to have the first clear sight of goal when Andy Griffin went past Gradel with ease and when Bradley Johnson failed to close his thunderous strike went harmlessly into the side netting.

This time it was Johnson on the offensive. He picked the ball up in midfield and surged into the box skipping away from defenders but his finish was poked flush against the crossbar. With the game heading towards its climax he turned to super sub Davide Somma and Sanchez Watt to spark magic, they replaced Jonny Howson and Billy Paynter.

The Royals had a chance against the run of play. Mikele Leigertwood found space and saw his curling shot just creep past the post which was met with a despairing dive from Schmeichel. The travelling fans thought it was in! Leeds' never say die attitude came into play once more as Gradel struck one from distance again. McCarthy parried to Gradel and he crossed for Snodgrass who's header was once more thwarted by McCarthy.

Reading looked to shut up shop for the final few minutes as Leeds dug deep for a winner. In added time Watt nicked the ball away from McCarthy but failed to turn and get his shot on goal. That proved to be the last action of a thrilling 0-0 draw at Elland Road. A good point for both sides, Leeds will be disappointed not to have capitalised on their dominance but the draw ends Reading winning streak and keeps the Whites in the hunt for a Play-off place.

Att. 24,564

Leeds 0-0 Reading