Paddy Power

When will we see the return of Paddy Kisnorbo? The 09/10 player of the year has missed the entire of Leeds' Championship campaign through injury, one that he suffered near the close of last season against Millwall. The Australian rock was in impeccable form and was vying for a World Cup place before suffering that devastating injury. The centre-back has recovered from his injury now and is back in training. Obviously it is not as simply as slotting him straight back into the existing system. Kisnorbo will be lacking severe match practise and fitness. It would be a delight to see him pull on the white of Leeds United in these final eight games however it seems increasingly unlikely. One must think if Kisnorbo were fit this season would Leeds find themselves with slightly less defensive issues? From everybody connected with Leeds United we all hope to see you back in a Leeds shirt sooner rather than later!

Nunez completes loan deal

Ramon Nunez has joined Scunthorpe United on a month's loan. Nunez has not been able to break into the first team squad and despite his impressive performances for the reserve side he has not got the opportunities he would have like. He moves to Scunthorpe to try and save them from relegation and maybe do us a few favours. Best of luck to him.

One in - One out

Jake Livermore has joined Leeds United from Tottenham for the end of the season on loan. The 21 year old midfielder has had loan spells with Ipswich and Derby. He adds more strength and depth to the squad, and with 8 crucial games remaining he should be a good addition to the set up.

Whilst Simon Grayson has brought Livermore to the club he has also allowed youngster Adam Clayton to move out on loan to MK Dons. Clayton has found it difficult to break into the side at Elland Road since joining but Grayson has high hopes for the youngster and believes that finishing the season playing competitive games will benefit all parties involved.

Promotion? Bring it on!

Just about everybody has ruled Leeds out for an automatic promotion. OK. That will be tough and there are a lot of good team in and around us. But here's what I don't understand. Everybody seems to have ruled us out of the Play-offs before they have even started! So I ask why does everybody think we can't achieve what we set out to achieve? I don't quite get this mentality of 'we don't want to get promoted we would prefer to do it next year' I just can't, won't accept that! A Leeds United fan doesn't want to see us reach the Premier League at the first attempt. Someone explain because I'm confused. Yes if we did manage the incredible feat of getting promoted we would have to fight hard in the Premier League next season but what makes anybody think it would be any different if we got promoted the season after that? Answer it won't. This is a big club! So why do people keep ruling us out? It's the last 8 games and anything can happen, there is no easy game. Why can't we do it? Believe. We have a terrific squad. Think of the players that will stand up and be counted when it counts. Jonny Howson is our inspirational skipper, he did it against Bristol Rovers last year and he has done it countless times this season. I view him as the heart of the team. We set out to get promoted because you have to aim as high as possible and as a Leeds player and fan or anybody connected with the club that's what you expect, that's what you want, nothing else will do. Let's accomplish! Let's succeed! Let's march on to the Premier League!

Players won't be short of football during international break

First team players Robert Snodgrass, Barry Bannan (Scotland), Davide Somma (South Africa), Max Gradel (Ivory Coast), Eric Lichaj (USA), Neil Kilkenny (Australia) and Ramon Nunez (Honduras) have all been given the call from to represent their country during this international break. Snodgrass and loanee Bannan don't have to travel far as they match up against Brazil at The Emirates stadium. Snodgrass will have fond memories from Leeds' FA Cup 3rd round tie when he converted a penelty at The Emirates to give Leeds a 1-0 lead that day. Somma and Gradel are both fairly new to the international scene but the forwards fine form has earned their respective call-ups.

Eric Lichaj has been a constant at right back for United since joining on loan to cover injured Paul Connolly. He will be hoping to get a taste as he joins the squad for games against Argentina and Paraguay. Kilkenny is familiar to the Australian set up as he missed January to play in the Asia Cup with his nation. Ramon Nunez who has been impressive for the reserve side is yet to make the breakthrough into the first team squad.

Leeds draw blanks

Its been two weeks of disappointment for Simon Grayson's Leeds side. A goalless draw against Ipswich 10 days ago at Elland Road was the first game Leeds had failed to score in since late November. This followed 1 week later to a 2-0 defeat to struggling rivals Sheffield United. The Championships top scorers have now not netted a goal in their last two games. After two consecutive wins against Doncaster and Preston, United only managed to pick up 1 point out of a possible six. These results now leave the Whites 6 points adrift of 2nd placed Norwich.

The alleged actions of Billy Paynter made Saturday even for the Leeds boss as he was shown a straight red card after having a altercation with former Leeds loanee Shane Lowry. Leeds United have decided not to appeal against the decision despite Paynter pleading his innocence. This means he will miss the next 3 matches against Nottingham Forest, Millwall and Derby. Although this is bad news for the club Leeds do have superb squad depth. Ross McCormack has not featured for the first team in a long while now despite putting in impressive shifts in the reserves. This may open a door for the Scotsman. Davide Somma is another player who is trying to break into that starting eleven, this may give the marksman his chance. Luciano Becchio's form has been put under the spotlight recently with his goals starting to dry up. Is the Argentine losing his touch?

Reading and Burnley have one game on hand on Leeds and with both sides only being 4 points adrift the pressure is hotting up with a crucial 8 games to go to try and confirm Premier League status. Leeds face a huge test next Saturday when Notts Forest arrive at Elland Road. Forest are in 6th place 1 point off Leeds. Billy Davies side have been on a bad run of form so this clash will be a pivotal one for both clubs.

Huge Yorkshire derby for both sides!

Leeds United travel to Sheffied today to take on the struggling Blades. Simon Grayson's side are right in the hunt for a back to back promotion whilst Sheffield United are in serious danger of falling out of the trap door into League 1. When the sides met back in September a 84th minute Bradley Johnson goal secured the points for Leeds. The midfielder is set to make his 100th appearance for the club today.

Micky Adams and Grayson were team mates when Grayson made his Leeds debut. Adams has had the lesser fortunes since he joined replacing Gary Speed. Sheff Utd find themselves 23rd in the table 4 points from safety. Last time out the Blades got crushed 3-0 at the hands of play-off chasing Watford. They will be without suspended Darius Henderson and Lee Williamson who got sent their marching orders on Saturday. Johnny Ertl will also miss out with a knee injury.

Unlike the relegation fighters Grayson has a full squad to select from. Paul Connolly is fit again and could feature. He now has Eric Lichaj to contend with until the end of the season. Richard Naylor is the only doubt who picked up a knock in mid-week. Grayson has food for thought however with Sanchez Watt, Lloyd Sam and Ross McCormack all putting in blistering perfromances for the reserves. The Leeds manager said this earlier this week "The competition isn't just about matchdays, it's about every day in training as well. If someone is off it or they are slacking they know they could lose their place."


Today's clash sees top scorers Leeds face the team that have scored fewer goals than any team in the Championship. Sheff Utd have also not kept a clean sheet in 11 matches. A draw today for Leeds would see Grayson secure his 200th point as manger of the Whites. It's a milestone for United stopper Kasper Schmeichel as he will make his 150th league start. Leigh Bromby will return to Brammal Lane after a spell with the club in which he was promoted to the Premier League, now can he help Leeds do the same feat?

A win for both teams would be priceless. Leeds trying to ignite themselves back to the big time, they are currently 5 points of 2nd place Norwich. Time is ticking for the Blades, they must start winning soon or they will be doomed to a place in the 3rd teer of English Football.