On becoming Leeds United's manager, it was Simon Grayson's prerogative – and no doubt his professional instinct – to give the players he inherited from Gary McAllister a period of grace.
His willingness to make a patient and informed decision about which members of his squad are of value to him, which occupy a borderline position and who would be better served by transferring elsewhere spoke positively of his character, but the time
for change would seem to be upon him.
Initial matches against Leicester City and Stockport County were inconclusive stages on which to categorise United's players, coming so soon after Grayson's appointment, and it seemed sensible on his part to take a further opportunity to consider their positions. His mind should be clearer today.
Grayson did not say as much, but Saturday's game against Carlisle United at Elland Road may have been the day of decision for several individuals, and Leeds' 2-0 defeat is not a result on which faith or longevity are built.
As he made clear afterwards, Grayson has heard numerous comments about United's most debilitating problem this season – their prone and ever-fragile defence – and Carlisle's victory on a freezing afternoon in West Yorkshire made the price of that weakness plain.
Leeds conceded cheaply against Leicester City and Stockport County and recovered from a goal down on both occasions to take four points from Grayson's first two matches as manager.
On Saturday, they were taught that fightbacks are scenarios to avoid as often as possible, or at least on a game-by-game basis. United's position was verging on hopeless once Michael Bridges gave Carlisle a 2-0 lead in the 35th-minute, and the first defeat of Grayson's tenure duly unfolded.
The time available to him for detailed work with his squad has so far been limited – tomorrow begins only his third week as United's manager – and the thought of him hastily ironing out failings which have been long-standing at Elland Road was scarcely realistic.
Remarks made by a long line of players point to a vastly improved atmosphere inside the dressing room at Leeds and Grayson has apparently succeeded quickly in quelling the doubts and scepticism which were said to have grown as McAllister neared the end of the line.
But galvanising his squad is only part of the battle on his hands.
Saturday's match was United's 12th without a clean sheet, a record which began on the first day of November and spans fully 10 weeks.
