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Leeds United: Results just haven’t gone for us - Clayton
Adam Clayton.
Adam Clayton today rejected claims that the long wait to see a new manager appointed at Leeds United had contributed to their disappointing Championship results.
But the midfielder believes confirmation of Simon Grayson’s replacement will settle the dressing room at Elland Road and help revive the club’s bid to qualify for the play-offs.
Former Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock looks set to be named as Leeds’ next manager after travelling to Monaco for talks with chairman Ken Bates yesterday.
Warnock, 63, has long been seen as the leading candidate for the post at Elland Road due to his experience and an impressive track record which shows recent promotions with Sheffield United and QPR.
Preparation
Leeds’ chances of finishing in the Championship’s top six have lessened in the past week after injury-time defeats to Brighton and Coventry City, and back-to-back losses halted a plan to appoint caretaker Neil Redfearn as manager until the end of the term.
Clayton denied that the absence of a permanent boss was to blame for the club’s fall to 11th in the table, saying: “I don’t think that’s affected us as players.
“Redders’ preparation for the games has been brilliant and his training’s been great. It’s nothing to do with that but the results haven’t gone for us, like they don’t sometimes in football.
“But it’s nice to have a bit of stability and if the club were to say ‘this person’s the manager now’ then everyone can get their heads down.
“Maybe it does need sorted and hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.”
Redfearn’s four-match spell as caretaker began with a 3-0 win at Bristol City on February 4, and Leeds gave him three more matches to stake a claim for the manager’s job on a longer-term basis.
But criticism of the delay in appointing a permanent replacement for Grayson intensified after Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to bottom-of-the-table Coventry, and United responded by turning their attention to Warnock on Thursday.
Leeds were due to play Doncaster Rovers at Elland Road today in the first of 15 remaining Championship matches and their need for results became desperate in midweek after a six-point gap opened up between them and sixth position.
Clayton said: “It has been difficult because we didn’t expect to lose the games we’ve lost, or to be on the run we’re on.
“But we’re still in there with a fighting chance and we all need to get our heads up.
“I don’t see why not. We’re a team who are capable of going on a run. We proved that earlier in the season, so there’s no reason why not.”
Warnock’s arrival at Elland Road would see Redfearn return to his previous position of reserve and under-18s coach.
The 46-year-old admitted he would hold no grudges if he failed to secure the manager’s job and promised to support Grayson’s replacement, saying: “If it’s someone else, good luck to them and I’ll wish them all the best.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
jbmosey
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 07:13 PMAdam, you'd be better served keeping your trap shut rather than making ridiculous statements that "results haven't gone for us". Of course they haven't. And why ? Because you've played most of the season like crap. And for much of the game today it was the same thing. I'm not giving back points or anything like that, but play better - if you can - and keep it shut. Let your performance do the talking. That applies to the entire squad.
onemexican
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 05:07 PMDon't tell me ....... they did it for Neil....after 8 min of injury time...I don't believe it....let's hope...and we all hope this is the spark this side needs.....over to you Neil Warnock..show no mercy please.
onemexican
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 04:08 PMWell it's Leeds once again again behind at half time against Doncaster. It's Neil's last game as caretaker before he moves back to his former job. They all like him, so they say, and want to win for him.....well 0-1 down .....and what a pathetic bunch of spineless players you all are. You may well produce a turnaround in the second half..... but letting the mighty 11 man Doncaster score first ....at the mighty fortress.ER.....,well it's what you expect from this lot of lazy bast ..ar..ds, all talk and nothing to show for it as usual. I was a supporter of Neil, but this lot of players are just an lot of loafers.....they say it all begins between the ears,then this lot have nothing there. I doubt if Neil Warnock has much to work with .....with this bunch over paid loafers. But hey there is a second half to go...so earn your wages BOYS. surprise us...as if.
pattaya tyke
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 09:11 AMI'm sorry Adam, but your article is typical of ther malaise that hangs over ER this season. The players bleat about things not happening for them, but the fans do not see any signs of team trying to MAKE things happen. Surely the manager doesn't send you out with the instructions to play as you have done for most of the season. The team seems incapable of carrying out the boss's plans. You, yourself Adam, seems to be in 2 minds. you say that when to new manager appears you can all get your heads down and 6 sentences later you say to get to the play-offs you need to get your heads up. Which is it Adam Heads or Tails?. I prefer the Heads Up option. Too many of the team are putting their heads down and going to sleep during the games. It's time to make your own luck and make things happen. Time for Senior players to kick some butt.
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