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Leeds United: Championship promotion on the agenda - Gray
Leeds United may have envisaged tentatively dipping their toes into unchartered Championship waters at the season's outset, but the territory is rapidly proving not to be shark-infested.
And while the talk at the start of August was of United finding their feet following three seasons in the tributaries of League One, the talk now is increasingly turning towards making a splash after an opening month that ended pretty swimmingly.
Elland Road legend Eddie Gray has seen enough to suggest Simon Grayson's troops can leave others in their slipstream and make the leap out from the scores of Championship outfits labelled as play-off aspirants – make that most of the division – to promotion possibles, given a fair wind.
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Gray's confidence has been emboldened by the edifying sight of United already calling in at a couple of tricky ports of call, namely Nottingham Forest and Watford and prospering.
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In the former, Leeds became just the second side this calendar year to take something away from Forest's unforbiding City Ground fortress, a venue where the East Midlanders had triumphed in 10 of their previous 11 Championship matches prior to entertaining their Yorkshire rivals from up the M1.
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Throw in a granite-like display in Saturday's 1-0 success at Vicarage Road and a noteworthy 3-1 home victory over an under-rated Millwall outfit, who have also handled the crossover between third and second tier in their stride – and are one of United's bogey sides at that – and it's small wonder why many United followers are broadening their prediction horizons.
More especially with the likes of northern rivals Middlesbrough, Hull City, Sheffield United, not to mention Forest, Leicester City and Bristol City – all tipped to be among the promotion movers and shakers before a ball was kicked – failing to make waves thus far and the pressure increasing on their shoulders with every negative result.
Commenting on a largely benign start to the campaign for United thus far, Gray told the YEP: "The encouraging thing for me is that looking at the teams we've played against and the league, I don't think we need fear anybody.
"The expectation at the start with some people was consolidation, I think. But I must say I don't agree with that.
"I don't see any reason why, if we don't keep performing like we do and Simon (Grayson) adds a little bit, that we can't be challenging up there for promotion – and automatic promotion. You look at teams like Middlesbrough, for instance, who were pre-season favourites (for promotion) – they have not started well.
"I think we've started very well and we've got to be very pleased. We had a little blip in the first game, but for an opener, I thought we played well and we have come to terms with the league.
"We've looked solid and Simon has strengthened the squad and I think the players and the management can look forward to the rest of the season with a lot of confidence."
Given United's impressive back-to-back victories over London duo Watford and Millwall, many would venture to suggest that the current international break hasn't done the Yorkshiremen any particular favours.
But Gray takes the opposite view and insists the fortnight-long hiatus between matches represents invaluable time for Whites boss Grayson to get several key players currently on the sidelines – namely Robert Snodgrass and summer recruit Billy Paynter – back on deck to add to the burgeoning competition for places at Elland Road.
While giving several others further time to acclimitise themselves with surroundings at United.
With quick-fire derby matches taking place against Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers and Sheffield United in the space of 13 days later this month and the frenzied cut and thrust that goes with it, the time off should also enable Leeds to get in battle-hardened and pristine shape – both physically and mentally – for the trio of tough tests when each White Rose rival will be desperate to take the prized Tyke scalp of United.
Gray added: "I think the break has come at a good time and it gives us a chance to get (Robert) Snodgrass and Billy Paynter fit as well and for Ross McCormack to get a bit of training with the team as well.
"It's arrived at a decent time and also allows Lloyd Sam to get over his little injury as well. I don't think it will do us any harm at all and it's come at quite a good time.
"Simon can get a bit of work done on the training ground after a few days off as well as we prepare to start again. It gives him that 10 or 12 days to work with the lads.
"September is going to be a big month, but it's one we can look forward to with a lot of confidence. Hopefully, we can come out the other side of the month, having played some local derbies, still full of
confidence."
Leeds' last two league victories may have been "beauty and the beast" in terms of contrast, and while the triumph at Watford owed something to defensive ballast and more steel than silk, Grayson will be making no apologies for that after his troops chiselled out the sort of single-goal margin of victory that can mark out a successful side even with a season still in its infancy.
Gray added: "The game at Watford wasn't a great football match. But the lads dug in and worked hard and made it difficult for the opposition and performed well after the disappointment of the Leicester game and going out of the cup.
"I know Simon wanted to go far in the Carling Cup, rightly so. But other than that, our form has been terrific."
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
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