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LEEDS UNITED: Sheehan embraces favourites status
ALAN SHEEHAN isn't daunted by the pressure of Leeds United being every bookmaker's favourite to win the League One title – he's positively embracing it.
The former Leicester City left-back, who turned down the offer of a new deal with the Foxes – second favourites for the crown behind Leeds – to head to Elland Road, is relishing getting stuck into the forthcoming season.
The 21-year-old, who has penned a three-year deal, admits joining Leeds – where he spent a loan spell last season – was an opportunity he simply could not refuse.
But he insists he won't rest easy until United claim back the Championship place they relinquished at the end of 2006/07.
Free-kick specialist Sheehan, who featured 10 times for United and memorably scored the winner with a stunning effort in the 1-0 victory at promotion rivals Doncaster on April 1, said: "I think we're rightly the favourites.
"Some people don't like that because of the pressure that comes with it, but I'm more than happy with us being favourites because I expect us to go up as well.
"I'm really looking forward to the season and being part of everything.
"I've played in the Championship and that's where I want to be again. I'll only be happy when we get to the Championship and are pushing for the Premiership."
Relieved his move to Leeds has finally been completed, Sheehan, a regular at the Walkers Stadium in the first half of last term – only to subsequently fall out of favour under ex-Foxes chief Ian Holloway – said: "I agreed a couple of weeks ago and I'm delighted.
"From the minute I came I've been made to feel at home. I had a few options – there were a few clubs interested in me – but from the minute I worked with Gary McAllister and Steve Staunton I knew I wanted to come and work with them.
"It's a chance for me to improve myself as a player. From November to January, we were discussing a contract and Leicester offered me another in the summer.
"But ever since I came to Leeds I knew I didn't want to be there. The fans are great here and it's a great club with so much to offer.
"There's a good feeling about the place here. There's some good players here and I just feel Leeds is a club on the up again."
Galway-born Sheehan, who will return to his hometown during Leeds' forthcoming tour of Ireland later this month – which takes in a game at Galway United – is the first to admit he is very much the unfinished article.
A sending-off at Yeovil marred his time with the Elland Road club and he ultimately missed the play-off final with Doncaster Rovers at Wembley, but the Irishman insists he'll learn from his misdemeanour.
Sheehan said: "My loan spell was up and down really. I felt I was cementing a place in the team, but then I went and made a stupid tackle at Yeovil and got a stupid sending off.
"Because of that I didn't have the chance to be involved at Wembley, but I've got a lot to learn and a lot to prove."
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Temperature: 0 C to 5 C
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