

The withdean is without fear for Grayson.
Many describe it as one of the worst, if not the worst place to visit as a fan and one of the worst stadiums to play in.

Up until two seasons ago, the near 600 mile trip was never a happy one for anyone concerned at Leeds United.
And the one thing that gets the blame for poor performances is the ground.
Excuses include the fact that players have to change in a portakabin and that the players aren't used to playing at such a ground.
This is League One football, you won't get bowling green pitches and 50,000 seater stadiums with luxury changing rooms. Get used to it.
A refreshing stance on the withdean came from boss Simon Grayson at his weekly press conference. Many would start to go on about the ground and how hard it would be to play there, but Grayson summed it up beautifully.
"Too much is made of the stadium by the media - it's a stadium with a game played on grass and most of our players have played there."
Too right. And most of the squad have played there and our last two trips have resulted in victories. Unfortunately an enforced break from action due to internationals mean Leeds have had a longer break, but this has happened earlier in the season and it didn't seem to affect us.
Leeds are there to be shot at, top of the league still by four points and with only one defeat, every team will want a priceless victory against us.

No more than Gus Poyet. The former assisstant manager to Dennis Wise at Leeds is now the boss at Brighton and has had two wins from his opening two games.
Safe to say he isn't looking for revenge as his departure from Elland Road wasnt in acrimonious circumstances. the chance of joining Tottenham was hard to say no too, and many Leeds fans regard him as the brains behind the partnership with Wise as results tumbled soon after his departure.
But he will want to carry on the fine recent form to help push his side further away from the drop zone.
He has strikers in form with Nicky Forster and former Leeds loanee Liam Dickinson banging in the goal up front for the Seagulls. And the Whites who have the best defence in the football league will need to be exactly that, as Forster especially is on fire.
Leeds are set to welcome back a few familiar names after lengthy injury this week, but will most certainly miss out this weekend. Crowe, Becchio and Higgs are all back in training as is Rui Marques. Crowe, Becchio and Marques should be back in contention for Tuesday's match against Leyton Orient at Elland Road, even if its on the bench.

Ben Parker though is still out after having several tears in his hamstring on the opening day of the season which lead to hip surgery.
But he is on course with his rehabilitation, and in a interview on the Leeds website, he impressed me immensely with his maturity to his injury at the age of just 22.
"I've seen some people who've been injured for a while who don't want to talk to you because they are in such a bad mood.
"I've not been like that. If I have a smile on my face I hope it will rub off other people. I'm not a doom and gloom person."
Good on him. it's refreshing to see that from a young footballer and I wish him all the best for his recovery. But hopefully he can watch on as Leeds pick up another good win tomorrow.

Gradel stays on.
A shrewd move that many Leeds fans were calling for and one duly delievered by manager Simon Grayson.

Max Gradel who has been with us for a month now on loan from Leicester has lit up Elland Road since his cameo sub appearance against Norwich.
He single handedly ...
Nov 16, 2009 | Read this article...

Photographers kicked out and decide to stay out!
It seems a new row between Ken Bates and the rest of the world starts.
[caption id="attachment_400" align="aligncenter" caption="Get out of my pub.....i mean club."]
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PA says no!
Basically Mr Bates in his infinite wisdom has BANNED all photographers from Elland Road bar two. ...
Nov 16, 2009 | Read this article...

Leeds march on through, but I'm not bothered about the FA Cup.
Leeds comfortably strode through to round two of the FA cup with a 2-0 away win at Oldham Athletic. Something which will delight most Leeds fans. But if i'm being honest I wasn't too fussed.
Controversial maybe as once again someone is downgrading the finest cup competition in the world. And I agree that it is. ...
Nov 08, 2009 | Read this article...

The gap widens
It could well be one of the best and season defining weekends for everyone concerned at Leeds United.
A win against Yeovil and with Charlton and Colchester losing it means the Whites extend their lead at the top to 7 points. And with a goal difference of plus 21, it's effectively 8 points.
And the last ...
Nov 01, 2009 | Read this article...

You wanted a reaction Simon.
There should now be a new entry into the dictionary for reaction. Because after Leeds' 4-0 hammering of Bristol Rovers following their 2-1 defeat at Millwall last weekend showed the best definition of the word. Ever.
After losing their first game of the season at the New Den, it could have been one of those games ...
Oct 30, 2009 | Read this article...

Well.....it had to happen didn't it
I suppose sooner or later we had to lose. And lose we did. Fair enough, can't really complain with the start we've had to the season. One thing that slightly wrankles with me, it had to be to Millwall.
They have been a bogey team for us without question. Home and away, we just struggle to ...
Oct 26, 2009 | Read this article...

Bad memories revisited
It's the one match where everyone sees it and think more about off the pitch action than on. Leeds vs Millwall. At the new den.
Leeds haven't done particularly well at Millwall, the latest defeat, of a long line, was in the first leg of the play off semi finals last season.
A Neil Harris goal ...
Oct 23, 2009 | Read this article...

What a finale!
Still hoarse and full of adrenalin, I can only describe the final few minutes of the pulsating match at Elland Road as crazy.
A 92nd minute winner from Jermaine Beckford greatfully received after a terrible goal kick from Norwich keeper Fraser Forster went straight to the deadly striker.
With the defence turning their backs on the kick, ...
Oct 20, 2009 | Read this article...

Here come the Canaries
After a much welcome break from league action, Norwich City make their way to Elland Road tomorrow night in what i think will be the toughest match of the season so far for Leeds.
Our growing injury list has somewhat slightly reduced thanks to the 2 week break, but two major players in Becchio and Snodgrass ...
Oct 18, 2009 | Read this article...
- Photographers kicked out and decide to stay out!
Tim: oops, that's because i've done it wrong! Thanks for pointing it out! - Photographers kicked out and decide to stay out!
Sethu: Why the whole hyperlink thing? - Markus Liebherr Is My New Savior
do you agree: I usually don’t post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work.. beautiful … - Punches Thrown in Devon?
panaigialeios: please continue posting - Hello from the new LUFC blogger
Briley: You made some good points on this subject. - Bad memories revisited
Tim: Yep still top by a point with a game in hand. A win tomorrow night and suddenly we're four points cl ... [read more] - Bad memories revisited
Dave Trotter: Actually, I just looked at the standings and saw that Leeds was in the lead. Sweet! - Bad memories revisited
Johnny Smoogel: Nice post, just found your site on Google, I am a huge football fan and love to watch every game onl ... [read more] - Bad memories revisited
Dave Trotter: Ok, I can deal with only one loss. That works. But they really need to win this thing. Every time I ... [read more] - Bad memories revisited
Kieran: Well you may have lost, but Patty Kisnorbo scored :), so all is good






