Problems mount at Elland Road
Posted by admin on August 15, 2011 - Leeds United, The Championship
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After narrowly missing out on promotion last season, Leeds fans would have been expecting to push on this season and possibly once again return to the big time. A quiet summer within the squad has left Leeds fans throwing their optimistic hats away and digging out those old pessimistic ones, left in the attic from the final half of the last decade.
With the new Championship season still only in its infancy, it’s fair to say that the target for a lot of Leeds fans has changed. The decision to spend an apparent £7million on a redevelopment project of the East Stand at Elland Road, while offering reportedly low wages and transfer fees on strengthening the squad, has seen Chairman Ken Bates come in for pressure from the fans. Although it isn’t too long since Leeds featured in the League One betting odds, supporters expected almost instant success but now it seems they are backsliding again.
A protest by a large number of disgruntled fans before last weekend’s match against Middlesbrough set the tone for what was an edgy and prickly day all round. Three red cards – two for the hosts and one for Boro – left the game bordering on farce. Simon Grayson’s men battled in vain to gain something from the match, despite having Max Gradel and Jonny Howson sent off, only for Boro’s in-form striker Marvin Emnes to rifle home from a tight angle to give the visitors the lead.
Mowbray’s men managed to do what was necessary and gain the points, while Grayson’s men were left to regroup after a league start that has seen them lose their opening two games. The Championship betting odds indicate they need to get their act together quickly.
Leeds have suffered something of a striker curse since the summer, with last season’s two top scorers Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma both suffering injuries. The Argentinean front-man was inspirational for Leeds last season and will have a belated start to the season due to him undergoing hamstring surgery. Somma is a much longer term casualty and will be out until well into the New Year after suffering a serious knee injury.
If the controversial owner doesn’t dig deep in his pockets and hand Grayson the funds he needs to challenge the top teams in the league then it could be a long season.
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