KAMP: vs. Millwall 19/4

[Snow]

Leeds United-kaptein Jonathan Douglas må stå over kommende lørdags kamp mot Millwall etter det røde kortet han pådro seg mot Huddersfield i går kveld.

Den irske landslagsspilleren pådro seg to gule kort på 38 minutters spill i lokaloppgjøret på Galpharm Stadium og blir dermed suspendert mot Millwall på The New Den i London kommende helg.

[kjelvi]

(...)Douglas scored twice in United's 4-2 win at the New Den in October and will be missed, but 20-goal top-scorer Jermaine Beckford hopes to be back after missing the Huddersfield game with an ankle injury and left back Alan Sheehan returns on completing a two-match ban.
Sheehan was in good form before his suspension and Leicester have agreed to extend his loan spell if United make the promotion play-offs.
Central defender Paul Huntington picked up a minor knock on Tuesday but McAllister expects him to recover in time to face Millwall.
United are determined to put the Huddersfield defeat behind them and McAllister says: "I saw that result as a minor blip. The players can't wait to get on the pitch at Millwall."
As Leeds await the outcome of the independent tribunal over the League's decision to deduct them 15 points, McAllister has just one aim in mind - maximum points from the remaining three matches.
A win at Millwall would be enough to book a play-off place as chasers Walsall and Brighton have vastly inferior goal differences, but McAllister says winning the final three games would provide a psychological boost for the task in the play-offs.

thetelegraphandargus.co.uk

[kjelvi]

Jackett: Focus On The Football



KENNY JACKETT is confident that Saturday's potentially volatile match between Millwall and Leeds United will be a trouble-free affair.
In the reverse fixture at Elland Road six months ago, clashes between both sets of supporters overshadowed United's 4-2 victory.
And with a bumper crowd of around 14,000 expected inside The Den come kick-off time, club officials fear that tensions could boil over off the pitch.
But Jackett is hoping that the large numbers in the stands will only spur on his players to a priceless win.
'Our fans have been terrific this season and have backed the club all the way in a fight against relegation this year, so we want to give them something to shout about on the pitch,' the Lions boss told News Shopper.
'Obviously we will be going all out to win, but we don't want it to be marred by crowd trouble or anything which might incite it.'

millwall.vitalfootball.co.uk

[kjelvi]

Millwall v Leeds United:
THE OPPOSITION




The Gaffer
Kenny Jackett. Millwall were forced to show patience after identifying Jackett, who was reserve team coach at Manchester City, as a replacement for Willie Donachie who left the club in October. Jackett initially indicated that he had no intention of leaving Eastlands but his arm was twisted at the start of November and he is close to achieving his initial job brief of guiding Millwall away from relegation. Jackett was previously manager of Watford and Swansea City and is approaching his 350th match as a Football League boss.

The Danger
Millwall are averaging less than a goal a game and top-scorer Gary Alexander, who has scored eight times in all competitions, is expected to miss the rest of the campaign through injury. Dave Brammer â€" who has set up seven goals this term â€" is also on the sidelines with a knee injury. On-loan Arsenal youngster Jay Simpson is a player worth watching. The midfielder has found the net on seven occasions and claimed a couple of PFA player-of-the-month awards.

The Form
Millwall could be safe from relegation after tomorrow's match. The club gathered 15 points from 13 matches before Jackett took charge and a draw with Leeds this weekend would take them to the 50 mark. Millwall have won just 13 league games all season â€" eight at home and five away. Their most recent home victory came against relegated Port Vale on February 23 and they have claimed a total of six league wins since the turn of the year, though they claimed a 1-0 success at Hartlepool last weekend.

The Record
Leeds are aiming for their fourth successive win over Millwall having beaten the Lions in October and completed the double during the 2005/06 Championship term. United's 1-0 triumph at the New Den on 26 November, 2005, was only their second-ever victory at Millwall, the other coming by way of a 3-2 success in 1931. Leeds and Millwall have come together infrequently over the years. Tomorrow's clash is their 16th in all with United on seven wins and Millwall on five.

The Odds
For the third game running, Leeds are an even-money price tomorrow, with their opponents and draw standing at 11-5 with William Hill.

The Whistler
Lee Mason. A familiar face who is taking charge of a Leeds game for the fourth time this season. Mason refereed their 2-1 win at Tranmere on the opening day of the season, their 2-1 win over Swindon in November and their 1-1 draw at Hartlepool on Boxing Day. Those three matches saw 17 cautions, and the Lancashire official has issued 105 bookings over the course of the season. His 29 appointments have also seen four red cards.

YEP

[kjelvi]

Sheehan and Beckford in the United running



Jonathan Douglas will step out of Leeds United's starting side against Millwall after his red card at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.
Douglas was dismissed for two bookable offences during the first half of United's 1-0 defeat at the Galpharm Stadium and serves an automatic one-match ban tomorrow.
The Irish midfielder has made an important contribution to United's season since returning from injury last month, but manager Gary McAllister is deciding on a different partner for Jonathan Howson in the centre of midfield.
David Prutton and Andrew Hughes are among the players competing for an opportunity.
But McAllister's squad has been strengthened by the return of defender Alan Sheehan who completed a two-match ban on Tuesday evening.
The on-loan Leicester City defender, pictured, could replace Darren Kenton at left-back tomorrow and Leeds are also hopeful that Jermaine Beckford's ankle injury will not stop the striker from playing at the New Den.
McAllister was forced to omit Beckford from the clash with Huddersfield and he admitted that he will leave the striker on the sidelines for the second successive game if doubts persist over Beckford's condition.
The 24-year-old damaged his ankle at Leyton Orient on April 5 and, while able to complete 51 minutes of last weekend's 3-2 victory over Carlisle United, was replaced in the starting line-up by Tresor Kandol at the Galpharm Stadium.
McAllister said: "I'm guided by the physios. We won't take any chances with Jermaine. I don't think there's any value in that.
"He's a quick healer and he wants to play and sometimes that can be the difference between playing and not playing. In the player's mind,
there's a determination. I'll speak to Jermaine and the physios."

United (from): Ankergren, Kenton, Richardson, Michalik, Huntington, Marques, Sheehan, Kilkenny, Howson, Johnson, Hughes, Prutton, Sweeney, Carole, Beckford, Freedman, Kandol, Elding, Constantine, Lucas.

YEP

[kjelvi]

Leeds United boss: We know what to expect at Den

Gary McAllister is backing his Leeds United players to overcome the intense atmosphere at the New Den tomorrow and produce a fourth successive victory over Millwall.
United will turn out at the New Den for the first time since November 2005 this weekend, and McAllister is preparing himself for a hostile reception from a large home contingent in London.
Millwall have averaged crowds of just over 8,000 this season but their attendance is expected to swell tomorrow with more than 2,000 of United's supporters set to make the journey to Bermondsey.
A late own goal from Ben May gave Leeds a 1-0 victory on their last visit to the New Den â€" only the second match that United have won away at Millwall â€" and the last three meetings between the sides have all gone the way of the Elland Road club.
Millwall are on the verge of securing their League One status, but McAllister is not expecting to see signs of a club winding down when Leeds clash with Kenny Jackett's side tomorrow.
"We're expecting a tough battle," he said. "It'll be the same as normal when Leeds travel.
"I'm well aware of the atmosphere inside the ground at Millwall and the players know it as well. They'll be fine.
"I'm only glad that it's not the old Millwall ground because that was a proper tough place to go. It's a nice new stadium now."

United's 4-2 defeat of Millwall at Elland Road in October drew in a crowd of over 30,000, but the day was marred by violence outside the stadium.
The Metropolitan Police have allowed tomorrow's match in London to kick-off at 3pm, but the force issued a strongly-worded statement earlier this month warning supporters against a repeat of the trouble seen at Elland Road.
Superintendent Ben Harrington said: "We want to send a clear message to fans that we will police matchday fairly but firmly to ensure the game passes without incident and allow true football fans to enjoy the day."

YEP

[kjelvi]

Macca: Ignorance is bliss for United

Of all the positive impressions made by Leeds United's players on their manager, few have earned them more respect than the blinkered attitude they have shown to the city's most fervent topic of conversation.
Talk of arbitration is everywhere in Leeds, with the exception of the one place where it could conceivably be rife. Gary McAllister has been at pains to stress the importance of detachment from United's legal business, but it is not a conversation he has felt compelled to have with the members of his dressing room.
Ignorance is bliss, he admitted yesterday, a fact borne out by the performance of the players while arbitration has shadowed Elland Road.
Since the final day of February, when Ken Bates reluctantly accepted that arbitration was an appropriate method of resolving the argument over his club's 15-point deduction, United have reacted like a team who are good enough to go without.
The temptation to rely on a favourable ruling has been resisted utterly and 17 points taken from nine games have proven McAllister's claim that his players have their priorities in order. By tomorrow night, the reward for their unwavering focus may arrive in the form of a guaranteed play-off position.
"I've never sat and spoken with any of the players about it (the 15-point deduction), and I've never heard any of the players talking about it," McAllister said.
"We've managed to be fully focused and it's a massive credit to the players. I've got to heap that upon them.
"There've been lots of ups and downs this season and a lot of character shown by this group of players. Ignorance is bliss, and that's the way we'll treat it right through to the end."
The likely outcome of arbitration is as much of a mystery to Leeds as a city as it is to McAllister's squad.
And the three-man tribunal appointed to consider United's case against the Football League were continuing to hear evidence today with their confidential hearing in London now due to extend into a fourth morning on Monday.
United hope a verdict could be delivered next week â€" though a decision could take between three and four weeks to materialise â€" and the timing will suit Millwall who requested that the Football League delay an announcement until after tomorrow's game against Leeds at the New Den to prevent any additional tension surrounding a fixture which has already attracted the absolute attention of the Metropolitan Police.
Millwall's League One season has almost reached a competitive end and the club may be safe from relegation by full-time tomorrow, but Leeds have much at stake and discovered the danger posed by clubs with little or nothing left to play for during their 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.
The peculiarity of United's recent results is the inclusion of dropped points against Town, Port Vale and Cheltenham in amongst excellent victories over Carlisle United, Leyton Orient and Doncaster Rovers â€" the wins responsible for establishing the club in their present position.
McAllister has devoted as many hours as possible to analysing United's forthcoming opponents but he has been left with the suspicion, on several previous occasions, that clubs uncover another gear whenever their gaze falls on his players.
McAllister said: "I've watched quite a few teams and most are a different animal to what I see.
"When they come up against Leeds United, the work-rate and everything else goes up a notch. That's something I go over with my players â€" that teams are raising their game against us. We've got to be ready for that.
"But this is where Leeds United want to be â€" in at the thick end. We've got three games left and I'm looking to get maximum points from them and to be the form horse going into the play-offs.
"Psychologically, if you get a nice run (of results) right to the end, I think it's a big plus. If we do get into the play-offs and we're on a nice little run of form, psychologically that can help.
"But we're talking with hindsight. want us to clinch that play-off spot before we start talking about it, and there's still a lot of work to be done."
United's position at full-time tomorrow and the strength of their hold on sixth place will depend in part on the results of the games involving the three clubs immediately below them in the division.
But Leeds are in what midfielder David Prutton described as the "perfect position" with three games remaining.
Tuesday's defeat at Huddersfield, inflicted by a 76th-minute header from Andy Holdsworth, stalled a sequence of a six matches without defeat.
But the unbeaten run broke the challenge of a number of clubs contesting the final play-off position with Leeds, and a victory at Millwall would make a top-six finish a near formality for United. Their strong goal difference â€" the second highest in the division â€" is providing additional protection.
"We hadn't been beaten in six and the game could have gone either way (at Huddersfield) the other night," said McAllister, who will take charge of his 15th match as United boss tomorrow.
"The players have bought into everything I've asked of them, and they've got us into this position. I've had a great response, and I thank them for that.
"Like always you set your targets as high as possible and the crux of it all is going to be where we are at the start of next season."

YEP

[kjelvi]

Let's seal our play-off spot â€" and rest up!

Peter Lorimer, Talking Soccer

There is never a good time for a club to suffer injuries or suspensions but this is the time of year when managers across the country cross their fingers more tightly than ever.
At Leeds United, Gary McAllister is blessed with a large and talented squad, and it is fair to say that Leeds are as well-equipped as any other club to cope with the play-offs.
But the business end of the season is the time when you need your most capable players fit and available, and United need every key player available for the weeks to come.
Leeds lost Alan Sheehan to a two-match ban after their win over Doncaster Rovers, and Jonathan Douglas will miss tomorrow's game at Millwall on the back of the red card he picked up against Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.
Jermaine Beckford's fitness, meanwhile, was such a concern that Gary was not prepared to risk him at the Galpharm Stadium, and it's for these reasons that I hope to see United tie up a play-off position this weekend.
Walsall, Brighton and Tranmere Rovers will need to drop points in order for Leeds to achieve that, but the sooner sixth-place is secured the better.
A couple of dead rubbers ahead of the play-offs would give Gary the chance to rest those players who need it and to hold back those players who are carrying a sizeable or dangerous tally of cautions.
No doubt he wants to finish the term in style and head into the play-offs as the form team â€" assuming, that is, that the arbitration panel which met this week does not offer Leeds a greater prize â€" but it would be nice from his point of view to play out the regular term with the minimum of pressure on him and his squad.
The year as a whole has been very demanding and McAllister's introduction to the manager's job has been a stressful one, but he will share my opinion that United at their strongest have every chance of winning the play-offs.
A small or empty list of absentees will help no end.
To guarantee sixth place tomorrow Leeds must keep their side of the bargain by producing a victory at the New Den, and it is slightly frustrating that Tuesday's West Yorkshire derby went the way of Huddersfield.
The game proved once again that form is no factor in derby matches, and I'd have to say that Huddersfield deserved their win.
Speaking to their caretaker, Gerry Murphy, afterwards, he was at a loss to explain why the Terriers are unable to play like that every week.
Clearly, Leeds missed the pace of Beckford up front and resorted more to the type of direct tactics that were in use at the start of the season, but I'm sure it will prove to be a minor blip.
Millwall won't roll over tomorrow â€" their fans wouldn't have it, especially not against Leeds â€" but I can't see Gary's players struggling with the atmosphere.
They’ve come through some big games during the past month and they will know what to expect from the crowd in London.
My only hope is that the day isn’t marred by violence off the pitch, which is something we’re all fearful of whenever Leeds and Millwall come together.
We witnessed trouble outside Elland Road in October and it would be sad to see any of United fans letting themselves down so close to the end of a great season.
They’ve been magnificent from start to finish, and everyone at the club has appreciated their backing. It would be a crying shame to see their reputation questioned at this late stage.

YEP

[kjelvi]

Triple boost for Jackett

Trio on the verge of a recall to The Lions first team.
Millwall could welcome back injured trio Andy Frampton, Zak Whitbread and Lewis Grabban for the visit of Leeds United tomorrow after all three returned to training this week.
Grabban's comeback from a hamstring injury would be a particular welcome boost for manager Kenny Jackett after seeing his side struggle for goals in recent weeks.
"The number of injuries this year has been staggering and has resulted in us using over 40 players to date," said Jackett. "To get some key players back for the final few games is vital and will help to drive us away from the bottom four."

millwall-mad.co.uk

[kjelvi]

Millwall v Leeds preview: Injuries continue to hit Lions, top scorer back for Whites

Millwall will make late decisions on several players for the visit of Leeds United, who have top scorer Jermaine Beckford available.

Kenny Jackett's side are almost safe in League One, and hope to include Lewis Grabban in the team to face Leeds.
Grabban will undergo a fitness test after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury, while Marc Laird (knee), Andy Frampton (back) and Neil Harris (groin) have been receiving treatment, but are expected to be fit.
Gary Alexander (ankle), Zak Whitbread (shoulder), Adrian Forbes (thigh), Alan Dunne (toe), Danny Spiller (hernia), Tom Brighton (foot), Dave Brammer, Chris Hackett and Mark Phillips (all knee) are still out.

Leeds, who are currently challenging their 15 points deduction, could clinch a play-off place this weekend, if results go their way.
Beckford is back to boost Gary McAllister's squad after the striker missed the midweek defeat at Huddersfield Town with an ankle injury.
Tresor Kandol is likely to drop to the bench and Jonathan Douglas will be absent as he serves a suspension for being sent off at Huddersfield.
David Prutton could replace the captain, while Alan Sheehan is back from a ban and Neil Kilkenny will continue to play on while nursing a sore ankle.

Sky Sports

[Snow]

Robert Bayly og Alan Thompson er fortsatt ute med skader, mens Jermaine Beckford og Paul Huntington er uskire. Begge to forventes imidlertid klare. Jonathan Douglas er suspendert, mens Alan Sheehan er tilbake etter to kampers supensjon.

David Prutton tar trolig Douglas' plass på midtbanen, mens Sheehan sannsynligvis tar venstrebackplassen. Det betyr muligens at Darren Kenton flyttes over på høyrebacken til fordel for Frazer Richardson.

Sannsynlig lag (4-4-2): Ankergren - Kenton, Michalik, Huntington, Sheehan - Prutton, Howson, Kilkenny, Johnson - Freedman, Beckford.

[MartinR]

8 timer til avspark

[Sydhagen]

8 timer til avspark

7 timer og 40 minutter nå! 

[MartinR]

8 timer til avspark

7 timer og 40 minutter nå! 

7 timer og 20 min nå!

[Tom S]

Og no er det 6,5 time til avspark...

[Hallgeir *]

  Nei, og ikke er det lenge til jul heller. 

[LEO]

Millwall - LEEDS UNITED    1 - 3 Beckford 2, Prutton 1

[MartinR]

8 timer til avspark

7 timer og 40 minutter nå! 

7 timer og 20 min nå!

3 timer og 55 min igjen nå!!!

[jarle]

Har en følelse at de fleste av oss her kan klokka!!!

Takk!!!

[SirOlsen]

Er med litt skrekkblandet fryd jeg ser frem til denne kampen.. men uansett, skal bli godt å¨benke seg ned med noe utsøkt potetgull og et nyinnkjøpt brett med iskald pepsimax på burk fra svinesund, og nyte denne kampen på terassen i varmende Østfoldssol og høre på Leeds på LUTV

[Budda]

Hva, ikke øl. Ikke nok med det, Pepsi Max. Håpløst 

Er med litt skrekkblandet fryd jeg ser frem til denne kampen.. men uansett, skal bli godt å¨benke seg ned med noe utsøkt potetgull og et nyinnkjøpt brett med iskald pepsimax på burk fra svinesund, og nyte denne kampen på terassen i varmende Østfoldssol og høre på Leeds på LUTV

[SirOlsen]

Noen må på tolvtimers nattskift kl 19 serru, og da passer det seg dårlig å drikke øl idag
Defor gjorde jeg unna ølkonsumet for helga i gårkveld.. kanskje like greit

[Stifler]

Jeg kommer til å synde idag...

prioterer "dama" foran kamp...

så kan noen være så snill å oppdatere denne synderen? 48075133

Noen andre enn Webredaktøren ettersom han gjorde det sist:) (ikke vondt ment, men at du slepper å bruke penger igjen)

[pale]

prioterer "dama" foran kamp...

Kan jo forstå at man av og til må priotitere dama foran Leedskamp.
Men "dama".......hvordan skal vi tolke dette?

[Asbjørn]

Jeg kommer til å synde idag...

prioterer "dama" foran kamp...

...da får vi modsa vurdere om vi skal igangsette "banning" - iallefall mellom 16-18 i dag 

[Webredaktøren]

Jeg kommer til å synde idag...

prioterer "dama" foran kamp...

så kan noen være så snill å oppdatere denne synderen? 48075133

Noen andre enn Webredaktøren ettersom han gjorde det sist:) (ikke vondt ment, men at du slepper å bruke penger igjen)

Prioriterer ikke dama foran Leeds-kamp vet du

Sendte fra biip.no siste, så det ble ikke dyrt akkurat...

[Sheridan]

Spennende kamp 

[Trond90]

Nærmer seg nå

[Trond90]

Ankergren, Richardson, Huntington, Michalik, Sheehan, Kilkenny, Howson, Prutton, Johnson, Elding, Freedman. Subs: Marques, Kandol, Hughes, Sweeney, Lucas.

Hvor er Beckford, sto at han skulle være tilbake til denne kampen.. håper ikke han har fått en ny smell

[Sander]

Syns det er litt merkelig at ikke Kenton engang er på benken for oss.. Hvorfor ikke han for Frazer? Blir spennende å høre hvordan Elding gjør det