Grayson prepares to complete first mission
Leeds United v
Tranmere Rovers
VICTORY today would make it mission accomplished for Simon Grayson's play-off ambitions but the Leeds United manager is still not giving up on a place in the top two.
The Elland Road club's 11-game unbeaten run came to an end last Monday in cruel fashion when Steve Howard netted a stoppage-time winner for Leicester City.
Defeat at the Walkers Stadium has left Leeds seven points behind second-placed Peterborough United with just three games remaining and a place in the play-offs, which can be all but booked with victory at home to Tranmere Rovers today, seems a much more likely prospect come the end of the season.
Despite that, United manager Grayson said: "If we win at the weekend then that should be our place cemented in the play-offs. That has been our first aim all along – anything more would have been a bonus.
"But we will keep going even though second place might be a bit unrealistic."
As determined as Grayson is to keep looking up the table, a far more pressing challenge today is keeping Tranmere at bay in the hunt for a play-off place with Ronnie Moore's men arriving at Elland Road just one place and three points behind their hosts.
Such is the superior goal difference enjoyed by United that a home win would mean only a bizarre set of results would allow Rovers to overhaul the Yorkshire side.
Grayson admits today will be a big test for Leeds and he has called on the central midfield partnership of Neil Kilkenny and Jonny Howson to again rise to the challenge of snuffing out the opposition.
He said: "You know what you will get from Neil. He is a footballer who passes the ball but, for me, it is his workrate and commitment to trying to stop the opposition that is most impressing me.
"There are some players that you lose when you haven't got the ball but Neil has become a team player.
"It is fine when you are on the ball and passing it, everyone can do that.
"What matters is that you mix your game up and compete well. Him and Jonny have dominated the midfield area in most of the games we have played in the past six weeks.
"They have had a major input into the run we have been on. With and without the ball, they have contributed so I am delighted with them."
Victory today would make it 10 straight wins at home for Leeds and Grayson added: "It is a big incentive to set a new record. There are a lot of better players who have played for this club in that time who have not managed a run like this.
"They have achieved something but they have to keep bettering themselves – and if that means setting a new record then so be it.
"The main thing is we will get a place in the play-offs."
YP
