Dennis to be Wise in the market
Leeds United's subdued display in Hartlepool on Boxing Day stirred unusual ire in Dennis Wise, but their demanding manager found sufficient comfort in another show of utter resilience.
United grasped a point at Victoria Park through a last-minute volley from Jermaine Beckford, and their 1-1 draw was December in microcosm.
After positive results against Walsall and Bristol Rovers which came late in the day, and in spite of mediocre performances, a dramatic end to their fixture in Hartlepool was the continuation of what has been normal service during the final month of 2007.
Leeds have not concluded the year with the finest of performances, but their rise up the table has continued unchecked.
United entered Saturday's important game at Swansea City on the back of five games without defeat which yielded 11 points and allowed the club to rest on the top of League One for a short period of time on Boxing Day.
Wise criticised his players for a lack of mental preparation ahead of the noon kick-off in County Durham, but he balanced his anger with the realisation that United's poorer displays this season have come at a limited cost.
After seeing 54 points gained from a possible 66 before yesterday's match, Wise admitted he will be happy to settle for mundane successes over spectacular performances for the rest of the season.
Wise said: "If we get a certain amount of wins then we're going to be in a really good position.
"If we don't then we won't and that's what it boils down to, nothing else.
"You can play pretty football or not-pretty football, whichever you like. But if you haven't got that certain amount of wins, you're not going to be up there. That's that.
"But we go for it, we really do, and we don't sit back. We don't try to draw games.
"We'll keep doing what we're doing, and we'll keep trying to win games in the way that we do, even if it's not pretty.
"At the end of the day it's about results, and that's what we have to get."
United have shown slight signs of fatigue through December, however, and their tired displays look likely to encourage Wise to refresh his squad with new signings next month.
Finnish winger Sebastian Sorsa is expected to complete a free transfer Leeds after the January window opens on Tuesday morning, but Wise has other areas of his squad which require closer attention.
Rui Marques flies out of England to begin his preparation for the African Cup of Nations next Sunday, and his imminent departure has heightened United's search for an additional centre-back.
Lubomir Michalik is Wise's preferred option, provided Leeds can agree an acceptable fee with Bolton Wanderers, although it seems likely that youngster Paul Huntington will be given an opportunity in the immediate aftermath of Marques' exit.
Marques will not resume his career at Elland Road until the first week of February at the earliest, depending on how far Angola progress in Ghana.
The defender said: "We have a good team so it's not about me.
"I'm having a good time and I'm playing well but there's a lot of potential in the group.
"I believe that we can keep doing well without me here."
An approach by Wise for another of his targets – Walsall left-back Daniel Fox – has been met with a firm response from the Saddlers, who were unimpressed by United's offer of around £300,000 and turned down the bid immediately.
Fox is out of contact next summer but, at the age of 21, would still command a fee under FIFA rules.
He convinced Wise to bid for him with a impressive outing during the 1-1 draw between Leeds and Walsall at Bescot Stadium on December 15.
Walsall boss Richard Money said: "I'm under no pressure to sell. We don't need the money. There's no problem on that side of things.
"If clubs were not interested in one or two of our players then I would be very surprised given the way they have played in recent weeks."
Wise is also weighing up the possibility of extending the loans of Leicester City pair Mark De Vries and Radostin Kishishev, who are due to return to the Walkers Stadium next month.
De Vries' position has been complicated by a minor groin injury, and Kishishev's second spell with Leeds has not come with the impact he made while on loan at Elland Road towards the end of last season.
The Bulgarian midfielder struggled to impose himself on United's Boxing Day clash at Victoria Park having been handed a starting place ahead of Alan Thompson, but neither he nor De Vries are believed to be part of the long-term plans drawn up by Ian Holloway at Leicester.
YEP
