It goes without saying that Leeds are looking for a big improvement against Sheffield Wedensday tomorrow, but Brian McDermott says he wants to win the match for us, which is nice.
The manager told the official site "I won’t forget what happened last weekend. It was very difficult. It was difficult for the fans with the way the game unfolded and the disappointment and frustration was there for all to see. We have to find a way to get back on track now.”
"One of the best feelings in the world is going to your fans when you win away from home, and one of the worst is when you lose. I spoke to the players on the pitch and told them to use what happened at the end as a driver. Our fans recognise performance, endeavour, and desire…that’s what they want to see.”
And while some fans were doubting that he is the man for the job, at least he still the support of those in charge of the club. "The only thing to come out of last Saturday was that the owners were very calm, and said ‘what can we do?’ They were terrific and deserve great credit. They have the club at heart and nothing else.”
That backing has of course allowed him to improve the squad by signing two wingers, and both could start the game tomorrow. "You want to see players who can go past people and open teams up. You can’t beat pace and guile. We have more options, and we have another way of playing now. " McDermott has complained when he came that the squad he inherited was lacking width, so now we’ll what we can two with two decent wingers providing Smith and McCormack with some quality service.
Jimmy Kebe sounds determined to succeed at Elland Road "I haven’t come here for a holiday, my target here is to play in the Play-Offs, minimum. "I know that Leeds are a big club and there are big expectations. I was a little bit frustrated at Crystal Palace, but that is the case when you are not playing. That is now the past and I am glad to be here. I just need to play a few games and I will be back on track. It is a big game at the weekend and I am here to win the game on Saturday.”
But Brian McDermott knows that it will be a tough game against a Wednesday side who have improved since the departure of our old friend Dave Jones. Under new boss Stuart Gray they have only lost one of their last six matches and with a 2-0 win over Blackpool in their last game took them out of the relegation zone.
McDermott said "Stuart is obviously popular with the players and they’ve started picking up one or two results. It’s a derby game, and it’s a good game for us to come back to. We need to keep the ball better, we haven’t done that these past few games, and we have to get it into the final third better.” He hasn’t given any clues about his team selection but after last Saturday’s debacle at Rochdale he must be tempted to make changes, so Michael Brown or Michael Tonge could return to central midfield.
Wednesday have no new injury or suspension problems , and they will have a couple more options up front. They have recalled forward Caolan Lavery from his loan spell at Plymouth, and also have on-loan striker Connor Wickham available after he missed out on last week's FA Cup game at Macclesfield.
Time for my prediction, and we can expect a far more determined performance from Leeds side who will have had time to reflect on what happened at Rochdale, while the week’s break from competition will have rested a few tired limbs. I think Leeds will get at least a point from this one.