Leeds United are a big club who have found themselves in disarray in recent years. Financial difficulties has saw the once great force of English football drop down in to the third team of league football. Their main problem was that they overstretched themselves in the transfer market to take that next step of challenging the top teams for the Premier League title.
In the resulting years Leeds failure to qualify for the Champions League meant that they no longer received that all important Champions League money and this left the club with a massive hole in their pocket. The main culprit of allowing this financial mess to occur is chairman Peter Ridsdale as he allowed money to be spent that they simply couldn’t afford.
Players left and two relegations followed
As players were sold to help ease those financial problems the quality of their squad declined and the club were looking to survive rather than compete. Two relegation’s followed, first to the Championship and after failing to make it back to the Premier League through the play-offs were subsequently relegated the following season.
League one proving difficult
League One has also proved tricky for the Yorkshire club. 2007-08 was Leeds United’s first ever season in the third tier of English football and the club also faced a 15 point deduction, because of the financial troubles. Despite that Leeds managed to make it to the League One play-off final. Unfortunately for then manager Gary McAllister Leeds suffered a 1-0 defeat to local rivals Doncaster United.
Decent start under Grayson
After making a poor start to the 2008/09 season the Scot was sacked and Blackpool boss Simon Grayson took over. Leeds form improved dramatically and the Whites finished 4th place in League One and made the play-offs. This time they suffered a semi-final play-off defeat to Millwall.
Leeds lead the way in League One this season
Leeds have started this season in good form and look like the team most likely to win promotion. They have a impressive home record winning a record 15 consecutive games at Elland Road. In strikers Jermaine Beckford and Argentine Luciano Becchio they have one of the most deadly attacking duo’s in the lower leagues.
Beckford has already scored six goals in the league, but Becchio hasn’t got going yet with two goals to his name in League One. However last season the former Boca Juniors ace scored 19 goals last season and helped United to the play-offs.
Midfielder Bradley Johnson has also contributed with five goals in League One and looks to have a bright future in the game. Scottish winger Robert Snodgrass has also started the season in good form. All this has contributed to Leeds United being top of League One.
A promising young English boss
As a player Simon Grayson made over 400 appearances for the likes of Leicester City, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers. He was a solid rather than spectacular player but he always had a strong honest approach to his football.
It seems he has taken these qualities in to his short managerial career with former club Blackpool and now with Leeds. He is a talented young English coach and he could have a bright career right at the top end of the game.
Leeds will win promotion this season
It would surprise me immensely if Leeds didn’t get promoted this season. A season of consolidation next season in the Championship would lead to the club becoming stronger both on and off the field. A return to the Premier League would be a big step forward but first they need to take that first step of promotion to the Championship this season.
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