• Leeds intent following up Saturday’s Colchester win
• Manager delighted at Robbie Keane’s absence
It is inevitable that the better Leeds United do, the more people remember how much they used to dislike them. In fact, according to Simon Grayson, their manager, as many neutrals would be pleased to see the League One underdogs beaten by Tottenham in tomorrow night’s FA Cup fourth-round replay as would celebrate the demise of another Premier League team.
“The feelings are probably still 50‑50,” Grayson said today. “There is a stigma still attached to the football club that has been there for the last 30 or 40 years. Justifiably or unjustifiably is a matter of opinion, but I like to think we are trying to do something about it by the way we play. All I am trying to do as a manager is create a team which is hard-working, has a desire to succeed and tries to entertain. If that means we are liked, so be it. If we are not liked, but win matches, who cares?”
Relatively few among the crowd at a sold-out Elland Road will do so. After five games without a win since they beat Manchester United in the third round, Leeds’ 2-0 triumph over Colchester United on Saturday guarantees an expectant rather than simply hopeful atmosphere.
A further boost for Leeds comes from Spurs loaning Robbie Keane to Celtic. “I’m glad, not because he is a former Leeds player, but because he is an excellent footballer,” Grayson said. “When top players are unavailable it hopefully makes it easier for us to win the game.”
At the same time, Grayson acknowledges the size of the task facing his players if they are to travel to Bolton for the fifth round. “We could have been dead and buried within 15 minutes at White Hart Lane but we stuck in there and thoroughly deserved a replay, but just because we are at home does not mean the tie is in our favour, by any stretch of the imagination, “
“They have let a few go in the last 48 hours and I would think they would be putting their strongest team out. One or two players have come into their team more over the last few games – David Bentley, Tom Huddlestone – and whatever team Tottenham put out, they have got some fantastic players.
From the first game you could see they are taking it seriously. The way it evolved, with the passion that was shown by the two sets of supporters, it was a really good cup tie. I am sure Harry [Redknapp] will think it is a great opportunity to win the FA Cup this year with the teams that are already out of it.” he added.
Jermaine Beckford, whose two goals against Colchester took his tally to 24 in 34 appearances and who is Leeds’ top scorer, will again be watched by several clubs, though Everton remains his most likely destination when his contract runs out in May. “It’s for somebody to try and be a hero, but [by scoring against Manchester United and Spurs] Jermaine has got a lot of headlines over the last couple of rounds,” Grayson said. “It would be nice for somebody else to get them for a
