Play-off Preview
By Rich Baggott
May 7 2009
For the third time in four years, Leeds United will be battling with the lottery known as the play-off’s as they search for promotion back to the Championship. Four years ago, Kevin Blackwell almost took the Whites back to the Premiership at the first attempt but Leeds were well beaten in the Millennium Stadium, temporary home to the finals as the new Wembley was being built.
Relegation followed the following year, and with it the infamous 15 point deduction but Leeds bounced back again and it fell to McAllister to lead the team out, now at the finished National Stadium, but again, Leeds didn’t turn up and Doncaster triumphed.
Onto the 2008/09 season and this time it will be the turn of Simon Grayson to battle with the Play-Offs and try to get the Yorkshire side to Wembley once again.
Standing in the way of that is one of the Yorkshire clubs fiercest rivals from the 70’s, Millwall! The London club finished the regular season in 5th place, 2 points behind Leeds and forced to play the first fixture at home.
The points were shared in the regular season, Leeds losing 3-1 at the Den back in October, still under the reigns of McAllister but took all three points at Elland Road in February under new manager Grayson, winning 2-0 – scores that on aggregate would take us to extra time with no away goals in the play-offs.
Leeds do go into the matches as the form team and favourites. Millwall have only managed 9 points from their last 6 matches versus 13 for Leeds - although they have won 3 of their last 4 at home. That should tell you they haven’t travelled well lately, losing their last two games on the road.
Leeds meanwhile are unbeaten at home in 11 matches and have won twice and picked up a draw in their last four away fixtures.
The first leg at Millwall is on Saturday with a 12:45 kick-off and Grayson will have a full strength side to pick from. Newly crowned PFA Player of the year, Jermaine Beckford will be looking to add to his record goal tally but the danger for Millwall could come from any area of the park with Becchio, Snodgrass, Robinson, Kilkenny, Howson and Delph all producing quality goals in recent games.
Defensively, Leeds have only conceded 9 goals in their last 12 games and with Sodje, Naylor and Marques all performing well and available for selection, and a more competent looking Ankergren in net, Leeds should be able to keep things tight at the back.
The return leg is on Thursday 14th May, kick off 19:45 and with the match already sold out, the atmosphere at Elland Road should electric.
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Wrong way round!
Other than that, cant wait now, as stated, they havent been so good recently, and form teams always seem to be the team to go up!!
