Leeds United chairman Ken Bates is delighted with the mark Simon Grayson is making on the club after the former Leeds apprentice celebrated two years in charge at Elland Road on Thursday.
Bates managed to tempt Grayson to Elland Road from Blackpool in December 2008 and since then the club have seen an upturn in fortunes that as seen promotion from League One, and also an excellent FA Cup run last season that saw them defeat old rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The outspoken chairman is also enjoying working with Grayson and is enjoying the football that Leeds are playing. Speaking in the Yorkshire Post, Bates said, ‘I enjoy working with Simon and am 100 per cent behind him. I don’t expect us to always win and play at our best every week, that just isn’t realistic in football. But what I like about the job Simon is doing is that he has got us playing a pleasing style of football with a degree of style.”
Bates sanctioned the recruitment of ten new players to the Leeds squad in the summer as the club plotted their assault on the Championship for the first time since 2007.
He is particularly pleased with the attitude of the players and their desire to play for the club, ‘As well as the good football we play, the team is also packed full of fighters who give their all. That is what we want because that has always been what Leeds United has been about,” he continued.
Leeds are well placed going into the festive period and are currently sat in second place, just three points behind the leaders Queens Park Rangers.
Off the field activity could also be crucial during the January transfer window.
The club released the fantastic news at the weekend that leading goalscorer Luciano Becchio had signed a new deal at Elland Road.
Bradley Johnson looks to be heading for the exit door after refusing a new contract and being placed on the transfer list.
Fellow midfielder Neil Kilkenny is also out of contract in the summer and as yet no news as been announced about his future at Elland Road.
It will also be interesting to see if Grayson adds to his squad during the transfer window and fans will be hoping to see Andy O`Brien sign on a permanent basis.
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