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LUFC Season review – January and that win

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We now move into January in our review of the 2009/10 season and it started with a result that put Leeds United well and truly back on the global map.

Leeds travelled to old foes Manchester United for a third round FA Cup tie on the opening weekend of the New Year and came away as the big giant killer of the round.

Jermaine Beckford scored the only goal of the game inside the opening twenty minutes to send 9,000 travelling Leeds fans into raptures.

Leeds held their nerve to hold onto the lead for over seventy minutes (plus Fergie time) as an excellent rearguard action kept out a strong Manchester side.

Leeds were well worth their victory and could have easily doubled their lead on a couple occasions, Beckford screwed a shot just wide of the post and a Robert Snodgrass free kick came back off the post.

The draw for the fourth round is made immediately after the game and Leeds are once again drawn against Premiership opposition with a trip to White Hart Lane to face Spurs at the end of the month.

The game is chosen for live coverage by ITV as Leeds enjoys the rare feat of being popular amongst opposition fans.

The loan deals of Sam Vokes, Hogan Ephraim and Tony Capaldi all end and they return to their parent clubs.

Jermaine Beckford is once again chosen as the winner of the PFA Fans player of the month for December after also picking up the award in November.

Alan Sheehan who doesn`t look to be part of Simon Grayson`s plans extends his loan deal at Swindon Town for the remainder of the season.

Boss Simon Grayson and Jermaine Beckford are once again on the short list for the League One manager and player of the month respectively for December.

Once again, both are overlooked for the award. The fact that Simon Grayson was overlooked again is particularly annoying, Leeds once again went through the month unbeaten and had only been beaten once so far in the season yet he`d yet to pick up the award.

With the fans still buzzing from Beckford`s goal at Old Trafford they are shocked when within days he hands in a transfer request at the club.

Despite the Arctic weather that is grinding the country to a halt, the Leeds ground staff work hard and get the league fixture against Wycombe Wanderers on.

Leeds take an early lead through Jon Howson but have to settle for a point against relegation threatened Wycombe when Jon Paul Pitman equalises for the Chairboys.

Striker Enoch Showunmi leaves Elland Road and joins Scottish Premier League side Falkirk.

Leeds are chosen for more live TV coverage, this time the League One clash against Millwall at Elland Road in February.

The Whites suffer their second league defeat of the season, this time at lowly Exeter City 2-0.

Jermaine Beckford withdraws his transfer request and states that he wants to finish off what he started at Elland Road and get Leeds back into the Championship.

Carlisle United once again come to Elland Road and go away with a victory, this time in the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy.

The Cumbrian`s win 2-1 in the first leg of the Northern Final, Graham Kavanagh gave the visitors the lead before Jason Crowe equalises for Leeds.

Substitute Joe Anyinsah gives Carlisle the advantage in the tie with a winner inside the final ten minutes.

The second leg is moved to a 7pm kick off and once again Leeds are to be shown live on the TV, this time on Sky Sports.

Leeds once again shine in front of the live TV cameras in the FA Cup, holding Spurs to a 2-2 draw in the fourth round at White Hart Lane.

Jermaine twice equalises for Leeds, the second one coming from the penalty spot in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Casper Ankergren kept Leeds in the game in the first twenty minutes including an excellent penalty save from Jermain Defoe.

The winners of the replay are to face Bolton Wanderers away in the fifth round after the draw is made.

The replay against Spurs is chosen once again for live TV coverage by ITV.

Leeds complete the signing of Max Gradel on a two and a half year deal, Gradel has enjoyed three months at Elland Road and become hugely popular with the fans with his cameo performances from the bench.

Going out of Elland Road is David Prutton; he signs for fellow League One promotion challengers Colchester United.

Leeds lose their second league game in a row when they are comprehensively beaten 3-0 at Swindon Town.

Gary McSheffrey joins Leeds from Premiership side Birmingham City for the remainder of the season on loan.

With the transfer window closing in the next few days, they also recruit young defender Shane Lowry on loan until March 13th from Aston Villa.

Leeds bring to an end a very eventful month, with a 2-0 home victory over Colchester United, Jermaine Beckford scores both goals either side of half time.

After starting the month eight points clear at the top, Leeds have slipped to second behind Norwich City by three points. Leeds do still have two games in hand but the league form has started to worry many on the terraces at Elland Road.

Next week we will be looking back at February when Leeds adventures in the FA Cup and Johnstone`s Paint Trophy finally come to an end and the league form really does have Leeds fans starting to press the panic button.



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