The review of the 2008/09 season continues and Leeds fans went into the New Year with renewed optimism after a good start under new boss Simon Grayson.
The new manager had an extra week to work with his new team with Leeds having a free weekend at the beginning of January after the Hereford United game fell foul to the weather. Hereford officials were very quick off the mark calling the game off very early on the Saturday morning due to a frozen pitch saving a large majority of Leeds fans the hassle of setting off.
Leeds fans renewed optimism was short lived when they finally returned to League action, a disappointing performance at Elland Road saw them lose 2-0 to lowly Carlisle United, what made matters worse was old boys Danny Graham and Michael Bridges were the scorers.
The club did however bounce straight back, this time on the road at Brighton.
Lee Trundle who had signed on loan from Bristol City prior to the Carlisle game scored his first goal for the club and a full length of the pitch run and superb finish from Fabian Delph secured all three points.
Leeds could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty, Lucciano Becchio having his spot kick saved after only ten minutes.
The Whites entertained promotion chasing Peterborough United the following Saturday.
The two sides were locked at 0-0 just short of the hour when Jermaine Beckford who was returning from injury came off the bench, within five minutes he`d fired Leeds into the lead and scored his second just nine minutes later to double the lead.
Mackail Smith gave the Posh hope with ten minutes remaining when he pulled one back but another substitute Jon Howson secured all three points for Leeds in the last minute.
Leeds were quickly back in action with a midweek home game against Southend United.
The home side had the game sewn up after eleven minutes with goals from both central defenders, Rui Marques and then a first for the club from Richard Naylor gave Leeds another three points.
Leeds finished the month with an away trip at lowly Walsall, full of confidence after three straight wins.
Unfortunately Leeds put in another of the inconsistent performances that plagued them all season and lost 1-0, Troy Deeney scoring the only goal of the game inside ten minutes.
A mixed month for Leeds, just when things looked like they was changing for the better a bad performance at Walsall had the fans scratching their heads once again.
Leeds had however taken nine points from fifteen and found themselves just outside the Play off positions, four points behind sixth place Oldham with one game in hand.
Could Leeds improve in February?
Find out next week when I do the review of February.
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