Old Trafford... awaits Leeds United.

Quite frankly we’ll have no problems, as long as Casper Ankergren decides when he should and shouldn’t come out to punch crosses and that Lubomir Michalik actually jumps to head the ball, rather than the ball head him.

It should be interesting to see what kind of ticket allocation Manchester United give.

I’m almost certain that if it were a team of Gillingham or Plymouth Argyle’s magnitude they would be guaranteed in the region of 6,000 to 8,000 tickets. Hopefully the police don’t find some ridiculous reason to lower the number of tickets to a bare 3,000 (the corner section).

Video - Harry Kewell’s header at Elland Road.

Reid... Leeds boss for just 22 games.

FORMER LEEDS UNITED boss Peter Reid recently reflected on his time at Elland Road.

Reid was initially appointed as manager on 21st March 2003 with the task of keeping Leeds United in the Premiership – a task in which he succeeded.

Two remarkable away results, a 6-1 triumph over Charlton at the Valley and a thrilling 3-2 victory over Arsenal at Highbury, helped keep Leeds in the top flight as they eventually finished six points clear of the drop zone.

“We managed to stay up and I think a lot of people forget that we got some great results”, said Reid.

After minor speculation linking the then Celtic boss Martin O’Neill, Reid with the Elland Road hotseat, Reid was then given a one-year rolling contract with the club for upcoming 2003-2004 season. However with the club in financial turmoil, Leeds were forced to sell their best players Reid explains:

“Harry Kewell went and we didn’t get enough money for him. It was a very  difficult time for the football club.”

Not only did Kewell sign for Liverpool for just £5 million, £2 million of that was rumoured to have gone to his agent. Olivier Dacourt’s loan move to Roma was made permanent for £3.5 million and Paul Robinson looked set for a move to Aston Villa to join up with David O’Leary.

Reid also loaned out Danny Mills (Middlesbrough), Stephen McPhail (Nottingham Forest), Matthew Kilgallon (West Ham) and James Milner (Swindon). Replacements were lined up.

“I tried to get Paolo Di Canio off West Ham but he went to Charlton and Patrick Berger off Liverpool but he went to Portsmouth. I panicked a bit and brought about eight players in on loan because there was not substance to the club.”

Di Canio... was Leeds target.

Jermaine Pennant, Didier Domi, Lamine Sakho, Zoumana Camara, Cyril Chapuis, Salomon Olembe and Roque Junior were all brought into the club on loan deals.

However having won just two games by early November, Reid was sacked.

“I was there at the wrong time. When I went in I didn’t realise that they were going to financially implode.

“Leeds is a fantastic club and I’m delighted that they’re doing well. I just want them to go up. It’s a club with a great tradition and a great support and I hope to see them back up there.”

After a stint as manager of Thailand, Reid is now assistant manager at Premiership club Stoke City.

Krishna... Elland Road trial.

WE ALREADY have our seemingly knowledgable world-wide scouting network to thank for Luciano Becchio (definitely), Mike Grella (one for the future), Rui Marques (of course) and Davide Soma (possibly).

And only a few days ago we learnt of another trialist, Argentinian defender Walter Garcia, who started the recent reserve game against Middlesbrough at centre half – we conceded four. So it wasn’t the best possible start for Garcia, but another player did impress.

Fijian winger Roy Krishna started the game on the wing and eventually found his way on to the scoresheet. Though it wasn’t enough as we lost 4-3 (Somma scoring the other two).

Krishna is contracted to Waitakere United in New Zealand but has recently been linked with a move to Europe – PSV Eindhoven have been touted as possible suitors.

He has represented Fiji eight times, scoring four goals.

It’s good to see Leeds United’s scouting network still covers the globe.

Check out Krishna’s brace against New Zealand in a recent World Cup qualifier – his second goal is very well taken.

Beckford... in his youth.

WHAT WOULD teams give for Jermaine Beckford’s registration documents now?

Well, around £5 million if you believe recent reports linking him with a move to Newcastle. And on that note, what club in their right mind would pay £5 million for a player out of contract in the summer?

Yes he’s quality and capable of moments of magic when being anonymous all game, but Newcastle have got a pretty good chance of bouncing back to the promise land that is the Premier League at the first time of asking – and that’s without Beckford.

Anyways, back to the point. We’ve got Beckford’s signature on the dotted line – no, not for a new contract unfortunately. It’s for Walpole Wanderers when he was just 13-years-old. Aside from the dodgy barnet, he’s changed one bit! I’m sure Uncle Ken could forge that signature somehow.

The Northern Ireland international looked to be on the verge of a move to Elland Road during the summer, but a hip injury scuppered the deal.

The 28-year-old has made just one substitute appearance for Cardiff and Leeds boss Simon Grayson is likely to be alerted to his availability.

Feeney started his career at Elland Road, but failed to break through into the first team. He is also believed to be good friends with ex-Leeds midfielder Harry Kewell and the pair were supposedly each other’s best man at their weddings.

Leeds United and a life in the Press Box

I HAVE recently just finished reading two books based on Leeds United.

The first was called Leeds United and a life in the Press Box written by John Wray. Now for me as a young aspiring journalist this was not only a fantastic read, but an interesting insight into the world of journalism and its development over the last few decades.

From sub-editing a match report between local teams Toby Jug and Squinting Cat to covering the European Cup final between Leeds United and Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, Wray paints a fascinating picture of his journalism career.

The Unforgiven: The Story of Don Revie's Leeds United

A fantastic book with some wonderful anecdotes, this really is a must read for any upcoming journalist, Leeds fan or not.

The second book I recently read was The Unforgiven: The Story of Don Revie’s Leeds United by Rob Bagchi and Paul Rogerson. Now as I’m still relatively young (20-years-old), my knowledge of Leeds United’s history is (or was until I read this book) a little vague.

This book paints a colourful picture of Revie’s time at the helm and gives an interesting insight into how he built a fantastic team.

For anyone who has any interest in Leeds United, young and old, this book is a must have.

Garcia... hoping to impress.

SIMON GRAYSON will decide whether to offer out of contract Argentinian defender Walter Garcia a deal at the club over the next week.

Garcia is currently a free agent after being released by Major League Soccer outfit New York Red Bulls and is hoping to impress during a trial game on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old previously had spells in Russia with Rubin Kazan and Italy with Catania.

If offered a contract Garcia would only be available to play for Leeds when the transfer window opens in January.

JPT... Whites paired with Accrington.

LEEDS UNITED have been paired with League 2 side Accrington Stanley in Northern Area semi-final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

The tie will be played midweek on December 14.

Simon Grayson’s side have so far beaten Darlington and Grimsby in the competition whilst Accrington have overcome Oldham, Shrewsbury and Bury to reach the semi-finals.

The other northern semi-final sees Carlisle entertain Bradford whilst the southern section see Southampton take on Norwich and Hereford against the MK Dons.

Gradel... with the Whites until the New Year.

LEICESTER CITY have granted permission for winger Max Gradel‘s loan spell at Elland Road to be extended to the New Year.

Gradel’s initial deal was due to come to an end this weekend but after some lively performances from the bench Simon Grayson has been quick to extend the deal and expressed his delight to leedsunited.com.

“We’re delighted that Leicester have agreed to let Max stay on and I’d like to thank Nigel Pearson for allowing him to do that.

Max has done well for us. He has fitted in well, he has brought something different to the team and he was keen to stay.

Leicester do have a 24-hour recall, but as it stands we now have him as part of our squad until the New Year and with a busy period coming up after we start again at Brighton, he will have a role to play here.”

Another great signing from Grayson. I’m sure the fans will realise he adds another dimension to the side and who knows, if he performs well, maybe there’s a chance we’ll get him on a permanent basis. Admittedly his final ball does need some work on, but he is still young and a very exciting player to watch. Well done Grayson.

Higgs... contract extension.

WHEN Simon Grayson swooped to sign Cheltenham Town goalkeeper Shane Higgs in the summer, few eyebrows were raised.

After all Higgs had been with Cheltenham for nine years and all he had to show were two Division Three play-off final victories – surely a club of Leeds’ stature should be looking at a bigger name with Championship experience at least? Though to be fair to Higgs he did have a brief loan stint at Wolves towards the end of last season, but didn’t make any appearances.

We were all aware Grayson was after another player between the sticks to add competition for Casper Ankergren, but seriously, Shane who?

Now just a few months down the line Higgs has established himself as the regular number one and has been rewarded with a new one-year contract extension which takes his deal till the summer of 2011.

Higgs has kept six cleans sheets so far this season, but his good form has recently been halted by a thigh injury, allowing Ankergren to stake his place for the goalkeeper’s jersey.

Ankergren... backup keeper?

Grayson cannot be praised enough for the signing of Higgs and the competition it has developed in what has previously been a troublesome area for the Whites. Grayson said:

“We’re delighted to have Shane for another year. He has done well since he came in, and it’s good to have that competition with Casper. Shane did well in pre-season, got his opportunity, and he took it with some good performances and some good saves. He is out injured at the moment but is making good progress. Casper has come in and he has done well and I am pleased with the competition we have there because we have two good goalkeepers.”

I’m sure that when Higgs does recover from his groin injury he will be thrust straight back into the fold, regardless of Ankergren’s form, as Grayson tried to do in the Norwich game.

Hopefully Higgs’ 100% play-off final record won’t need to be mentioned this season – but with more astute signings from Grayson and Higgs between the sticks, maybe next season it will.