Football: Big-spending United eager to pressure leaders with three points; CREWE v LEEDS.Byline: By Mark Langdon LEEDS have performed miracles in the first half of their League One campaign and chairman Ken Bates Kenneth William Bates (born 4 December 1931 in Ealing, London) is an English businessman and football executive commonly known as Ken Bates. The current chairman of Leeds United Football Club Limited and Leeds United A.F.C. has not rested on his laurels as they attempt to claw their way back up the Football League ladder. The 15-point deduction this summer looked to be an obstacle too far for Dennis Wise's side, but they arrive at Crewe's Gresty Road this evening sitting in sixth spot, just seven points behind leaders Swansea. And they are spending more than most outside the Premier League in the January transfer window to make sure they are in the Championship next season. Most League One clubs must be looking on in astonishment that they can sign Bradley Johnson Bradley Johnson (born 28 April 1987 in London) is an English footballer, currently playing in midfield for Northampton Town F.C. Having previously being sent out regularly on loan, following the appointment of Stuart Gray as manager, Bradley has featured in practically for pounds 250,000 from Northampton and offer more in wages than a couple of Championship clubs who were also chasing the allaction midfielder. As well as bringing in Johnson, Wise has signed Neil Kilkenny Neil Kilkenny (born December 191985 in Enfield, Middlesex, England) is an English-born Australian footballer who currently plays for Oldham Athletic on loan from Birmingham City. He is a goal-scoring attacking midfielder. and Peter Sweeney as well as landing Darren Kenton Darren Edward Kenton (born 13 September 1978 in Wandsworth, London) is an English professional football player who is a defender for Leicester City. Kenton started his career at Norwich City in 1997. He later went to Southampton in 2003 on a free transfer. on loan from Leicester to cover Rui Marques Manuel Rui Marques (born 3 September 1977, also known as Rui Manuel Marques) is an Angolan footballer player from Luanda, Angola but he moved to Portugal as a child. He is currently playing for Leeds United. He plays as a defender. while he is at the African Nations Cup with Angola. There are likely to be more arrivals before the month is out and the squad now has so much depth that players such as Bulgarian international Radostin Kishishev is not even guaranteed a spot in the 16-man squad. Wise's biggest problem may now be to keep all his players happy, although the fact that they started the campaign with such a huge deficit seems to have been turned into a positive. The team spirit at Elland Road cannot be called into question - they have scored 15 goals in the final ten minutes of their League One matches this term - and that never-say-die attitude has seen the fans come flocking back in support of the Whites despite their obvious dislike of cockney Cockney Bow Bells famous bell in East End of London; “only one who is born within the bell’s sound is a true Cockney.” [Br. Hist.: NCE, 347] Doolittle, Eliza Cockney girl taught by professor to imitate aristocracy. wideboys Wise and Bates. Crewe are the opposite of Leeds. They don't have a large support and they lack money for players, often relying on their famous youth policy to fund the club. However, times are tough for the Railwaymen and staying up is their only realistic target. KEY STAT Leeds have failed to score in only one of their 25 matches in League One this season TEAM NEWS Crewe Crewe have been boosted by the news that Ben Williams and Steven Schumacher have returned to full training, but left-back Billy Jones is sidelined. Leeds Rui Marques is at the African Nations Cup so Matt Heath or new signing Darren Kenton will play at centre half alongside Paul Huntington. Ian Westlake and Alan Thompson are doubtful and Leon Constantine is a definite non-runner. STORY SO FAR Crewe Leeds 4 Points from last five league games 7 11 Points from last ten league games 17 WdLWWWLdLW Last ten homes/aways (latest on right) WDWWLWLDDL 1.3 Average goals scored in home/away league games 1.5 1.4 Average goals conceded in home/away league games 1.0 3.5 Average corners gained 4.3 6.4 Average corners conceded 5.0 4.1 Average corners gained home/away 4.2 6.3 Average corners conceded home/away 5.5 6.0 Average bookings points (10 per yellow, 25 per red) 21.6 CAPTION(S): Leeds midfielders Andy Hughes (left) and David Prutton get stuck in during their 3-0 win over Northampton; PROBABLE LINE-UPS Figures relate to age, league appearances (as sub), goals, yellow and red cards. *Possible pen taker |
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