Jermaine Beckford out with injury

Leeds revealed that Jermaine Beckford tore his hamstring against Northampton on Tuesday. While the club has yet to have an MRI, for some unknown reason, Gary McAllister said:

"They feel it might be a grade two which can be anything from two-to-six weeks but he's a fit lad and that's a big thing.

If it is grade two tear, he is best served to look at a six to eight week recovery period or this injury could potentially plague him not only throughout the balance of the season but his career as well. Besides being unfathomable why Leeds hasn't had an MRI performed at this time and there is no medical reason why not his rehabilitation cannot be rushed or it will create a series of problem including leaving him susceptible to related injuries.

"We've got to be up for these battles"

"We've got to be up for these battles" said Leeds manager Gary McAllister on the BBC following the pathetic 2-1 loss to Northampton.

He added:

"When we're going away to grounds - I don't watch Northampton week-in week-out, but the effort used by them, is that the same every week here? If it was, they'd maybe be up in the similar position as us in the league."

"We knew it would be different from the cup tie."

"They made it very difficult, they got in our faces and in the first half we never got going at all.

"In the second half we responded well and got on the front foot, but two bad goals again."

"We go in at half-time and I'm looking for a response again and I did get that - it was like night and day.

"I'm not looking for excuses for the first half but Northampton came and pressed and pressed and we were a little bit naive I felt - still trying to play too many passes when it might have been a night for knocking it a little bit longer.

"Second half we did knock it a little bit longer and got up behind it and looked a better team."

While it is true Leeds might not have played with the fight needed, it should be noted it would be difficult to see it because they continue with tactics that minimize their strengths and effectively allow the opposition to regroup with slower paced play. With Robert Snodgrass and Jonny Howson rooted on the bench, Leeds is a highly predictable smash and grab attack. If Leeds does not change their approach I dare say I will be blogging next year in League One with Leeds once more.

Leeds climbs to second

On the avails of a 1-0 victory over Cheltenham, Leeds climbs to second-place in League One. Once again the deciding factor was Luciano Becchio who scored seven minutes into the match as he headed a Frazer Richardson cross to the back of the net.

Whilst the three points were certainly welcomed, in a year where promotion is the only option, Gary McAllister will need to address poor finishing and once-again a slowing attack. Every match must be three-points and slips-ups can no longer occur.

Leeds return to action in the FA Cup this Friday against Northampton.

Leeds United: Casper Ankergren, Frazer Richardson, Lubomir Michalik, Paul Telfer, Ben Parker, Neil Kilkenny (David Prutton 71), Jonathan Douglas, Fabian Delph, Jonny Howson (Andy Robinson 55), Jermaine Beckford (Robert Snodgrass 80), Luciano Becchio

Cheltenham: Higgs, Gallinagh (Spencer 69), Diallo, Kenton, Wright, Murray, Payne, Ridley, Montrose, Hayes, Connor (Caines 83). Subs: SP Brown, Armstrong, Lindegaard.

	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA	P
Scunthorpe	15	9	3	3	30	19	30
Leeds United	15	9	2	4	26	17	29
Millwall	15	9	2	4	25	21	29
Milton Keynes Dons	15	9	1	5	28	16	28
Leicester	14	8	4	2	24	12	28
Peterborough	15	7	5	3	28	17	26
Oldham	15	7	4	4	28	19	25
Stockport	15	6	7	2	20	13	25
Southend	15	7	4	4	25	24	25
Hartlepool	15	7	2	6	26	22	23
Tranmere	15	7	2	6	22	20	23
Walsall	14	6	3	5	23	21	21
Bristol Rovers	15	5	5	5	30	25	20
Brighton	15	4	7	4	20	20	19
Northampton	14	4	5	5	20	20	17
Huddersfield	15	4	5	6	22	28	17
Swindon	14	4	4	6	22	26	16
Colchester	14	4	3	7	25	27	15
Yeovil	14	3	6	5	14	22	15
Carlisle	15	4	2	9	20	30	14
Leyton Orient	15	3	4	8	11	22	13
Cheltenham	15	3	2	10	19	37	11
Crewe	15	2	3	10	20	35	9
Hereford	15	2	3	10	8	23	9