Charlton casting envious eyes at 'lucky' Leeds

'I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it' - Thomas Jefferson (3rd President of the United States)

Charlton Athletic manager Phil Parkinson caused controversy this week in labelling Leeds United's tremendous start to the season as 'lucky'. Evidently Parkinson has taken to hiding behind the illusion thrown at all successful teams - they're not the most talented, nor the hardest working - just lucky.

'I think it's good for the rest of the division that they lost' he crowed, referring to Leeds first defeat of the campaign at Millwall. His words showing a man harbouring real concerns that there may ultimately be only one automatic promotion place available to the chasing pack. The Addicks manager cannot have failed to recognise that his own side have now won just two of their previous eight league games, after matching United stride for stride for the opening month of the campaign.

Meanwhile Leeds quietly got on with the business of transcending League One, benefitting from another 'lucky' late goal away to promotion rivals Bristol Rovers this week, putting the seal on a stunning 4-0 victory. Long may the seemingly outrageous fortune continue.

Grayson: Liverpool tie a great opportunity

Leeds boss Simon Grayson saw his side cruise into pole position in League One with a 4-1 demolition of Gillingham on Saturday - a fifteenth consecutive home league victory. A first-half brace from Bradley Johnson (pictured) and strikes from Jonny Howson and Jermaine Beckford put clear water between United and the rest of the pack as Charlton Athletic succumbed to a late equaliser at Norwich City.

Grayson was particularly pleased at the goal threat his side showed from midfield. 'Bradley’s a talented player,’ he confirmed. ‘He’s still young, he’s still learning the game, but he works hard for the team and he’s got good quality. He’s done ever so well this year, playing with a lot of confidence. He’s a big strong lad who can pick a pass and get a goal, and I’m delighted that he’s got two. Jonny Howson typified what we wanted, people breaking from midfield, getting shots off, and finished it really well.’

The manager’s attention now turns to the Carling Cup third round tie against Liverpool on Tuesday. ‘It’s a great opportunity for us to try and be a giant killer, to put on a performance against one of the top teams in Europe. It’s a great tie. It’s a no-lose situation for us really because we’ll be up against a team who everybody expects to win. A full house here on Tuesday night is going to be is going to be a great feeling for the players and everybody connected with the club.’

Grayson delighted with Grella

Leeds United's 2-0 victory over Stockport County at Elland Road on Saturday was an eighth straight win and 14th consecutive home league triumph - both new club records.

First half goals from Mike Grella (pictured) and Lubomir Michalik helped open up a five point gap over the chasing pack. United, missing the injured Jermaine Beckford, also had the luxury of squandering a second-half penalty when Robert Snodgrass saw his tame effort saved.

Manager Simon Grayson was understandably delighted with the result. 'I'm very proud and privileged to be in charge of a successful team,' said Grayson.

'There have been a lot of fantastic footballers that have played for this club. Its a club that is steeped in history and tradition. To have created the record that we have today is a fantastic achievement. The players can be really proud of what they have achieved'.

Grayson was also pleased to see Grella open his goalscoring account for the club. 'Full credit to Mike Grella - he's stepped up and got his goal and its what he's needed. His performances have been very good over the past few weeks, he just needed that league goal. He showed what he's about with that goal because he took it very calmly and I'm delighted for the player'.

'The players are thriving' ~ Grayson

Leeds United's faultless start to the season continued with a thoroughly dominant display against Tranmere Rovers at Elland Road this afternoon. The usual suspects were on the score sheet again for United, with Bradley Johnson following up his midweek strike at Walsall, before Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio helped themselves to another goal apiece, leaving manager Simon Grayson reaching for the superlatives.

'It certainly was an excellent performance. When we got possession of the ball we moved it around really well and played some fantastic stuff. I felt like a fan at times just watching them. Everything came together today. We've got a good work ethic right the way through the team and that hopefully will carry us a long way forward'.

The manager hinted he will be fielding a strong side in Tuesday's Carling Cup second round tie against Championship side Watford: 'The players are thriving at the moment, they're playing with a lot of confidence and we want to keep that momentum going. At this moment in time we're looking forward to playing anybody'.

Grayson: Bradley was outstanding

Leeds boss Simon Grayson heaped praise on Bradley Johnson after the midfielder capped a great personal display with a diving header the comeback victory at Walsall last night.

The Whites looked like surrendering their 100 percent start to the season after a Sam Parkin penalty put the hosts in front with just 11 minutes remaining. However, Jermaine Beckford stole all three points for Leeds with a superb strike in a frantic finish.

Grayson has kept his faith in Johnson, and felt he was aptly rewarded: 'I thought he was excellent. He started on the left-hand side and put some good quality balls in. He got the goal and it's given him a major lift obviously. I thought his performance tonight was outstanding, as he has been over the course of the season'.

The manager was also impressed with the contribution of star-striker Beckford: 'He had a great opportunity first half but the keeper made an absolutely wonderful save,' said Grayson. 'But he kept on going. It was a great turn in the box and a finish of the highest quality, and that's what Jermaine's about'.

'It's places like Walsall and Wycombe you have to go and get results, and today has shown that we've got that character and that belief that we can win anywhere we go to'.

Becchio secures victory at Wycombe

Leeds United finished off a perfect first week of the season in recording a 1-0 victory at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday. The third straight win, courtesy of a Luciano Becchio strike, moved the Whites level on points with Colchester United and Charlton Athletic at the head of the table.

Manager Simon Grayson was full of praise for his side after dominant second-half display: 'when you win the first 3 games of the season obviously you've got to be delighted with it - and we certainly are’.

Becchio opened his account for the season with a sweetly struck effort from outside of the box, something Grayson has been asking for more of from his forwards. ‘We’ve been stressing to the players we’ve got to shoot more often, rather than trying to walk the ball into the back of the net'.

‘(Jermaine Beckford and Becchio) are bang in form at this moment in time. They were both excellent for me last year. They’re a handful, they would be a handful for teams from a higher division because that’s the calibre of players we’ve got.’

‘We looked a good team and that was pleasing. Overall I’m satisfied with the victory and it’s a well deserved one’.

Clough and Warnock on Kisnorbo

Leeds United manager Simon Grayson confirmed he has secured his 'number one target' in landing Australian international Patrick Kisnorbo this week. The 28-year-old defender was a target of several Championship clubs keen to secure his services after his contract expired at Leicester City.

Derby County manager Nigel Clough was considered the favourite to snare Kisnorbo after he caught the eye in the Ram's pre-season fixture at Burton Albion last weekend. 'We were very pleased with what we saw from Patrick. He has got Championship experience and although he is not 6ft 3in or 6ft 4in, he competes well and he can play full-back as well,' said Clough.

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock had also set his sights on the defender after assessing him in training with the Eagles, stating at the time: 'We will have to act quickly if we want him because there are a couple of other clubs who are interested. He is a smashing lad.'

In the end the pulling power of Leeds proved to be the decisive factor. Kisnorbo will make his Elland Road bow later this afternoon as the Whites entertain Sam Allardyce's Blackburn Rovers side.