Leeds are a massive, massive club - Swansea's Robinson

Leeds United head to the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea City tomorrow for a clash which could see the winners finishing 2007 at the top of League One. Swans striker Andy Robinson is in no doubt that his side will face one of their sternest examinations of the season against a Leeds side who would be 12 points clear at the top but for their 15 points deduction.

'They have obviously got a great team spirit and we all know they are going to be a good side,' said Robinson. 'I missed the game up there, but the boys told me that Leeds have adapted to the physical battle in League One really well and that's a credit to them. It's a huge game, one of the biggest of my career because Leeds are a massive, massive club. But our dressing room is full of confidence and we go into it believing we can take all three points.'

Meanwhile Leeds boss Dennis Wise has demanded a positive response to the Whites below-par showing at Hartlepool on Boxing Day. 'We'll probably play better against them than the last couple of games because it's a massive top-of-the-table clash,' he predicted. 'I think that will suit us, and I hope it will suit us. It's a big game with a big crowd, and you should be excited by that as a player because I am as a manager. I'll get my lads going. Swansea will be up there in May, and Nottingham Forest as well. We know what we've got to get out of these games.'

It's all about results - Wise

Leeds boss Dennis Wise was keen to focus on a point gained after seeing his side snatch a late point despite a lacklustre Boxing Day display at Hartlepool United. United were forced to rely on an excellent strike by Jermaine Beckford, his 14th of the season, which temporarily lifted the club to the top of the League One table for the first time this season. The Whites had trailed to Michael Nelson's 20th minute header, but again showed the dogged persistence which has become a feature of their season.

'We tried to win the game and we tried to get the points,' said Wise. 'We changed the system and we went for it. We have a go, there's nothing to lose. It was a wonderful strike, and it was probably the hardest of all his chances. We do go for it. We don't sit back, we have a go. With the chances we had we could have won.'

'You can say how they pressed us well, but if you take away the game and put the chances on the table we should have won. On performance we shouldn't have. We got a point and we're pleased with that, but we're not pleased with the performance. Looking at the game overall, we had a lot more chances and we didn't perform well, so that fact we got a point is a plus, but there weren't many plusses to take away. It's all about results though.'

Opposite number Danny Wilson felt his side were denied a deserved victory. 'We're disappointed to lose it so late but overall it was a very good performance from us. We raised our game fantastically well and I felt we were worthy of getting three points. We defended for our lives as the game went on, especially in the last five minutes but we suffered from one lapse of concentration. It's not the first time they've done it is it, but that shows the great belief they have.'

One point from the summit

Leeds United's remarkable season continued with a tenth home win from 11 games against a spirited Bristol Rovers side at Elland Road yesterday. Just as a last gasp deflected goal had rescued the side at Walsall seven day earlier, the Whites received an early Christmas two points bonus, just when it seemed that the Pirates were about to steal a draw. As the game entered the final ten minutes, with neither side having broken the deadlock, the seemingly magical power United possess to conjure late goals again came to the fore.

With six minutes remaining a cross from skipper Alan Thompson was guided towards goal by the head of Seb Carole. There seemed to be no real danger, until the ball caught the shoulder of Rovers centre-back Steve Elliott and deflected past despairing goalkeeper Steve Phillips. It was another fortuitous effort but few inside the ground cared, as Dennis Wise's side snatched another priceless victory, powering themselves into a season-high third place - just one point behind joint-leaders Nottingham Forest and Swansea City.

For Pirates first team coach Paul Trollope it was a sadly familiar tale as his side's failure to take their chances once again proved their undoing. 'We're disappointed with the outcome,' he lamented. 'I could say I'm proud of the players and their commitment, but you have to take chances to win games and to take points from games. We didn't do that, and Leeds got the goal at the end, albeit through a lucky deflection. We're just above the relegation zone which we feel is a false position in terms of our general play, but it is exactly where we deserve to be in terms of goal scoring.'

Wise 'to bring in three or four players'

Dennis Wise has reacted to the loss of two key players this week by targeting upto four new arrivals during the upcoming January transfer window. After losing stand-in skipper Jonathan Douglas to a long-term knee injury, the boss was dealt a further blow on discovering that central defender Rui Marques could be unavailable for six weeks, as a result of being called up by Angola for next months African Cup of Nations in Ghana.

Top of Wise's wish list is believed to be Bolton Wanderers defender Lubo Michalik, who made seven appearances for United on loan last season. The Slovakian made a big impression during what was a difficult time for the club. 'Everyone knows that someone I've been chasing for a long time is Lubo. It would be nice if we could make it happen,' said Wise. 'I've kept an eye on him, and you know how much we liked him last year. He did very well for us and we missed him when he went back. He's young, he's willing to learn, and he's got all the attributes you look for.'

'We'd like to bring in three or four players, and by that I mean go and buy them - bring them in for the long term. I'm not saying an 18 or 19 year old. I'm saying a player of 24 or 25 who's got games under his belt and a bit of experience. That's what we're looking for.'

The club have also lined up a deal for Finnish winger Sebastian Sorsa, who is available on a free transfer once his contract with HJK Helsinki expires at the end of this month. The 23 year old has represented Finland at under-21 level and has also featured for his current club in the UEFA Cup. Wise has been impressed by what he has seen of the youngster. 'We've spoken to him, he's a free transfer and won't cost anything. He caught our eye and did very well so we're looking to bring him in. He plays on the wing and he's quick with a lot of ability as well. He's going to give a bit of competition.'

'Leeds will be promoted' - Bristol Rovers boss

When Leeds United came away from Bristol Rovers Memorial Ground back in September a morale-boosting 3-0 victory only told half of the story. In truth the Pirates had matched the Whites for long periods of a competitive affair, but it was United's clinical finishing which proved the difference between the two sides. Rovers boss Paul Trollope bring his side to Elland Road this weekend, and has seen nothing since the previous meeting to change his opinion that Leeds will gain promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

'I know about their home record, and it's magnificent,' he said. 'I've been certain for a while that Leeds will be promoted at the end of the season, and if we're going to hinder that slightly this weekend then the one thing I have to stress to my players is the importance of taking chances. That was the only difference in September. We competed well and dominated them at times but we didn't make the most of our opportunities and their finishing was deadly. The big advantage that Leeds have over everyone else is their quality inside the box. It's outstanding at this level.'

'Kandol and Beckford are very difficult to handle but it goes deeper than that. The two or three strikers they've got on the bench are also better than anything else in this division, and they're not starting games. It all adds up to the conclusion that Leeds will be heading out of this division shortly.'

Harry targets festive cheer

Assistant Manager Dave Bassett is looking for the Whites to back-up their promotion credentials with a sackful of points this Christmas. After seeing the side bounce back from a difficult November by taking seven points from the last nine, 'Harry' is keen than the club maintain momentum in their assault on the automatic promotion positions.

'November was a funny month with two wins and two defeats in the league,' he said. 'We suffered the first defeat at Carlisle - one was probably due anyway because it is very difficult to go all the way without losing sometime - and the cup ties added to the situation because we probably expected to beat Hereford and Bury. But as much as it would have been nice to be in the JPT and FA Cup we haven't got the distractions now, we can now concentrate on the league.'

'It's been an encouraging start, but it's Christmas now. There's points to be had and we have to make sure we come out in a good position.' Bassett recognised that in their previous outing at Walsall the Saddlers had increased their performance levels. 'It was another one of those situations where the opposition raised their game. We know and expect that. Some of the opponents I've seen before we've played them look far different from when they play us the following week. Sometimes they struggle the game afterwards as well because they put so much in against us.'

'We always say to the players this is a problem facing Leeds United, because everyone treats it as a final. It is the biggest and best game of their season. Every game is like and FA Cup first round tie, and we accept that. We have Premier League support, but no team has a divine right to be anywhere, and we have to match these teams.'

Skipper impressed by Leeds steel

Club captain Alan Thompson's return to fitness could not have come at a better time for Dennis Wise as the busy festive period approaches. The skipper's return takes on even more significance given the knee injury suffered by Jonathan Douglas at Walsall last Saturday which seems likely to keep him sidelined until early January at best. But as so often happens in football, bad luck for one player opens the door of opportunity to another, and Thompson cannot wait to get back in the thick of the action.

'I see myself as a key player, but I'm not getting any younger,' said the midfielder. 'I'm 34 this week and when you reach that age you need to get fit and stay fit - otherwise you're not a lot of use to the manager. I've had a calf strain and a hamstring strain, and they seemed to come along together. There isn't much you can do about that, but it's not great when you've been in good shape throughout the summer and through the first couple of weeks of the season.'

'Last season when we were backs to the wall the manager would have thrown me straight in because you have to take risks when you are under pressure like we were. But the team's going well this season so the challenge is to get back into the team, not walk back into it. You have to earn the right and the lads who are in there at the minute are doing that. We've lost two games and drawn a couple, so you struggle to pick fault with that. A team in that sort of form picks itself. I don't see a place in the side as a given, and nor do any of the players.'

United conjured another late goal at the weekend to continue a rare habit which seems to separate the successful teams from the rest, a fact which has not been lost on the skipper. 'There's a lot of steel and grit in the team,' he observed. 'You've seen it against Walsall, but I think we showed those qualities right from the start of the season. Alright, the goal's come late. But we've done that a few times, and you get your reward for never saying die. We're going to need that between now and May.'

It was their cup final - Wise

Dennis Wise was keen to reflect on a point gained after seeing Alan Thompson's deflected injury time strike deny Walsall victory at the Banks Stadium. The Saddlers biggest crowd of the season were anticipating a crucial victory after Tommy Mooney gave them the lead with just 15 minutes remaining, before the irrepressible Whites once again showed their steel.

'We knew they would be up for this match - it was their cup final but we kept going and a point is better than nothing,' said Wise. 'I could not see anyone winning it at one stage. I thought it was not a fantastic game, but they scored from a set play and our marking disappointed me. Walsall had lost only one of their last 15 matches and you could see why, because they are well-organised and have some good players who caused us problems.'

Overall the United boss is happy with the way the season is developing for his side, with the division currently wide-open and lacking a clear pace-setter. 'I think it's going to be a lower points total than we expected from the winning team this season - lower than the last five years. A lot of teams have beaten each other and it has been up and down. It has panned out quite nicely for us. We looked at the first 19 or 20 games in a list, and we put certain teams on 39, 40 or 41 points after those games, but there aren't any runaway leaders.'

Walsall unsaddled in another Leeds late show

Alan Thompson came off the bench to rescue a vital point for United with a trademark free kick in the second minute of added time. United had fallen behind when Tommy Mooney took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to put the Saddlers ahead with 15 minutes remaining. But, in front of another sell-out crowd, Dennis Wise's men once again showed their 'never say die' spirit to break Walsall hearts.

Walsall boss Richard Money was clearly gutted. 'There is absolutely no doubt that we deserved to win the game,' he complained. 'We are disappointed that we didn't get three points, but that just shows how far we've come this season. We totally dominated and I couldn't be more proud of the players, they we're fantastic from start to finish and everyone can be pleased with their efforts.'

'There was a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium and our supporters responded to the challenge put before them. We are growing as a team and getting better by the week. I am very happy with what I am seeing at the moment.' Money will clearly be hoping his side can maintain such a level of performance week in and week out as they chase a Leeds side who have already overturned a 15 point handicap on their opponents.

Leeds 'fever' pushes Walsall towards sell-out

The official website of Walsall F C has advised that there are now less than 1,000 tickets available to home fans for the visit of Leeds United tomorrow. With the Whites having sold-out their 3,000 allocation another capacity crowd could be in attendance as the Saddlers become the latest club gripped by the 'Leeds factor.' Covers have been in place at the Bank's Stadium since Wednesday in order to beat the chill, as the club take every precaution to ensure that the League One clash goes ahead.

With Walsall looking to protect a ten game unbeaten run, United boss Dennis Wise has warned his side against complacency as they look to continue their own good form. 'It's going to be a very tough game for us and they'll cause us problems, we know that,' he said. 'They are a very well organised side who play 4-4-2 and we know what they are about. We have had a look at them and this game will be tough for us. They are not far away from a play-off place so we know we have a game on our hands.'

Walsall manager Richard Money is keen that his side do not get caught up in the obvious excitement surrounding the clash. 'It's just another game for us in a busy period,' he said. 'There are still just three points on offer for the winners. Losing 15 points has certainly galvanised Leeds and there is no doubt that they have some very good players in their side. They have made a terrific start to the season but we have had them watched three or four times and know what to expect.'

Leeds 'in fantastic form' - Walsall boss Money

Walsall boss Richard Money has urged the clubs supporters to play their part in attempting to halt the Leeds United juggernaut at the Banks's Stadium this weekend. The Saddlers are expecting the biggest crowd of the manager's reign and go into the clash on the back of a ten match unbeaten run which has produced six clean sheets. However, Money is by no means under-estimating the size of the task posed by the Whites, who have racked up 15 wins already in a remarkable season.

'Our supporters are going to have to sing very loud to make themselves heard and inspire the team - and I am sure they will not disappoint,' he said. 'We know we are facing opposition with some excellent players and in fantastic form. But we could not be meeting them at a better time. We're in good form, we will meet the challenge full on and I'm sure our younger players are eager to show a wider audience what they have to offer.'

Young defender Scott Dann is anticipating a compelling contest. 'Leeds was the first fixture everyone in this division looked for in the summer,' he explained. 'Many people think Leeds shouldn't be in this division and everyone here is just looking forward to Saturday. As a player you always want to play against the top teams in the league and the best players. It will be a tough game but going into every game you want to keep a clean sheet so in that way it doesn't really make a difference who you play. We have been playing well as a team so hopefully we can keep them out.'

Leeds close in on Mission Impossible

On the eve of the new season it was touch and go whether Leeds United would be allowed to make their first ever appearance in the third tier of English football. The coveted 'Golden Share', previously being withheld by the Football League, was granted to the club at the 11th hour, albeit with an unprecedented sanction - the deduction of 15 points. The seemingly crippling handicap looked set to anchor United to the bottom of the division for many weeks, if not months.

However, the embattled squad closed ranks, planning a seemingly impossible mission. No team had ever survived relegation after incurring a mere 10 point penalty. History, along with the 'Football League family', was firmly against Dennis Wise and his troops. The Leeds side that kicked off the season at Tranmere Rovers Prenton Park on August 11th knew they faced a challenge the like of which has never before been seen in English football.

But as Christmas now appears on the horizon, the team are on the verge of performing their own miracle. Nineteen league games have yielded 15 victories, catapulting United to within two points of top spot, a position not even the most optimistic fan would have thought possible come the end of 2007.

Even Wise himself has now let his poker face slip, after assistant Dave Bassett had signalled the clubs intention to be at the top of League One on New Years Day. 'It was a target I put to them,' said Wise. 'Are they capable? We'll see. You have to challenge them and keep them on their toes. We're slightly in front of what I expected. But I am not going to get carried away.' Ultimately it is where Leeds find themselves next May that counts, but to begin the second half of the campaign on such a strong footing would certainly be a remarkable achievement.

Skipper leads four star tribute to legend

On the weekend which marked the tenth anniversary of the passing of Leeds United legend Billy Bremner, it was fitting that current skipper and holder of the coveted number four shirt Jonathan Douglas should set the club on their way to a four goal rout of local rivals Huddersfield Town. The biggest crowd for an English League third tier match for 28 years saw 32,501 spectators pay their own tributes to the 'wee man' who was such a giant of the game.

The current renaissance being experienced at Elland Road can be credited to the same fighting spirit and 'never say die' attitude that was the epitome of Bremner's spirit. After several years of constant decline and a procession of self-obsessed prima-donnas at the club, Leeds boss Dennis Wise has put together a group who are showing exactly what it means to wear the famous all-white strip.

Douglas himself lead by example opening the scoring in the 24th minute with a long-range drive. Jermaine Beckford then added another brace of goals to make it 13 for the season and extend his lead at the head of the divisional goalscoring charts. Finally, Tore Andre Flo came off the bench to score his customary late goal and send the Terriers back down the M62 with their tails firmly between their legs.

The importance of the occasion was not lost on Douglas. 'It was probably in the stars really to score,' he said. 'To wear the number four and be captain. To captain a club of this size is an unbelievable thing, and it's something that I will always look on.' For the 'captain of the crew' it was a truly fitting tribute.

Flo leads the charge

United's first team coach John Gannon has backed Tore Andre Flo to play a major role in the side's promotion push following his latest goalscoring return from injury. Flo came off the bench to seal victory over Port Vale at Elland Road on Tuesday night, hitting his third goal of an injury-ravaged spell which has seen him play just 260 minutes in total so far. But Gannon insists that a fully fit Flo will present a serious threat to the so far lethal strike partnership of Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol, who have hit 19 goals between them.

'He's obviously had problems but he's worked extremely hard,' said Gannon. He's a great professional and he doesn't need too many chances to take one. Everyone at the club's pleased that Tore's back involved. Dennis told me what a wonderful finisher he is, and you can see what he's capable of. When he gets his fitness back he's going to be a threat to the front two, and that's how we need it. I think he's got a major role to play. We need pressure in all areas of the pitch if we are going to be successful.'

The importance of victory over Port Vale was not lost on Flo. 'We needed to get back on track, and it was quite an important match for us to show that we could win. We've bounced back straight away and the lads are doing really well. It's 100 times more important to get back up to the Championship than it is to be in the third round of the FA Cup right now.'

Port Vale in turmoil ahead of Leeds clash

Port Vale manager Lee Sinnott has decided to ring the changes ahead of his sides visit to Elland Road to face promotion-chasing Leeds United on Tuesday night. With the Valiants languishing at the foot of the League One table and having being held at home by non-league Chasetown in the FA Cup, Sinnott, former boss of Farsley Celtic, believes drastic measures are required to arrest their alarming slump.

Vale have lost nine of their previous twelve league games and their perilous position is not lost on the 42 year old. 'I have been here four weeks and it needs action', he said. 'I am going to strip it down as much as I can do. I'll just throw a hand grenade in there and see what happens and take things from there. I have selected a squad of sixteen to play at Leeds and I might select a completely different squad to play at Gillingham.'

Sinnott has installed Luke Rodgers as captain ahead of the game at the expense of George Pilkington. 'I have got to shake things up and that is a way of shaking things up,' he added. 'It's a bit hard on George, but it's a course of action I have got to take. I will expect the squad of sixteen to show the characteristics I am looking for'.

'If you have got no bottle, if you are not prepared to work hard, if you are not prepared to stand toe to toe, not just with eleven Leeds United players, but with 30,000 Yorkshire people behind them, then you are not the player for me.' Sinnott's opposite number Dennis Wise will be looking for a similar response from his own side after they suffered a shock defeat at Cheltenham Town in their last outing.