Just 5 weeks into the new season and Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford has already hit double figures as he spearheads the clubs promotion charge.
His latest brace, coming in yesterday's 3-1 victory at Swindon Town, being all the more sweet considering the Whites were forced to play over 80 minutes with only 10 men, following a deserved red card for full-back Alan Sheehan. After Simon Cox had equalised for the hosts on half-time, a Neil Kilkenny free-kick restored Leeds advantage.
It was a performance which proved Gary McAllister's troops have the ability to adapt their approach as circumstances dictate. Following the previous weeks sublime 5-2 demolition of Crewe Alexandra, United displayed tremendous guile and tenacity to wrestle the spoils and secure victory in relative ease.
Robins manager Maurice Malpas was furious, branding his team's defending 'pathetic'. Nevertheless he was forced to admit that 'Leeds just passed it about and were in charge'.
McAllister, understandably, was full of praise for the attitude and work rate of his side. 'We had 10 men willing to fight and kick for each other', he enthused. United's boss clearly believes he side are now moving up through the gears, having risen to 4th place as the league table begins to take shape, adding: 'That was the best performance since I've been manager'.
