[themaclad]

Off to the celestial county of Yorkshire twice in a week, first up we are marching all together to Elland Road to take ona Leeds side that are having a bit of a stutter having only won once of the last five games, out of sides we have played they are one of the better ones having won 4-1 at Deepdale just after Christmas. They had been on a really great run of form under Gary Monk however they have lost their last two away games also had Liam Cooper suspended for six games after standing on Blackett's head at Reading. They have been decent at home losing only twice since November so it will be a difficult test for a North End side clinging on to a chance of the play offs.
Only ever been twice to the place, last seasons narrow defeat and the other was the 6-4 victory when Jon"The Beast" Parkin scored a hat trick and was applauded of by the Leeds fans when substituted, Grayson was manager of Leeds that night. The North End boss is still held in high esteem by the home fans.
Up front they have Chris Wood a more than useful goal scorer at this level, defensively they are strong Bartley and the immense Jansson take no prisoners but may be a bit suspect in between the sticks were 732 year old Rob Green is the main man.
North End should be no changes after Tuesday night, away support down to 800 as quite a few won't pay £37 Should be a cracking atmosphere and we may just cause a surprise.

[themaclad]

As with the game at Deepdale we were poor at the back and missed the chances we got at the other end and we had a fair few, losing means we are eight points behind the Owls with five to pla, the fat lady isn't quite singing yet but she soon will be possibly by Friday night.
31800 at Elland Road to see United virtually confirm their place in the end of season party, although if Barkuizen had taken either chance he had in the opening moments things might have been different, the first a header was well saved by Green, the second he beat the offside advanced on goal curled the ball past Green but the wrong side of the post.
From that stage Leeds started to get on top and took the lead after 18 minutes, a one two on the edge of the box, Clarke failed to track Roofe, his shot took a defelction of a defender fired over Maxwell's head and dropped into the net.
Leeds started to press and win all second balls with Hernandez being involved in everything.
Without the injured Hugill North End had no phuysical presence up front therefore the two gian at the back for Leeds, Bartley and Janssen had no problems winning anything in the air.
When we did get in a position of danger the home side always seemed to have enough men back to quell the danger.
Wood had the ball in the net just before half time, Mr Bankes gave it then overturned the decision after consultation with his liner, sadly just on the stroke of half time they had the ball in the net again and this one counted, Baptiste at fault this time, Hernandez got past him and he just about managed to get the ball home.
We started well in the second half but Leeds were soon on the attack again they hit the post and went narrowly wide with another effort before Grayson made some substitutions which did make a difference. Barkuizen was only inches away from a cross, then the best of the lot a shot was spilled by Green, the rebound was hit against Green and on to the bar by Beckford before Makienok was unable to head the ball downwards from close range.
Beckford also nearly scored before Baptiste accidently stood on Hernandez and was red carded.
All that was left was Huntington's error and rather portly substitute Doukara advanced on goal and slid the ball past Maxwell to make it three.
Wouldn't back against Leeds in the play offs decent side can be beaten though if you take your chances.
Won a tenner on the coach National sweep stake so only cost me £2 to Leeds a bargain.

Leeds United 3 Preston North End 0 Att 31800

Leeds manager Garry Monk: "It was really important to respond and we were determined to after back-to-back defeats away from home and that was the key.

"The first five 10 minutes they had a couple of breakaways, which could have been more dangerous. But once we got to grips with it, for the next 50 or 60 minutes we played some really good football.

"We created numerous chances and probably should have capitalised a bit more, but we were playing against a good side and they are in form.

"They were never going to make it easy for us, but some of the football we played I thought was excellent."

Preston boss Simon Grayson: "We started really well and had two great opportunities through Tom Barkhuizen.

"But before you know it, we switch off and they got their noses in front. We weren't good enough defensively and that was the big aspect.

"We created some good chances. We had good possession and played some decent stuff, but it mistakes at key times cost us.

"If you do that against a strong team like Leeds they're going to punish you."