Grayson - get behind Becks

Leeds boss urges fans to support under-fire striker

Last updated: 12th April 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Grayson - get behind Becks

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Simon Grayson has urged Leeds fans to get behind his players after Jermaine Beckford responded to a barrage of criticism with a gesture.

The 26-year-old was replaced by Luciano Becchio during a 2-0 win against Southend and Argentine striker Becchio went on to score United's second goal after Max Gradel had opened the scoring.

Beckford was on the receiving end of some abuse from a section of the Elland Road crowd in the first half and the frustrated striker reacted with an angry gesture.

"The fans pay their money so they can chant things but they can only help players by getting behind them. Jermaine hasn't got a problem with it and nor have I," said Grayson. "Strikers thrive on confidence and after going a few games without scoring, maybe Jermaine's confidence is dwindling.

"I heard a few fans having a go at him and then some backed him. Luciano wasn't 100 per cent fit to play but we had to change the system and the personnel and it worked.

"I said the other day that I am not afraid to take my captain off or my leading scorer or a young kid if those decisions benefit the team."

Comments (32)

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Ashley Oakes (Leeds United fan) says...

I firmly believe we will go on to win every game of the season now after our last 3 games.. Some of you are ''blaming Grayson''..or.. "blaming Beckford"..or.." blaming Bates"... if we want to see our team pull through to the champoinship, pointing the finger at easy targets is just going to dent confidence and performance. Beckford does not deserve the stick he's getting at Elland road, he's been fantastic and has scored so many important goals this season. Ok, the latter stages of the season he's been dry, but every striker/[player goes through a patch like he has...if a player is low on confidence and isnt playing well then instead of booing and chanting against your own men.. we have to grit our teeth an continue to support. We've Won 3 on the bounce now and i have never doubted Simon Grayson. After watching the Carlisle game, the players looked on the ball and rejuventaed. Gillingham saturday, always a tough place to go, but i see a 0-3 victory for the whites. Becchio is playing awesome as always, and the signing of Super Max is proving useful now. Those two up front has changed us i think, we look new, we look fresh. Lets go on to acheive what we once had wrapped up.. Marching on Together!!

Posted 20:41 15th April 2010

Neil Scott (Leeds United fan) says...

As a Leeds United supporter for over 40 yrs all I want is automic promotion we deserve it this season. I hope the bench at the club Becks ends up at has heated seats because he will be sitting on the bench for most of next season hes not cut out for premier league footie but lets cheer him on till the end of the season at least you never know it could be him that gets the goal that gets us promotion all I know is we dont want the bloody play offs again no way Marching on Together

Posted 11:24 15th April 2010

Karl Glover (Leeds United fan) says...

At the end of the day we wouldnt be in the position we are without the goals Jermaine has got us, so for that i am greatful. However the dip in performance as of late is no excuse and to blame it all on JB isnt right either. Leeds as a team, ever since are amazing FA Cup run have been rubbish in the league. Who cares now whats happend in the past WE ARE LEEDS lets march on stick together and support the hell out of this amazing football club and as a TEAM lets get bloody promoted? No playoffs please..... Just second place is all we should head for now....Super Leeds

Posted 13:16 13th April 2010

Karl Holt (Leeds United fan) says...

For all you so called leeds fans who says mr bass knows nothing , Ian Harte was at leeds again on trial, was not wanted and then signed for carlisle. As for beckford leeds fans must relise we cannot go out anymore and buy 30 goal a season men and Mr beckford kick on and pay us back for getting you your dream move to the prem. LEEDS FANS COME ON TIME TO STICK TOGETHER IS NOW

Posted 11:35 13th April 2010

Bob Rowntree (Leeds United fan) says...

In defense of Matthew Bass Ian Harte was training with us as a free agent before signing for carlisle so maybe we could have snapped him up. As for Beckford by booing him sure its going to have an affect on all the team when the players lose faith in there own player/s MOT

Posted 11:32 13th April 2010

Peck Woodall (Leeds United fan) says...

perhaps through injury and lack of form simon has stumbled upon a strike force in beccio and gradel that will push us towards second place, you cannot be too critical about a player like beckford when his goals have in no short measure put us into a strong posistion for promotion.

Posted 10:47 13th April 2010

Chris Money (Leeds United fan) says...

well i think its time to put beckford on the bench i dont think his heart is with SUPER LEEDS UNITED he seems to be more interested in a move so may be it time grayson started with beccio n gradel and give them the time to play along side each other M O T

Posted 09:56 13th April 2010

Mark Crawshaw (Leeds United fan) says...

I concur with many of the previous comments in this thread. Jermaine Beckford's playing style - one the appears languid and apathetic at the best of times - is frustrating but, as already stated, below, without his goal scoring contributions over the last few seasons, our final league positions would, without doubt have been lower and, even at League 1 level, players who consistently score in excess of 25 goals a season, are a rare commodity. When Beckford leaves at the end of the season, which seems inevitable, appreciate the number of goals he scored during his time with Leeds and move on. Booing any player is hardly going to have a positive effect on his confidence/performance, so let's get behind the whole team for the final promotion push. With crowds as large as those at Elland Road, it's inevitable that vociferous fan dissatisfaction, when things aren't going well, is going to transmit to the players and only add to the nerves that have been present since the new year slump in form. As for Matthew Bass... Where have you been for the past six years, or are you joking? Ian Harte left Leeds in 2004 and has played for several clubs, most notably Levante, Sunderland and Blackpool (who he signed for when Simon Grayson was still in charge, but didn't play until Grayson had left) since that time. Let's just hope he has a stinker tonight, eh? MOT.

Posted 01:03 13th April 2010

Ashley Black (Leeds United fan) says...

with beckford leaving it will give a player a chance to wear the leeds shirt with pride,, its about time simon has took him off, he wants to leave,, let him GO !!!!!! FOREVER LEEDS

Posted 01:01 13th April 2010

Glynn Mather (Leeds United fan) says...

I think this latest slump is down 2 the manager ,just like David O he cant change a game,wont take his( star players )off, and give others a chance .Whats he going 2 do when Beckford leaves????????????.Grow some Grayson and put him in the reserves, and give the others a chance instead of leaving them 2 rot on the bench.

Posted 22:42 12th April 2010

Mark Scott (Leeds United fan) says...

Beckford is totally overated he's scoring goals in the third tier of english football so everybody who's saying it's offside to boo him is talking rubbish leeds gave him his chance and if it wasn't for us he'd probably still be playing non-league football plus the only reason he gets the amount of goals he does is because he's playing at the biggest and best club in the league despite what the table says and wouldn't get half the amount of chances he does at a smaller club so when he leaves and goes to the prem league don't make me laff he'll wind up leaving after a year when people really see how poor of a player he is and can then go to a smaller club in the championship and be in the same league as us then he'll regret the day he left there's plenty of players out there who'd give their right arm to play for a club like us so lets get them in and get the deadwood wasters like beckford out !!!

Posted 21:58 12th April 2010

Luke Lynam (Leeds United fan) says...

Which so called Leeds fan thinks Grayson let Ian harte go??? He left the club 7 years ago! Blackwell, Wise and Mcallister hav all been in charge since then! As for Beckford, the man is a goalscorer and whilst he is at the club we should get behind him for the good of our promotion push.

Posted 21:39 12th April 2010

Simon Bryan (Leeds United fan) says...

I have to say that having gone to Elland Road on Saturday, i thought that Beckfords performance was an absolute disgrace and laughable. I don't agree with booing ANY Leeds United player, Simon Grayson or Ken Bates, but having said that, people pay their money, so they are entitled to have their say. I know he has scored alot of goals for us, and alot of VERY important goals, but to me he is just going through the motions as they say. It was a performance of no effort, care, desire or passion, and that's what the fans hate more than anything. If you put the effort in and work for the team, the Leeds fans (and any other fans) will love you (Gradel and Becchio). What annoys me the most about Beckford is he never ever jumps off the ground or challenges for a header, and he always holds the back of his neck, like he has been shot in it, it's a joke. I wouldn't play him again this season, i'd go with Gradel and Becchio upfront from now on, they are both grafters, team players, and make things happen. Thanks Alot for all of your goals Becks, but it's time to move on now mate, your heart isn't with Leeds anymore, but ours will always be....

Posted 21:38 12th April 2010

James Brand (Leeds United fan) says...

Beckford`s work rate and movement on and off the ball at the start of the season was very good . The last few months his form and work rate has dropped . Most players work harder when they suffer a drop in form . Simon Grayson so far has picked inform players .It is not easy dropping our leading goal scoarer at the end of the season in a tight title race but i don`t see his contribution.

Posted 21:12 12th April 2010

Paul Mawson (Leeds United fan) says...

I think the 'so called LUFC fans' that were booing Beckford are an utter disgrace to the club & they are the ones not fit to wear the shirt. Regardless of work rate, commitment, who really cares? It is the goals that a striker scores that he should be judged on & I think JB¿s record at Leeds justifies his position in the team, yes he may need a number of chances to score, but it is because he is a quality forward he gets in those positions. The team in general has had a wobble, but is it not surprising that whilst JB has been off of form that LUFC have also struggled. To me it is no surprise what so ever, as we rely on JB (& Snodders) more than any other player to get the goals. I can¿t understand the logic of booing a player, you should support the team, his body language or work ethic is no different to when he was banging the goals in earlier in the season. Even then there was a small minority of fans giving JB stick. Those fans are a disgrace to LUFC, when the team is struggling for confidence & a player in particular, it is about showing your support, but no, what do the idiots in the Kop do, they boo a player - CLASS ACT - really showing your colours! Those fans saying Billy & the Don would be turning in their graves are talking complete tripe; those Leeds legends would be turning in their graves at so-called supporters jeering our own player. It is fans like this that make our great club a bit of a laughing stock up & down the country. Lets support the team & JB, because if we do go up whether that is automatic or through the playoffs a large part of that will be because of JB's goals. So stop being so short sighted & back all LUFC players for the remainder of the season, it's fairly obvious that jeering our own players is completely counter productive. Only at our club could we have fans getting on the back of a guy that has banged in 27+ goals for his club - MENTAL - MOT!

Posted 19:03 12th April 2010

P K (Leeds United fan) says...

Ian Harte left 6 years ago!!!!! Grayson wasn't even in charge then. Everybody needs to stand by Grayson as he will get us there!!! I agree Beckford hasn't been in good form at all in the last few games but ever striker suffers a dip in form but he could look more into it than he does. However we have to all remember he is the best goalscorer we have and if we didn't score from now until the end of the season I'm sure you'd all be back on here saying 'WHY DIDN'T GRAYSON PLAY BECKFORD!!!!'

Posted 17:44 12th April 2010

Louis James (Southampton fan) says...

I don't know what all this fuss is about with Beckford. He is no where near as good as Lambert! When Leeds came down to St. Mary's, he spent most of the game lying on the floor, trying to win freekicks. After hearing 'how good he is' via the media, I was a little nervous that he was going to score against us. Like someone said above, he is Berbatov without the inspiration - lazy and arrogant with a complete disrespect for the fans.

Posted 16:47 12th April 2010

Henry B (Leeds United fan) says...

Put Beckford on TV and he'll score a hat full. He doesnt play for the team he plays for himself! I admire the goals he has scored considering he is truely the most awful player to be ever dubbed a star striker. I just feel his luck has finally run out and we are now seeing the conference player he truely is!

Posted 16:43 12th April 2010

Matthew Bass (Leeds United fan) says...

The blame has to also lay with Grayson, i cant understand why he let Ian Harte leave. look at the goals he's been banging in (as a defender) . Leeds have let players go this season and then replaced them with waste of timers. The only hope i can see is that we win the next few games and leave Millwall and Swindon to battle it it out on their last game and hopefully trip each other up and we get through the back door (with or without Beckford)

Posted 15:06 12th April 2010

Tommy Smyth (Leeds United fan) says...

Yes, Beckford is the laziest player I've ever seen and moans more then Drogba and dives more then Ronaldo but you can't argue with his form in the first half of the season. However after the Man U game and the whole transfer request fiasco, with hindsight, we should have let him go to Newcastle. With the £1million or however we would have got, we could easily find a player to partner Becchio (who works his socks off every game). I think it's time to rest Beckford and show him his not the key player in the team and give Gradel and Becchio a run and, failing that, crack Grella in there. Anyway let's get a good run going and get automatic promotion. MOT

Posted 14:36 12th April 2010
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