Tough talk paying off for boss TC
BLADES STRIKER ON GOING TO ELL AND BACK
THOMAS CHRISTIANSEN says his Leeds players have toughened up.
The Elland Road boss accused his side of being “too soft” after they caved in at Sheffield Wednesday three weeks ago.
But he insists lessons have been learned from the wounding 3-0 defeat inflicted on them by the Owls and there is no chance of a repeat collapse against Sheffield United tonight.
Christiansen said: “Football is like a mountain, you go up and down, and at the end we want to be at the top.
“There will be downs and that day at Sheffield Wednesday was one of them. It was probably our worst performance of the season, but I believe we are over that and it won’t happen again.
“Since then we have been doing things correctly in the way I want the players to perform.
“We have toughened up and been stronger in everything we do.
“We have been more determined in our challenges, more clinical in taking our goal-scoring opportunities and cut out individual mistakes.
“We are ready for another big Yorkshire derby and my players know what is expected of them. I believe in them and I believe they will deliver.”
There will be a 34,000 full house at Elland Road to see fourth-placed Leeds take on the buoyant Blades, one place above their hosts.
Christiansen said: ”Both teams doing well makes this an extra special game.
“They have made an unbelievable start, but it hasn’t surprised me because they are a group who have played together for a few years.
“They also have an excellent manager in Chris Wilder, so when you have good players and a good coach it invariably makes for a successful season.”
BILLY SHARP knew he was on borrowed time at Leeds from the day he joined them.