Leeds handed a hiding
But McDermott refuses to worry about job threat
BRIAN McDERMOTT witnessed the heaviest home defeat of his Leeds reign — but brushed aside questions about his future.
It was Leeds’ first home game since McDermott thought he had been sacked by potential owner Massimo Cellino in February, only to be rapidly re-instated. Bolton’s victory left Leeds’ play-off hopes hanging by the thinnest of threads and McDermott was asked if he felt his job was secure.
He replied: ‘It is pointless thinking about my own position. All I can do is get everyone together, train on Sunday and Monday and put a team out against Reading on Tuesday. That is what I want to do.’
It was Bolton’s third straight victory, while Leeds have won only two of their last 14 and McDermott added: ‘Obviously I am bitterly disappointed.
‘During the first half there was nothing in the game. They scored just before half-time, which was a blow. We got done quickly by two set-plays, lost our shape and that was it. This is a big badge to play for, and you could tell the players were nervous in the first half. It is a bad day for us. We’ve had a couple like that, it’s not acceptable and we have to analyse the reasons.’
Resurgent Bolton have now scored nine goals in their last two games, and manager Dougie Freedman hailed a professional performance — but refused to get carried away.
He said: ‘In difficult moments this season we have tried to stay calm, so we are trying to remain calm again despite a fantastic result. We were terrific in both boxes, and it was a fantastic professional performance from everybody. We controlled the
midfield with our passing, with Neil Danns and Jay Spearing the key. Results are now starting to go with our performances.
‘Brian doesn’t need my sympathy. He is big enough to deal with this.’
Three goals in a 12-minute spell either side of the interval by Joe Mason, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Zat Knight provided the platform for the thrashing.
Mark Davies added the fourth with 18 minutes left, and substitute Andre Moritz completed the rout with a minute left.
Leeds substitute Matt Smith nodded a consolation goal in stoppage time, but it could not paper over cracks that need repairing rapidly if Leeds are to salvage anything from this season.
Central defender Jason Pearce lost his ever-present record, as his wife had given birth to a boy, and Leeds badly missed his calm assurance as they were torn apart in an embarrassingly one-sided second half.