Simon Grayson talks most important match in Leeds United tenure

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Former Leeds United manager Simon Grayson has been discussing his most important moment from his tenure in charge at Elland Road. 

Whilst many might think it would be Leeds’ win over Manchester United in the Champions League, Grayson actually chose a different option. 

Speaking to the EFL website, Grayson made it clear that it was actually the win over Bristol Rovers that secured a return to the Championship which stood firmest in his memory. 

The fixture, which was nearly 10 years ago in May 2010, was not an easy one. Leeds went down to 10-men in the 33rd minute after Max Gradel was sent off and Darryl Duffy gave Rovers a 1-0 lead. 

But goals from Jonny Howson and Jermaine Beckford secured promotion for Leeds ahead of Millwall. Speaking to EFL.com, Grayson pinpointed Beckford as one of the keys to Leeds’ success that day. 

“As anyone connected with Leeds United know, things never get done the easy way, so we went into that game saying ‘let’s do everything we can to win’.

“Jermaine [Beckford] was always a big-game player and that was one of the reasons why I made him captain that day, because he thrived from that sort of pressure.

“It was a weird game because everything that could happen, happened. Johnny Howson came off the bench and pretty much scored with his first touch, and it felt like we were playing with 15 players after that! The atmosphere was electric, and when that final whistle came it was a huge relief because we achieved what we set out to do at the start of the season.”

TBR’s View

There would certainly be a poetic symmetry if Leeds United could secure their long-awaited promotion to the Premier League a decade after they escaped League One.

However, amid the current global health crisis, it appears that despite Leeds topping the Championship, fate may intervene. 

It is just frustrating that on this occasion, ten years later, the situation might be taking out of Leeds United’s hands.