Leeds United cashing in on Beckford without selling leading striker
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/Leeds-United-cashing-in-on.6010093.jp
Published Date: 25 January 2010
By Richard Sutcliffe
SIMON GRAYSON believes Leeds United's lucrative FA Cup run is a reward
for the club putting goals before cash when turning down bids for
Jermaine Beckford earlier this month.
The Elland Road club twice came from behind against Tottenham Hotspur to
earn a deserved fourth-round replay thanks to two goals from their top
scorer.
Following on from dumping Manchester United out of the competition in
the previous round, United's display was again one to savour as they
caused all manner of problems for the Champions League hopefuls.
Grayson, who will complete the transfer of Leicester City's Max Gradel
today providing the winger passes a medical, rated the 2-2 draw an even
more notable result than the 1-0 win at Old Trafford due to Spurs having
made winning the Cup a priority this season.
And he believes the club's Cup run, which has earned vital income due to
every game being shown live on either ITV or via the internet, is a just
reward for their refusal to cash in on Beckford when Newcastle United
recently bid nearly £2m for the striker.
The Leeds manager said: "As a club, his goals are more important than
money, and if he keeps scoring then hopefully we will get the money that
comes with being in the Championship.
"There is a week to go before the window shuts but we are not expecting
to do any business (with Beckford).
"Of course, if someone offers me £10m then it may be different but
otherwise he will be at the club at the start of next month."
Sources in Merseyside claim Beckford has already agreed to join Everton
during the summer on a free transfer when his contracts runs out, a move
that would see the striker quadruple his current £5,000-per-week wage.
Regardless of that, Grayson insists on just being glad that Beckford's
decision to come off the transfer list nine days ago means United will
have their 22-goal top scorer for the rest of the season.
He said: "He just needs to get his head down. If he plays really well
then he may get a better move than he is being linked with at this time.
But if he sulks then those moves may disappear. He is a striker with a
fantastic work ethic and the other players won't allow him to change.
"Jermaine has natural ability and knows where the ball is going to land.
He had several chances other than the goal and that is the sign of a
good striker."
Beckford's two goals at White Hart Lane were a fitting reward for United
as they finally overcame their penalty hoodoo.
Before Saturday's trip to north London, Leeds had converted just one of
seven penalties since Grayson took charge shortly before Christmas 2008.
It meant there was more than a bit of anxiety as Beckford, who missed in
last season's play-off semi-final second leg against Millwall, stepped
up to take the spot-kick after Alan Wiley adjudged Michael Dawson to
have fouled the striker.
Grayson said: "We had selected a penalty taker but he was not on the pitch.
"It was an anxious moment because our record from the spot is not good,
in fact I can't remember last time we scored one.
"Jermaine missed in the play-off semi-final last season but he showed
great composure in the last minute. It was probably what we deserved
over the course of the game."
United had several heroes at White Hart Lane with Casper Ankergren
pulling off a crucial penalty save in the eighth minute from Jermain Defoe.
The Danish goalkeeper said: "It is always a good start when you save a
penalty. It is what you dream about to get a start to the game like that
and I am very happy for the fans and the club.
"I did not study Defoe's technique before the game. I just tried to have
a look at him and see what his body language was like.
"You have to be lucky and guess the right way as well."
Beckford's dramatic late leveller means Leeds will host Spurs a week
tomorrow in a replay that seems certain to attract another bumper crowd
to Elland Road.
The Premier League side will again start as favourites despite being
away from home but Robert Snodgrass, who excelled on Saturday in a
4-4-1-1 formation, is confident Leeds can progress to the fifth round.
He said: "I think we can beat them at our place. There is no team we do
not think we can beat. We will show them respect but it is up to us to
go on and win.
"A full house at Elland Road is special. I am sure the replay will be
like having the Champions League days back again.
"We have shown again that we are nor scared of any team.
Liverpool, Manchester United and now Tottenham – we have not looked out
of place against any of them this season.
"These are teams that dominate in Europe so we have to be proud of
ourselves because a lot of teams come here and crumble."
Asked if he agreed with Grayson's assertion that the draw at White Hart
Lane was a more impressive result than the third-round triumph at Old
Trafford, the Scot added: "I wasn't involved at Old Trafford until the
last 15 minutes so this is extra special. It showed again we can compete
with the Premier League stars.
"We have two hard games before the replay but it is a dream to come up
against these players. We should be proud of ourselves as we all looked
confident.
"We have shown on numerous occasions that we just keep on going. We did
it against Norwich and we did the same against Spurs."
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