http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/Fans-have-key-role-in.6281727.jp
Fans have key role in taking Leeds up – Bates
07 May 2010
By Richard Sutcliffe
KEN BATES has called for Leeds United's fans to remain patient today as
the race for automatic promotion reaches a climax. United are one of
five clubs chasing second place in League One on what promises to be a
dramatic final day of the season.
Victory over Bristol Rovers will be enough to clinch runners-up spot
behind champions Norwich City regardless of how Millwall, Swindon Town,
Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield Town fare in their own games.
A draw or defeat would, however, change the promotion picture
dramatically with United fans left nervously waiting for news from
elsewhere.
It means today could be a nervy affair at Elland Road and Bates, who is
confident Simon Grayson's men will claim the required three points
against Rovers, is hoping the capacity crowd stick with the Leeds
players regardless of how the game is panning out.
The United chairman said: "Everyone is looking forward to the game and
is in confident mood.
"It won't be easy as Bristol Rovers will be determined to spoil our
season, especially as we beat them 4-0 away from home.
"But with nearly 38,000 people inside Elland Road all fully behind the
team, we can do it.
"It will be a nervy day, I am sure of that after having been in
football for 40 years.
"But Simon is selecting a team that will go out there to win the game.
If we do that, we are promoted. It is quite simple, though I am always
reminded of something the late Tony Banks once said to me before an
important game at Chelsea. We were in the stand and he said 'it is a
simple game from up here – we never miss a penalty, never make a mistake
and never score an own goal'.
"The fans have to realise that and stick with the players. We need them
to show plenty of patience and let the players know they have the fans'
full support.
"If the fans can make the players feel 10ft tall, everything else will
take care of itself."
Leeds are in the driving seat due to being the only club whose fate is
in their own hands. Such has been their collapse in form since the turn
of the year, however, that nothing can be taken for granted.
After losing just once in the first half of the season and being eight
points clear at the top on New Year's Day, United have struggled for
both form and results.
In the 22 league games played in 2010, they have claimed just 27 points
and only the stumblings of others have allowed Leeds to remain in second
place going into the final game.
Last weekend, for instance, saw Millwall blow a golden chance to
leapfrog United in the table when they lost 2-0 at relegation-threatened
Tranmere Rovers.
With Swindon and Huddersfield both winning as Grayson's men lost at
Charlton, it means five clubs still have a mathematical chance of
claiming second place.
Of that quintet, two – Millwall and Swindon – meet at The Den while
fifth-placed Charlton Athletic travel to Oldham Athletic as Huddersfield
make the long trip to Exeter City.
Terriers manager Lee Clark admits his side are "massive outsiders" due
to being three points behind Leeds and needing all the other results to
go in their favour.
Huddersfield, like Charlton, need the encounter at The Den to end all
square for them to retain any hopes of sneaking into second place come 5pm.
Millwall and Swindon, meanwhile, are relying on a favour from Bristol
Rovers, whose manager Paul Trollope has this week been inundated with
offers of help from the clubs hoping to capitalise on a slip by the
Yorkshire side.
Trollope said: "I think we have received more help this week from other
clubs than we ever have in the past, which is great.
"We have had an influx of information, DVDs of Leeds games and reports,
which can only help us. Hopefully, we will be able to act on it."
Trollope is hoping that a season where fans have learned to expect the
unexpected in League One will have one more dramatic twist on the final day.
After more than four decades in football, Bates is well schooled in the
sport's propensity to shock but the United chairman insists the Elland
Road players have the character to finish the job.
He said: "I have been involved in a few nervy final days. I remember
Chelsea going to Bolton in 1983 when the winner would stay in the Second
Division. It was chucking it down that day and the pitch was like a gluepot.
"With the tension that also surrounded the game, it meant it was a nervy
affair for everyone. But then Clive Walker scored 20 minutes from time
and Chelsea stayed up.
"The following year, Chelsea won promotion to the old First Division and
clinched the championship on the final day by beating Grimsby 1-0.
Chelsea just pipped Sheffield Wednesday to the title that year.
"The key is going out there in confident mood and to match that
confidence with aggression. I am sure Simon and his staff have been
working hard all week in making sure that is the case."
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