Here are your Leeds United morning headlines for Sunday, 25 October.
Peter Crouch gives glowing Leeds United assessment
Former Liverpool and Tottenham striker Peter Crouch believes that Leeds can challenge for a top-half finish this season.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites have taken 10 points from their opening six games, a run that’s included fixtures against the dominant two teams in recent years, Premier League champions Liverpool and runners-up Manchester City.
Leeds took a point from their home match against Guardiola’s City and were minutes away from getting a draw at Anfield, and those performances have clearly impressed Crouch.
"I just think there's no fear with the teams that come up these days," the former England international told BT Sport.
"I remember back in the day when teams would come up and you'd just assumed they would go back down, but I just don't see that with Leeds at all.
"They could comfortably push for the top half. I know perhaps results haven't been perfect for them, but they've had Liverpool, they've had Man City and the only real problem they've had was the Wolves game.
"They would have probably expected to get a result from that, but they've played some difficult teams and they've given a really good account of themselves, considering they've just come up.
"They've pushed everyone to the limit in every game."
Here’s the full story.
Dean Smith points of importance of big moments in Aston Villa clash
Dean Smith has conceded that Leeds were the better team in Friday night’s 3-0 away win at Aston Villa, but was keen to stress the fine margins that might have seen it go differently.
The Villa coach was evidently disappointed by his side’s performance after Patrick Bamford’s opener, in which the striker went on to score two more goals as Leeds dominated proceedings.
But he believes it was an even game up until that moment, and pointed out how close his side were to taking the lead, especially when Luke Ayling made a goal-line clearance to deny an effort from Jack Grealish.
"Big moments change the game. It was pretty even in the first half. We had a couple of good chances,” he said post-match (via Birmingham Live).
"Jack's had one cleared off the line, they've had a couple of good chances, Emi's made a save and we got a few blocks in.
"Half-time I thought it was even Stevens and then we have a big moment where Jack goes on a mazy run and the keeper makes a good save.
"Two minutes later they go up the other end and score. That goal changed the game. They gained a yard and we lost a yard.”
Here’s what he said in full.
Leeds eye another Wigan starlet
The Sun report that Leeds are keeping a close eye on Wigan youngster Sean McGurk and could make an approach during the January transfer window.
Leeds had previously been linked with a move for the 17-year-old midfielder, who has been tipped to follow in Joe Gelhardt’s footsteps in leaving the beleaguered League One Latics.
The teenager is yet to make his first-team debut, but has caught the eye from scouts for his performances in the youth set-up, having scored twice in four appearances for their Under-18s.
The new report reiterates earlier suggestions that United tried and failed to sign him in the summer. Were he to sign, he’d likely be another addition for Mark Jackson’s Under-23s.
