Latics out to worsen Leeds’ woes

LEEDS United’s season appears to be teetering on the brink of collapse at the moment.

Currently second in Coca-Cola League One, Simon Grayson’s stuttering side are only a point clear of Colchester with a game in hand and three points behind leaders Norwich, again having played a game fewer than the Canaries.

Removing the context of recent form, that isn’t a bad position to be in.

But before the turn of the year, the title seemed certain to be heading to Elland Road.

Prior to the momentous 1-0 FA Cup triumph against Manchester United at Old Trafford on January 3, Leeds were eight points clear at the summit, with an 11-point gap to third-placed Norwich.

But the West Yorkshire side’s league form since beating the Premier League champions has been wretched.

A 2-0 home win over Colchester United brought the only League One victory so far in 2010, with wins eluding Grayson’s men in each of their seven other fixtures.

Losses have come away at lowly Exeter (2-0), play-off rivals Swindon (3-0) and on home turf against mid-table Walsall (2-1) last week.

Four draws also feature in the miserable sequence, including two — away at Leyton Orient (1-1) and at home to Brighton (1-1) on Saturday — where goals in the fifth minute of added time have rescued points for Grayson’s men.

Robert Snodgrass was the most recent hero for the Whites against Brighton, coming off the bench to slam home a rebound against a team reduced to 10 men following Adam Virgo’s red card and managed by former Elland Road assistant boss Gus Poyet.

While a recovery at some stage seems inevitable — Leeds appear to have far too much quality within their ranks for the downturn to last much longer — history suggests Athletic will not fear tonight’s fixture (7.45pm kick-off).

Since Leeds were relegated to League One, they have lost both games against Athletic played at Elland Road.

On New Year’s Day 2008, goals from Reuben Hazell, Neil Trotman and Craig Davies took Athletic into a stunning 3-0 lead before half-time and despite Leon Constantine finding the net a minute after the restart, Leeds went down 3-1.

And in the second week of last season, Athletic repeated the dose.

On that occasion Chris Taylor found the net twice to stun the majority in a 24,631 crowd.

To complete a notable hat-trick tonight, Athletic will need to perform a task which has proved tricky all season and find the net.

Dave Penney’s side are the lowest scorers in Coca-Cola League One, with 24 goals in 29 games played.

Stockport — 1-0 winners away at Exeter at the weekend — and Tranmere, who beat Leyton Orient 2–1, the only other sides in the division not yet to have reached 30 goals for the season.