Leeds United v Birmingham City: Grayson calls on home fans to give off positivity

The Championship side host Birmingham City looking to make it a hat-trick of wins at home after edging past Burnley and Ipswich Town earlier in the month.

With a point having been taken off Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in between the two victories, it means another win tonight would leave Leeds on an identical number of points to the corresponding stage last season and handily-placed to push on in the promotion race.

Grayson believes this should represent grounds for optimism but appreciates much has changed over the past year with an air of mutiny being detectable at United’s last home game against Ipswich due to the impending sale of captain Jonny Howson to Norwich City.

Much of the 3-1 victory was played out to the background of ‘Bates out’ chants, while there was also a protest by the Billy Bremner statue involving several hundred fans ahead of kick-off.

Grayson’s fear is that a similar response tonight could hamper Leeds’s hopes of beating Birmingham.

He said: “I would like the fans to be as positive as possible. Over the last few weeks, it has been something of a flat atmosphere. I understand the frustrations of the supporters but we are all chasing the same target – promotion. We can do that by being positive and vibrant.

“Right from the off, we need the roar of the Elland Road crowd as it gives the players a belief. I know it is down to the players as well to give the fans a boost.

“But we do need to work closely together. If we win the game against Birmingham, we are in exactly the same position in terms of points as we were last season.

“That isn’t a bad situation, considering the criticism that has come our way over the past few months. Last year, I know the mood was very different. Everyone was positive and really enjoying the Championship. There wasn’t the expectancy level. I knew that would rise this year.

“But there have also been other things that the crowd have taken into consideration. That is their opinion.”

Asked if the flat atmosphere is in danger of affecting his players, Grayson replied: “I think it is, yes. I can sense nervousness.

“In my career, I played in games where I wasn’t as confident as I should have been and took the easy option, hitting a hopeful ball as a safety option instead of getting on the ball and attempting a 20-yard pass.”

Grayson has no fresh injury worries as they look to avenge their 1-0 defeat at St Andrews in October, meaning changes to the starting XI could be at a premium despite the unconvincing manner of United’s display when beating Ipswich 10 days ago.

Robbie Rogers, who has signed an 18-month contract after leaving Columbus Crew, is available after receiving international clearance but will not feature tonight due to having flown back to America last week for four days until his visa came through.

Ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm, Grayson is targeting further signings with reports north of the Border suggesting Celtic full-back Mark Wilson could be joining on loan until the end of the season.

United are also believed to have other transfer targets in mind, though Grayson admits the scheduling of a full round of Championship fixtures during the final few hours of the window is far from ideal.

He said: “From my perspective, my efforts have to be on preparing the team to face Birmingham.

“I have left a lot of the stuff in the hands of Shaun (Harvey, chief executive), Gwyn (Williams, technical director) and the chairman for them to try and conclude. The football side is the most important thing.

“But it is a strange decision (to play on January 31) because it more or less means that Tuesday can be ruled out to a certain degree.”

Grayson has brought in loanees Andros Townsend and Fabian Delph this month, made Danny Pugh’s switch from Stoke City permanent in a £500,000 deal and signed Rogers.

Overall, however, the window has been a quiet affair in not only the Football League but also, compared to last year when almost £300m was spent, the Premier League.

Grayson said: “Not a lot of business has been done. I don’t think there is a lot of money around right now in society as a whole and that is a factor why it has been so quiet. If you can’t buy players then you have to try and swap players.

“It is a window where people pay over the odds, that is something to be careful about. Norwich paid over the odds for Jonny Howson, when you consider the time he had left on his contract – hence why we accepted the deal.”

Last six games: Leeds United LLWLDW, Birmingham City DWWWWW.

Last time: Leeds United 3 Birmingham City 2; September 23, 2006; Championship.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).