FRESH defenders will be arriving at Elland Road shortly – and they can’t come quickly enough.

New Leeds manager Simon Grayson is working to rectify an old problem – United can’t keep the opposition off the scoresheet.

He came close to landing a potential target before Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Carlisle, who were the latest side to benefit from a generous Leeds backline who have not managed a shutout since winning 1-0 at Cheltenham on November 1.

Grayson, tasting his first defeat as Leeds boss, knows he is short of time if the Whites are to claw their way back into the play-off places.

They could do it as many of the teams above them have to come to Elland Road, but if he doesn’t get it right they Leeds look set for mid-table at best.

After the postponement of the Hereford away game, Grayson had been given extra time to work with his players following their 3-1 win at Stockport on December 28.

But the chance to earn back-to-back victories evaporated as United’s defence melted in the first half.

It took the visitors just seven minutes to slice open United’s square back line, but former Leeds striker Michael Bridges was denied by a sprawling Casper Ankergren.

It was an early escape, but Leeds crumbled in the 26th minute when Cleveland Taylor zipped past Alan Sheehan and pulled the ball back for an unmarked Danny Graham to score.

After Luciano Becchio was denied an equaliser by a close-range save from impressive Carlisle ’keeper Tim Krul, the Cumbrians extended their lead as Bridges rolled the ball in from an acute angle after more chaos in the Leeds defence.

Orchestrated by the busy Graham Kavanagh, Leeds were exposed on the counter but after Grayson made substitutions to switch to 3-4-3 the Whites had enough chances to salvage a point.

Krul and co held firm as Leeds badly missed hamstring victim Jermaine Beckford’s cutting edge.

There’s no denying the hard work the players are putting in and their individual skills, but Leeds lack cohesion and too many of their squad don’t look comfortable playing 4-4-2.

They have a huge squad – and the wage bill that comes with it – compared to their Coca-Cola League One promotion rivals, yet finding the right blend is proving elusive.

Grayson says he does not have to move players out before getting new ones in, and has already netted striker Lee Trundle on loan, but he knows new defensive personnel are his priority ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton.


Leeds United: Ankergren, Richardson, Marques, Michalik, Sheehan (Johnson 56), Hughes (Robinson 62), Douglas, Delph, Snodgrass, Becchio, Christie (Trundle 56).

Subs (not used): Lucas, Assoumani.

Carlisle United: Krul, Raven, Livesey, Murphy, Liddle, Taylor (Bridge-Wilkinson 67), Thirlwell, Kavanagh, Smith, Bridges (Dobie 59), Graham.

Subs (not used): Williams, Hackney, Keogh.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

Attendance: 22,411.