We'll put the bite on Leeds, says Ward Published on 01/11/2007 TOP of the league and four wins from their last five games - but Carlisle United are still clear underdogs this weekend, according to boss John Ward.
The Blues chief acknowledges unbeaten Leeds would be out of sight as League One leaders were it not for their 15-point penalty. Ward says Dennis Wise's fallen giants have already proved they are the best team in the division, but is optimistic about Carlisle's chances of becoming the first side to topple them this season amid a "cup-tie" atmosphere at Brunton Park on Saturday. "There is pressure on Leeds, because we are the underdog side. Three years ago this football club was in the Conference," Ward said. "Wherever Leeds were then, I know they had 30,000 at their last home game and we would need to fill our place twice over to get that amount of people in. "In terms of club size we shouldn't be in the same league, but that's nothing I can control." Saturday's game is heading for a 16,600 sell-out, and Ward said: "Some games have an extra edge to them and this is one of those games. "We don't normally get 13,000 home fans in here and in a sense it's going to be like a cup tie. I think they see Carlisle as the small club versus Leeds as the big club, and in that case people get behind the underdog a little bit. "We want give them a tough test over the two games and those people off the pitch can certainly help us do that. "Without the points deduction they'd be flying at the top of this division and we wouldn't be top. We have got that in perspective, but it's a cracking game, we go into it in decent form and Leeds go into it unbeaten. "I think they are the best team in the league, their results say so, and we will see how close we are to them." Ward should once again name an unchanged team, with no fresh injury concerns for the Blues boss. An alternative could be to axe either Simon Hackney or Joe Anyinsah in order to add an extra central midfield man to combat Leeds' strength in the middle of the park, but Ward is unlikely to tinker with the side that impressively beat Southend 1-0 last Saturday to go top. Ward said Leeds' superb start has surprised him, given the psychological blow of that points deduction. But he is full of praise for his opposite number Wise - a manager who is far from universally popular in the game. "People have their opinions, but if you ever asked them if they would like Dennis Wise in their team, they would say yes," Ward said. "Whatever view you have on him, Leeds United needed a fighter in the leadership position and they've absolutely got that. If anyone wants to doubt his credentials I'd say they were crazy given what he's done with that football club in the adversity they've had. "Fifteen points is massive, and to claw it back so quickly and positively shows real quality about their club." _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist 6 in a bloody row!
