After Saturday's determined and much improved performance I and many fans are looking forward to our trip to Hull on Tuesday. Although we've seen some improvement since Warnock took charge, Hull can't be overlooked. They're a place above us and have two games in hand...quite simply a must win game. I spoke to Rick Skelton to get his thoughts ahead of the game tomorrow night.
9th in the table with a couple of games in hand, you've got to be pleased with that?
If you'd offered it at the start of the season, I'd have bitten your hand off but having been in the top 6 and had a 4/5 point cushion around Xmas, it's a tad disappointing that we didn't build on that.
On Friday you managed to come back from behind to pick up a point against a solid Blackpool side. How did you play and were you happy with the result?
The result was a good one, Blackpool are a good side and any point against a top half side is decent. We didn't play particularly well, didn't meet the standard we've set and might have been 2 or 3 down before we really started to play.
Nick Barmby now in charge after Pearson left. What are the fans thoughts on him as a manager and can he take you back to the Premier League?
Obviously everyone around here loves Nick so he'll get plenty of support and a bit of leeway if things go wrong. It's difficult to judge him so far because he's sensibly just kept things ticking over. The team Pearson built was a good side playing good stuff and Nick obviously shares the same philosophy because he's just kept things moving the same way.
We beat you 4-1 in August, what has changed at the club since then. Will it be a much tougher game?
We're certainly a stronger defensive unit since, best defence in the league. Guys like McKenna and Hobbs have really settled in and we don't have a clown in goal. That said, we didn't play too badly at Elland road and forced something like 14 corners so the result was slightly flattering I thought.
At the beginning of the season I thought you could reach the play-offs, what were your expectations and do you see yourselves as promotion contenders?
Personally I've always thought we were an 8th to 10th team. We didn't strengthen massively in the summer, the squad is small (in more ways than one) and young so I think we're a work in progress.
How do you see the Tigers lining up on Tuesday?
It's pretty well established now. Mannone in goal, back four is generally Rosenior, Chester, Hobbs and Dawson. McKenna and Evans anchor midfield and Koren plays behind Fryatt. The wide players are the only thing that tends to change but it will probably be 2 of Stewart, Brady and McLean.
With it being a Yorkshire derby and what not are you expecting a big crowd on Tuesday?
I'd think so, the home crowds are down a bit this season but fairly consistent. Hardly anyone brings a lot of fans to the KC but Leeds certainly will.
Who do Leeds need to watch out for?
When they're on song, Stewart and Koren can trouble anyone.
Is there any Leeds player that has impressed you this season and you'd like at the KC?
Snodgrass is the obvious one. We've been crying out for a striker like Becchio to threaten in the air for a while too. I like Clayton as well, he'd fit in nicely here!
Prediction for the match?
It could honestly be anything but I'll be going for 1-1 on my betting slip.