Morning Leeds-in for 9 February: Heckingbottom thinks that Leeds can make the playoffs

Paul Heckingbottom still believes that Leeds can make the top six.

Heckingbottom took over at Barnsley FC when the club was in 14th place in the table, and not only did that team win the FA Trophy, it also beat Millwall at Wembley to gain promotion from League One to the Championship. As he said today at his press conference, “Two years ago, when I sat in this chair at Barnsley, we were 14th and we went up. I know it can be done.”

He said rather than focus on the long-term goals of the play-offs or promotion, his focus would be on the next game, saying, “we want pressure on every game, to win every game. The aim is to be a real force in this league.”

Heckingbottom also said that while players are missing through injury and suspension, that just meant that the other players have an opportunity to come in and play. Heckingbottom is credited with developing young players and not being afraid to play young players at the club, which means that if the more senior players at the club aren’t cutting it, he won’t be afraid to drop them and pull in some youngsters. Should be an interesting line-up and match on Saturday.

On to the links.

Leeds United Links

Andrea Radrizzani thinks that the players at the club need to step up. [Through It All Together]

Radrizzani insists that the club will come up with a crest that everyone will like. Okay, then. [Yorkshire Evening Post]

Radrizzani also talked about the relationship with the Aspire Academy and the youth development at the club. [Yorkshire Evening Post]

England and English Football Links

West Bromwich Albion’s Jay Rodriguez has been charged by the FA of racially abusing Brighton & Hove Albion defender Gaetan Bong. [The Independent]

Carlos Puel, manager at Leicester City, confirms that Riyad Mahrez will miss this weekend’s match against Manchester City. [BBC.com]

World Football Links

Club América played reigning MLS Champion Toronto FC in a friendly in Mexico City and beat them 6-3. [Waking the Red]

Speaking of Club América, how has the hiring of Miguel Herrera at manager worked out so far? [FMF State of Mind]

AC Milan are rumoured to be intertested in signing former Manchester United forward Memphis Depay. [AC Milan Offside]

The USSF president elections are taking place this weekend in Orlando, and nothing is confused and debated more than the subject of MLS and its relationship with Soccer United Marketing. Here is an explanation of that relationship. [SBNation]