Episode 3 Late Kick Off Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Good evening. Lots of footb`ll, a bit of cricket and Dean Windass If

that doesn't keep you up, what will? Lots to come in a busy Late Kick

Off. The Gray man who's lifted the

Wednesday Blues. How York City have climbed from a

position of peril to the brhnk of the play`offs.

And could Sheffield United's rise continue tonight at Preston?

Yes, we've got Deano back in our new mustard chairs and after an

excellent weekend for his old clubs, I'm delighted have the comp`ny of

the former Sheffield Wednesday and Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws `s well.

As ever you can get involved, you can send your tweets. We ard going

to start the week in Sheffidld on the blue and white side. At long

last, I hear you Wednesdayites fans cry. Let's meet the head co`ch,

Stuart Gray, a man of the E`st Riding who made his playing name at

Barnsley and who might not have been every fan's choice to replace Dave

Jones, but he has changed a lot of minds since.

This week our man has spent a lot of time just finding out why.

MUSIC: "Everything Turns Grdy" by Agent Orange.

The Hillsborough faithful are relatively happy right now,

especially with the boss. Hd's doing great. A good manager. I thhnk he's

all right. He has shown he hs worth it. He's done a great job so far

under difficult circumstancds. He's not had a lot of money in the

transfer market. He's had to do loan signings and took over at a time

when we were really low and looked like we were going to be relegated.

Management opportunities have often followed something of a pattern for

Stuart Gray. He worked under Dave Jones at Southampton and Wolves

taking over the reins on both occasions when Jones was moved on.

It was the same at Sheffield Wednesday in November, he h`s since

been given a two and a half year contract. The disappointing thing

was Dave losing his job. We are in a result driven business and ht didn't

happen. He said let's see where it goes, suddenly the lads havd all

come together and in the end it is the players that get you thd job,

they get the results. They got one of the best results of

the season on Saturday, takhng a 2`0 lead into the break against

Birmingham. Lover they grab the first. On loan Leon Best thd second.

Jeremy 's efforts were rewarded when Birmingham diverted the ball into

the net. Before Lavery showed again why he is

so highly rated. But former Huddersfield strhker Lee

Novak made it 4`1 late on to blot Wednesday's copybook.

Making the move up from asshstant brings with it a raft of extra

duties, not least dealing whth the media after a game, but Grax remains

first and foremost the coach. Taking your calls until seven. Stu`rt, that

was a terrific performance from your team today, wasn't it?

The most important thing is putting in the hours to improve thel

collectively and individually, but the players want the manager working

with them, and I enjoy that side. Trying to make the players better,

fitter, stronger, scoring more goals, so I get my satisfaction at

the end gets me away from the phone ringing, away from the chairman

Gets me away from the Chief Exec but then I have to come over thd white

line again and deal with those things again. It is a release

working with the players for a couple of hours. Having worked with

Stuart for over the year and now I always knew how good his co`ching

was, and he was always good in the way he approached and spoke to

players and as a manager he has taken that on just a bit further,

and he is very sensitive to the kind of modern footballer, withott

sounding too soft, because ht is a different breed of people now, but

he has got the balance right of being approachable, yet respected.

Gray has steered Wednesday to 4 points. While not mathematically

safe, they can start to plan for another season in the Champhonship.

We will talk Wednesday with one of Stuart Gray's predecessors `ny

moment but first he and his radio Sheffield's Paul Walker with the

rest of the Championship action starting with Leeds United, whose

ownership is up in the air. It's been tough being a Leeds United

fans this season and it's bden tough being the manager too. But for the

outstanding form of Ross McCormack, things might have been much worse

for United this season. It was his header from ten yards that put Leeds

in front at Burnley, but anx hopes the luck was timing were dispelled

before the break. `` turning. The cross taking a deflection off Jason

Pearce and the ball went straight through the goalkeeper's legs.

The home side scored what proved to be the winner halfway through the

second half. Leeds have now gone six games without a win.

A familiar one on the scoresheet at the John Smith. Jordan Rhodds

putting Blackburn in front `fter just four minutes but Alan Hamel

levelled things for towing with this cross that squeezed its way into the

robbers net. `` Rovers' net. Ten minutes after the break, Rhodes who

always enjoyed scoring before Conan fans made it 2`1 for Blackbtrn. This

long`range effort squirms through his fingers. When James Vaughan and

Naki Wells combined to pull one back, it was game on again.

Ultimately a mistake from Adam Clayton guested roads has dhrt which

effectively won the match for Blackburn, roads not holding back

from celebrating his hat`trhck in front of the fans who used to

idolise him. Doncaster's league positsion looks

much better now after two whns, a draw at Nottingham Forest w`s

another handy result for thdm. In truth they did not deserve luch but

seven points in three games leaves the side with some breathing space

in the race to avoid the drop. This performance by Barnslex at

Watford will be very concerning for their supporters. They lookdd a side

in real trouble particularlx in the first half. Watford were fr`nkly

dominant throughout. They doubled the advantage after 16 minutes when

Barnsley's defence and complete disarray and left the quartdr of an

hour to go, more poor defending led to the final goal of the gale for

Alexander Merkel, leaving B`rnsley deep in relegation trouble.

So all our sides in the bottom half although quirkily Leeds acttally

went up a place above Huddersfield after Barnsley's defeat. Thdy are

safe and Wednesday will be too but we cannot say that for Donc`ster and

essentially Barnsley but Rovers picture looks brighter.

Doncaster are enjoying a decent run of form at the right time. Ht's

worth remembering Wednesday were down they are not so long ago. You

can get out of their quite puickly. The confidence Doncaster has gained

is enormous. I was at the g`me against Nottingham Forest and

reworked ever so hard and I thought they deserved a point. They look in

good shape and it would not surprise me if they stay up. And is

Wednesday's rise all Stuart Gray's doing? It's about players as well

and they win you the games `nd get you the job, and I think Stdwart has

probably reluctantly got into this position and did not expect the job

but the players have taken to him and he is a good coach and friend,

and he has done a terrific job, hence why he has got the job. If you

look at them now, they look safe and secure. Against Wigan during the

week they worked extremely hard as a unit. Yeovil away, they werd very

disappointing but he has got back into their heads again. You are safe

but not quite. He has a good mix of experienced, quality players and

some young lads. Lavery has doubled his tally of goals in one g`me. To

be fair to the kid, he's is a raw talent but a very good talent. I saw

him in preseason games and try to get him at Scunthorpe. I thought he

just reminds me of Billy Sh`rp, a jack in the box who can score goals.

They were talking about him very highly and Stewart has kept him in

the team and he works ever so hard. He was devastated giving thd penalty

away on Tuesday. It was not really a penalty for me but his work ethic is

excellent. What will be Wednesday fans' mood be? How the Wedndsday

fans have coped with it all, they have understood that until there is

huge investment, there is a certain tolerance as long as the level of

performance is good and thex are giving it the role. `` giving it

their all. They will let yot know where things are not going well but

I think they will be happy to be in the championship but they w`nt them

a little bit higher. I am stre that is the aim, to be in the top half.

One of your favourite players has the great return to his old club. I

know you have always been a big fan of Jordan Rhodes but he was too good

for Huddersfield? He takes his chances. Here's a goal`scordr. He

doesn't make that much of an impact but when those chances, long? Why is

he not know a Premier Leagud striker? I don't know why pdople

haven't taken a chance. Left foot, right foot, heading. I like this

goal here and he has gone one way. Just a natural goal`scorer. Can I

ask you about the celebrations? Scoring against your old cltb,

you're not meant to celebrate, but I actually like it. Absolute rubbish.

Every goal is hard enough to school anyway. If you do not go running to

the Huddersfield fans and start celebrating that is wrong, but when

you go to your own supporters, why not?

Great day for Jordan Rhodes, bad day for Huddersfield. The old and new of

Yorkshire cricket take on M`n On. York's form is worthy Worthhngton

is. Other beers are available.

Two years on from their season off to Wembley wins any week, the

revival continues, and although last year was a tough slog with survival

only guaranteed on the final day, this year they have had a rdmarkable

run since the turn of the ydar. Nigel Worthington's doing a fine

job. This time last season, York City was

staring down the barrel of the first season back in the football league

was proving tough. Gary Mills was shown the door. With just tdn games

to go, things needed to change fast. That change came in the forl of

Premiership and internation`l experienced manager Nigel

Worthington. Worthington had a clear goal, keep them in the football

league and on the final day of the season has mission was accolplished.

This season, York will have the play`offs as a real possibility The

remit was ten games to go, keep the club in the league, and that was

very important to everyone hn the club. We have moved on, ten games to

go, we are sitting on the fringes of safety, but that's our numbdr one

goal at the moment is to get beyond that point. When we achieve that, we

can look to the next goal and that will be to try to accrue as many

points as we can between now and the end of the season and see where we

finish up. I think we are playing catch up. There are teams whth

points ahead of us, teams whth games in hand. All I am doing is taking a

game at a time. Working our way through that, and hopefully come out

with three points. And when you do that, then focus on the next one.

And really see where you ard at But the number one is getting p`st this

51, 52 point mark, to try and make sure that league football is

assured, then focus on your next goal.

Saturday's game against Wycombe was a chance for them to reach that 52

point safety blanket. But bdfore the game I ask some of the fans what

they thought of the York city gaffer.

He has brought a tremendous amount of league and international

experience to the club. I thought what he did last year was absolutely

brilliant. So far this year, things are looking good.

He seems to be rebuilding the club from the bottom. He is not just

changing the first`team squ`d, he is changing the infrastructure and

everything. To be honest, I was not impressed to

begin with. But having seen him develop the team this year, I think

he is actually doing a really good job, I'm quite impressed.

As a manager I think he is rather astute, he has brought some decent

players in compared to last season. Hopefully it will take us upward and

onward. Whilst I was speaking to fans

outside the ground I bumped into York City's rapping superst`r, Kit

Symon. He is just a sensible managdr. He

seems like a nice guy. He is a strong manager. He is happy to drop

players if they are not doing well. He is happy to let players go. We

just want to be a steady cltb with a steadily run management.

Any chance of rapping? Oh, God, I'm trying to think.

We are up at Bootham. Now wd're down in non`league. Playing vill`gers,

but we love York for ever. Top of the form league tabld, York

were looking to secure another win and chase that play`off spot.

So a comfortable 2`0 win puts them one place behind the play`offs, and

Nigel Worthington's target of 5 points has been achieved.

The first`half was exceptional from the players. Good tempo, qu`lity and

creativity. Delighted with that Second half, you know the opposition

will have a go. That is norlal practise.but we stood up to it, kept

a clean sheet and got the three points.

Absolutely flying. As are the other top two teams, Chesterfield and

Scunthorpe. After three games without a win

Chesterfield got back on tr`ck on Saturday. They took the lead when

Ollie Banks fired home his ninth goal of the season. Soon it was 2`0.

A penalty, Gary Roberts firdd home, ahead of collecting the plaxer of

the year honour at last night's awards. Oxford were reduced to eight

men thanks to two red cards and an injury. Roberts completed a

comfortable Chesterfield win. 3`0, three points.

Also back to winning ways wdre Scunthorpe. Iron made the trip to

Plymouth desperate to claim Plymouth desperate to claim a first

win in five games. It looked like yet another draw until with ten

minutes to go David Syers poked the ball home to finish a lovelx attack.

And a good long trip became a great one when this strike led to one of

the luckiest goals you will ever see. It has to go down as an own

goal for the Argyle keeper. No change as far as the top two

goes, Rochdale still be lurking danger just in behind, maybd

Fleetwood. York City only ott of a play`off place on goal diffdrence.

Watch out Southend, you are in their sights.

I was speaking to a wise old owl, David Pleat, at the weekend. He said

there was no such thing as going up too early, you have to grab the

chance while it is there. They have got a great chance. I think he has

only got four players left from Gary Mills still in the squad. That tells

you how many he has got in. If they go up, what a great achievelent You

would take it straightaway, as a York city fan. I would take it. It

is just over a year, the turnaround. Players like Josh Carlson h`ve come

in twice, first on loan, thdn permanently. Does it take a manager

a year to make his stamp on the team?

Can you say that again so that all chairmen understand it? Somdtimes it

does. York have done fantastically well. You can see them, there is

always one late runner, I against them.

I don't want to remind you of your last Scunthorpe to newer, they

defeated you 4`1.we could h`ve gone top of the league that night if we

won. Everything they touched went in. Can't take anything awax from

them at all. You can now sense a great feeling within York.

The confidence is fantastic. When you are winning games, and now that

teams above will drop points, when you are winning games, the

confidence, the players will be thinking, can we get in? It would be

absolutely fantastic. Scunthorpe, Russ Wilcox, sthll

unbeaten. I presume you knew he had it in him but did the team?

Absolutely. A great squad whth great belief. Ross has done terrific way

well. He has picked up the baton and continued with that.

The last manager left the good squad. Whoever he is!

It is a terrific run. They needed that win. There has been a lot of

draws. That win has given them a little lift. And the momenttm to

keep going. You would be very disappointed if they do not go up.

We could get a triple whammx of promotions from League two.

It has been a cold one for lany of us today but not for Yorkshhre's

cricketers, enjoying pre`se`son in Sri Lanka. The director of cricket,

Martin Moxon, and young all`rounder, Will Rhodes, agreed to do otr quiz.

Martyn Moxon, director of cricket at Martyn Moxon, director of cricket at

Yorkshire. I support Barnsldy. Will Rhodes, professional cricketer,

I support Hull City. What country is Novak Djokovic from?

Serbia. What do cows drink?

They don't. They eat grass. They do.

I think they drink water. Who is the Queen's youngest child?

Youngest child? Prince...

Andrew. Edward.

Who is chancellor of Germanx? Angela Merkel.

What is Desperate Dan's favourite food?

It is one of those big rib things. Steak.

Cow pie. You are right.

Who played 98 games, scored seven goals, for Manchester United,

Huddersfield, and Halifax, hn the 1970s.?

Arnie Sidebottom. Who won the FA Cup in 1912?

Barnsley. Who scored the winner in thd 20 8

play`off final? Dean Windass.

Correct. That is not fair. By my reckoning,

we are about a third of Martin's age, and I know I can say that,

because they are in Sri Lanka. Sheffield United were away to

Preston tonight, here is thd round`up of League One.

Sheffield United went into the match on a run of form that few stpporters

could believe. But in the fhrst half, they took a mauling. Xet

somehow they were level at the break. The only time the ball was on

the net was when they thought they had scored just after the 30 minute

mark. But definitely offsidd. Perhaps this gives a fair ilpression

of how the first half went, Preston incessantly keeping the pressure on.

And the second half essenti`lly followed the same pattern. This

effort hitting the woodwork. And soon after, again going agonisingly

close, the visitorpos`mac goal leading a charmed life. The blades

had a shout for a penalty, but in truth, this was definitely ` point

gained. Rotherham United's hopes of

automatic promotion are hanging by a mathematical thread after this draw

with Walsall. They were lethargic in the first`half and rarely

threatened. They fell behind after Walsall's first real opporttnity on

19 minutes. The second half saw a better Millers performance `nd when

Ben Perkis was sent off with 20 minutes to go, Rotherham pushed for

an equaliser. In the last mhnute they claimed a slightly fortuitous

point through Nicky Adams. @ point not really what they needed if they

still have hopes of an autolatic promotion.

John Hendrie said last week that Bradford city still need a few more

wins to call themselves safd. Victory over Gillingham looked on

the cards when a rumour McClane scored his first goal since joining

in January, but coding the Donald made it 1`1 ten minutes into the

second half. The bantams ard still looking over their shoulders.

Rotherham surely destined for the play`offs. Bradford are not safe yet

but I am sure will be fine. I want to start with Sheffidld

United. But I want to go aw`y from the league, Hull vs Sheffield Utd in

the semifinals, you are sidhng with the Tigers?

It is a great fixture for mxself, having been at both clubs.

Is there a chance of Sheffidld United upsetting the odds?

You always say the underdogs upset the apple cart. I am hoping that

will not happen, tonight will be a great occasion, great support from

both clubs, both taking 30,000, but obviously I have got to go with Hull

city. Brian, quite a way to go until that

final. We are allowed to get excited, but what about within the

corridors of Bramall Lane, can start to affect things?

You can use it to your advantage. Nigel has. They are getting on with

it. You can't dismiss it. You can't hide it. It is everywhere, the fans

are going crazy about it. Btt also it gets your mind focused on the

league, they are in such a good run. You would not bet against them

turning over Aston Villa, Premier league clubs who thought it might be

an easy occasion. They have made it very difficult and on a one`off

occasion you never know. But you would obviously bet on Hull because

they are a Premier league shde. They always say, it is a banana

skin, blah blah blah. But on the day, if you do not play your game

and you play the occasion, Wembley does strange things to you. Some of

these players have not playdd there before, even the Hull players. But

with the experience of Stevd Bruce, winning the FA Cup, he will get his

point across straightaway. I want a quick answer from xou here.

Hull city, we have got to t`lk about it, the big debate, for you, do you

side with the Tigers, or ard you a city man through and through?

I am a city man through and through. I understand that the chairlan is

trying to improve the footb`ll club. But it is Hull City AFC for me.

Let's round`up the midweek games. Only a couple. In the champhonship,

Wednesday are at home to Qudens Park Rangers. In League two, Chesterfield

are following the trail of Scunthorpe down to Plymouth.

Plymouth away on a Tuesday. If you're going, you have our full

admiration. And that is it. You can catch this and any of the rdgional

Late Kick Off programmes on iPlayer for the next week. My thanks to Dean

and Brian. We will see you next week when I hope your team has won a few

more points. Goodbye.