Hallelujah!

After finally guiding Leeds United out of third tier hell, and despite ‘enticing offers from other clubs’ (Ken Bates’ words, not mine), Simon Grayson has finally put an end to speculation over his future by agreeing a new three year deal with the Whites.

Larry has experienced the same rollercoaster of ups and downs as every Leeds United manager must inevitably face, but in the 18 months he’s been here so far, he’s come out of it smelling like roses almost every time.

Save for a dodgy season end as Leeds United insisted on doing it the hard way, Simon Grayson has got pretty much everything right. Aside from a few ineffective loan signings, his often controversial dealings in the transfer market have plugged all the right holes, allowing Leeds United to finally move forward after almost a decade of demise. Signings like Patrick Kisnorbo and Max Gradel have brought much needed strength and excitement to a team previously void of ideas, with gaping holes in key areas.

Such is the affection Leeds United fans have for Simon Grayson, an ‘In Grayson We Trust’ brigade emerged last season, that firmly believe Larry has what it takes to get us back where we naturally belong. In the life of a football manager, you never know what’s going to happen next and a three year contract is rarely completed. In Simon Grayson however, we have someone that shares the same dreams, enthusiasm and beliefs as everyone on the terraces, and my only hope is, that he’s given the time to prove he can compete amongst the very best.

Simon will have little time to reflect on his achievements so far and celebrate his new contract, with Leeds United on tour in Slovakia at the minute and some more wheeling and dealing in the transfer market still to be completed.

If Bookmakers, Betfair are to be believed, those dealings won’t involve one Gary Hooper who has today been linked with a move to Preston North End. The busy bookmakers have “revealed” (made-up) several rumours regarding Leeds United over the last week or so, with none of them yet to come true, so I doubt Larry will be losing too much sleep.

TSS Forums – Our first pre-season friendly in Slovakia is the subject of a new forum discussion in the all new TSS forums. Click here to join in now.

World Cup 2010

Round two of our predictions league got under way with a 2-0 win for the Netherlands. I finally lifted myself from the relegation places with an exact prediction of 2-0, but since seven others also correctly predicted 2-0, the available bonus points were split meaning we all earnt 2.25 points each. Only one member went for anything other than a win to Holland, but five also didn’t predict in time and scored absolutely nothing.

Japan 1-0 Cameron

Our runaway leader in the first round was the only person to correctly predict a 1-0 win to Japan, so Madferret picks up another maximum haul of three points. Nobody else fancied the Japanese so there were no other points scorers and three people didn’t make their predictions in time.

Italy 1-1 Paraguay

The World Champions matched England with a faltering start against Paraguay. TinyEight and NickMetcalfe were the only two to correctly predict a 1-1 draw and score 2.5 points each. Dje also predicted Italy to struggle in their opening game and also scored points for correct result.

Slovakia 1-1 New Zealand

Most of our predictors felt the same way as me for this one and went with a win to Slovakia against a New Zealand side many feel is there solely to make up the numbers. Five people picked up points however for correctly predicting a draw, with Elperronegro, LeedsUnited89 and LewisG Leeds all getting 2.33 for an exact prediction.

Cote D’Ivore 1-1 Portugal

In the last game played so far, the majority went with a win for the Portugese and had Cristiano Ronaldo been a little luckier, they’d have been right. As it finished though, the game was a draw which seven correctly predicted (including me!). No one expected the game to finish goalless, with five us predicting a 2-2 outcome earning 1.5 points each, but the biggest points scorers were Zecca and Wally who split the bonus points for closest prediction, earning themselves 2.0 points a piece.

Scores on the doors

After all that, Madferret remains in the lead on 12.80 points, with Matt BB and Wally snapping at his heels on 11.55 points each.

New entrants

Anyone wishing to join TSS’ World Cup prediction league can sign-up at SportGuru.co.uk now. During registration, the form asks for a Pool ID; Here you should enter ‘harmboxy‘ to join TSS’ league.