Warnock - Virus hit squad work their socks off

Leeds United boss Neil Warnock says the players worked their socks off after some of the squad played through a virus to help Leeds record a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at Elland Road.

Leeds ended their festive programme with a much-needed three points to get their play-off hopes back on track after they had suffered two poor away defeats in the past week.

Luciano Becchio scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after 66 minutes for his eighteenth of the season in an uninspiring game.

The first half was largely forgettable with Leeds failing to put the Bolton goal under pressure and Warnock says the players were feeling the pressure following the performance at Hull on Saturday.

Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Warnock said, "We were to apprehensive in the first half, we took too many touches and I think it was a carry on from the game at Hull, where we were really bad and it made us nervous in front of the crowd.

"I thought we worked our socks off and I felt if we could get in at half time at 0-0 we would win the game and we played better in the second half.

"Apart from the shot by Chris Eagles, when Paddy Kenny made a great save, they never tested us."

A number of players have been struggling with a virus this week and Warnock said a number of players played despite suffering from illness. "Jerome Thomas was really poorly. Paddy Kenny can hardly walk with the virus that is going around, Paul Green and Ross McCormack played despite being under the weather and they really put a shift in.

"We lost Luke Varney and Jerome Thomas with the virus. Under those circumstances, I am proud of the lads," added Warnock.

The win for Leeds was their fifth in a row in the league at Elland Road, there best run since September 2009.

Despite their poor results over Christmas, the win over Bolton moves Leeds back into eighth place in the championship just two points off the play-offs.

Leeds now take a break from league action when they welcome Birmingham City to Elland Road in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Barnsley are next up for Leeds in the championship at Oakwell on January 12th and Warnock will be desperate to have added to his squad before the Yorkshire derby.




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