Preston North End 4 Leeds United 1: Preston's attacking sharpness deflates Wise
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dennis Wise, the new Leeds United manager, admitted he was left with feelings of disappointment and anger at his side's capitulation at Preston North End in just his second game in charge.
Such is the size of the task ahead of Wise in saving Leeds from relegation to League One that the former Chelsea and England midfielder has already warned his underachieving players that he will wield the axe at the first opportunity because they are playing for their futures but letting the club down.
Goals from Danny Dichio, Danny Pugh, David Nugent and Lewis Neal made David Healy's late strike for the visitors nothing more than a consolation and helped the home side to maintain second place and an unbeaten home record this season.
The difference in class was huge, but so was the difference in attitude and application and this is what appears to be troubling Wise the most. Considering these qualities helped to define Wise's playing career, he will not stand for such failings.
"I've had the opportunity to watch three games now and that performance is not what I want," the manager said. "It's not enough and I've let the players know. We might need to bring in some fresh faces because the feeling is we need more competition.
"We don't have a massive squad and we have players that will always play. This has to change because I'm very disappointed. I need to know if the players are going to give me what I expect. I'm not too pleased because I don't expect to be three goals down.
"We are going to have to work with what we've got at the moment and try and make it happen.
"It's a difficult situation but they have got to play for their futures, pride and club because this is a massive club that expects certain standards of playing."
The only concern for Wise's counterpart, Paul Simpson, is how to hold on to Nugent when the transfer window re-opens. At this rate, there will be a queue of clubs wanting to sign him.
Simpson said: "That's what David Nugent's all about, but there's no point me losing sleep over someone coming in for him. There's nothing I can do about that. He showed what a really hot property he is, but we won't give him up without a fight."
Preston North End (4-4-2): Nash; Alexander, St Ledger, Chilvers, Hill; Whaley, Sedgwick, McKenna, Pugh (Neal, 78); Dichio, Nugent (Ormerod, 85). Substitutes not used: Lonergan, McCormack, Wilson.
Leeds United (4-4-2): Stack; Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Lewis; Moore (Horsfield, 50) Westlake, Derry, Johnson (Blake, 49); Cresswell, Healy. Substitutes not used: Warner, Richardson, Foxe.
Referee: A Marriner (W Midlands).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments