Post by Taxigirl on Jan 11, 2006 8:56:15 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
Midfielder Liam Miller said he took no time at all in agreeing to stay with Leeds until the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international first arrived at Elland Road in early November and quickly made his mark at the club, scoring a dramatic winner in the 4-3 comeback against Southampton at St Mary's in what was only his second game for the Whites.
Liam had been due to return to parent club Manchester United last week but Leeds were able to persuade both the player and his club to extend his loan until the end of the current campaign - including the play-offs should they be required.
The former Celtic ace has made eleven appearances for United so far, which is almost half as many as he made in his first season at Old Trafford, and it's clear a change of scenery has paid off for the 24-year-old.
"There's a great bunch of lads at this club, and Kevin Blackwell made it clear he wanted me to stay here and I told him I would be happy to stay until the end of the season.
"I didn't really know if I would be going back to Manchester United until I spoke to the manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) and he said it would be best if I did go back and got games under my belt. I am very happy to do that.
"There were one or two other clubs interested but when I heard the manager was happy enough for me to come here, my mind was more or less made up."
It would be no small measure of irony if a Manchester United player was to help Leeds achieve promotion, but that's Miller's aim.
"Hopefully we can get up now, it would be great for this club. I am here to play until the end of the season and will give it everything I can."
Miller has gone from strength to strength in games, much as Blackwell predicted he would after losing his "rustiness", and the player believes his confidence is growing with every game.
"I feel the whole team is strong at the moment, it's been about getting to know the players on and off the pitch and I've gelled with them.
"The manager has got us playing football the right way, we pass it around and obviously you can't do that all the time but we know that ourselves.
"The lads here all seem to have the confidence to get hold of the ball and spread it about."
Leeds were able to extend his contract and get permission for him to play in the FA Cup just hours before the registration deadline for the third round, which is just as well because the midfielder could be involved in a good cup run with Leeds.
"I think our equaliser was richly deserved in the end.
"It was nice to go there and be able to compete with a team that are doing very well in the Premier League at the moment. It shows the confidence of the lads.
"We are a bit disappointed we didn't win, but it was a late goal for us and we have to be happy enough to get the replay and try again."
Midfielder Liam Miller said he took no time at all in agreeing to stay with Leeds until the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international first arrived at Elland Road in early November and quickly made his mark at the club, scoring a dramatic winner in the 4-3 comeback against Southampton at St Mary's in what was only his second game for the Whites.
Liam had been due to return to parent club Manchester United last week but Leeds were able to persuade both the player and his club to extend his loan until the end of the current campaign - including the play-offs should they be required.
The former Celtic ace has made eleven appearances for United so far, which is almost half as many as he made in his first season at Old Trafford, and it's clear a change of scenery has paid off for the 24-year-old.
"There's a great bunch of lads at this club, and Kevin Blackwell made it clear he wanted me to stay here and I told him I would be happy to stay until the end of the season.
"I didn't really know if I would be going back to Manchester United until I spoke to the manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) and he said it would be best if I did go back and got games under my belt. I am very happy to do that.
"There were one or two other clubs interested but when I heard the manager was happy enough for me to come here, my mind was more or less made up."
It would be no small measure of irony if a Manchester United player was to help Leeds achieve promotion, but that's Miller's aim.
"Hopefully we can get up now, it would be great for this club. I am here to play until the end of the season and will give it everything I can."
Miller has gone from strength to strength in games, much as Blackwell predicted he would after losing his "rustiness", and the player believes his confidence is growing with every game.
"I feel the whole team is strong at the moment, it's been about getting to know the players on and off the pitch and I've gelled with them.
"The manager has got us playing football the right way, we pass it around and obviously you can't do that all the time but we know that ourselves.
"The lads here all seem to have the confidence to get hold of the ball and spread it about."
Leeds were able to extend his contract and get permission for him to play in the FA Cup just hours before the registration deadline for the third round, which is just as well because the midfielder could be involved in a good cup run with Leeds.
"I think our equaliser was richly deserved in the end.
"It was nice to go there and be able to compete with a team that are doing very well in the Premier League at the moment. It shows the confidence of the lads.
"We are a bit disappointed we didn't win, but it was a late goal for us and we have to be happy enough to get the replay and try again."