Leeds United - Scunthorpe United... Preview

Post Arsenal, we need to make sure we don't have a repeat of the post "Scum" hangover from last season, which began the week after, with a home tie against a team we were expected to roll over comfortably. Tomorrow we face Scunthorpe, another team we're expected to waltz past. Avoiding a "Wycombe" is a priority and will be a test of how far Simon has improved his squad's mentality.

Although not coming with the same euphoria of the win in Manchester (which Grayson said lasted "2 weeks" within the club), the squad are surely on a confidence high, despite not managing a win in four in the league (3 draws and a loss). Confidence must be kept in check and the fans must support tomorrow, however we come out of the blocks. Simon says there will be no "hangover" as the squad is different, and the cup tie is different, lacking that euphoria and of course the intense rivalry.

So, then, will we walk it as expected? I wouldn't say so. Scunny are down at the bottom on merit, but their away performances may be something to be wary of. Whilst winning only one in eleven at home, with eight losses, they've won half of their twelve away games. So, on away form they're nearer the top than the bottom. It won't be as easy as we'd hope I don't think. 

Despite their away strength, they've lost seven of their last eight league meetings and are without skipper Byrne, an influential defender, Garry Thompson and Rob Jones. Rob Jones is also a key defensive miss for them. We tried to sign him in the summer of 2007, and at 6ft 7" would be a massive threat to any longer ball play we would have been able to try.

Again, then we come off the back of a Cardiff defeat in the league hoping to rectify against Scunny. Last time they suffered a mauling 1-4 with a Howson hat-trick at Glanford Park. I expect a similarly high scoring game. It's odds on the way we play we will concede but also due to the way we go out and attack teams, we are likely to pose a threat to their goal for the majority of the game, especially with a couple key defensive personnel missing out of their side. We were kept quiet at Glanford Park until Mirfin came off, he's injured for tomorrow's tie so hopefully we can get at them in the same manner we did when he was substituted in the reverse fixture.

Prediction

Leeds United 3-1 Scunthorpe

Team News

Leeds

Expect McCartney to return at LB for the now tired Parker, who will subsequently play in the Arsenal tie.

Naylor could return to the bench after being out since November with knee trouble.

Sam is out with hamstring trouble

Watt has a head injury and has said on Twitter this week has been in for checks on Hamstring

If Watt is out expect McCormack to return.

Scunny

Cliff Byrne, Garry Thompson and Rob Jones out with Michael Raynes coming in for Jones.  

Paul Reid and Abdisalam Ibrahim (new signings) in contention.

David Mirfin out (knee).