March 3, 2011

#25: TSB Interviews Simon Grayson… Sort Of

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Episode 25 of The Square Ball, recorded on 3 March 2011, takes its title from a moment of pure TSB. Dan Moylan, Michael Normanton and Daniel Chapman (Moscowhite) are joined by a set of player interviews recorded by Dan at a signing event at Sainsbury’s in the White Rose Centre, where Jonny Howson, Alex Bruce, Billy Paynter and Simon Grayson were all present. Dan conducted proper interviews with Howson, Bruce and Paynter — all of which make it into the episode. The Grayson encounter is a different matter.

Dan used the opportunity to ask the Leeds manager about a story from Mel Sterland’s autobiography — an account of a hotel room in Ireland in which Grayson apparently featured. It was a silly question for a supermarket, in the middle of a crowd of children and families. Grayson said he wasn’t answering that and walked off. The episode gets more material out of this exchange than any straightforward interview would have provided.

The White Watching is substantial. The 2-2 draw with Norwich on 19 February had been a missed opportunity — Leeds the better side for long stretches, several chances wasted before Norwich equalised. The 3-3 against Barnsley the following Tuesday was scrappier. The defeat at Swansea on 26 February is the main autopsy: three goals conceded, a clear penalty not given that would have sent Leeds in at half-time all square, and questions about the 4-4-2 formation Simon Grayson had chosen and stuck with into the second half.

Transfer business, Ken Bates’ latest programme notes, the season ticket renewal figures, LUTV’s price increase and a new Academy boss in Chris Sully all get a run. The conversation closes with three games in prospect — Doncaster at home, Preston away, Ipswich at home — and a mood that is cautious but not despairing.