Losing start for Redfearn as Leeds slump again

01 November 2014 19:46

Neil Redfearn's first game as permanent Leeds manager ended in a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Cardiff on Saturday.

Redfearn's full-time appointment was confirmed prior to kick-off, with the 49-year-old handed an initial 12-month contract with an option for a further year or a return to his academy duties once that period is over.

The boyhood Leeds fan is the third manager appointed by controversial Italian owner Massimo Cellino this season and Leeds fans will hope he can have the sort of stabilising effect recently hired boss Russell Slade has had at Cardiff.

Bruno Manga's first Bluebirds goal and Federico Macheda's strike put the hosts in control at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Alex Mowatt gave Leeds hope by pulling one back 13 minutes from time, but Kenwyne Jones made the points safe when he pounced on a defensive mix up to slot home his sixth goal of the season.

Despite the loss, Redfearn insisted he has no worries about becoming Cellino's next victim in the near-future.

"I spoke to Massimo and we talked about things going forward, which was a key point for me," he said.

"I asked if he sees me as the future and he said he does, which is great for me.

"I have been here six years in total and have put in a lot of hard work. There is the caveat that I can go back to the academy if it does not work out, but I am very proud."

Watford returned to the top of the second tier table after coming from behind to beat Millwall 3-1 at Vicarage Road.

Martyn Woolford had fired the Lions into an early lead, but the Hornets overhauled the deficit by the interval as Matej Vydra equalised before Daniel Tozser's powerful free-kick gave his side the lead in stoppage-time.

Slavisa Jokanovic's men made sure of the points when Gianni Munari netted the third with a cool finish after the break.

"I'm happy because we had a very good reaction after the Millwall goal. We had some problems at the beginning and I believe we can improve," Jokanovic said.

Brentford beat Derby 2-1 and in-form Bournemouth moved up to second with a 3-2 win over Brighton.

- Gritty Birmingham -

Middlesbrough remain in the promotion hunt after goals by Patrick Bamford, Yanick Wildschut and Lee Tomlin secured a 3-0 win over Rotherham, who had Jordan Bowery was sent off less than five minutes after coming on as substitute.

Birmingham manager Gary Rowett saw his new team hold local rivals Wolves to a gritty 0-0 draw at Molineux.

Koby Arthur and Clayton Donaldson wasted the visitors' best chances in Rowett's first game in charge since he replaced Lee Clark earlier this week.

Clark is now in charge at Blackpool but there was no dream debut for him as the division's bottom club suffered a fourth successive defeat, losing 2-0 at home to Ipswich, with David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy scoring the goals.

"Obviously I'm very disappointed to lose my first game but I knew it was a big job when I took the challenge on and that's obviously reiterated it," Clark said.

Kit Symons celebrated his permanent appointment as Fulham boss with a 3-3 draw at Wigan secured by an 88th minute Bryan Ruiz penalty for the Cottagers.

Nottingham Forest's poor run of form continued with a 3-0 defeat at Huddersfield, Blackburn beat Reading 3-1, while Charlton drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday.

Source: AFP