Gray: We can bounce back

Leeds boss Eddie Gray believes his side can bounce back from their Highbury mauling and take a giant stride towards Premiership safety at Elland Road tomorrow.

United’s hopes of hauling themselves out of the drop zone were rocked by Thierry Henry’s four-goal demolition job eight days ago.

But the Scot insists his players will bear no hangovers from that forgettable night when they meet fellow strugglers Portsmouth tomorrow.

Gray said: “It’s a huge game, there’s no doubt about that and it’s getting to the stage now where you’re desperate for points.

“We were disappointed with the result against Arsenal but in saying that we got beaten by a superior team in every department.

“I think it would have been more disheartening if we went somewhere and scrapped away and lost 1-0, so we’ve put that game behind us.”

Gray is not the kind to get affected by off-field problems and has let the latest boardroom saga wash over his head.

But he admitted he was annoyed by reports of a rift with striker Mark Viduka which he conceded had affected his squad in the build-up to such an important game.

Gray branded as “rubbish” stories that Viduka was threatening to strike over the non-payment of a portion of his £65,000 (€97,000) per week wages.

Viduka is coincidentally suspended for the visit of Pompey but Gray insists he remains a full and valuable member of his squad.

Gray said: “I am disappointed about some of the stories about Mark Viduka falling out with the club over money and going on strike.

“Mark has been terrific for us and it is unfortunate that he is suspended for this game, which is a big blow because he is a big player for us.

“I don’t know where all the rubbish like that came from and the players are rightly disappointed with the comments.”

Viduka’s absence leaves Gray with a striking headache as he decides whether to promote James Milner from midfield or give youngster Simon Johnson a chance.

His only other concern is over skipper Dominic Matteo but he should have recovered from a toe infection in time to play.

Gray still does not know to whom he will be answerable if his side do drop out of the top flight.

Current chairman Gerald Krasner was locked in talks yesterday with his fellow directors amid rumours of a boardroom split.

Krasner and the club’s new managing director David Richmond were believed to favour a £20m (€2.9m) investment by Leeds fan Steve Parkin.

But the other directors are not so sure – leading to suggestions of a power struggle which Krasner denied, referring callers to a statement he had made to the Yorkshire Evening Post that: “Our board are fully and completely united - as we were at the start.

“All we want to do is concentrate on our next football match, which is vitally important.”

But an influential Leeds fans’ group poured scorn on Krasner’s motives and suggested the sooner he ended his brief relationship with the club, the better.

The chairman of the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust, John Boocock, said: “Gerald Krasner and his consortium came in and said they were in for the long-term.

“They are not – they are only here for short-term gain and it has become clear that all they want to do is sell and get out.

“I am appalled at the way they have continued to handle the management and media relations of the club in way that just makes us look ridiculous.”