It's been a remarkable start to the season for Leeds United, with Dennis Wise's men now up to within a point of the play-offs despite starting the campaign with a 15-point deduction. The Yorkshire outfit have won 11 and drawn two of their first 13 games and without that points' deduction they would currently be 11 points clear at the top of the table. One of the main reasons for the club's success has been the form of strike duo Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol, who have scored 13 times between them so far and Wise will be hoping the pair can extend United's unbeaten run when they travel to leaders Carlisle tomorrow. Givemefootball's Mark Shail spoke exclusively to former Barnet front man Kandol, who picked up the PFA League One Fans' Player of the Month for September.
Q:YOU MUST BE DELIGHTED WITH HOW YOU AND THE TEAM HAVE STARTED THE CAMPAIGN?
A:Yes, things have been going really well and we're enjoying our football at the moment. We've got some excellent people around us at the club and everyone is pulling in the same direction.
Q:WERE YOU DISAPPOINTED TO SEE GUS POYET LEAVE THE CLUB EARLIER THIS WEEK?
A:Gus was a crucial member of the staff and one of nicest people you could meet, but the most important thing is Leeds United and we just have to move on. Obviously we're all disappointed to see him leave but we can't let his departure effect us – we just have to keep going.
Q:HAVE YOU BEEN SURPRISED AT THE CLUB'S REMARKABLE START?
A:It has been an amazing start and the togetherness at the club us unbelievable. I suppose the 15-point deduction motivated us even more to prove a lot of people wrong and it was just a case of having to deal with it. To be on the verge of a play-off position at this stage is an incredible achievement but we have to stay focussed and treat every game as though it's a cup final.
Q:WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO BEING NAMED PFA FANS' PLAYER OF THE MONTH IN SEPTEMBER?
A:It didn't know any thing about it until my agent text me and said 'congratulations' so I phoned him back and he told me that I'd won the award. Obviously I was delighted but to be honest it could have been given to any number of players in the team. I hope Jermaine Beckford wins one soon because he has been playing really well this season and certainly deserves it. (NOTE: Tresor got his wish as Beckford is Player of the Month for October).
Q:YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH JERMAINE SEEMS TO BE GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH?
A:A lot of people have been talking about our partnership and it's just something that has clicked – it's hard to explain. He wants me to do well and I want him to do well. We got on very well off the pitch as well – we go out eating together and room with each other on away trips. Last season he was out on loan at Scunthorpe but he has come back here with a bang. We both know where we came from and we want to show what we can do every week.
Q:THE LEEDS FANS HAVE BEEN TERIFFIC THIS SEASON, HAVEN'T THEY?
A:They've been amazing. We go to away some away games and there are more Leeds fans there than home supporters and they never stop singing throughout the entire game. They have been a key factor in our success and have been behind us 24/7.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AHEAD OF THE TRIP TO CARLISLE?
A:It's going to be a tough game because they are top of the league and have been in good form recently. But we're up for it and are not scared of any team we come against – we'll be looking to go there and pick up another three points.
