People often view the cup with a bit of romance, a chance to get an away tie against a lower league team and tick off one of those 92 grounds or even draw a top Premiership side and pit your wits against the best. For that reason many people saw a home tie against Leicester, a team in the same division, as slightly disappointing and so it was that they were proved right. Simon Grayson made four chances to the side that tore apart Millwall on the weekend with Shane Higgs getting his first competitive start of the season, Alex Bruce repalcing Richard Naylor, Max Gradel replacing Lloyd Sam and Davide Somma starting up front ahead of Sanchez Watt after his glorious league debut on Saturday.

After a miserable and overcast day in Beeston the game started brightly for Leeds, Max Gradel obviously had something to prove against his former side and put in a good cross with Luciano failing to get the definitive touch to put the ball in the back of the Leicester net. Leeds had a lot of endeavour but without Watt and Sam they lacked that sparkle, that cutting edge and decent chances were few and far between. Leicester although having less of the ball early on had the best chances with N'Guessan hitting a shot straight at Higgs and Hobbs heading wide. Luciano Becchio headed wide from a Neil Kilkenny corner and Gallagher failed to get on the end of a cross to put the visitors ahead.

Just after the half hour mark Max Gradel got into gear, having just hit a thunderbolt that was tipped over the bar by the Leicester keeper he this time received the ball half way inside the Leicester half, without prevaricating he played a beautiful first time ball into the box which Somma duly heading into the back of the net with the deftest of touches. The only other clear chances of the first half came as Bradley Johnson chipped over the bar after good build up play and Leicester’s Howard headed the ball wide when he should really have done better. Half time came with Leeds having a one nil lead.

Saturday, 21st August 2010, Elland Road

We had been told by the ever-reliable experts at the MET Office that summer had drawn its last breath. Despite this, there was not a dark cloud in sight, at least until the undesirables from London arrived on their coach to the welcome of a hot August day. The early kick off had bred a lazy atmosphere as the legions of white milled around outside the Drysalters, drinking cool pints in the blinding sun. Further down, on Elland Road a sizeable queue braved the heat, patiently waiting for a tray of Graveleys while a gathering crowd basked on the grass behind the Old Peacock.

The masses that made their way into the sunlit stadium experienced a cocktail of anticipation and nerves. Thankfully, the beauty of the day influenced an upbeat and vocal support who were thirsty for a passionate display. As 12.30pm approached, the tunnel was extended onto the pitch and the opposition boss Kenny Jackett was greeted by a Cup Final atmosphere and a fair amount of flak from Leeds' voracious support. Despite the Lions fruitful start to the season their numbers were poor and they barely made a whimper as they were drowned out by a resounding chorus of Marching on Together.

The whistle blew and within minutes there was an immediate appreciation that this Leeds side had stepped up a level in terms of energy as they took the game to Millwall. There had been a slight tinkering of formation with young Sanchez Watt supporting Luciano Becchio at the spearhead of the attack. At this early stage, Graysons tactical approach almost paid dividends when Watt attempted an intelligent chip that just cleared the crossbar. As the lush grass shone beneath a blue sky, the white shirts of Leeds United emitted a certain majesty that was reflected by domination of the team on the pitch. The ugly team from a distance down the A1 had not even troubled the Great Dane who patrolled the penalty area in front of an excited Kop. Yet, on fifteen minutes an hopeful cross from Morrison fell to a sluggish Richard Naylor whose misdirected header to Schmeichel was far too powerful and left the man in orange rooted to the spot. The unambitious Millwall were a goal up without even having a single shot on goal. Hearts sunk in the Revie Stand and around the ground as murmurs of disapproval questioned the managers continued preference for the ageing captain. This despondency was not reflected on the pitch as the team picked themselves up and stuck to their original gameplan with Jonny Howson showing increasing maturity as he pulled the strings in midfield. His ambitious surge forward into the box led to confusion in the Millwall ranks and a blocked attempt on goal fell to a lurking Becchio who somehow managed to hit it high over the bar. Leeds continued to play some electric passing football with Becchio running himself ragged as a target man, ably supported by the magical duo of Watt and Sam. At this moment the players in white were exhibiting the best attacking football seen at Elland Road for almost ten years. Despite looking particularly fragile at the back, our energy and pace up front had created a period of complete dominance as a number of chances came our way; And finally, there was delight on the Kop when Leeds born Lloyd Sam finished off a composed passing move to equalise with a calm finish. Leeds were now rampant, stringing together excellent moves and moments of skill. There was an unbelievable buzz in the Kop as the crowd willed the team forward and a certain frustration because the ball just wouldn't cross the line. As the whistle blew for halftime, it was inevitable if the team continued in this vein that the game was ours to win.

Monday night, and i'm just starting to get over the disappointment of the weekend. I know the mid-week game will be a chance to bounce back and restore a bit of belief. It lands perfectly for my days off so i book the tickets online for me and my girlfriend. Tuesday, and i wake up with those game day jitters. The thought of walking the stairs in to Elland road and looking out gets my heart racing. Thankfully the drive up from Lincoln (Yes i live in Lincoln, yes, i'd have loved this to have been an away game) goes very fast, my Leeds scarf smacking against the car as it hangs out of the window.

We pulled into Elland Rd's car park and hand over 5 quid to the man whose thick Leeds accent is a harsh reminder of how much my own has softened since i moved away four years ago from Bradford. We made the short walk over to Elland Rd, discussing the possible starting XI and other usual pre-match banter. Got our tickets from the North East stand, a great chance to walk round to the Leeds shop and admire the new paint job on Billy's statue. I spend the next 5 minutes trying to explain to my girlfriend, a Leeds fan only for 3 years, how much Bremner means to the rest of us.

Walking round the Leeds shop amongst the rest of the fans and i can't help myself. I splurge out on the new home top for myself and girlfriend. I suddenly can't wait to pull it over my head, to fit in with the rest of the Leeds local's who never miss a game, even if it might be a month before i'm lucky enough to see the next match live. My girlfriend, the kind soul, says she'll get them printed since i got the tops. Gradel 7 for me, Grella 13 for her (Heavens no why).

We both walk through the turnstiles and i feel the excitement rise within me, possibly the thought of hammering the imps and having a go at the local yellowbellies, or worse, losing and not hearing the end of it, not being able to wear my lovely new shirt for a week or so round town, at least not without ridicule. A couple of pints of Blackthorn later and we're good to go, we walk up the stairs and there it is, my mecca, one of the only places away from home where you feel safe, accepted, and amongst friends, 12,500 Leeds fans all aptly chanting marching on together. Saturday feels like a distant memory.