Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers - Peter White's big match preview

SKY TV, with their usual pre-match hype of a capital E for Entertainment, might have to change tack for tonight's clash between Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers.

For it is a lack of goals, rather than a glut, that has been the major talking point at Elland Road so far this season.

No matter whether it's the failure of Ian Rush to repeat the legendary scoring feats he performed for so long in the red shirt of Liverpool, or Leeds boss George Graham's trademark at the other end of the pitch - clean sheets.

The fact is that, if goals were measured like rainfall around Elland Road, drought conditions would be declared and the stand-pipes would have been out long ago.

Leeds have been indebted to a revitalised Rod Wallace, and an immediate attacking impact on the Premiership by £2.3 million starlet Lee Bowyer.

Or their meagre record would be even worse.

But the biggest mystery has surrounded former Kop king Rush's abysmal return in the scoring stakes, reflected by the fact that Leeds have notched fewer Premiership goals than any other club this season.

Signed on a free by Howard Wilkinson last summer, Rush was still without a goal in his new colours when Graham took over in September.

It took, in fact, until December 1, against Chelsea, before a remarkable run was ended.

And, even at this late stage of the season, the Welsh wizard can point to a credit balance of just three. The change of management, allied to his unexpected failings in front of goal, led to much speculation that the veteran - now 35 - would soon be looking for the exit doors.

But, despite a very ordinary Leeds season, Rush insists that he fully intends to see out his Elland Road contract, which still has another year to run.

"It takes time when a new manager comes in," he said.

"Next season there will be more competition for players and there will be lots of competition for places.

"If the team can be up there challenging for trophies, then I want to be part of that team.

"It has been a disappointing season. The most disappointing part was losing to Portsmouth in the FA Cup, because it felt like a great chance to get to Wembley with all the big teams out.

"But we've just got to make sure we are safe from relegation and then go out and try to entertain so that the supporters want to come back next season."

While he retains high hopes for his club career at Leeds, Rush can't say the same about his international prospects.

He feels his future in that respect is limited under Bobby Gould - thoughts, incidentally, which the Welsh boss vehemently denies. "I would be very surprised if I played for Wales again under the new manager but I am willing to play," said Rush.

"If I'm playing regularly in the Premiership, I can do a job for Wales."

While the striker's problems sum up Leeds' season at one end of the pitch, goalkeeper Nigel Martyn underlines their progress at the other.

It was no surprise when Graham soon instilled the Scrooge-like qualities which had been one of his strengths at Highbury into the Elland Road ranks.

And costly keeper Martyn has played a major role in runs that saw Leeds enjoy five successive shut-outs in November and December and then forced the opposition to fire blanks in nine out of 11 matches earlier this year.

That run ended only three weeks ago and emphasises how tough it could be tonight for a Rovers attack which hasn't exactly been prolific this season.

Martyn joined Tim Flowers in the England squad for the friendly international against Mexico and Rush has no doubts about his team-mate's quality.

"I think at the moment Nigel Martyn is without doubt the best goalkeeper in Britain," claimed Rush.

"He has had just one bad game all season which is amazing for a goalkeeper. He's saved us 10 or 12 points and has been absolutely unbelievable."

Sky TV will no doubt be delighted if Ian Rush turns his own personal clock back tonight to the days when he was Liverpool's lethal weapon.

Rovers will be even happier if they can prolong the Leeds drought and, at the same time, prove that claims of Martyn's supremacy are rather premature.

But don't expect too many goals - at either end.

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