Excellent report. Agree with every word in it.
I don't think Hock realises yet that Tonge is getting on a bit needs his nap
after about 60 minutes. He was excellent till then , but suddenly started
giving the ball away and putting us in difficulty. Pulling off Ajose and
Cook ,who had been making good contributions, at the same time led to us
losing control.
If he had simply replaced Tonge by the 18yr old Benedicic then I suspect we
would have carried on coasting it.
Berardi made a similar Kung Fu tackle in the Dundee match. Perhaps someone
needs to have a word.
I accept Smith looks like a wooden lump with piles, but opposing teams seem
to recognise him as a threat. Several times last night when he went for the
ball there were 2 or 3 defenders on him, which creates opportunities for
others. Holloway's no mug
-----Original Message-----
From: nat...@sky.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 7:34 AM
To: leeds list
Subject: [LU] Accrington game
Well it was not a game of two halves but it was certainly a game of two
parts. For the first 70mins we coasted it, passing the ball, sometimes
crisply and with good effect and sometimes just for the sake of it along the
back four but things were looking good (have to bear in mind it was a home
game v 4th Division opposition) and then for the last 20mins we were under
the cosh - we could not keep the ball and we looked dead on our feet - so
much for the 'fittests team in the league'
We brought Taylor in goals, Taylor at left back and Berardi right back,
Tonge kept his place but Cook and Bianchi came in in midifeld and up top we
had Smith and Doukara plus Ajose.
We began by keeping the ball but it was a bit pedestrian and involved the
back 4 rolling it between themselves, then Doukara was involved twice ,
first he found himself in a good position and instead of getting a shot in
he stopped , checked and looked for someone to pass to and the chance went
begging. Not the mark of a goal scorer we said - any goal scorers first
thought in that position is score, this lad is going to be another Keogh or
Hunt rather than Beckford or McCormack. Then a few minutes later he had the
most theatrical dive I think I have ever seen, in the box and he was
challenged and managed to do a cross between a forward roll and a half
somersault. Myself and those around me actually laughed out loud at it. He
was soon to redeem himself however and how. First he got the ball with his
back to goal and turned and drilled a good shot into the bottom corner -
goal. Just the fillip him and the rest of the team needed as we began to
turn on the
style. Cook and Bianchi look like footballers, Tonge strolled around
spraying passes, Ajose was buzzing around causing trouble and Smith and
Doukara had them scared. We came close a few more times - a header by Smith
just over, and then the highlight of the night. A lovely through ball by the
impressive Cook and Doukara full of confidence brushed past the defenders
and hammered it home - a great goal, this lad could be a real find
Second half started in the same vein as Smith just volleyed wide and Doukara
hit a shot just past the post that was as hard a shot as any from Yeboah !
Then it all (nearly) fell apart. We started to look tired, Bianchi and Tonge
went missing and Acrrington suddenly looked decent running at us and causing
us problems with everyday rubbish floated corners that we struggled to
defend against. Cook and Ajose went off and on came Benedicic -a big unit
who looks like Ronald Koeman a bit, and who had some decent touches - and
Hunt, who came on to groans and then proved his detractors right -
everything he did went wrong, his every touch went to an opponent or into
touch. He was awful - a hinderence if anything. Doukara went off to a
standing ovation and Poleon came on - it did not matter, we could not keep
the ball and the inevitable happened, they scored. A cross was not cleared
and it was scrambled in as Charlie Taylor tried to kick it off the line.
This set up a nervous last 10mins made worse by one the most amazing
'tackle' I have seen - Berardi jumped two footed into the air and nearly
took the lads head
off - a straight red. Luckliy the nine men and Hunt managed to hold out and
a victory in front of 13k was assured.
Some bright spots - Doukara obviously, but also Cook and Bianchi (needs to
be good for 90mins though) - Ajose was a poor mans Max Gradel but did Ok and
showed promise. Benedicic looked to have something about him and Charlie
Taylor has grown up.
Having said that the best bit about the night was hearing on the way home
that Bellusci has signed and Cooper is on his way - both centrebacks. Wooton
is useless, we even gave him a 'captain courageous' head band a la Kisnorbo
but he was still out of his depth a real disappointment , and as for Noel
Hunt , he should never be allowed to play for us again.
I did enjoy it though and if we can continue to improve and get a few decent
results under our belts things could be good - Doukara on this showing will
be a handful for anyone (or turn into Lamine Sakho and this will be his only
good game all season) - Cook looked as good as Delph, Byram and any other
youngster you can name. I like Bianchi but he needs to improve stamina so
not doom and gloom by any means. Just need some patience in the crowd if
things go badly v Boro etc
Dave
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John 'Grampa' Sykes
Rest In Peace old lad
28th Oct 1938 - 12 Nov 2013
MARCHING ON TOGETHER
_______________________________________________
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To unsubscribe, email leedslist-unsubscr...@gn.apc.org
John 'Grampa' Sykes
Rest In Peace old lad
28th Oct 1938 - 12 Nov 2013
MARCHING ON TOGETHER
