Three points on the opening day and lady luck still
looking over Kevin Blackwell cant ask for more than
that though ! I enjoyed the game despite Leeds being
second best for most of the game. We created little
from open play, similar to last year but I was
extremely encouraged by some of the play later in the
second half where we started to control the game and
played some good pass and move football all which was
orchestrated by Steve Stone who despite not having the
legs showed that his footballing brain can still be
effective. He was supported well by Carole and
Westlake and I think Blackie has some difficult
decisions to make with regards to team selection for
the upcoming games. It all started pretty positively
with a 4-4-2 formation with Horsfield battling for
everything and Healy looking lively. We didnt create
any chances but it looked ok. Then Norwich took over
and whilst we gave the ball away cheapily (main
culprit being Derry) they passed the ball around with
ease and took complete control of the game. They had
so much space and we were really struggling to compete
in midfield. Warner, our on loan keeper looks the
business. He looks agile and sharp and for my money on
what Ive seen today is a class above Sullivan who
always looks a bit flat footed for me. Derry, who
seemed to be the designated playmaker early on (why
??) today decided to play a 30 yard cross field pass.
It was intercepted and suddenly it was 2 on 1.
Huckerby played the Norwich winger in and it was 1 on
1. Warner did everything right and made a brilliant
save. Norwich then came at Leeds again and again.
Earnshaw hit the post after Butler gave him the
freedom of Elland Road. They were all over us and just
couldnt get on the ball. Our main tactic and this
must come from the management is to give the ball to
Crainey who then punts it forward. It doesnt work and
is horrible to watch. On the right hand side Stone
looked slow. He tried to beat his man on a couple of
occasions but just didnt have the legs. Kelly tried a
few good runs but it wasnt working. Their keeper
didnt have to make a save until 32 minutes when Lewis
put the ball in the box from a free-kick (it had to be
a set piece didnt it) and Derry managed to poke the
ball towards goal. It was a comfortable save. We
didnt create one chance from open play in a poor
first half. The penalty when it came was lucky. We
were going nowhere in fact the ball was heading
towards the corner flag but someone clipped Stone with
a mad challenge and we got a pen. Lucky Leeds. Healy
put the pen away well.
Heres the positive. Blackwell realised that we were
struggling in midfield and that Stone was struggling
on the wing so he moved Stone into midfield playing in
the hole between Derry and Bakke and the 2 strikers.
It worked. Stone didnt have to cover as much ground
and began to get on the ball and use it effectively.
Second half we came out and began to compete. We still
werent creating much for the 2 strikers but we were
competing and in Stone we have a footballer who has
the ability to play clever, simple football. It sounds
easy but it's amazing how shite Bakke, Derry and Lewis
are at passing the ball at times. When Blackwells
twitches started (its always on 62 minutes by the
way) and he went into auto substitution mode with
Healy being dragged off to be replaced by Carole. A
negative substitution ? Some of the crowd were unhappy
with it cos Healy had been lively but I think it was a
decent substitution. I didnt think Healy was that
great. Carole was lively and I think he will be a
decent signing. The best thing about this game was
that once Bakke and Healy had gone off to be replaced
by Carole and Westlake we looked comfortable. I liked
the look of Carole and Westlake who get the ball ,
pass it then look for the return. Such simple stuff
but we dont do it well.
Towards the end of the game we still had a few worries
with Butler who was the weak link throughout. Hes
dodgy and will cost us points this season. We can only
hope for an injury. But on the whole it was great to
see Stone completely in control of the game with the
highlight being a great move with Crainey playing a
fantastic ball over the top to Stone who played a
superb weighted volley across ball to Horsfield who
should have finished but that lack of sharpness just
affected his finish. It was an easy finish but he
messed up. Stone looked like his legs had recovered
(or maybe Norwich had run out of steam) and he just
passed and moved with ease. Really encouraging for me
especially to see us control 4 minutes of injury time.
Now thats a first under Blackie !!
Overall I think I was encouraged by the new players
who have the ability to play football but I was still
disappointed by Blackies one dimensional tactics at
times especially in a really poor first half where we
could have been 3 or 4 down.. Maybe the new players
can show him the way. Norwich had the players and the
game plan to win this game comfortably. They should
have won this but again Nigel Worthington still amazes
me by playing Huckerby in a left wing role and
Earnshaw isolated up front. Hes a shite manager.
Warner 9. Sign him up. Looks good.
Kelly 7. Didnt do a lot wrong. Typical Gary Kelly
performance.
Crainey 6. I thought this was possibily his best
performance for Leeds. Lots of good work but he still
looks dodgy as fck in defence and he wanders off into
the centre without even thinking about the man on the
wing. Killa also makes him look good by helping him
out on many occasions.
Butler 3. Terrible. All over the shop especially in
the first half when he gave so much space to the
Norwich players. He is so conservative in his play cos
he knows his limitations. Can we afford this from our
captain ? Got his booking (like Gregan) and I dont
think we can have a captain who is obviously the weak
link of the side. Hes gonna cost you Blackie !
Killgallon 8. Spectacular. Won all his challenges
and a lot of Butlers and Craineys. One or two
misplaced passes but thats not why hes in the side.
Quality. Blackie should not listen to any offers for
Killa but why do I think he will not be a Leeds for
long ?
Stone 8. Poor first half but then took control
playing in a Peter Beardsley type role. Good to see a
Leeds player with a good footballing brain Batty
style play. Simple but effective. Not a right winger
though which may be a surprise to our manager. Blackie
may have to reassess his thoughts for the season.
Derry 5. Poor distribution throughout. Looked unfit
and out of sorts in a very poor first half. Improved
second half.
Bakke 6. He disappoints me. Hes a careless player.
Yes hes got the legs to get up and down, his got the
height to win important headers and can also get good
challenges in. He also has ability to play one or good
passes but generally his passing is poor and the way
he gives away possession is the reason hell never
make it in the top flight. I dont think we can play
with both Derry and Bakke in the team.
Lewis 4. Shite. Never beat his man and really didnt
do anything until the second half where he had one or
two moments. I dont rate him.
Healy 7. Looked lively and looks much happier
playing centrally. With Stone playing behind him he
may get more opportunities in the box.
Horsfield 6. The bloke wasnt fit but you could see
that he has ability and he has a big heart. Battled
for 94 minutes and you could see he was out on his
feet. Top effort. Hell get fitter and I think hell
be a big player for us this season.
Subs :-
Carole 7. Lively. Pass and move football with Stone.
Westlake 7. Looks good.
Moore 5. Came on , ran around and fell over what
more can you expect from this clown.
Blackwell 6. Good change of tactics with Stone when
4-4-2 was working with Stone on the right. Pinning his
hopes on a captain thats not good enough though. The
problem that Blackie now has is how to accommodate
Stone ? Does he play 4-5-1 ? Im not sure that Stone
could play the Beardsley role without Carole and
Westlake + one other close to him. Bit of a dilemma
but thats what hes paid for.
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