http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/11/02/lets_see_what_happens_when_the.html Should have sent this on Friday, someone obviously read it:
'Let's see what happens when they lose a game' Is the League One title fight as good as over? With Leeds heading upwards fast, can anybody stop them? Their beaten opponents speak out. Simon Burnton November 2, 2007 11:55 AM Having overcome their 15-point penalty to surge towards the play-off places, Leeds could tiptoe into the top two if they beat pace-setting Carlisle on Saturday and results elsewhere, including Swansea's on Friday evening, fall in their favour. Even if it takes a little longer, a record of two draws and 11 wins from their first 13 games suggests it is only a matter of time before Dennis Wise's side skips clear of the competition and runs away with the title. But how good are they really, and can anybody stop them? We ask the people who really know: the unlucky footballing folk who have already tried - and failed - to beat them. Adam Barrett Southend defenderLeeds 4-1 Southend, August 18 How we did It was 1-1 until the last five minutes, then we had to make a couple of changes and there were a mad few minutes. They're a strong side, they hit the ball back to front early, and they've got two guys up front who will cause problems, but I thought we deserved a draw. From my point of view I was very disappointed. Why they're doing so well Dennis Wise came under a lot of criticism when he first went there, but the points deduction has brought everyone together. They've got this mentality now that Dennis has instilled that they're up against it but going to dig in. They got a couple of good results early on and the momentum's carried them through. They've got to be serious contenders for promotion. Can anyone stop them? We'd like to put ourselves in that category. Nottingham Forest are another big club with a lot of money; you fancy Swansea to be there or thereabouts, and Doncaster are starting to come good. I think it's going to go down to the wire. Leeds are on a great run but I can't see it carrying on all season. It's going to be very tough to stop them, but can they keep going? What's going to happen this weekend? We played Carlisle last Saturday. They're another strong side, but the way things are going Leeds will be looking to win and you wouldn't bet against them. Carlisle are going very well, but Leeds might just pip it 2-1. Kevin Blackwell Luton Town managerLeeds 1-0 Luton, September 1 How we did We had a perfectly good goal disallowed, so overall it was extremely disappointing. There's no doubt we equalled Leeds on the day, and someone I spoke to up there said we were probably the best team they'd faced this season. Why they're doing so well You have to give credit to the manager, Dennis Wise, who has built a competent squad. It seems the points deduction has galvanised them and a club like Leeds United will always be a threat if they are galvanised. Can anyone stop them? At the moment nobody can, it would appear. Many of us who have been at Leeds in the recent past have seen four or five years of a downward spiral, so it's nice to see things going right there. But they've not got the title won yet. I think there's another 10 clubs in with a chance. Anyone within three or four points of the play-offs at the moment is in with a shout, and that's most of the division. It's wide open but at the moment Leeds are obviously the form side. What's going to happen this weekend? For all our sakes, we hope someone can slow Leeds down - otherwise they will run away with the title. Both sides are high on confidence at the moment, so it should be a very tasty little clash. I'll predict a Carlisle victory, because that's what we all need. Steve Phillips Bristol Rovers goalkeeperBristol Rovers 0-3 Leeds, September 14 How we did We were always in the game. The scoreline flattered them immensely I thought. They got a goal in the first half then stayed pretty solid with two banks of four and for all our possession and territorial advantage we couldn't get the goal. We had to push men forwards and in the last 10 minutes or so they came out and killed us off. Why they're doing so well I don't think the 15-point deduction has got anything to do with the way they're playing. If I was the manager there, I'd have hoped to start the season the way they have whether we were on 0 points or -15. You don't become a better player just because you're 15 points behind. They always had a very strong squad and extremely good support. Can anyone stop them Nottingham Forest will be there or thereabouts, and every year a few teams come out of nowhere. I think Doncaster and Swansea will both be up there. I definitely don't think Leeds are promoted already, or anything of the sort. Let's see how they react when they lose one. What's going to happen this weekend? We got a point in Cardiff and should have won, but it's not an easy place to go. It will be a tough test. It'll be close - there'll be a goal in it, and maybe the home team's got the advantage, but I think it could finish 1-0 or 2-1 to either side. Gary Monk Swansea City defenderLeeds 2-0 Swansea, September 22 How we did We weren't quite ourselves up there, but we did OK for an hour. We were cancelling each other out, but they got the goal just after the hour mark. We opened up and played a bit more like ourselves after that but they got a second and that was it. I think the crowd made a difference. They've got fantastic support. Why they're doing so well People say the points deduction has galvanised them, and you can see they're working hard for each other, especially at home with 30,000 people behind them. Away from home they're digging in, grinding out results. They've scored a lot of late goals - maybe they've been a bit lucky on a couple of occasions, but you need that. Can anyone stop them? You've got to look at Forest, another giant club with a massive support. Those two were always going to be favourites. I don't like talking about it but we should be mentioned too. We've gone on a really good run since that game. I'm not saying we're going to win the league but hopefully we'll be up there. What's going to happen this weekend? Carlisle are a decent outfit, they're top of the league and that has to be respected. It'll be interesting, because Leeds have that momentum. I'll go for a score draw, 2-2. Ryan Bertrand Oldham Athletic defender Oldham 0-1 Leeds, October 2 How we did I thought it was a really good game and obviously very close. It should have been a draw and if anyone was going to win it, it should have been us. They scored really late - I think it was something mad like the 95th minute. It was unlucky, but it's the way it goes sometimes. They've got a few late goals this season - they seem to have that ability to go right to the end. Why they're doing so well They're just a massive club. The points deduction could be seen as a negative but I think if I personally was in that situation it would fill me with more desire and ambition. I think it's inspired them to do better. But there's no fear factor among the rest of us. I don't think any team is scared of any team in this division. The difference between the teams is not great at all. Can anyone stop them? It looks like Leeds will be up there, but there are other good teams in the division. We played Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night and they're a good outfit, and of the other teams I've played against Doncaster seemed to play really good football. But I'd like to see us up there too - if we put a few wins together there's no reason why we can't. What's going to happen this weekend? I should imagine Leeds will probably win it but not by a great margin. It could go either way but I'd be surprised if there's more than one goal in it. 1-2 Stephen Purches Leyton Orient centre-back and captainLeeds 1-1 Leyton Orient, October 13 How we did It was a good game for the neutral. It was a great place to go and play and we did everything we could to win the game, but a couple of big decisions went against us - we had a player sent off in the first-half - and it wasn't to be. We got a point but we certainly didn't fear them and we felt we could have got more. Why they're doing so well They're a strong unit. After the points penalty they probably got together and thought the world's against them, and they've been using that to spur them on a bit. They've got a big ground and their crowd get right behind them all game, and they've got a big squad compared to a lot of teams in this division, they've got experienced players and strength in depth and that's going to help them. Can anyone stop them They're obviously going to be up there at the end of the season but I don't see why they can't be stopped - at the moment it's still anyone's league. It'll be interesting to see what happens when they do lose a game. They're on a run at the moment and probably feel they're invincible, they're full of confidence but that can change pretty quickly. There are other clubs that will still fancy their chances of winning the league, clubs who maybe haven't started as well as they want to. Southend have put a bit of a run together, and we've been up there most of the season and we should still be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. What's going to happen this weekend We've not played Carlisle yet but from what I know I'm sure it'll be a tight affair. Leeds are fearing no one at the moment and Carlisle are top and playing at home, so it'll probably be a good game to watch. I'll say a 1-1 draw. Colin West Millwall caretaker-managerLeeds 4-2 Millwall, October 27 How we did We got off to a reasonable start and scored a goal which was disallowed for offside but on reflection could easily have been allowed to stand. That would have put a totally different perspective on the game. They got a goal just before half-time having had only two or three strikes on our goal all half, but after the break it was a different story and they went 4-0 ahead before a little fightback. Why they're doing so well This might sound funny from a Millwall man but going up there was like going into the Lions' Den. They've got a fantastic fanbase that gets right behind them, and they've got a lot of experience in their team. They've got rid of some of the players Dennis didn't want at the club and he's brought in the right people. Who else could challenge them There's a long way to go yet. We've got to see how they bounce back from something. If they get a couple of defeats in a row, we'll have to see how they react to it. Any of the teams up there have got a chance. What's going to happen this weekend It's a good game for both teams, and will give them a feel for where they are. Carlisle have come on leaps and bounds this season and have a good home record. It'll be a great atmosphere and should be a good game. My feeling is it'll be a draw. I don't want to sit on the fence but they've both got qualities. I think Carlisle will rise to the occasion and we'll have to see how Leeds react to that. 2-2 _________________________________________________________________ Get free emoticon packs and customisation from Windows Live. http://www.pimpmylive.co.uk _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist 6 in a bloody row!
