Let's get things into perspective - Northampton are
one of the worse teams to come to Elland Road in many
years, however you can only beat what is in front of
you and for many reasons this was an excellent Leeds
performance. First, Wise showed us that he does want
his team to play pass and move football. Maybe in
recent weeks we just haven't had the players to do it
so the long punt to Kandol is the best option.
Today we had Hughes and Kilkenny in midfield. Both
were busy and in Kilkenny we have bought a clever,
little midfielder who just wants the ball all the
time. He was always there to receive and then he made
sure that the move began with either a short 5 yard
ball or on occassions a slightly longer measured
effort. When he doens't have the ball he is pointing
and shouting to his team mates as to where to pass. He
reminded me of Johnny Giles - ok I'm getting slightly
carried away but it was just great to see a Leeds
midfielder boss proceedings with what on the face of
it was very simple football. People on this list have
said that we have missed Douglas. Not true, what we
have missed is a midfield. Kilkenny does everything
Douglas doesn't.
In Flo we also have a player who is tall but likes the
ball at his feet. We used that effectively at times
whilst Beckford looked for everything behind their
back two. Despite dominating and playing possession
football (did I really say that about Leeds !!??) we
didn't create that many chances with our best coming
when Beckford got through one and one - he missed but
the ball rebounded to Flo who only had to stick the
ball in the back of the net but somehow managed to
find their only player stood on the line. He should
have scored. We were also guilty of poor crossing with
Westlake, Prutton and Fraser being the guilty parties
(again). Northampton were sat so deep that our centre
backs found themselves with loads of time on the ball.
This wouldn't normally be a good thing but in
Huntingdon we finally foudn a centre back who is
comfortable on the ball and can actually pass a ball
with either foot. He sprayed pass after pass from the
back into good positions for players to run on to.
This continued throughout the game. It was a breath of
fresh air to see a Leeds centre back who is actually a
footballer. His defensive qualities were also
excellent albeit against poor opposition.
With a few minutes to go in the first half it looked
like for all our good work we would go in at 0-0.
However Fraser decided that he needed to show the
Leeds fans that he does have a future. Obviously with
boots that fit him this week he got the ball on the
right and went on a run. He cut inside and beat a
couple of men beofre progressing towards the penalty
box. He then checked back onto his right foot and
hammered into the right of the net. A superb goal
which demonstrated what Fraser can do given a bit of
self confidence. From then on I thought he did really
well and I'm still not writing him off.
Second half was more of the same. Kilkenny wasn't as
influential - I think he put his all into the first
half but he continued to do simply things well.
Other Leeds players began to become more influential.
Hughes continued to drive us forward in his own
limited way and once we'd gone two up Prutton came
into the game and caused them problems on the right,
but why not earlier ? I'm unsure about Prutton.
Beckford was a livewire throughout. On another day he
would have bagged a hat-trick. Today he hit the bar
and had numerous other chances most of his own making.
Northampton did make a few changes and did eventually
push forward and caused us one or two problems but
excellent defending from our excellent central
defensive pair saw to any problems. Casper didn't
really have a save to make all afternoon.
Finally Weston came on and scored a great goal with
his first touch and the last touch of the game. A
brilliant performance.
Casper - 7. Didn't have to do owt. His kicking was
actually ok today.
Richardson - 7. Still a few weaknesses - crossing
seems to be one but what a goal.
Parker - 6. Not for me I'm afraid. He's slow going
backwards and his positional sense his poor. He didn't
do a lot wrong and going forward he's actually pretty
effective.
Huntingdon - 8. Best passer in the team and some
excellent defending. Him and Rui will be a great pair
given time although we still need to see him being out
under pressure by some better attackers. I'm sure he
has the ability to cope.
Marquis - 9. Just didn't put a foot wrong. We'll miss
him and the crowds reaction to him at the end said it
all. He gave them a bow.
Kilkenny - 9. Man of the match for me.
Hughes - 7. Did well in midfield. Limited ability.
Just stood on the pitch at full time and sang along
with the crowd. He's certainly committed I'll give him
that. For the second gola he ghosted around the back
for a long corner when everyone else had gone near
post. He volleyed it back towards goal where Rui
deflected it into the roof of the net with his head.
Well worked goal.
Prutton - 6. First half was pretty orfdinary. Came
into when things opened up second half. Need to see
more from him.
Westlake - 5. Lead footed, injusr prone - get rid. Did
get one or two crosses over. Just doesn't produce.
Flo - 6. Ok, let's get one thing clear. He's not just
a super sub and he's not just a 10 minute player (as
someone said on the list recently). He played 75
minutes and just before he went off he got the ball
and ghosted past the defender before shooting close
with his left foot. He's got control, he's got class.
Yes he was occassionally one yard behind play and not
everything came off but that's his first start for
years. He will get stronger, fitter and better. He
should start everytime now with Becks. Kandol just
isn't an option for me.
Beckford - 8. Amazed he didn't score but he worked his
socks off and created chance after chance. Good player
if sometimes his brain seems to be working faster than
his feet.
Subs:
Kandol - 6. Won a few headers, got stuck in. Hope
being dropped shocks him into action however I don't
think he has the basic ability.
Carole - 6. Lively.
Weston - 8. Had one touch and scored. You can't argue
with that.
Wise - 10. Good signings, happy to split his strike
partnership up , inventive set pieces.
Crowd - 24,000+ . Good atmopshere in NE. Mexican wave.
Loved Fraser doing the Leeds salute at the end. For
that he should stay in the side.
WE ARE LEEDS !!
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DELETE THE FOOTERS WHEN REPLYING YOU LAZY SODS!!!!
DELETE THE FOOTERS WHEN REPLYING YOU LAZY SODS!!!!
