We nicked the three points here, to be honest. I managed to set off without my directions, so I had chance to drive around Donny for a bit. It wasn't as bad as I expected, certainly compared to Burslem, where Port Vale is. That's the worst shithole I've visited this season, even worse than Tranmere.
Three enforced changes from the side that outplayed Brighton: Huntingdon in for Rui, Richardson in for Kenton and Douglas in for Prutton. Neither my mate nor I were impressed that Douglas was starting ahead of Hughes, particularly after he'd been so crap against Brighton. Doncaster started the brighter and they managed to beat our off side trap far too easily in the first 20 minutes, creating a couple of 1 on 1 chances that Casper saved superbly. It is in this sort of situation that he is at his very best. I reckon that they created these chances because we'd had to change half our back four and they were having a bit of trouble getting themselves to work as a unit. Douglas also made a couple of superbly timed tackles in the box during this time. We were battling hard, but struggling to get forward. Then Douglas was brought down outside their box in the inside left channel. Sheehan stepped up and hit a superb, hard free kick low over the wall and into the far corner. Sullivan had no chance. A great goal. Donny came back at us, and Kilkenny had to head the ball off the line from one of their corners. Clear evidence of the value of marking your posts at corners. For the last 10-15 minutes of the first half we came more into it and a very neat move saw Howson shoot straight at Sullivan. 1-0 at HT and although they'd had more chances we were beginning to look better as the game went on. For the first 5 mins of the second half they really came at us and there looked to be some fairly desperate defending going on. One looping cross caused all sorts of problems, bouncing in the area and hitting the far post. Somehow we weathered the storm. We kept trying to hit them on the break with Beckford's pace getting him into some great positions, only for him to waste the ball. He really doesn't seem to have any awareness of what's going on around him. 95% of the time he gets the ball it's heads down and have a crack at goal. Such a contrast to Freedman who clearly knows exactly what's happening and is always looking to play other players in. I'd hate to play next to Beckford. Howson and Kilkenny were making good runs from deep and I began to think we could get another goal, although we rarely threatened directly, Sullivan tipping over a Howson drive from 25 yards being the closest we came to scoring. We should have had a penalty when Kilkenny was blatantly pushed in the 6 yard box, but the push was in his back and he was facing the ref, so I can understand why the ref didn't spot it. By the end they were looking increasingly desperate and Beckford was racing into any long ball played into space. Then either his first touch would let him down or he'd set off straight at goal and get tackled. Casper: 6 - Some great saves and dealt with crosses well. His kicking was atrocious again though and we'd often end up under pressure direct form one of his goal kicks because he'd put it into touch. He didn't applaud the Leeds fans behind his goal at half time, which struck me as odd as we'd been in good voice. I don't think he likes us taking the piss out of his kicking. Richardson: 5 - He's a better crosser of the ball than Kenton, but too prone to crazy errors. I wouldn't bother renewing his contract (whenever it expires), to be honest Sheehan: 8 - a superb goal and another very steady performance defensively. He looks a completely different player to when he first arrived at Leeds. Huntingdon: 7 - composed, strong in the tackle and in the air. For me he should be starting alongside Rui every time. Lubo: 6 - Much less shaky then when he first arrived. Not as good on the ball as Huntingdon. Kilkenny: 7 - clever and creative, if lightweight. Howson: 8 - He really can pick a pass, he has a good long range shot and he wins his share of tackles. Really growing in stature the more he plays. Douglas: 6 - played the anchor role very well. Didn't offer much going forward, but played a lot better than I expected. Given that he seems very disciplined in the way he sat back to shield the back four I wonder if this means Macca will give him the nod over Prutton on Saturday? Johnson: 3 - Pretty poor. Looked off the pace and almost disinterested at times. I thought he might have turned the corner when I watched him against Brighton. Definitely not on the evidence of this performance, and he could have had no complaints at being replaced by Hughes after an hour. Freedman: 8 - Clever, tricky. He really is a class player. A pity that Beckford doesn't seem to be learning anything from him. Beckford: 5 - Fast and athletic, but unless he gets his head up he'll never make it at any level higher than this. If Prem clubs really are interested in him then any bid of £1.5m and we should snap their hands off! Sub: Hughes for Johnson: 5 Added some harder tackling and more drive. Passing was woeful Leeds fans in good humour and good voice all night. Crowd of 15,000, "We filled your ground for you" we sang. Most Donny fans very, very quiet and left well before the end. We've only lost 1 in the last 10 games now and we're playing better football then we did under Wise. I'm getting to be very happy with Macca as manager. - Sean _______________________________________________ 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 DELETE THE FOOTERS WHEN REPLYING YOU LAZY SODS!!!! DELETE THE FOOTERS WHEN REPLYING YOU LAZY SODS!!!!
