For me it was one of those days where I almost wish I had not bothered ! To
explain that you need to understand public transport in England on Boxing Day
or more the lack of it - it meant that I had to tavel by Nat Express coach and
get to the coach station 45 mins early only to find that when the coach arrived
it had broken down and we had to wait another 30 mins for a replacement - even
worse it meant I had to leave the game early , soemthing I absolutley hate
doing so in effect I saw us lose and then had a bit of a nightmare journey home
just about making the last tram home - well it was 7 o'clock at night !!
So to me I had awful journeys to see us lose a boring game - everyone else did
see us get a last minute equaliser, something very rare this season, to go home
happy.
As for the game, if they are the best team in this Division and the league
would suggest that they are by some distance, then there is no reason why we
cannot go on a long match winning run, because they were very average and began
play acting and time wasting from the moment they took the lead.
A massive (for the 3rd Div) crowd that looked more than the annoucned 33,000
gave Grayson a good reception and the team reapsonded firstly by actually
clearing a corner, and then a cross from Robsinon was headed on by Prutts and
Becchio hit the post so almost a dream start. After that not much happened
until they pulled us apart a bit and their lad hit a good shot accross the
recalled Casper and into the corner. Not against the run of play but not really
deserved either. The rest of the half and indeed the game pretty much petered
out with very little action at either end. Frazer had a good run and cut inside
and unleashed a shot that drifted wide. both Sheehan and Douglas had shots that
almost went into orbit. Casper was never really troubled but did keep the ball
at this feet too long and almost got caught out by the striker - this led to a
bit of banter between Casper and the Kop when he next kicked it.
Grayson had gone for the team I suggested except that he brought back Robinson
and not Snodgrass on left hand side. The problem was niether Robbisnon nor the
returning Beckford looked fit or sharp and so were largely ineffective.
Lubo, Rui and the defence in general did put in a few more challenges than in
recent weeks and showed a bit more aggression but Lubo is still soft and weak.
Delph showed glimpses of quality that would have impressed Grayson but overall
it was a dour game.
Like I say I had to leave early (3rd time that I can rememver in 30years) so
missed our equaliser scored by Sndograss. Hopefully this will give us some
confidence, both Grayson and Casper say that a last minute draw feels like a
win, so if we can take that into the game tomorrow against a Stockport side who
are not great at home then who knows.
In his post match interview Grayson says that in addition to Miller he is close
to bringing in another coach who is currently out of work but still in dispute
with his last club (any ideas fellow listers?)
He also said he would recall the loanees - think that is just Johnson and
Kandol - and give them their chance. He had a few siginings lined up to take to
Blackpool and he was hoping to lure them to Leeds now.
So a decent enough start for the new man, it could have been better but it
could have been a lot worse, I do honestly think that if Macca had still been
here we would have lost, but obvioulsy it is miles too soon to praise or blame
Grayson, any new manager would have inspired the same result and performance.
Dave
_______________________________________________
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
Sorry Macca - it's the curse of Bates old lad
