Well, for me this was everything that the Leicester game wasn't, a cracking
game and 3 points.
In many ways it was reminiscent of early last season under Wise , some
desperate and committed defending added to a couple of bits of sublime skill.
McAllister must be thinking that if they had played like this for him he would
still be in a job at Leeds. Grayson did nothing that Macca had not done - he
did not change the system or line up or anything and he has not really had the
time to change the mindset etc. Like us all , I hope that Grayson is the best
manager we have ever had but realistically any new manager could have done the
same as he did today.
He kept the same back 5, the same front two and the same two centre midfielders
- the 9 obvious players, the 9 we would all pick. At left and right midfield he
chose to go with Snodgrass and Hughes - again nothing revolutionary and nothing
that we would not have done ourselves.
None of this is intended as a slur on Grayson but you do have to wonder whether
players like Lubo and Rui have suddenly been taken out of their comfort zone
and had to do the business.
We started absolutely appallingly - the fact that we had 2 of the four sides of
the ground (one end and one side) seemed to lift them more than us and we
endured a torrid first 5 mins or so - they could have been 3 up before they
scored (and that was after 3 mins !!), walking through us at ease. The goal
came from a well hit shot in the area and not a corner as such.
We then gradually began to get a grip on the game with plenty of possession and
a few chances. We scored from a corner by Snoddy that was turned in from close
range by Becchio. This led to a cracking end to end first half that had all the
feel of a cup tie with both sets of fans getting behind their teams. We came
close via Becchio and Beckford (with 2 overhead kicks - one tipped over the
bar) In fact we were starting to control it so much that they made a tactical
sub half way through the first half. But like I say it was far form one way
traffic and we somehow survived a number of corners with both Sheehan and Lubo
clearing off the line (Sheehan did the same second half) -although it was far
from pretty and was desperate at times the players seemed willing to put their
bodies on the line and give their all to stop them scoring.
The second half never lived up to the excitement of the first half and was
mainly a midfield scrap but for once we were solid at the back - so much so
that I christened Casper as the "Casper the catching Dane" as he came out and
caught two or three corners in succession - why he has not done that before who
knows?
The players(on both sides) were giving it everything and none more so than
Becchio who chased down the keeper and made him play a rash kick which went
straight to a Leeds player out on the wing 30yds from an empty net. Had that
player been Douglas or Hughes etc our cries of "shoot" would no doubt have
ended with us watching the ball fly into the stand, but on this occasion it
came to Delph who - drink driver or not - is a class act and he took one touch
to control it and then volleyed it into the net - absolute class - worth
subscribing to LUTV to watch it !! Put another few quid on his transfer fee. If
this had been Beckham, Gerard or Lampard you would be watching it on every
football show from now till eternity. It was brilliant and how Delph and us
fans loved it.
The question then was could we hold out or even add it it - thankfully the
answer was the latter as a ball found Christie on the edge of the box and he
finished with style - 3 -1 game over with only 3 mins left.
The relief and joy on his face was great to see - 3 years or whatever since he
last scored but if (and it is a big if) he can stay fit he will be similar but
better than Freeman last season.
So overall a good game and a great result in a game that we would not have won
in similar circumstances under McAllister and 4 points in 3 days when perhaps
none were expected. Well done Simon Grayson - now comes the hard work in the
transfer window and on the training ground.
As for individual players - something I don't generally do
Casper looked solid and assured.
Rui and Lubo for once put in some 'bottle' and a will to win
Sheehan - booked for diving and lucky to stay on the pitch after a deliberate
shirt pull, he did well and is our best left back but his tendency to leave the
ground when tackling and going in studs up will see him getting red again
before long.
Frazer - good sold performance
Delph - got stuck in, created a bit and is a class above the rest - his goal
was sublime
Douglas - has his critics, myself included, but this was his sort of game - a
midfield war and he never shirked a tackle
Hughes - 100%commitment and effort - 10% skill and ability
Snodgrass - average - did OK but never really a threat
Beckford - still not fully fit and tired at end but even at 90% has to be
picked- he scares defenders making space for others and came close on occasion
especially with one overhead kick - tries hard and never stops - fans that
question his work rate and commitment need to get a grip -after Delph our star
man.
Becchio - has seemed jaded and worn out in recent weeks but today either cos of
his goal or the fact that Becks was back, saw him at his best - he did the work
of 2 men and won lots of headers and held the ball well - great perfomance. Got
an undeserved booking for 'over celebration" - all he did was run the two yards
behind the goal into the massed ranks of Leeds fans - stupid rule trying to
take fun and passion out of the game
Subs
Pruttton - off the pace
Howson - ditto
Christie - took goal well which gave him confidence to show his skill is above
this level
Grayson - brilliant - made a double sub at 1 -1 and we go on to win 3 1 , says
it all.
Dave
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Sorry Macca - it's the curse of Bates old lad
