I don't have much to add to Rich and Dave's reports - it wasn't much of a game in pretty windy conditions. As far as we were concerned it was one of those "grinding out a win even if the performance is mediocre" type of games.
They were big awkward bunch and they played the percentages for corners/freekicks/and ridiculously long throws. It was never pretty - but I think Rui and Naylor held everything together admirably - between them winning loads in the air. We had chances - Delph should have scored when left with a bouncing ball on the edge of the box, after a sweet move, it was on his wrong foot, but that's not an acceptable excuse for him; Snodgrass had a couple of belters - one the goalie saved well and one curler that drifted over; Howson really should have buried a lose bouncing ball from about 8 yards out with 10 minutes left. And so to Jermaine, our perenial talking point...firstly the sending off for punching the ball up and away (even if he spun it so it came back) was utterly clueless and petulant. The ref was such a twat that he'd been looking for someone to send off all game - Beckford just stepped up and made himeself the obvious target. I hope I'm right in thinking that because it was 2 yellows, he will only miss one game, away at Crewe. My main gripe with it was how come that was worth a booking and yet the fella who followed through studs-up on Parker's standing ankle, didn't get a card even though the ref saw it and gave a free-kick. There are two things I'd like to deal with. Beckford's alleged "laziness". Now then yesterday, aside from scoring the winning goal with a good downward header at the back post, to my memory he had 4 more efforts on goal - two clipped shots when he beat his man to low crosses at the front post; a weakish downward header, that had to be cleared off the line by the last man (which then fell to Howson for his chance); and the bicycle kick from 16 yards that just flew wide with the keeper beaten. (how many did Becchio have?) On Tuesday he scored 3; had one more disallowed; and went close with two other presentable chances. (how many did Becchio - Grella - Dickinson have?) Which bit of all that do we want him to give up so that he can do more chasing, harrying, closing down, tracking back to defend corners etc.? For me - none of it. He single handedly got us our last 6 points; he got us 3 more vs Scunthorpe...His job is to score goals. Yes, it is a team game, I understand that, but within the team structure he is doing his job. It's like saying Caspar "only keeps clean sheets", can't we make his distribution better... For arguments sake, tell me how good Linekar was at tracking back; or Henry at tackling; watch Torres and tell me about his defensive work - Beckford is nowhere near that class and never will be - but no-one gives a sweet flying fuck about any of that with these guys because that was not their job. That Bobby Moore he'd have been alright if he scored a few more goals. So if I was Beckford and I'd scored 20+ last year to get us in the play-offs and then 29 (and counting) this year and people allegedly supporting my team still barracked me at every turn, then I too would flick the V-sign at them (allegedly after Bristol) and I'd also fuck off somewhere else. That'll teach, no-one will love him like we do. Secondly - our Beckford baiting gimp was back behind us yesterday - he wanted him subbed after 60 minutes - mind you yesterday everybody was "shit" according to him...so quite who Grayson would have been right in taking off would have been anyone's guess. However, if Beckford is the waster that everyone seems to think he is, presumably the game at Crewe will be a breeze with Becchio and Dickinson/Grella/Snodgrass upfront. (actually we should win anyway but there you go) Can't be arsed with scores - Naylor, Marques, Parker, Snodgrass all did OK Delph was well below Beckford was an idiot. _______________________________________________ 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
