Congratulations to Simon Grayson and the Leeds team. 10 consecutive home wins
at any level is a real achievement and the fact it’s not been repeated at ER
since 1968 makes it one of the best records of recent years.
If truth be told though the scoreline flattered us. Tranmere were very lively
as you’d expect from a team who really needed to win and they kept coming at
us. They caused a lot of concern in our defence and today there were some signs
that the defence is still not quite there. One of the main reasons for this is
the keeper. One minute brilliant the next completely lost on confidence and
dithering all over the shop. He is a dilemma.
We started brilliantly in the sun. Howson was on fire and looked lively and
alert. He tried an ambitious 35 yard half volley which the keeper just managed
to claw onto the post for a corner. A brilliant strike. We continued to look
very lively and when Snodgrass played the ball through to Beckford there was
only one result – Beckford side footed into the bottom corner past the
advancing keeper. A superb Beckford type goal.
The right side seemed to be our strength with Douglas getting forward and
combining well with Kilkenny who managed to squeeze it in from a very tight
angle. I think it must have gone through the keeper’s legs.
The way we were playing it looked like it could be a rout however in true Leeds
style we let Tranmere back in with a ridiculous mistake at the back with Sodje,
with back to goal, heading backwards towards the keeper but not realising that
Casper was stood right behind him so the ball just went over Casper’s head and
rolled agonisingly into an open net. To be honest I still thought Casper would
keep it out but he seemed a bit slow and seemed to slip. A complete mess. Now
was it Sodje’s fault or Caspers ? Not sure but there’s been one too many mix
ups involving Casper.
This gave Tranmere the lift they didn’t really deserve up to that point. They
were nearly equal when the split open the defence with a simple ball. Casper
came out well and they put it wide. The Tranmere fans celebrated as if they’d
equalised. Shame !
Second half Tranmere were the better side throughout. We struggled to make a
real impact and just kept giving the ball away cheaply. At the other end
Tranmere had several good chances including an amazing double save from Casper.
He had been wrong footed but managed to throw himself the other way and get a
strong arm to the ball. He then followed this up with a good second save from
the rebound effort. A brilliant bit of keeping to make up for his balls up in
the first half. Just as I was expecting an equaliser two things happened that
sealed the game for Leeds. First a terrible bit of defending from Tranmere that
allowed Snodgrass to swing in a free kick which Becchio unmarked seemed to
bundle in unmarked from 3 yards. A typical Becchio goal however I’m not
complaining as it won us the game. The second was their big, black lad went off
injured. He isn’t a really good striker or anything but he is a real nuisance
and had caused us problems
throughout. I hope he’s injured for the play-offs if we get them.
All in all a good result. Play offs here we come. Northampton will be a
non-event now.
Scores:
Casper – 6. It’s shocking to see that after a mistake his confidence just
drains from him and he starts to dither. He recovered second half to make a
brilliant double save.
Douglas – 8. Now here’s a rare thing. I’m going to give Douglas my man of the
match. He had one dodgy moment when he got the wrong side but he managed to
recover to execute the best tackle of the season in our box to retrieve the
ball. Not only did he tackle the Tranmere man but he actually won the ball
cleanly to get up and take it away. He’s doing well at right back and I think
it’s definitely a position that suits him more than midfield. He also did well
going forward today.
Parker – 7. Did ok. Looking fairly solid. Skinned once in the first half but it
didn’t come to anything. He’s really putting himself on the line at times. I do
worry about him though. At Wembley when there’s lots of space he may get
exposed.
Sodje – 7. Generally solid but was involved in the cock up. Some of his headers
were amazing.
Naylor – 6. Again he did ok but I’ve started to notice one or two incidents
where he tends to just give a push or obstruct opposition strikers in the box.
No need for this. Also there was an occasion in the first half when a corner
resulted in one of their players having a completely free header in the box
(similar to Leicester).
Robinson – 6. Certainly loads of effort but not much output to day. I think we
missed Delph today.
Howson – 7. Started really well, faded a bit but then finished strongly. On one
occasion he lost the ball but then ran the length of the pitch to recover the
situation.
Kilkenny – 7. Lively first half.
Snodgrass – 7. Did better today.
Becchio – 5. He was shocking in the first half today. He didn’t win any
headers, he just couldn’t control the ball and he finds it very difficult to
play the simplest of balls. On one occasion he was put through, all he had to
do was play a simple ball through to Beckford but it was beyond him. He
improved slightly second half and started to win a few headers but he still
managed to spend a lot of time on his arse. Still, he got his goal and you
can’t argue with that can you ?
Beckford – 7. Lively, some good runs and a well taken goal. Maybe should have
had more and maybe should concentrate on the simple things rather trying lots
of stupid flicks which never come off.
Subs:
Johnson – 7. Looked lively and strong when he came on. He has done this before
though.
Grella and Hughes – didn’t have much time but Grella showed that he really does
have an eye for a pass with a great ball through to Kilkenny who should have
done better. I don’t subscribe to the view that Becchio and Beckford are a good
partnership. There was no link up play at all between them yesterday. I think
Beckford will score goals in any team at this level and whilst he plays he will
create the space for other strikers (average strikers) to benefit. Becchio has.
How many goals has he scored without Beckford playing ? I think it might be 1.
I think Grella is worth a try with Beckford.
Grayson – 10. You just can’t argue with his record since he took over from
Macca.
Crowd – 0. Couldn’t even get 25,000 for the biggest game of the season.
Tranmere were even worse in that they couldn’t fill their allocation despite
this being their biggest game for years. How many applications will we get for
the play offs ?
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