Was it really this one sided?
No.
Are we looking good?
Not really.
Couldn't originally make this game so didn't have a ticket, change of plans
though and phoned up Walsall this morning to see what the situation was -
the reply was "oh, just turn up, we're selling tickets on the night in both
ends". Hmmm! Anyway we got there and as promised were sold two tickets
for the Leeds end (well, the Leeds side - they gave us two sides of the
ground - I wouldn't be surprised if there were more Leeds than Walsall in
the 8,500) without being asked for away cards. I was told later that they'd
done this so that away fans wouldn't go in the home end!
Anyway, for 80 minutes this was a painfully average game between two
painfully average sides. Yes, we had most of the possession and Higgs
hardly had a thing to do all night - but we lacked a cutting edge and too
often resorted to lumping long balls to Beckford - or more often to no-one.
Best chance in the first half was when Beckford did well to volley a Johnson
cross towards goal, only to see Ince make an outstanding save, pushing the
ball onto the post with Snodgrass just failing to reach the follow-up. Just
before half-time, Snodgrass cut in and sent a curling shot just over the
bar, but that was it really.
Second half was much of the same, though we did create more chances - but
Beckford was having a wretched time in front of goal, glancing a header just
wide, skying one nearly out of the ground, and then bringing down a superb
Johnson through ball well before snatching his shot horribly. It was no
surprise when Rui's mistimed tackle brought Walsall their penalty, which
Parkin thumped down the middle. You could argue that we hadn't done enough
to win, but we certainly didn't deserve to lose. However, three minutes
later Robinson's corner evaded everyone in the middle and found its way to
the far post where Johnson's flying header found the net - just reward for a
really good game for Johnson, who often appears to be more graft that guile
but who I thought was outstanding tonight. Another three minutes later yet
another aimless ball to Beckford encountered some shockingly bad Walsall
defending, enabling Becks to collect the ball and fire into the corner from
the edge of the area. Cue two sides of the ground going bonkers. And
despite managing to concede a couple of unnecessary free-kicks in dangerous
positions in the last few minutes (and Becchio having a slight brainstorm
and attempting to concede a second penalty), that was it.
A word for the shirtless Walsall fan in the front of their main stand who
kept running across to the Leeds side and thrusting his groin suggestively
at us - thanks for that mate, you made the first half far less boring.
"Where's your carer gone, where's your carer gone?"
HIGGS - 6. Didn't do much. Didn't have to.
CROWE - 5. First time I've seen him (playing for us). Not impressed. Looks
reasonable coming forward, but skinned at least three times by Walsall's
No.7 and shockingly out of position on at least two other occasions. Master
of the long through ball to absolutely no-one as well.
KISNORBO - 8. Faultless at the back. Still can't pass though.
MARQUES - 6. Points off for the pointless tackle that gave away the pen.
HUGHES - 5. Isn't a left-back. Not sure what he is on this display.
JOHNSON - 8. MOTM. Never stopped running, produced some good crossing and
passing, was outstanding in the air (had to be, dealing with the aerial
bombardment of passes from the back), and a thumping goal. Can't ask for
more really.
DOYLE - 7. Did the Batty role well, passing was pretty good although caught
the "hoof" bug a few times.
HOWSON - 6. Anonymous. Not sure he's picked up an understanding with Doyle
yet, and wasn't particularly involved.
SNODGRASS - 6. Couple of great runs, always looks a threat but not enough
tonight, especially as Walsall's left-back looked a bit shaky.
BECKFORD - 6. Bar, the first half shot which was saved, was having a
horrible game - almost didn't look bothered sometimes - until he scored.
BECCHIO - 4. Can look outstanding sometimes. Unfortunately, for 90% of
tonight, looked like a pub player.
Subs
ROBINSON - 6. (For Hughes, went to LM and Johnson to LB) - you have to say,
why wasn't that the starting line up? But hindsight etc.
KILKENNY - 6. (For Doyle) did OK
PRUTTON - only on for a minute.
Si
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