I said after the Brighton game that we wouldn't go up. We looked devoid of
ideas then and I've seen nothing to change my mind since then. Today was
laughable at times.
Swindon were a reasonable side - not great by any stretch of the imagination
but they did the basics right, had a good shape and had 2 players up front
who could head the ball and shoot.
Leeds probably shaded the first half and could easily have been ahead but
our best chance fell to Hughes and he hit it straight at the keeper when 8
yards out. Leeds were dominating down Swindon's left (Sheehan wasn't allowed
to play!) but for some reason Grayson had our best wide player (Snoddy) in
the hole in the middle. Very odd indeed. Hughes was the only threat on the
right and he did a few good crosses before reverting to type and hoofing it
into the South Stand.
Grella worked hard and got the ball to feet and tried to get things going.
Beckford has now given up. He doesn't challenge and is always waiting for
the defenders to make a mistake so he can pounce. This doesn't happen much
against the better teams in this league.
Swindon slowly go into the game and dismantled us in systematic fashion.
Bang Bang Bang 0-3 in the blink of an eye. First goal Hughes slipped and the
striker cracked it off the floor into the top corner. Flukey but hell fire
it was a shot - not summat we know much about. The 2nd again a bit lucky as
a 20 yarder clipped a Leeds player and went in. The 3rd a free header as
Leeds just simply gave up.
The team are a mess. The shape and tactics are gone and the confidence has
simply drained away. The bottom line is the players are simply not good
enough - good teams evolve over a season and we have gone backwards.
We're a poor team but our fans were superb today. Great backing.
Higgs 5 - let 3 in - not all his fault though.
Hughes 6 - Our best player in the first half but messed up for the crucial
first goal.
Lowry 3 - Not good enough at left back and not good enough in the middle
when he played there when Naylor went off
Naylor 4 - He's legs and brain have gone.
Collins 5 - A big lump.
Kilkenny 4 - Had to play in a 3 man midfield and looked lost
Doyle 4 - Had to play in a 3 man midfield and looked lost
Howson 5 - Had to play in a 3 man midfield and looked lost
Snodgrass 2 - Played in a bizarre position and persisted in doing silly
flicks that never came off. Looks shagged out.
Beckford 3 - No service but his mind is elsewhere now.
Grella 7 - Zero goal threat but worked very hard and picked the ball up
nicely. Too clever for our team.
Subs
-------
Parker 5 - looks rusty
Gradel 4 - waste of money
Dickov 5 - nasty piece of work but did one lovely through ball late on.
Grayson 3 - poor tactics again.
We are on our knees now and promotion looks a zillion miles away.
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