Well typical Leeds - we went there full of hope and once again were let down by
the team on the pitch.
Grayson sprung a couple of surprises with a recall for Lowry at left back, and
for Doyle in centre midfield, with Johnson moving to the left and Watt missing
out. There was no place for Beckford at the start even though he remains the
one player likely to score (don't recall Becchio having a single shot \ header
all game)
We almost (word that best describes our season ? almost) got the dream start
when Max pounced on a ball and had only the keeper to beat, albeit from a tight
angle. His shot was OK but the keeper managed to grab it at the second attempt.
We began to take a strangle hold on the game without really creating much and
then against the run of play an attack down our right led to a shot from a
tight angle being palmed away by Higgs, we then had a good cross in that
Collins, i think, put wide from a yard out. Gradel and Johnson both had long
range shots that came close but the half was pretty much devoid of chances.
Just at the whistle we heard that Millwall were a goal down to Tranmere and we
all expected us to come out for the second half fired up and going for victory.
However it was Charlton who started the better and first Higgs had to save well
from a deflected shot and then we let Sam Sodje have a free header that he
powered over the top - a real left off.
Then Grayson took off the pretty ineffective Snoddy (we really need one last
push from him next week before he gets some much needed rest- hopefully) and on
came Beckford. We all tried to convince each other that it was going to be
Beckfords day and he would be leaving us in a blaze of glory. This feeling was
increased when we heard that Millwall were 2 down, and probably out -"Just one
goal and Leeds are up" we sang.
Grayson then decided to go for it - gambling on winning rather than settling
for a point and he brought on both Watt and Grella for Doyle and Hughes. Not
sure if it was the re-shuffling or just the fact that Charlton were taking
control of the match but somehow they hit the post and headed another one over
as we began to live dangerously. Beckford did have a shot into the side netting
but it came as no real surprise when a cross was met by the other Sodje and
Naylors attempt to head clear ended up in the back of our net. Naylor was then
lucky not to be sent off as he gave away a free kick right on the edge of our
box.
We nearly got an equaliser when a good cross was met well by Beckford but his
header was well saved.
So the final whistle went, and to add insult to injury the heavens opened as
all 3,000+ of us trooped off to the tubes etc.
I think Grayson was right to try and win it when he knew Millwall were losing
rather than hang on for a draw and I suppose at the start of the day we would
all have been happy to be going into the Bristol game just (!!!!!!) needing to
win to go up. The defeat could have cost us dearly but once again when we have
slipped up those around have failed to take full advantage.
It is all in our own hands and you could not wish for better opposition - a
team with nothing to play for , who have just been beaten 3 0 at home and who
have not won for 5 games and who have lost 14 away games with 6 wins and 2
draws.
Our toughest opposition next week will be ourselves, as the old cliche goes.
Can we cope with a full house. Will the fans remain patient or get on the
players backs if we do not score in the first ten minutes and make them scared
of playing.
>From Graysons point of view does he recall Beckford from the start - who will
>be left back and who in centre midfield.
Keep the faith
Dave
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