I thought this was a hugely heartening performance. The question in my mind after last week was: are Derby any good, or are we in fact not up to it in this league (worrying increased when Derby lost at home yesterday!) After the first 15 mins, I thought I had my worst fears confirmed, but the spirit, skill and growing cohesion we showed in stemming and then turning the tide were absolutely fantastic.
It is hard, especially watching on telly, to know what really made the difference. A lot of people, including the TV pundits, put it down to a change of team shape. However, I think it was more the fact that Killer & Howson (who i don't think played anywhere near as badly as some have said) started to get hold of the ball and retain it. Confidence in our ranks began to grow, and at the same time it drained out of Forest. What a difference there was in the Forest of the 1st 20 mins (it was like watching Brazil, sorry Spain!) and the Forest of the last 20 mins who couldn't string 2 passes together. Was that down to our improved defending, or their collective loss of bottle (or a combination?) Anyway.............we have scored 2 superb goals so far this season. Both have come from capitalising brilliantly on sloppy play by the oppoes in their back third. Johnson's ball onto Sam's head was magnificent (although I would say it was bettered by the cross for the Forest goal.............a right back hitting a first-time ball with his left foot, especially when the pass back to him was poor, requiring him to hit it on the half volley.) Back to Johnny H.............again it is hard to tell on telly, but I think he was given a deeper, more holding role this week, presumably in an attempt to solve the problem of the Doyle-shaped hole that was conspicuous against Derby. I was worried about Sam last week. I thought he looked woefully short of confidence. But he looked much better today (even without his goal, which was superbly taken). Schmeichel! I love that man! He didn't have that much to do really, but he just exudes authority and confidence (I wonder where he got those traits from?) and his kicking is top class. I think the team is starting to gel, confidence is growing, and the future is WHITE! Rob Heath Munchen Weiss P.S. Don't really know why, but in recent years I have developed a pathological hatred of Rob Earnshaw. I think it is due to the fact that he thinks he is so much better than he is. He also has a weird shaped head, and horrible teeth. Of course it is nothing to do with him being Welsh. Anyway, I was heartily relieved that his shot hit the post, and hugely satisfied to see him playing worse and worse as the game progressed. P.P.S. Billy Davies, if you are reading this: "Job done!" P.P.P.S. Fantastic comedy moment on MOTD last night. Did you see that West Ham clown who fluffed a backpass, then ran onto the ball as he tore back to make up for it and knocked it against his own post? All that was funny enough, but what killed me was the way the ball came back to him in an ocean of space in his own box, and he executed a neat turn and stroked a pass out to the left as if he had planned the whole episode. _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] MARCHING ON TOGETHER
