Closest game to home all season but the nightmare that is
the M25 entailed a detour around the Hertfordshire countryside.
Unsurprisingly Grayson picked the same team as last week but
the early chances went to Watford, with 2 free headers early on as our
defenders looked on. Still luckily for us Watford couldn’t defend corners and
after 2 near misses another ball into the box led to a Watford player heading
straight
up into air, it was headed back across goal and Naylor forced it in at the far
post.
The game looked open enough early on with both defences struggling and Watford
had more chances, a weak clearing header left Eustace with a free volley from
the penalty box but he screwed it wide. A bit later the striker got free down
the right but didn’t have the confidence to take the last defender on and shot
weakly at Schmeichal.
At this point a goalfest looked a possibility but the game
petered out after the first 15 minutes, neither side could keep the ball and any
chances were scrappy ones from defensive mistakes. Bar a couple of flashes from
Watt, we did very little to threaten and despite more possession Watford didn’t
look
like doing much more.
The 2nd half started with Hughes replacing
Bessone but otherwise it was more of the same, Watford found a bit of space in
front of our back four and screwed a couple of chances wide, Watt headed wide
with our only real chance for a while but little else happened.
With 20 minutes or so left Grayson made a couple of
substitutions in quick succession with Gradel and McCormack replacing Sam and
Watt. This seemed to open the game up a bit more, a couple of crosses from
Gradel let to bundles in the area where none of Johnson, Becchio or McCormack
could get a killer touch (got in each others way a bit). But Watford were
starting to exert a bit more pressure and there was a flurry of corners,
although Schmeichel dealt well with most of the balls coming into the box.
As we got to the last 5 minutes, Leeds had chances on the
break but failed to kill the game off failing to either hold on to it or
find the right ball, a couple of 3 on 2 overlaps were messed up. Giving away
possession also allowed Watford to lump into the box and win more corners but
we held out without too many alarms.
A fairly terrible game overall, Watford probably deserved a
draw but had absolutely nothing up front. Still an away win is not to be
sniffed at.
Scores
Kasper 8 - Man of the Match by a mile. Didn't have to make a
difficult save but
caught absolutely everything that came into the box. Also got a comedy booking
by collecting a ball off the pitch and throwing it back on to delay a
corner. Won great volleyed clearance from an errant backpass.
Connelly 7 – Probably the best of the defenders, little
going forward but very solid at the back.
Bessone 6 – Assume he was injured as he seemed to be doing
OK
Naylor 7 – Extra point for the goal but worrying gaps in the
first half
Collins 6 – CB pairing still doesn’t really convince.
Kilkenny 6 – Never really got hold of the ball and dictated
play, often deepest midfielder but not the best defensively
Howson 7 – Got through a lot of work but lost possession a
bit too easily. Still think we need someone else in the middle.
Johnson 5 – Largely in the team to head the ball or shoot
from range. Not a left winger and crossing was poor and messed up his 2
shooting chances
Sam 6 - Anonymous
Becchio - 10. Like a young Marco Van Basten in his prime,
immense upfront, strong, quick, brave, held the ball up well, played others
in. Won all his headers, never mis-controlled. One of the finest performances
ever in a Leeds shirt.*
Watt 7- Some nice touches but also a bit lightweight and not
really in the game enough.
Subs
Hughes 6 – Defended OK – gave ball away too much
McCormack7 - Looked lively but gave the ball
away carelessly a couple of
times near the end.
Gradel 7 - Couple of good runs and crosses managed not to get sent off
* - Not really
Matt
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