Given the last result, given the five changes , given the opposition who are a
good team who recently destroyed a really good Norwich team I'd say this was
the
performance of the season to date. You can imagine my joy to find Becchio
relegated to the bench and a forward two in Somma and McCormack who are lively,
skilful, direct and a real handful. Ok, no doubt Becchio fans will point to the
fact that they drew a blank but I think their positive impact on our team in
the
way the team passed the ball around and linked up from midfield to attack to me
was a revelation. We looked like a team on a different level to what I've seen
so far this season and I really enjoyed watching us and if we carry on playing
like that I might have to start going to a few more away games.
The reason was Somma, he's such an intelligent player. He comes deep to get the
ball, plays intelligent lays offs and then he looks to break. He plays on the
edge and does get caught offside a few times but that's his way and he'll
always
get chances. His best chance from a brilliant ball through from Bradley Johnson
(don't often say that) , unfortunately his finishing did resemble Becchio as he
scuffed his shot and made it easy for Sullivan who I thought was dodgy on the
night.
McCormack on the other hand seemed to be working twice as hard as Somma for not
as good results. I don't mind that. There was bits of good link up play and I
think they are suited together. Both have a bit of pace and both are always
looking to be direct. Compare this to Becchio who spends most of his time just
falling over, miscontrolling or playing a 5 yard ball back. It's a different
level of play. Not much came off for McCormack, he had a decent effort second
half but I think his movement caused Donny all sorts of problems, in fact I
thought the movement of all the team was just too much for Donny, They're used
to passing the ball around and dominating teams a bit like Swansea but we just
didn't ley them. All over the park we were snapping at their heels, Gradel was
like an attacking Billy Bremner at times, he really put a loao of work. Howson
and Kilkenny were snapping at heels and played some lovely football moving
forward at pace. I thought this was Kilkenny's best game so far , his fitness
levels were good and he really got stuck in at times. It was interesting to
hear
their manager say that everytime Kilkenny gets dropped from the Leeds team he
puts a call in to Leeds to ask if he's available.
At the back I thought we did really well. Alex Bruce looks the part, he's got
good pace, good in the air and really strong in the tackle. I thought he helped
Collins who I don't rate but probably gets the nod for his height. I'd be
looking at Naylor and Bruce together.
We played them off the park at times and towards the end they looked like a
broken side just lumping balls forward with no aim. I thought we were brilliant
and I hope this is the start of a new up tempo football that takes this
division
by storm. I think we can, I kept looking at Donny and thinking. FFS this is
Doncaster, we are Leeds , we should be streets ahead .... and we were ! Best
0-0
I've seen for years.
Scores:
Higgs - 7. Had nothing to do other than collect a dodgy header back from
Hughes.
Hughes - 7. I thought he did well, he has his moments but I'll take the why is
he still on the payroll comment back because it's obvious he can do a job at
right back (not left back).
White - 7. I thought he did really well and I think what surprised me is that
defensively he did ok as well. Still not sure he's a left back because he's got
so much to offer going forward, much more than Mr Johnson.
Collins - 6. Steady and not as expeosed mainly due to Bruce.
Bruce - 9. Excellent.
Kilkenny - 8. Energy levels good, link up play good, tackling good. Heart of
the
team.
Howson - 6. He was bright and lively and did some good things however he gives
the ball away too easily at times and really needs to address this.
Johnson - 7. I'd say this was probably his best game for Leeds that I've seen.
I
thought some of his passing was excellent, he was supplementing the attack well
and is always a threat in the box with his arial ability. Of course there were
times when we treated to aimless, careless balls but that's Johnson for
you. Would he be in my next team ? No. I'd go get Liam Dickinson from Barnsley
on loan and move White into midfield.
McCormack - 6. Lively and direct but not a lot came off. His movement was good
and I think he did a lot of work off the ball. I think he can form a good
partnership together. People will say that neither of them are that great in
the
air. Fair point but that encourages us to play football like we did last night.
I hope he's not injured.
Somma - 8. If he'd got his goal it would have been the perfect performance but
he had 2 one on ones and scuffed them both. He's going to score goals though
but
I think he's much more that a goalscorer. He looks classy, he makes time on the
ball and links up play brilliantly. I haven't been as excited about a Leeds
player like this since Cantona - I kid you not. I think Somma will play and do
well in the premier league.
Gradel - 8. High energy performance. He showed me tonight that he's much more
than a super sub or a luxury winger, he can really get stuck in a be an
influential midfielder.
Subs:
Snodgrass - 7. Came on and was effective. Going to be interesting to see how he
fits in to the plans.
Watt - 7. After a stinker against Swansea he came on and reminded us just what
he can do with two brilliant short balls that created good chances. He also
looked sharp and quick , was he fit for Swansea or is this just the affect of
the extra pressures on a player when being asked to play up front from the
start.
Grayson - top marks. He made the changes , changed the formation, dropped so
called key players and got a great performance. He doesn't always get it right
but my God he's m
not stuck in a rut and is always looking to learn from change. We are lucky to
have Simon Grayson.
Team for Sheff Utd
Higgs
Connelly Bruce Naylor White
Snodgrass Kilkenny Howson Gradel
McCormack Somma
Starting to look like a real ream !
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