Although, for health reasons,I never got to do a Boro match report both the result and the performance on Saturday had me looking forward to the Leics game,and that anticipation was raised when I saw,despite supposed injuries,that we had the same starting eleven. 15 mins after kick off I was totally shell shocked and disbelieving both in the manner of our performance and theirs,and in the fact that we were not 3 or 4 down.They came out of the blocks like a team possessed and totally passed us off the pitch - very impressive. Whilst we were like the walking wounded, looking slow, cumbersome, unfit and totally devoid of ideas. When the subs board went up after 30mins we all expected Faye to be the man going off - he was awful. On Sat,my lad christened him Mr Bump - he walked round bumping into people and somehow winning the ball without ever giving the impression that he knew what he was doing. Last night he was so far off the pace that a lad picked at random from the crowd could not have looked more at sea. It was like we had only 10 men out there. In fact it was the equally unfit and ineffective Watt who was subbed, as Johnson came on and we also dropped Somma into midfield (although he spent a fair bit of time, second half at left back). The changes did give us a bit of a foothold and we did apply a bit of pressure with a header by Collins and a couple of attempts by Johnson almost making Leics regret their earlier failure to put away any of a host of chances. Second half saw a repeat of the first 30mins as again we were on the back foot chasing shadows. Naylor especially getting the brunt of the criticism of the fans. He did make a few awful mistakes albeit on one occasion he corrected it with a great saving tackle. Their goal when it came was no surprise but owed a lot to luck and a lot to terrible defending.The winger skipped past Somma in the full back position then beat a challenge by McCartney which can best be described as badly timed and powder puff and his shot deflected off Collins to give Brown no chance. The second was after a comedy of errors with first Howson and then Naylor making bad mistakes to let Howard clear on goal and he finished well (I said he would score as soon as he came on) We had brought on Kilkenny and Gradel for the hapless Faye and poor Snoddy and they began to make their mark. Kilkenny seeing lots of the ball and passing it to white shirts, and Gradel his usual mix of direct play and over elaboration. A good first time cross by Gradel found Becchio who headed home- all those who had just left ER must have been kicking themselves and we found some fire and determination and tried to get what would have been a totally undeserved equaliser. Overall very disappointing indeed - Leicester team and fans as good as any seen at ER for some time - Leeds team woeful and the fans worse,very quiet and getting on the team and individual players backs. Yes we were dreadful, but given that we are, for the vast majority, claiming to be happy with mid-table , why are so many so critical of the team and booing when it is 0 0 at half time ? The Topsy turvy season continues Dave _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected]
MARCHING ON TOGETHER
