A quick report of last nights game seen through my normal beer and prescription drug goggles.It was a bit of a worry that not only were Becchio, O'Brien and ,of course, Somma all missing but so were Snoddy, Sam and most worrying of all Kisnorbo !So we had Rachubka in net,with a back four of Parker, Lees, Bruce and Connolly, a midfield of Max, Howson, Brown and a Carlton Palmer look a like trialist, with Billy and McCormack up front.We started quite lively and passed and moved the ball quite well throughout and deserved the victory (not sure we deserved the 'ole ole' late in the second half that rolled round the terrace.We the side stand and although it was far from full I reckon we outnumbered the home fans)I paid particular attention to the new boys - first half Lees, Rachubka, Brown and the triallist Second half Clayton,Nunez and Samuels and Osbourne(?). I thought Brown looked cool and composed,running the game in a sort of Batty-esque performance, he made a couple of decent tackles,always wanted the ball and was always available - he was left for dead on one occasion and it remains to be seen how fit he will be (I thought Thompson and Stone both looked a class above but both were total crocks) - but on a first showing in a friendly against lower opposition I was impressed.Lees also looked the part - quite commanding and comfortable but basic on the ball.He seemed to read the game well.Rachubka made one good save from a snapshot and another save 'for the camera'. But in the case of both players , the fact that Rochdale had no corners that I recall and no crosses into the box all game, meamt that we could not see how good they are at that part of the game which has been our downfall over recent seasons.The as yet un-named trialist did OK.. He made one or two decent runs but a couple of times his final ball was poor.I am not sure that he did enough to deserve another chance but that may depend on his pedigree. I just hope the fact that we gave a trial to a winger does not mean the Max rumours are true because on this showing he is no replacement for Max.Second half there were a number of changes and Nunez,Clayton, Turner and J Loyd Samuel came on. I thought Clayton was excellent - I have always been impressed with him on TV for the reserves and last night he did not disappoint.If he can get in the team we will not miss Kilkenny at all.Nunez was fairly quiet ,one early turn and shot apart, Turner looked solid enough but was not put under much pressure. Samuel was a bit wayward and slack with his passing on a couple of occasions and did not have any defending to do -probably worth another look , given it is a problem position for us and he has played at a good level.With about 30mins left we brought on another trialist - Osbourne - in centrre midfield he was totally annonymous for most of the time and barely got a touch apart from one good tackle when he won the ball and beat a couple of players in a tight circle before he passed it. Not sure if we will ever see him again.So overall I was reasonably impressed - Brown & Clayton may soon have us forgetting all about Johnson and Kilkenny. Lees showed a lot of promise and Rachubka looked decetnt enough. Samuel and the un-named trialist may get another chance to impress.A good work out and good performance.I did not like the 'if Billy scores we're on the pitch' chants - for one it is a copy of what Geordies sang /did at Darlington but also it is not what Billy needs - with Somma and Becchio out we need Billy to do well and getting on his back with ironic songs will not help. He has lost a lot of weight so he is doing his best to be a success,whether he is good enough remains to be seen.Nunez seems to be the new cult hero - he got a great ovation and cheers and a buzz round the ground every time he touched itFinal word - a lot better than the 4 0 defeat in similar wet weather last pre seasonDave _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman-new.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected]
MARCHING ON TOGETHER (There's it)
