It was a bit hard to concentrate on the game as I kept getting texts and calls from family members saying that it was kicking off big time in Manchester and Salford and that both Piccadilly and Salford Crescent train stations were shut and that maybe I would be safer staying in Leeds.From what I did see it was a very enjoyable game - a real cup tie with a decent atmosphere and the underdogs really going for it 100% and twice getting their noses in front. Both goals were typical of our recent seasons for different reasons. The first was awful defending with a number of missed tackles, failures to close down , ending with Parker being the wrong side of his man and leaving the keeper exposed. The second was one of those 'goals of a lifetime'by an opposition player - he hit it harder and truer than he has ever hit a ball before and is his own goal of his career - something that we seem to have been on the wrong end of a number of times.Apart from the goals we did pretty much control the game and at times played some good stuff, with my man Adam Clayton being at the heart of it all. Whilst I am being given credit on here for spotting his potential and singing his praises, I think SG deserves credit too for bringing him on loan and then without playing him , signing him on a full contract. Whether he should have played last season is moot now. He does have flaws, on last nights showing a reluctance to shoot and the fact that he wants every pass to be a killer 25 yard one. Once he calms down a bit and keeps it simple when needed I think he will be a real star for us. Brown looked tidy enough alongside him - a bit Battyeque (of course nowhere near as good). Howson seems to have bulked up and looks a good player. Sam made up the midfield and whilst both my mate and a lad I speak to on the train gave him a lot of critiicsim he d play a major role in 2 of our goals. For me he needs to do a lot more to shift either Max or Snoddy.Up front both McCormack and Nunez had mixed games, both missing decent chances and making plenty of errors but also at times looking very lively, McCormack did work very hard. Part of the problem was that with those two up front (or maybe a 4 4 1 1 ) there is no real focal point.As for the defence - same old, same old - Parker is not up to the job, Connolly is steady but only average, Kisnorbo is still finding his feet and with Longeren it is a case of the jury is still out. He was not to blame for either goal and he did Ok but his kicking is poor at times.That leaves O'Brien - I always hate to hear a Leeds player getting booed by his own fans BUT the jeers etc were deserved - at the moment he is shocking. Only time will tell (assuming he plays again) whether it is a lack of pre season training or, as most of now fear, his legs have totally gone, but whichever he is a big liability. Perhaps time to give TOm Lees his head ? Lees came on and looked comfortable even out of position and put in a great cross for McCormacks goal, but it was only 4th Division opposition and I fear that SG will go for experience over class and pick O'B, or Bromby or even O'Dea ahead of him.There were a lot of 'Bates Out, Bates Out' and 'Get out of our club...' 'Get the Chelsea out of Leeds' and ' we want players not hotels' songs - not sure how many joined in but there were no dissenting voices.I like the Ramon,Ramon,Ramon Ramon Nunez chant ( to the Gary Glitter song - my gang) For the record when I got to Manchester it was like a ghost town - saw a burnt out van, a few broken windows, lots of riot police and a few groups of face covered chavs - no taxis and no buses which led to me walking a long long way before I managed to thumb a lift - got home very late and very very sore. Dave _______________________________________________ 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)
