When oh when are we going to learn how to defend ? 6 league games and 2 cup games now and not a single clean sheet -in fact we are conceding almost 2 goals per game.Despite the absence of Clayton (our player of the season so far) and Max, last years player of the season, we started brightly and looked pretty convincing, a great cross from left back Taylor and McCormack peeled away from the defender and nodded home - a good start and a deserved lead. Great a nice easy afternoon we thought. But this is LUFC and there is no such thing, a free kick half way inside our half was pumped into the box and lo and behold we failed to deal with it and it was 1 1. We stuck at it and a free kick from Numez and the follow up by Snoddy hit the post as we continued to press, but a quick break saw us carved open and the Palace player got a tap in 1 2. That gave them the boost they needed and with the crowd getting on their backs we fell apart. They spent the rest of the half tearing us apart and only some good saves and poor finishing allowed us to go in only one goal behind. The second half was no better and again we were thankful to Longeran for keeping us in it. Then with 30mins to go a double sub. Off went the totally ineffectual Nunez and the hardworking (but with no end product) Keogh and on came Forselll and crowd favourite Becchio. It was the lift the increasingly critical Leeds support needed and we began to peg them back a bit. A cross into the box and Becchio nodded it into the corner - a well taken headed goal, and a welcome return for Becchio - Ok he is not my favourite either but fair play to him, he is our talisman and he made the difference today (as he did with his 2 goal salvo to win it last year v Palace). We then went for the win with Sam coming on instead of Brown, and this attacking change worked as a good header from Forsell found McCormack who turned brilliantly and shot into the bottom corner. There were only a few minutes to go and we looked nervy but held on to a possibly undeserved but none the less welcome victory.As for individuals - Brown looked off the pace but I will give him the benefit of the doubt if he was not fit enough to start.Nunez looked totally lost on the wing for a full game - he has got something but he is not the replacement for MaxLees - needs taking out of the firing line and bringing back in his rightful position as CHTaylor - I was impressed but he was very tired and looked dead on his feet with 20mins to go - will be left out next week for White but should have a bright future.Kisnorbo - I said last season that he would never play for us again - well I was wrong BUT he is not the player he was and is becoming a liability.Snoddy was awful - just one of those days or is it more serious than that ? Time will tellLongeran, Howson, Keogh, O'Dea. were all mainly OK (Longeran on his way to becoming the best keeper since Sullivan) and McCormack scored two and caused them problems all day - a top player at this level.Sam did Ok for the few minutes he was on, Forsell showed enough to suggest that he may be good for us and Becchio - well, like I say our talisman - the crowd (on the whole) love him and he took his goal very well - nice to see him back Dave _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected]
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