This was truly awful. For the second week running we were dreadful and thank God that Bristol City were just as bad at times and nowhere near as good as Palace or we would have been buried today. Grayson welcomed back Clayton and White for Brown and Taylor but kept with Nunez on the left wing (was Sam injured because he wasn’t even on the bench ?). It all started so well, we were out of the blocks quick and in that first 5 minutes actually played some decent footy with some good movement up front from Keogh. Clayton, looking to get forward with every opportunity, made a good run into the box then with his wrong foot placed the ball in the top left hand corner. David James could only watch it fly into the net. A great strike but did he really mean it ? If he did, what a goal. We continued to push forward and had at least 2 other decent attempts on of which saw Keogh through one on one with the keeper. He never really looked confident to slot it home and James made a decent save. He needs a goal to keep him in the team which is frustrating for me because I think his general play , movement and link up ability is the best we’ve had up front for a while. Going back to Becchio at this stage would be a step backward in my opinion. So we could have buried them in the early part of the game but that’s as good as it gets. With just about Bristol’s first chance of the game a ball was played inside to Kilkenny. There wasn’t a white shirt within 10 yards of him. Our midfield ahd gone awol and our defenders were doing what they do best – standing off. Kilkenny took a couple of touches and then floated it into the top of the net off the bar. A lovely strike but very poor marking. This set the scene for the rest of the game. Bristol had the run of the midfield and whenever we got possession we either hoofed it forward to nobody, gave it away aimlessly or played it around the back first then give it away. One such move leading to O’Dea inexplicably turning and giving the ball to the City attacker. Luckliy Lonergan was sharp and managed to come out to make the save. Very poor defending. It just got progressively worse from then on. When your captain is leading the way by playing aimless balls to nobody or even worse just conceding possession when he all the time in the world it doesn’t set a good example. I’m Johnny Howson’s greatest fan but performances like this are just not good enough. I thought Clayton and Howson would be great together in the midfield but I just don’t see us keeping enough possession when Howson plays like this. A real dilemma. Then there’s the defence. Ok, I’ve had a good look at them today and I’d have to say Lees is playing out of position and is a liability at right back and the 2 central defenders are just not good enough at this level. I’d give Paddy a few more chances but he’s just not doing the basics right and is giving away too many free kicks. I don’t think either O’Dea or Paddy have the pace at this level. They are too worried about that and as a result are always on the back foot which leaves a hell of a lot of space in front of them. At left back is Aidy White. Bristol City targeted him today and nearly all their attacks were down their right / our left. White was up against a very big, tricky winger who would cause most left backs in this league problems. I thought White did brilliantly. I’ll accept that he isn’t the greatest defender but he’s got pace and he’s got stamina and he’s got bollocks ! He put himself on the line today and whilst he had one or two dodgy moments he got us out of a lot of scrapes with his pace and his interceptions. He also pushed forward we he could and was unlucky second half when he was through to be cynically hauled down. A man of the match performance for me. At 1-1 , with City on top and us desperately trying to string two passes together, Lonergan decided to join the rest of his team mates by Placing a very poor kick to a red shirt. It immediately put us under pressure with red shirts streaming through. Paddy tried to retrieve the situation but only ended up bringing down the City player and in the event conceding a penalty and getting himself sent off. Grayson said afterwards it was just outside the box. Didn’t matter because they missed the pen. The pen was just fired at Lonergan. And then came the subs – First Becchio for Nunez, pushing Keogh on to the right wing, the ineffective Snodgrass on to the left wing and Macca just behind Becchio. Didn’t work. Becchio on his own was pointless and Keogh just didn’t contribute in that position. Then came Bromby for Keogh to steady up the back and put Lees back to right back as he had been temporarily covering at centre back. Then finally Forssell on for Snodgrass to play alongside Becchio. It didn’t work and for me it was only a matter of time before they got the winner. Then we managed to get a break which resulted in corner (I think). The cross came over, Becchio got his head to it – his fans will say it was a great intelligent flick on (yeah right). Whatever, the ball fell to an unmarked Macca and he poked it past James. His first real contribution to the game. And that was that. 3 points and you can’t grumble at that but serious questions have to be asked of our defending and our general ability on the ball. This can’t be the same team that played against West Ham ? Scores: Lonergan – 7. Saved a pen, made another good save but his kicking game was off today. Lees – 4. Looks a liability at right back. Poor lad. Maybe he’ll get a chance at centre back with Paddy’s suspension. I’m not sure about this lad to be honest. He has got time though. White – 7. Man of the match for me , which isn’t saying much but he really put himself on the line today and has pace which is more than can be said for most our team. In fact thinking about it , without Gradel we are now really lacking pace throughout the team. Paddy – 3. Struggling. O’Dea – 2. Just not good enough. Yes he’ll win you some headers but he his generally clueless. Big lump at the back. Howson – 4. Kept going and got stronger throughout the game but this was a really poor performance from our captain. Clayton – 7. I don’t think he was fit but he still managed to score and play some decent football but it’s hard to play when you’re the only man in midfield with any sort of clue. Snodgrass – 5. Very disappointing. Had a few runs first half but didn’t hurt them and in general he looked off the pace. Like he’d been on the piss the night before. Maybe he had ? Nunez – 4. Just not a left winger and as a result not a suitable replacement for Max. Had one or two long range efforts and did come inside in an attempt to get into the game but it just didn’t happen. He’s got ability but can Grayson afford to play him ? Keogh – 5. Missed the best chance of the game , but before that showed great movement and link up play. I think if he got a goal he would move on to a higher level of performance but I fear he will be replaced by Becchio soon. Macca – 6. Got his goal but that was about it. Had a decent chance first half but in general struggled to feed of the scraps. Subs: Becchio – 6. Came on, got involved, went looking for the ball, gave away possession a coupel of times, fell over dramatically a couple of times and just got laughed at by the ref. won 50% of his headers , flicking them on to nobody in particular and won a good header that lead to the goal. He also got played in by Clayton, he was through, he tried to chest the ball down to himself but his feet wouldn’t move fast enough and the chance was gone. Macca would have slotted it away. So you can’t really ask much more of a sub than that can you ? Compare to Forsell who never got a touch. I’ve never complained about Becchio’s workrate or is ability to get into the positions it’s just his general quality which is lacking at this level. I really hope that Grayson keeps him on the bench. Bromby – 6. It says something when Bromby comes on and looks almost a safe bet. Forsell – a couple of runs but nothing more. Grayson – lucky, lucky boy. Needs to get a couple of defenders in quick. Kilkenny – got a great reception when he came over to take his first corner at the North East. Must admit I clapped him I always rated him as a player and today he ran the show for long periods. His goal was majestic. BRING ON SCUM !!! (what’s the record for most goals we’ve conceded at ER ever ?) _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected]
MARCHING ON TOGETHER (There's it)
