I really enjoyed this game and its to the players and Simon Grayson's credit
that they came out fighting for this one. Yes we were playing against 10 men
for 65 minutes but that doesn't make things easy especially when every Burnley
play was getting themselves behind the ball and also time wasting at every
opportunity. Never mind the sending off for the fouls on Townsend a couple of
Burnley players should have walked for blatant time wasting. How their keeper
managed to get to injury time before being shown a yellow card for time wasting
is beyond me. It was ridiculous. We all had the last laugh of course having got
the winner the ball came to Lonergan who just stood there hands on hips mocking
their players. Good man.
Both teams started brightly. Grayson made some very brave changes and that's
what I like about him, he's not afraid to change things and not afraid drop
players and change formations if he thinks something is not right. We lined up
4-4-1-1 with Bruce recalled from Town at right back and Aidy White at left back
with the chuckle brothers (O'Dea and Paddy) continuing in the centre. In
midfield Adam Clayton was reinstalled next to debut man (or should I say young
lad) Zak Thompson in the centre, with Townsend on the right wing and Danny Pugh
on the left wing. Nunez was giving a free role 'in the hole' behind our out and
out striker (not) Luciano Becchio.
We made a shaky start at the back , first Aidy White heading up in the air and
nearly getting himself in a pickle then Paddy giving the ball straight to a
yellow (Burnley's away kit) who played his striker in and with only Lonergan to
beat he hit it high and wide. Should have scored.
At the other end it was all about Andros Townsend. A left footed player playing
on the right wing similar to the way Snodgrass does, looking to cut inside at
ever opportunity. The one thing that was immediately noticeable was that
1. He was quick and direct – not seen that in a Leeds midfielder for a
while
2. He has loads of natural skill and the ability to beat a man with
ease.
Reminded me of Jermaine Pennant with a bit more pace. Very encouraging.
For the first 30 minutes we passed it around , had a few half chances and Nunez
as lively floating around however we lacked the cutting edge and when we did
get the ball into the box there was nobody there. Becchio, who actually started
fairly lively , was putting all his efforts into his defensive headers which he
did well.
Then everything changed. Some think Simon Grayson is a lucky manager, maybe he
is because what was about to happen changed everything. Paddy fell awkwardly
and was unable to continue. Bruce switched to centre back, Thompson , who had
hardly touched the ball to right back, Sam came on went to right wing and
Townsend switched to the left wing. Oh nearly forgot, Danny Pugh switched to
the centre alongside Clayton.
Townsend exploded and terrorised their defence. Brilliant, strong runs at great
pace with skill and they couldn't cope. The only thing that was missing was the
final ball and when we did get the ball into the centre Becchio was stood in
midfield. For a striker he really doesn't put himself about in the box. Burnley
resorted to desperate tactics and starting fouling Townsend, one too many times
for one of their players and he was shown his second yellow and walked. I heard
a Burnley fan moaning after the game that the sending off was a joke, I can't
really comment, it looked like two yellows to me and to be honest they just
couldn't cope with Townsend and continued to foul him throughout the match.
They really were a moaning team.
With Townsend on fire, Burnley down to 10 men, we took control and played some
decent football. Aidy White combined well at times with Townsend and with
Nunez, Sam and Clayton playing some good pass and move football we started to
play like a team with confidence , pace and skill. We haven't looked this
dangerous for a while and although Burnley weren't making it easy by time
wasting and shoving everyone behind the goal I was on the edge of my seat
everytime Townsend got the ball. He was a class apart and is not scared to have
a go from anywhere (see winning goal). Although left footed he has got a good
dig with his right boot and he has this ability to find time to control a ball
and keep it away from the opposition even with 3 or 4 players around him.
So at half time we were in control had played some lively football but still
had a big task ahead of us.
Second half we came out flying again with the game now effectively reduced to
attack and defence. Then came the most predictable thing of the afternoon.
Burnley had a rare attack, the ball fell nicely to Easton who hit it across
goal into the corner. A well taken goal and Burnley's only shot on target all
afternoon up to that point.
The goal only made Burnley more defensively minded and they put more defenders
on and wasted more and more time. We continued to press with most of the good
work coming from Townsend and White on the left. I think this could be a really
good partnership. Sam also contributed on the right but still even though good
crosses and chances were being created there's was nobody chancing their arm to
get on the end of them. Becchio just doesn't do it.
Grayson decided to change things and dragged off the hapless Becchio (the weak
link) and put on Forsell, whose first 3 touches all found a yellow shirt and
then when their keeper dropped it he had an open goal but hit over. Not the
greatest start. We passed it around , we tried long shots (including a really
good effort from Zak Thompson), long balls, had over 10 corners but Burnley
remained solid … and continued to waste time. Before we knew it there was 5
minutes left and we were looking at a 1-0 defeat at home to 10 men. It was all
very frustrating because we were playing ok and really giving it a go.
Grayson chanced his arm again taing on the lively (but knackered) Nunez to be
replaced by McCormack.
Then it happened … after all those corners and all those crosses we got a
corner at the north east. Townsend sent it over , it was a really poor corner
but inexplicably their defender poked it into his own net past their keeper.
The ground exploded and we would now go onto win. Well that's what I thought
but Burnley continued to frustrate us and continued to waste time. We then went
into injury time – 5 minutes. Townsend tried a shot but it was over and then he
got the ball with 2 minutes to go. He did what he'd done all afternoon, ran at
the defence and shot from 30 yards, a good shot but too near to their keeper
who had been pretty decent up to then, he spilled it and couldn't recover quick
enough to stop the lively Macca to knick it away from him and roll it into the
empty net. Madness and relief in the stands. Lonergan then did his own spot of
time wasting just to rub it in and that was that. 3 points , well deserved , ok
against 10 men but well
deserved and I'm happy for Grayson, he deserves the luck.
Scores:
Lonergan – 6. Nothing much to do apart from pick the ball out of the back of
the net.
Bruce – 7. Apparently he's done his hamstring in and now won't be available.
Maybe he gave Easton a bit too much room for the goal but generally he defended
really well and even showed going forward. He could be a good centre half.
Paddy – 6. Won a few headers , gave the ball away once and then got injured.
O'Dea – 7. Steady and strong.
White – 8. Some superb defending coupled with some good attacking moves and
link up play with Townsend.
Thompson – 8. When he came on as a sub earlier in the season he never touched
the ball and didn't look ready. He did today. Started confidently in midfield
and then was a revelation at right back. Some good challenges, some good strong
running, a good shot and generally he showed that he has real quality and
composure.
Pugh – 7. Steady away. He did a good job today in the centre, moving the ball
onto Townsend at every opportunity. About the best you can get from him.
Clayton – 8. I thought he was back to his best at times today. Very lively
throughout.
Townsend – 10. A class above anything I've seen in this league this season. A
really dynamic debut and with him and Snodgrass firing I think we'll be a real
handful.
Nunez – 8. Very lively and played the role well.
Becchio – 4. Started lively but most of his good work was in defence. He never
threatened in attack and doesn't gamble. The game passed him by at times. We
need an attacker with pace.
Subs:
Forsell – not the best subs performance but he can play and should be given a
run IMO.
Macca – got the goal and let us all know about it.
Grayson – lucky or gutsy ? Or both ?
Good crowd and good atmosphere second half.
This was a good afternoon and I can't wait for the next match.
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PETE CASS (1962 - 2011) Rest In Peace Mate
