Well I got my first fix of the season and we won 3 1 so it was worth it . Despite the season only being a week (or 2 weeks depending on your point of view) away, we still did looked more to fitness rather than giving the first XI a start. Peltier's late arrival meant that Lees had to play right back again which meant a surprise start (he lasted 30mins) for Kisnorbo, alongside Pearce. White reverted to left back so Norris and Brown could both get in a full(ish) game alongside Green and Varney. Paddy Kenny was made captain and Becchio and McCormack were up top. Any observations and comments I make must be preceded with the sentence (given that we were playing Preston from a lower Division / it was a friendly / it is all about fitness) Kenny has become a cult figure amongst the Leeds fans - over 2,500 were there , probably over half the crowd- with many of the songs being aimed at him - "Paddy Kenny is having a party, bring the vodka and the charlie" "He's paddy kenny and he sniffs what he wants" and then the more mundane chant in the second half when he was down the other end - Paddy give us a wave (he duly obliged) |With that and Colin bringing Petltier on at the end to wave to the crowd, it is clear both Paddy and Colin are loving being at Leeds with the fan base we have. As for the game, well it was not the greatest. Chances were few and far between all match and there was not much exciting play. \The first half hour was fairly even - their centre forward missed from a yard out but the flag was up anyhow. Becchio had one touch when he burst between 2 defenders but was hauled down - the only thing he did all game - but the free kick was wasted. Then another set piece was cleared but the big lads were still up when the ball was crossed back into the box. Lees who was back at centre half ,with young Sam Bryam on at right back for Kisnorbo, controlled the ball brilliantly on his chest and volleyed it in - a well taken goal. The rest of the half ended with little more action. We were very slow out of the box second half and we being put under a lot of pressure, pressure which we withstood with no real scares until one of theirs was allowed to run with the ball and smash it home. We then made a few changes with Pugh Drury and Gray coming on and Brown McCormack and Becchio off. Drurys introduction meant that White went into wide midfield. A well taken corner by Green fell to Bryam and he hit it home - 2 well taken goals but both by defenders. Only a class save by Kenny stopped them equalising and then the best move of the game involving a number of Leeds players - especially Brown - and the ball was pulled back to White who drilled it home. There were a flurry of further substitutions as the game petered out. I am not sure what it says about the size of the squad but by the end, Byram, Thomspon, Poleon, Nathan Turner were all on the pitch (all youth team players) along with the Robbie Rogers. So what did I thnk if it all bearing in mind we still have Austin and now Peltier to add to the mix. Kenny - looked assured and I am sure he will be good for us - a bit surprised he was captain and I doubt he will be come the season proper. Pearce - looked commanding at times, is safety first but shows some decent control and a decent turn of pace. Will be much better than O'Dea (and Bromby / Bruce / O'Brien) One great crunching tackle Green- very much a box to box player - covered a lot of ground and has the proverbial good engine. I don't remember him going past a player or doing anything exciting Norris - similar player to Michael Brown - got around the pitch ok and made a couple of decent tackles and decent passes Varney - well he is no Snoddy, lacked all of Snoddys craft and guile. Has a bit of a look of Eddie Lewis about him going thin on top. Missed a decent heading chance and blasted another one over.He will come off second best in any comparison with Snoddy or Max Gradel BUT his great work rate may make him a fans favourite Drury - quiet composed game - looked what he is an experienced and accomplished left back.. Linked up well with White and overlapped well. Will be an unsung hero who will help us forget some of the real dross we have had at left back recently Bryam - new to me - looks very assured for his age, will be sent out on loan no doubt, but really shows promise for the future Gray - from the future to the past -ok a bit unfair, he did ok up front on his own but got little service, held the ball up well on occassion Now Peltier is here I am sure Colin will get the back 5 into a well drilled unit of Kenny. Peltier, Pearce. Lees, Drury and baring injury that has the potential to be the rock solid defence we have lacked at least since McAllister was in charge. I expect Varney and White to be the wide men around Green and Austin in the centre - plenty of energy and hard work there if a bit lacking in flair McCormack (who took all free kicks and corners whilst on the pitch today) will have a roving role behind Becchio.We know the strengths and weaknesses of these - if I was seeing them for the first time today I would find it hard to believe how many goals they have scored so ineffective were they both. As Colin admits we need another class striker and wide player (a Max Gradel and a Jermaine Beckford type added to this lot would be brilliant) - and if we get them promotion will be a reality. Without them we will be a decent hard working, hard to beat, fairly boring to watch team, that will be near the top but may just be that bit lacking when it comes to automatic promotion. Dave _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected]
PETE CASS (1962 - 2011) Rest In Peace Mate
