This was a brilliant game, a full blooded affair which see sawed back and forth. First thing to say is that Blackburn were a class apart on the ball especially in the first half in which they ripped us apart time and time again. They quickly raced into a 2-0 lead both goals coming down their left. I've just ruffled a few feathers on Twitter (Richleedsuk) by asking Peltier whether he was at fault or was he exposed through lack of cover. He replied saying it didn't matter , it was the way they came back that was important. Can't argue with that but you have to wonder whether our defensive frailities may still be there. When that 2nd goal went in people all around me were saying that this was going to be an embarrassment. I couldn't disagree and was beginning to think about the long season ahead. It was reality kicking in, a premiership team against a cobbled together set of misfits most of them from a team that got relegated. How stupid were we ? How daft to doubt at a Neil Warnock team , they were never going to rollover. I think sticking Diouf on the right wing didn't work. He was drifting inside as it is in his nature to try and get the ball when he sees the front 2 struggling. This left large gaps which were exposed every time they broke. This led to both their goals. Our main problem was a lack of movement up front and when the ball was played through the ball was inevitably given away, the main culprit being Becchio who won hardly anything in the air and when given to his feet he unbelievably at times just gave it away. One time on the right, he cut inside and with white shirts everywhere he found the only dark shirt. Amazing quality, In fact, Becchio's heading ability is so poor that all long balls are now aimed at Varney who is head and shoulders above Becchio in the air. So how did we get back into it ? Well, we increased our work rate and just got stuck in. We won a few free kicks in dangerous positions and started to pile on the pressure through long balls into the area. They began to flap, especially Robbo in nets who was awful. When at Leeds I thought he was the equal of Nigel Martyn when it came to shop stopping but he was always week coming for crosses and commanding his area. Nothing has changed , he flapped time and time again and the Blackburn defence began to creak. On one such occasion , we got lucky and the ball fell to Diouf who poked it in. We then began to believe. From that moment on we steamrolled them, not through beautiful play but from high energy,pressure football. The whole foundation of their team collapsed and we saw more of the ball and began to run the game. Colin instructed Diouf to go get the ball so he was given a free reign, which actually at times saw him playing up front centrally pushing the ineffective Becchio and McCormack out to the right and left. He's a better striker than both of them. We came out second half full of energy and carried on where we left off. Diouf was at the centre of everything, controlling, passing, holding up play, playing through balls, crossing. A master class to the players around him who just aren't capable of those levels of composure and skill. We were dominating and Blackburn were on the ropes. Norris and Austin upped the pace and were everywhere. Then came the equaliser, a high ball was played through, Becchio sort of went for it in the half-arsed way he does at times , you know the one, he's not really looking to win the header but looking for a foul, the ball missed them both and went through to an unmarked Macca. He took it on and smashed it in the net, a really well taken goal. There really was only winner from here and we had many chances to bury them. Diouf took complete control and was teasing them with his deceptive skill. Pearce was unlucky to have his goal chalked off for what looked like a 50:50 scrap for the ball and then Becchio missed a point blank header which was harder to miss, again he managed to pick out the Blackburn man on the line, anywhere else it was a goal. Lethal in the 6 yard box, you're having a laugh. A few mins later and Becchio showed why some people actually think he is lethal in the 6 yard box when a ball managed to run right through to him at the near lost. He stooped to prod it towards goal and what really should have been an easy save, turned into another blunder by Robbo has he managed to turn into the net. Becchio's one and only positive contribution to this match .... A big one granted but it wasn't a great goal. We took the lead just a bit too early and with 12 mins to go we stopped dominating and they came into it again. They got a disputed free kick on the left and the resulting attack resulted in the Blackburn player back heeling it all too easily into an empty net. A poor goal. We still had chances to nick it ( as did they) including a sitter for Diouf who was out in within only the keeper to beat. He should have scored. We all gave the team a standing ovation, it was a brilliant match and a great battling performance against a good team. I don't mind watching this week in week out. Scores: Kenny - 6. Did ok, one or two important stops, no chance with the goals.Decent distribution. Peltier - 4. Exposed time and time again. Doesn't look like a right back to me.Not captain material, had head down at 2-0 down. Drury - 7. I thought he did well. looked like a capable left back. Pearce - 7 Very strong at times. Lees - 7. Did well. Austin - 7 In and out of the game but when he was in it he was very commanding. Norris - 7 Little quality but very busy player. Varney - 3 Shite, I'm not impressed, is he a winger, or a striker ? Good in the air. Diouf - 8. On the ball, the best player on the park. I would like him to play either in the hole or up front. Our best player, has signed until Jan now.thats good. Becchio - 3. Absolute garbage, he really is a shite player. The game just passed him by, but his fans will point to another goal. Fair enough keep him in the side. FFS Macca - 6. Great goal and did try and get things going with Diouf but generally ineffective. The marks above are for attainment - I'd give them all 10 for effort and that's what won us the game. Other things, Robbo got an amazing ovation from the whole ground. He gave the Leeds salute a few times (isn't he an Arsenal fan?) Jordan Rhodes - tidy little player but looked like a young lad in man's game at times. Crowd - looked more than 24k, probably Ken on the fiddle again. Great atmosphere. _______________________________________________ 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
