When I set off it was freezing cold and due to stalybridge being closed I had to go to Victoria and not Piccadilly (harder from my house) and the train was going to take an extra 15mins so given all the 'sick of football' 'not going any more' etc posts I was really hoping for a great game, atmosphere and overall great result that would let me know that going to ER was the best feeling in the world.Instead I have come home thinking that the 'quitters' have got it right. First half was a total non event - you could count the chances that both sides had on your thumbs never mind your fingers. It was a total non event that almost put the 22k fans inside the ground to sleep. We made a couple of changes -some I wanted / agreed with others seemed strange to me. It was good to see Byram moved further forward and I got the midfield I wanted with Austin and Norris paired in the centre. I was ambivalent to the recall of Pugh at left back - I would pick White at home and Drury away. I was happy to see Peltier back but I want him at right back and Lees in the centre rather than the other way round. Having said that no combination of players is any use if they cannot pass to each other and are as lethargic as we were first half. What little quality we had came from Diouf and Byram (what a player he could become - for my money the best young player at Leeds for many a long year , more promise than Howson, White and even Delph) but they were shining lights amongst a sea of mediocrity. Birmingham were no better in an instantly forgettable first 45mins. Second half we upped the tempo and did cause them some problems but the final ball was always poor. I have mainly kept out of the Becchio debate - I did not understand the adoration he got compared with Beckford back in the day - but more and more I think Rich W is right. His record over 4 or 5 seasons has been good and he does do 'the hard yards' at times and 4 managers on the trot have now picked him so Rich N does have a point BUT today ( and for the last few games) he has been awful and brings nothing to the team. He had another 90mins today when he did not have a single attempt at goal - not good enough for a striker. Having said that he was just one player amongst many who did nothing - Tonge, Norris and even Austin offered next to nothing going forward and so, even though in some ways it was against the run of play that they scored it was not a surprise. A hopeful ball forward and an aimless cross was met by 2 bits of skill - a lovely dummy by King and a good finish by Lita. 0 1 and although we huffed and puffed we never looked like pulling it back' Hall came on - plan B I think Colin called him in midweek - but too late to do anything of note. Prior to him taking over at Leeds I thought Colin was a big users of subs - I remember him picking an extra striker rather than a keeper on the bench - but he seems to just sit there and let the game pass by without doing anything to change it They were very solid at the back and did not give us any real chances (how did Barnsley get 5 against this lot away ? and so it all petered out to another poor result. Yes we are still within touching distance of the top but unless the take over does happen and we bring top class players in , this season will fizzle out like last season with more and more fans becoming disillusioned with things.
I would say roll on Tuesday but looking at ticket sales there could well be less than 15k there to see it ! 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
