Best footballer on the pitch at Oakwell? Norman Hunter...made a 2 minute appearance at half time.
So, we were out played by the bottom team in the league...out played, outfought, out thought, out manouevred - they had more corners (in fact I don't think we had any), more shots, more shots on goal...more gumption, more passion, more willingness to fight for the team. We booed our team off at half time and at the final whistle. amongst other things we sang: "we're shit, and we're sick of it" "Warnock...its time to go" "Warnock out" "Bates out...Leeds utd calypso...Bates out" "there's only one Simon Grayson..." Yesterday was as bad a day at the office for Leeds Utd as I can remember. Not because we got beaten by Barnsley (when do we not get beaten by them) but because of the manner in which we got beaten, and how little it seemed to matter to the players and manager. We were hoofing the ball into space after 10 minutes; almost everyone of the players was guilty of playing the most clueless "passes" into touch, into a grateful red, or into a team-mate who was in a worse position than the passer...and consequently lost the ball...plus some dreadful hospital passes. We got beaten to every tackle in midfiled...Tonge is a disgrace, quite what that bone idle fucker has done to earn a 2 and a half year contract is beyond me. What was wrong apart from the application and attitude? Well, there was the shape...were we 3-4-3; 4-3-2-1; 3-4-1-2;? no-one out there seemed to know...Byram was constantly being caught between R back and R midfield...he had no cover or support, consequently our best player of the season had a rotten day...all because his senior colleagues either couldn't be arsed or didn't know what to do. Peltier...I've given him the benefit of the doubt over the season, but yesterday was awful. We have at least two better L backs at the club. But again, that is part of the problem...where was he supposed to be...part of a back 3...? who knows...he didn't seem to. The central pair of Pearce and Tate, are steady and solid, but then so are suet puddings. Neither of them is mobile enough and to put the two of them together is suicide. I can't believe that if we were playing 3 at the back, Tom Lees is the 4th best CHalf at the club...to my eyes he is the 1st choice Chalf...probably alongside Tate. Midfield were simply over-run...Tonge, Austin and Norris nowhere...I have quite liked Norris this season, bringing a poor man's Howson energy and drive to midfield, but he can't complain about being subbed after 45mins yesterday...although there were several candidates for that honour. Neither could the "totally uninterested" Diouf. Becchio was hilariously bad. Playing to his feet achieved nothing - he was slightly better with his head...winning a few flick ons...but they went to no-one. Barkley...interesting, he clearly has a good touch, and a good eye for the defence splitting pass...he just needs someone on the end of the balls...he also has an eye for goal, two decent efforts before Barnsley scored, one spin and shot in box from a Becchio knock-down came thundering back off the underside of the bar...was really unlucky. But that was our last effort. He also does a fine line in diving, doing that extra flip of the feet thing as he goes down, just to make it extra convincing. He doesn't have the pace I expected, perhaps that is why he is available for loan. Kenny - had a good first half, keeping us in with two or three fine saves...and for that reason alone is probably our MOTM. McCormack and Green came on for the 2nd half and did absolutely zip. Shockingly bad performance. Their penalty was clear as day - Byram took his legs 6 yards out from goal. No argument. The second goal 3 minutes later, simple pass through split Tate and Byram and the bloke slotted home across the goal. Nothing Kenny could do about either. I've said it before and I'll say it again - Warnock - not the man for the job - he never liked us...we never liked him...he should be gone. Becchio - if some wants to pay money for him...fine, give em a couple of kits and a bag of balls to seal the deal...his major plus point was effort: if that is not there any more, what's the point. My day was finished off with a large tot of Jura, to ease the pain. _______________________________________________ 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
