Well that was brilliant - if they had not got the late equaliser this would have been up there with the greats. No doubt other listers will come on and dissect the game and tactics etc and tell us what went on but for me, this was a great game and a great performance in many ways. Byram came in for the injured Lees and so Pelter moved to centre back but that apart we kept the same team and formation as for recent games. We began well enough and had a couple of decent chances early on - Smith heading right at the keeper and Marius heading over, We should have taken the lead when a shot was spilled by their keeper and it came out to Murphy who should have slotted it home but made a total hash of it and blasted miles over. Never mind surely the goal would come but against the run of play we let them get in amongst us on the edge of our box and despite us having a few chances to clear it, the ball ran to their forward unmarked in the 6yd box and he finished easily past Kenny. We carried on pressing and had a few chances and near chances, then we won a free kick right on the corner of their box - our chance to get the deserved equaliser we all thought - how wrong we were. Somehow the ball was cleared and similar to Boro a few weeks ago they attacked with pace and suddenly a game we were doing well in was out of our hands and we were 2 0 down. Thankfully there was not long to go till half time cos we fell apart a bit and they created another chance that was dragged wide as they suddenly turned into Real Madrid and we turned into a Conference team. The half time whistle was very welcome even though it came with a few boos from the low(ish) crowd of 23k - the free tickets v Wigan only being good for increasing the gate on that night.
We were not sure what to expect 2nd half as the teams came out to Watford fans singing 'we want six' in homage to the result a few seasons back. Little did we know what was to come. The best , most attacking and most atmospheric 20mins or so , seen at ER since we gained promotion v Bristol. We really went for them and put them on the back foot. Murphy and Mowatt were pulling strings and they could not cope with Smiths height and strength and Ross' all round play. Smith had decent header but it went just over, then the ball was in the box at the feet of the much maligned Danny Pugh, he beat his man , got to the byline and put it over the keeper from a tight angle - game on. I have lost count , lost the chronology of what went on next, but we battered them for a bit, we hit the bar, the keeper made a couple of good saves and the ball whistled past the post as the team backed by a very loud and appreciative crowd went for the jugular. We were on the wrong end of a couple of (to me) marginal off side decisions including a header from Ross that found the back of the net. In amongst that Peltier led a good break down the right hand side and slipped it to Ross - I expected him to shoot from the very tight angle but he did exactly what was needed and chipped it to the far post where Smith stood strong and headed it into the net. Cue pandemonium in the stands. I thought at that stage we needed to slow it down a bit and not get caught on the break and undo the good work but again, I was wrong, the players carried on the momentum and we were rewarded with the pass of the match, maybe even of the season, when a perfect ball from Murphy found Ross in space and was hit with just the right amount of force etc that it was easy for Ross to control and slot home - the kind of pass that justifies the £1m price tag and the sort of finish and awareness that means we were correct in turning down £2.5m for Ross. We continued to press and look threatening as the clock ran down but just as we were beginning to believe that we really were in for one of the unforgettable days they had a long range shot - Kenny saved well but the ball broke free and their forward was on hand to get the final and equalising goal. I do not attach any blame to Kenny but can't help feeling that an old time keeper would have caught the ball when he saved it, but for whatever reason (the light swerving ball) keepers today seem to be trained to push the ball away and hopefully get up to make the second save (as Kenny did v Wigan) That took the gloss off things a little bit and then in the last seconds the whole game nearly exploded in our faces when only a goal saving tackle from Marius stopped them getting a winner So 2 points dropped and an end to our winning run at home, BUT a great game that was a real joy to watch and was matched by a cracking atmosphere (second half) Like I say, others on here will give a more technical account, but to me this is what English football is all about - a team beaten at half time but they did not know it and went hell for leather with skill and determination second half and so nearly got the win. I will not criticise anyone in a white shirt but a special mention to Murphy, Smith and McCormack - players who are living up to their hype / price tag / adulation / potential etc It was nearly , so very nearly, the Derby 0 3, 4 3 game but in the end we fell just short. We will play much worse than this and win between now and the end of the season but for now , hats off to Brian and the boys, play with that passion and we will all be happy Dave _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] John 'Grampa' Sykes Rest In Peace old lad 28th Oct 1938 - 12 Nov 2013 MARCHING ON TOGETHER
