At the end of the game the players were applauded off, and, for me, that says it all. After 4 previous consecutive defeats including the humiliations of Rochdale and Sheff Wed the mere fact that the team were given a great reception shows both how well we did and how the fans are still behind McDermott and the players. I have not seen the game on TV so everything I say is based on watching 'live' and without the benefit of replays etc. I predicted 8 of the starting 11 - Warnock and Lees instead of my predicted Zalilkas and Pugh and then I had Murphy not Kebe. Whatever the changes etc we started and played in a manner not seen since the second half v Watford. We really went for it from the off and played with a passion and tempo not seen very often - if we do that every week then things will turn around and the fans will be happy.
We did not deserve to get nothing from this game - the way we played and the chances we created meant that we deserved to have something positive to show for it at the end. Instead it was a 'smash and grab' performance by top of the table Leicester - like many a successful team before them, they came, rode their luck and our bad finishing and then sneaked a winner at the end. We could have had 5 in the first half and really should have had 3. McCormack could have had a hat trick - he had a header that hit the post and a brilliant chip headed off the line, he then got a chance that he should have buried - a bad back pass led to him having the ball at his feet, under control in the middle of the goal , just behind the penalty spot and with no defenders near him - he could not have chosen a better chance but he delayed a bit and then hit a weak shot that Schmeical saved. The other 2 easy chances fell to Kebe who headed into the side netting and perhaps easiest of all a terrible corner by Warncock was headed back to him by the defender, his second cross was a belter and met by Lees who somehow put it over. At the other end they had one breakaway that led to a shot just wide and a long range shot that never troubled Kenny. In fact I don' t think Kenny made a save worthy of the name all game. We were in control with Austin back to his early season best, Varney like a man possessed and Warnock showing why Pugh should never play for us again. Having said that we all knew that we would live to rue the missed chances and so it proved The second half was a bit of a non event - neither side creating any clear cut chances but they snuffed out our attacks and took a bit of control of the game When Phillips came on we all thought he is going to steal a winner for them and we were almost right, a cross came into the box , Phillips dummied it and just when we thought we had got away with it the ball bobbled forward, Kenny seemed slow at claiming it and the Leicester player tapped it home Brian made an odd double sub, just before the goal taking off the tired looking Kebe , but instead of bringing on Poleon as an almost straight swap he brought on Diouf and at the same time took off the lively Varney and brought on Peltier. I do not think the subs cost us the game but they did seem strange So all in all a great performance and we came very close to stopping the rot against the League Leaders. Having said that our performance was based on Varney playing out of his skin, Warnock looking good, Brown cleaning up and tidying everything in the middle of the park and Austin getting back to his best - can we rely on all or any of this in the future, who knows. Whatever the crowd of 23k was very appreciative of the effort and passion put forward by the team and showed that they are still 100% behind McDermott Whilst the play offs are slipping further and further away a couple of wins in our next two home games could really take the pressure off him So all in all a good performance and a bad result 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
