Well it was not a game of two halves but it was certainly a game of two parts. For the first 70mins we coasted it, passing the ball, sometimes crisply and with good effect and sometimes just for the sake of it along the back four but things were looking good (have to bear in mind it was a home game v 4th Division opposition) and then for the last 20mins we were under the cosh - we could not keep the ball and we looked dead on our feet - so much for the 'fittests team in the league' We brought Taylor in goals, Taylor at left back and Berardi right back, Tonge kept his place but Cook and Bianchi came in in midifeld and up top we had Smith and Doukara plus Ajose.
We began by keeping the ball but it was a bit pedestrian and involved the back 4 rolling it between themselves, then Doukara was involved twice , first he found himself in a good position and instead of getting a shot in he stopped , checked and looked for someone to pass to and the chance went begging. Not the mark of a goal scorer we said - any goal scorers first thought in that position is score, this lad is going to be another Keogh or Hunt rather than Beckford or McCormack. Then a few minutes later he had the most theatrical dive I think I have ever seen, in the box and he was challenged and managed to do a cross between a forward roll and a half somersault. Myself and those around me actually laughed out loud at it. He was soon to redeem himself however and how. First he got the ball with his back to goal and turned and drilled a good shot into the bottom corner - goal. Just the fillip him and the rest of the team needed as we began to turn on the style. Cook and Bianchi look like footballers, Tonge strolled around spraying passes, Ajose was buzzing around causing trouble and Smith and Doukara had them scared. We came close a few more times - a header by Smith just over, and then the highlight of the night. A lovely through ball by the impressive Cook and Doukara full of confidence brushed past the defenders and hammered it home - a great goal, this lad could be a real find Second half started in the same vein as Smith just volleyed wide and Doukara hit a shot just past the post that was as hard a shot as any from Yeboah ! Then it all (nearly) fell apart. We started to look tired, Bianchi and Tonge went missing and Acrrington suddenly looked decent running at us and causing us problems with everyday rubbish floated corners that we struggled to defend against. Cook and Ajose went off and on came Benedicic -a big unit who looks like Ronald Koeman a bit, and who had some decent touches - and Hunt, who came on to groans and then proved his detractors right - everything he did went wrong, his every touch went to an opponent or into touch. He was awful - a hinderence if anything. Doukara went off to a standing ovation and Poleon came on - it did not matter, we could not keep the ball and the inevitable happened, they scored. A cross was not cleared and it was scrambled in as Charlie Taylor tried to kick it off the line. This set up a nervous last 10mins made worse by one the most amazing 'tackle' I have seen - Berardi jumped two footed into the air and nearly took the lads head off - a straight red. Luckliy the nine men and Hunt managed to hold out and a victory in front of 13k was assured. Some bright spots - Doukara obviously, but also Cook and Bianchi (needs to be good for 90mins though) - Ajose was a poor mans Max Gradel but did Ok and showed promise. Benedicic looked to have something about him and Charlie Taylor has grown up. Having said that the best bit about the night was hearing on the way home that Bellusci has signed and Cooper is on his way - both centrebacks. Wooton is useless, we even gave him a 'captain courageous' head band a la Kisnorbo but he was still out of his depth a real disappointment , and as for Noel Hunt , he should never be allowed to play for us again. I did enjoy it though and if we can continue to improve and get a few decent results under our belts things could be good - Doukara on this showing will be a handful for anyone (or turn into Lamine Sakho and this will be his only good game all season) - Cook looked as good as Delph, Byram and any other youngster you can name. I like Bianchi but he needs to improve stamina so not doom and gloom by any means. Just need some patience in the crowd if things go badly v Boro etc 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
