For me this was a very important game for us because ithopefully told us a couple of home truths, if we didn’t know them already.
1) If we’re not on our game and are not tacticallyset up to compete we will struggle even against the weaker teams in thisleague. 2) Playing 2 wingers together with Roofe andHernandes doesn’t work. I have to admit this was a big surprise to me as I thoughtour line up looked attacking and strong but it came as a big surprise to see itreally didn’t work. Playing as acounter-attacking team at Villa was perfect for us and I think we are set up toplay this formation away from home perfectly. However, when asked to force thegame against a team who are battling for everything and more intent on notlosing it is a different game and we really struggled in the first half. Bridcutt was being asked to do the midfield job on his own andhe couldn’t so Hernandez came deep to collect on many occasions. This led topass after pass going astray and we looked like a team who had never playedtogether. There was no movement up front. Wood was poor and ineffective, Roofetried but he never looked dangerous and Doukara and Sacko were totalpassengers. Doukara to me looked heavy and unfit. I’d like to know what he wasdoing over the New Year weekend ? It was Rotherham that created the best chances one of whichwas excellently saved by Green and then they hit the post from the rebound. Intheir captain (Frecklington) and Brown up front I thought they had the two bestplayers on the pitch and I thought they were unlucky not to be in the lead inthe first half. I know this is a popular phase amongst footy fans but I don’tthink I’ve seen us that poor this season and don’t forget we’ve served up someshite (Town at home for one). Something had to change and Monk did it immediately at halftime. Simon Grayson would have waited annoyingly until 52 minutes before hechanged things but I like the fact that Monk realised it was not the righttactical set up. And what a difference a small change can make. Sacko who hadturned from exciting and dangerous against Villa to completely ineffective andrubbish was taken off to be replaced by Vierra. It changed everything and wewere quickly ahead from a great Bartley header. He is making this is trademark thesedays. With Vierra busy in midfield, Bridcutt suddenly had moretime but more importantly Hernandez pushed forward and began to find spice.Suddenly we looked to have an extra man and the one touch, pass and movefootball that we did so well at Villa second half came back. Rotherham didn’tknow what had hit them and everywhere you looked there was a white shirt and apass on. Players who looked like they couldn’t pass a ball in the first halflooked confident and happy with the attacking one touch football. Roofe gotmore space and made a few runs together with Ayling on the right and Doukarawho looked much better second half. If it wasn’t for a dodgy linesman giving off-sidewe could have a had a few more chances. The main player for me though was Vierra. I’ve said itbefore I think he’s our best midfielder. He’s got everything – pace, strength(he’s like an ox), passing ability and skill. He came on and just took control,pushed us forward and led the way. It seemed like the whole team just followedhis lead. He’s a real talent and I’d get him on a long term contract if he isn’t. The second goal was only a matter of time and it was alldown to Chris Wood who took a ball with his back to the goal, managed to turnand smack it into the top of the net. A great goal and if truth be told hisonly positive contribution up to that point. He suddenly looked like a worldbeater even contributing to a great one two with Beradi who ran on and smackedit against the post. It deserved a goal. The third was another good break which led to Roofe puttingin a good cross to an unmarked Wood 5 yards out – he couldn’t miss and he didn’t.Good goal. Wood was then subbed for Antonsson, or someone with asimilar name as that – he can’t have beentoo impressed by that. We could have had a few more – the excellent Hernandez hitthe post from a free kick and we had numerous breaks in which we could havedone better. A real game of two halves showing how simple tacticalchanges can change matches. Scores: Green – 8. Good save first half – didn’t have a lot to dobut what he did he did well. Beradi – 7. Battled well with their right winger and nearlyscored. He’s a top player but you did see his limitations in the first halfwhen he got into some good positions but was unable to cross well with his leftfoot. I’d still pick him in front of Taylor – I think he’s a better defender than Taylor butmore crucially Taylor doesn’t want to play for Leeds cos he thinks he’s premierleague. Bartley – 8. Great goal and some great defending in a desperatefirst half. Jansson – 7. As usual he was solid although he did getcaught out once trying some of his unnecessary skills. I wouldn’t want him tolose his swagger but against better teams I think he should keep them to aminimum. Great when they come off, as it’s really taking the piss but when theydon’t come off and put us under pressure then it’s not worth it. Ayling – 7. First half he struggled like the rest. Couldn’t getanything going with Sacko or Hernandes, passes going astray. Second half, helooked like he did at Villa. Skilful right back, attacking whenever possibleand really making an impact. Hernandes – 7. First half was just too much for him. He wasexpected to do everything and as a result 90% of his passes were to a blueshirt (why weren’t Rotherham playing in red?). Second half with Vierra andBridcutt sharing the load he was let free. An amazing transformation and hejust sat in the middle and sprayed balls left , right an centre. He really is agreat footballer but let’s not ever ask him to sit in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-4 as acentre midfielder that has to do the grunt work. He can’t. Bridcutt – 6. Again he was overrun first half and wascompletely ineffective. Possibly his worst game for Leeds. Second half, Vierratook over and he began to look like himself and contributed to the greatfootball we played. As much as I love Bridcutt I do think Vierra is the betterplayer and when you consider the potential Vierra has to be part of this teammoving forward. Doukara – 5. I thought his first half performance actuallytopped all the poor first half performances. He looked pissed, couldn’t pass,move or do anything effective. Second half he did improve but I reckon he’sbeen on the lash. Struggles as a left winger in my opinion. Sacko – 2. Obviously a low mark because he only played inthe shit half. He did have a few opportunity but there was no end product. Anaway player for me. Wood – 7. Again, first half I thought he was poor. Nocontrol, no running, big lump up front. I would have taken him off and Ihonestly believe that if I had we would have still won this game 2 or 3 nil butall credit to Wood he bagged his brace and proved his doubters wrong. Hissecond goal was more than a lump putting in from an unmissable range, it was atop quality finish showing that Wood definitely has something. I just wish he’dshow it more often. I thought it general play up to his first goal was reallypoor and I think he should not be considered a certainty for games especiallywhen we’re trying to play a counter attacking game. Remember out best 20minutes of football was when he wasn’t on the pitch. I don’t rate him and Ibelieve we do need better than him to get promoted. Obviously his fans willpoint to his 16 goals as they did with Becchio but we would have never gotpromoted with Becchio and I think if Wood is given the shirt every game withoutconsidering how we are going to play. Roofe – 6. First half poor like the rest, second half cameinto it without looking really convincing. Yes he put the cross in for the 3rd(I could have done that). Seconds earlier he had a similar cross to make withWood (marked this time) sliding he. He painfully overhit it when all he neededwas to slide it across. Everything looks heavy to me, his footwork his carelessand he has no pace which is amazing really when you consider his game was builton that in the lower leagues apparently. He won’t make it. Subs: Vierra – 10. Transformed the team , the performance and theresult from his high energy. He’s a star. Dallas – didn’t do a lot. Antonsson – one or two touches. Big arse. Monk – superb tactical change transformed the game. Crowd – 33k and Rotherham bought a taxi load. Should havesold the seats to Leeds fans. All still looking good. Happy New Year. _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] MARCHING ON TOGETHER
