As Oxford is only up the road from me, I thought I'd go and have a look. Here is a report entirely from memory. Hopefully it will be informative, but probably not entertaining.
I wasn't expecting a strong team as most of the 1st team probables had played at Southend on Sunday. Sure enough he only players I really recognised were Pearce and Vieira who was captain. Eventually I worked out the team in 4-2-3-1 was. Huffer Shackleton, Diaz, Rey, Pearce Klich, Baker Idekichi, Vieira, Clarke Dalby As they lined up I was faced with the Leeds back 4 in shirt nos 54, 46, 49 and 47 or something like that, and wished I knew enough about spread-betting to put a bet on total shirt nos. First impressions were that they looked younger and much smaller than the Oxford team, who may have had more 1st team candidates in there. I was certainly impressed by their no 7 (Hall?) 17 (Henry) and the Centre Forward Obika who was mobile, skillful and knocking the Leeds defenders all over the place. An early mistake from the keeper was rescued by a good save, but the next one eventually resulted in a smartly taken goal by the Oxford no7. I'm not sure if Diaz and Rey are Centre Backs really, but if so they are the smallest I've ever seen, and I'm still not entirely sure which was which. Up front Dalby looked big and ran around a bit, but it took a while for him to get the ball, and transpired to be more like Bambi when it came to shooting. The midfield looked fairly comfortable. Vieira was playing the no 10 role. Klich looked fitter and quicker than last season. However it became clear as the half went on that Oxford were strong and well organised in defence, and had more punch in attack. It was no surprise that they scored 2 more before half time. If asked, you would not have made many of the Leeds team candidates to start in the League. The Leeds following of 1360 in a 4700 crowd looked despondent. I think most were local blokes, or ex-pat Yorkies, but fair play to those who travelled down. A few changes at half time saw Leeds come out with a bit more purpose. Roberts replaced Idekuchi on the right. Dalby made way for Edmondson up front and Blackman came on in goal. These changes all made a difference but even more significant was Vieira essentially swapping with Klich, and Baker pushing up a bit too. Vieira for all his physical prowess cannot really pick a pass, but Klich showed that he can, at that level anyway. Roberts took a smartly taken goal and all of a sudden there was a match on. The next few minutes saw plenty of action and a couple of decisions that eventually decided the game. Obika looked to be well off side when he tapped in Oxford's 4th. An amazing run and cross from Shackleton was met by Obika to make it 4-2. Then Edmondson, who had looked hungry, had a goal ruled out for offside from a Pearce cross. However Leeds continued to push forward and made some really good chances, before Clarke, who looked a different player in the 2nd half cut in to score with a deflected shot. The last 20 minutes saw Leeds on the front foot, creating some chances, with Oxford getting some chances on the break. The Leeds fans really got behind the team during the whole 2nd half and the players appreciated it. Those around me said the 2nd half was the best attacking play Leeds have produced yet in the pre-season. So that's about it. I left thinking that whilst I would struggle to say that any of those who played last night would be nailed-on 1st choice. There are a few candidates in Blackman, Pearce, Vieira, Klich and certainly some promise in Baker, Clarke & Roberts. Unforunately I saw nothing to think that we have unearthed the badly-needed centre back or front-line striker though. KOT. ____________________________________________________________ UK Shared Business Services Ltd. Registered in England and Wales as a limited company. Company number 6330639. Registered Office: Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 1FF. 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