I have one word to describe the performance from both sides - ponderous. Unfortunately I have a lot more words to explain that description ...
I've seen games with a higher tempo than this in the Heavy Woollen Gate Sunday Alliance Football League (HWGSAFL=Batley/Dewsbury/Cleckheaton for overseas readers). Well I managed to miss the first 17 minutes due to extended drinking to the Adwalton Cricket Club in Drighlington, after my game in the HWGSAFL this morning, but after calling at Jacksons supermarket in Ossett for a few cans, I settled in front of the TV to be entertained by Leeds United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, a fixture which has had a special resonance for me since my teacher, (God bless you Sister Monica of St Josephs, Hunslet) let us listen to the game in '72 just 2 days after the FA Cup Final (we lost to lose the league to some Midlands team managed by the best Manager England never had). So to today, and I decided I'd try to be professional about this with a pencil and sheet of paper to note down things as the game progressed. Some great cross field balls from Crainey in the 1st half gave rise to the only real opportunities for either side and I understand that Kilgallon had a header saved early on but the outstanding chance fell to Carole who virtually passed the ball into the hands of Wolves keeper. Crainey seemed more intent in underplaying passes throughout the game to invite extra Wolves pressure but maybe this was a ploy to make the game more entertaining? With reference to Kilgallon, he seemed too eager to jump in early and while some have compared him to Johnny Woodgate, I think he does tend to snatch at the chances to take the ball from the opposition, whereas Johnny seems to bide his time. The aforementioned jump in early saw Kilgallon gift Wolves a couple of half chances in the first half but nothing too dangerous. As for the rest of the team, Moore looked far too slow for the pace of the game but I will admit, it was very hot this morning and probably worse this afternoon. He paid the price in the second half with a substitution for Beckford on 77 minutes. Kelly had nothing to do all game, except pick himself up a few times with over eager tackles from Wolves leading to 3 bookings in 66 minutes (not all for fouls on Kelly I may add) with none for the league's bad boys, LUFC. The half progressed and I realised why the Spanish had such a tough time with Healy earlier in the week, the lad is a devil to play against. He jinks, turns, pulls, pushes and generally annoys the defenders into giving away free kicks or losing concentration against him. It's just a shame that the manager can't back him up with another player in the middle (or right wing, where he drifts to by choice it seems). On to the rest of the team, I'm not sure Warner has the authority to direct his defence and it was noticeable that he was exposed on a few occasions, particularly in the second half by poor positioning of the back four, but a fumbled dive in the first half, really gave Wolves their only chance. And now to the rest, I noted Eddie Lewis name down as touching the ball twice in the 28 minutes I saw in the first half and this was equalled by Douglas. Westlake seemed to buzz around but with little impact. It was interesting to see Roy Keane at the game, in advance of Wednesday, and I think he will feel his team, full of confidence and a fear of a red hot poker up the jacksie, will have little to fear from LUFC. In the second half, more beer and more interesting things to do distracted me a little but I made these observations. More than once did Kilgallon appear lost in defence and at times Butler was no where to be seen (actually that's a lie, he was eclipsed by the pace and inventiveness shown by Jay Bothroyd). The pace of the game seemed to lift as both teams felt the game was there for the taking. Leeds made the Wolves defence work harder and sustained periods of pressure were looking like paying dividends. Jamal Johnson had been causing Butler problems all game, he lost him on a number of occasions and looks like a player in need of a rest (or another few beers the night before a game). And so to the defeat. Jay Bothroyd had turned the Leeds defence inside out, albeit at a slower pace than the HWGSAFL is used to, but when he took possession of the ball 35 yards out (after more than 91 minutes played) only one thought was on his mind and when the space opened up, he cracked it. Warner had a reasonable position but he hasn't got the agility of Nigel Martyn or David James and the ball rattled the stanchion. Overall, a very slow performance against a nothing team. Little action on the touchline and another nail in Blackwell's coffin for me Brian Hamilton (List BitB) -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/442 - Release Date: 08/09/2006 _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist oh alright then :-)
