AS Dave said, it's great to be at Leeds again. I've been to 99% of home games since the start of the 92-93 season and I don't think I've enjoyed it as much as this before, not even in the O'Leary years. The fans are noisy all around the ground andtotally behind the team. We're not turning up to be entertained: we're part of what's going on.
Luton had their chances, but we had more, and better. The goal was superb. Beckford collected a poor header from the centre half and dinked it through into the box for Kandol to finish superbly. (no You Tube clips yet, but I'll keep an eye out and post a link or two as soon as I can). Now he's got some goals under his belt, and the crowd behind him (instead of on his back) Kandol has some confidence and is really doing the business for us. Somebody said that Flo's goal against Southend showed that he was a natural striker while Kandol was a donkey. Kandol's goals today and at Forest suggest otherwise. Infact, Kandol's all round play this season, and particularly today, have shown him to be a real handful for defences. His strength, power in the air height are more than the average 3rd division defender can cope with. Kandol and Beckford are working well together, and at the moment even if Constantine and Flo were fit, it would be foolish to drop either Kandol or Beckford. Spring (the best midfielder never to play for Leeds) played for Luton. He looks a lot stronger (fatter?) that he did when he was a Leeds, and although Thompson repeatedly left him in acres of space he didn't have a huge influence on the game, although he had a very tidy game. Interesting that while he didn't get a game at Leeds (Blackwell said he wasn't fit enough) he's been ever present for Luton under Blackwell. For all Bates' preaching about Leeds marching on together he used his programme notes to have a pop at Ray Fell and the supporter's club. Now, I'm no fan of Ray Fell (I'm sure he's a nice bloke, but he's always sounded a bit of a daft old bugger when interviewed in the media), but I see no reason for Bates to pick a fight with him now. The fans are united, so why does Bates start trying to divide them again? Twat. Scores on the doors: Casper: 6 - flapped at a few crosses, which worries me. We'll concede some goals because of this weakness he has, but he's a good 3rd division keeper and he dealt very well with a number of back passes, some of them under a lot of pressure. Had a fairly quiet afternoon Richardson: 7 - One of his better games. Hughes: 6 - Steady, but limited. He's a 100%-er but I'd like to see Parker starting at LB. He looked better once he moved into midfield when Thompson was subbed. Heath: 8 - Strong and resilient. He was up against a slow, but strong forward, which suited him. He struggles most when there is past, slick passing happening around him. He is very strong in the air. Riu: 9 - Alert, quick, combative. Surely Heath will be the one to make way for Huntington? Prutton: 8 - His best game so far. One shocking crossfield pass that gave away possession towards the end (he didn't look up before he passed) , but otherwise very tidy and industrious. Douglas: 7 - Hustle, bustle, hustle, bustle. Thompson: 6 - He's a class player, but does seem to like other players to do his running and tackling for him. Is he a luxury? Wise said he took him off because he was nursing a groin strain... I wonder? Carole: 9 - Luton just couldn't cope with him running at them. Much more comfortable on his right foot. Hopefully no DeCosta is here we'll see Carole on the right wing. Beckford: 8 - With a bit more luck and composure could have scored a couple today. A constant thorn in their side with his skill and pace. Kandol: 9 - A cracking finish and also set up a great chance for Beckford. Won lots in the air, put himself about, held the ball up well. Just shaded MOTM for me. SUB: Clapam (for Thompson) 7 - tidy enough. WISE: 7 - Clearly wound up Blackwell and Carver at the end. CROWD: 10 - Awesom noise from before the kick of to after the final whistle. The YP's report is a fair summary: Leeds United 1 Luton 0 By Richard Sutcliffe at Elland Road TRESOR KANDOL'S first half goal was enough for Leeds United to claim their best start to a league season in almost a quarter of a century. The former Barnet forward struck just before the break to capitalise on fine work by partner Jermaine Beckford and ensure United claimed a fourth consecutive victory. It is the first time Leeds have enjoyed such a start in the league since Eddie Gray was manager in 1984 and means that another win next week against Hartlepool United will mean the draconian 15-point penalty imposed by the Football League will have been wiped out. United broke the deadlock in front of a magnificent crowd of 26,856 when good work from Jermaine Beckford on the left saw the ball worked to Kandol and he smashed the ball past David Forde in the Hatters' goal from 12 yards out. The lead was deserved with Leeds having wasted a golden chance to open the scoring just before the half-hour when Beckford shot wide despite being played through on the goalkeeper. The opening owed much to the vision of Tresor Kandol with the striker looking up before chipping an inch-perfect ball for his partner to chase. Defender Keith Keane tried to cut out the ball but failed to connect, which presented Beckford with a glorious chance that he shot wide from 10 yards out. It was a big let-off for Luton who also seemed to get away with a decent appeal for a penalty in the seventh minute when Kandol appeared to be impeded by Chris Coyne only for the referee to wave away the home side's appeals. Kevin Blackwell's side failed to muster a shot on target in the first half with their best opening seeing former Sheffield Wednesday striker Drew Talbot get to the by-line before drilling the ball across the United six-yard box but away from his two team-mates. The visitors improved after the break with Paul Furlong putting the ball in the net six minutes after the restart only for his 'goal' to be ruled out for a tug on Rui Marques. David Bell also came within a whisker of equalising with a stinging 25-yard shot that flew just inches over the crossbar with Casper Ankergren well beaten on the hour. Beckford went close for United but, in the end, it did not matter as Kandol's goal proved enough to cut the club's points deficit to three. _______________________________________________ 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 Join The Leeds United Supporters Trust at www.lufctrust.org
