The gap widens
By: Tim |
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It could well be one of the best and season defining weekends for everyone concerned at Leeds United.
A win against Yeovil and with Charlton and Colchester losing it means the Whites extend their lead at the top to 7 points. And with a goal difference of plus 21, it’s effectively 8 points.
And the last two results have gone a long way to telling us alot about the side and extending that lead.
Bristol Rovers and Yeovil now gone down 4-0 in two games extending the goal difference by plus 8, and showing that the defeat to Millwall is well and truly out of their system.
No doubt the lead has alot to do with the quality in the team, but the togetherness is staggering and manager Simon Grayson has uncovered some gems and polished up some that were gathering dust.
A game changing player has been Max Gradel. In the last three games he has come on off the bench, the whole complexity of the game has altered.
His efforts were rewarded yesterday with a goal but his general pace and wing play has lit up Elland Road. It’s been a while since Leeds have had an out and out winger. With all the pace and attribute that this provides.
A good winger excites the crowd, gets them rejuvenated when things are looking down. They can turn the game and deliver that bit of quality when needed. Which Gradel has done every time.
It’s having that quality on the bench that helps widen the gap at the top.
Another player that has done wonders recently, and praise also has to be given to Grayson is Tresor Kandol. Two goals in the last two games saw that somersaulting Congolese striker back in the headlines and back in the hearts of Leeds fans.
Anyone who at the start of the season who is a Leeds fan and said they really wanted him to stay is probably lying. Hardly making an apperance and apparently ambling on in the reserves, his future seemed bleak. But credit where it’s due, he’s been given the chance and taken it.
With Grella, Becchio and Somma injured and Showunmi struggling for form, Kandol is now a crucial player for Leeds and like Gradel is now an impact sub who went brought on is expected to shake things up and change the game.
And like Gradel he’s done that everytime so far. And long may it continue.
Category: News
You wanted a reaction Simon.
By: Tim | Add Comments
There should now be a new entry into the dictionary for reaction. Because after Leeds’ 4-0 hammering of Bristol Rovers following their 2-1 defeat at Millwall last weekend showed the best definition of the word. Ever.
After losing their first game of the season at the New Den, it could have been one of those games that suddenly saw the league leaders start a temporary downward spiral.
Boss and fans alike asked for said reaction. And got it. By jove they got it!
Rovers haven’t had the best of runs going into the game and were there for the taking. But at the same time the memorial ground isn’t the easiest place to visit. Many teams have gone down here and Leeds could have easily done the same.
But instead of the latter, the Whites went for the former and went for the juggular. After a defeat, what did they have to lose.
Jermaine Beckford once again showed his class at this level with two goals, on loan Sam Vokes opened his Leeds account and from the shadows came Tresor Kandol for his first league goal of the season three minutes from time.
But what stood out in the four goals was the superb build up play. The midfield has been criticized recently, but if they were accused of going missing, they well and truly found themselves again (and i don’t mean in the strange hippy way, come on, can anyone really find themselves within themselves!) with some creative play and neat passing. It would’ve been rude for the three strikers to not take their goals.
Plus a clean sheet, the first hopefully of money with Kisnorbo and Naylor at the back. It’s the centre back partnership many Leeds fans were dying to see. This season’s best centre back teamed with last season’s. It was a mouthwatering prospect. But so far it hadn’t come off in the couple of matches they have had together.
But it worked on Tuesday night and ‘The Gas’ hardly had a sniff of Casper’s goal (a massive fumble alomst leading to a goal meant that was a very good thing).
This was the reaction/response that shows the hallmark of champions. To lose your first game and the only unbeaten record could have caused others not used to it to crumble. But this team has clearly had a winning mentality installed within them, like some kind of advanced microchip which activates after registering a setback.
The team ethic, the work ethic, and importantly the quality was on show. Bristol are 6th in the league. They are no pushovers.
Grayson kept faith with the team that lost against Millwall which suprised many but any confidence lost was regained by those same group of players.
And looking to tomorrow’s match against Yeovil at Elland Road, it should be the same team with Grayson re-iterating that Becchio is not match fit yet. And it seems Higgs and Crowe aren’t fit yet either.
Yeovil were notorious for being a pushover away from home, and up until ironically their win at Bristol they hadnt won or scored away from home. They have back to back wins and are unbeaten in 6 putting them in the nosebleed territory of 12th in the table.
But saying that, i can’t see past a Leeds win. It won’t be as easy as the 4-0 result of last season because of the run they are on, but Leeds with the same squad and the unbeaten home league run going since January, should come out with a win. Already 4 points clear, Leeds could look very comfortable by the end of the weekend.
No response or reaction needed, just more of the same please.
Category: NewsWell…..it had to happen didn’t it
By: Tim | Add Comments
I suppose sooner or later we had to lose. And lose we did. Fair enough, can’t really complain with the start we’ve had to the season. One thing that slightly wrankles with me, it had to be to Millwall.
They have been a bogey team for us without question. Home and away, we just struggle to get a result. And once again it alluded us, the win or even a draw, just anything but defeat to a team that it’s hard as a Leeds fan not to hate purely because of how many times they’ve beaten us and caused me heartbreak.
But luckily we don’t have long to lick our wounds. Our rearranged match against Bristol Rovers is tomorrow night at the memorial ground. The Gas as they are affectionately known, (maybe not affectionately i don’t know, depend what kind of gas your talking about really) started the season brilliantly and in the last few games have dropped off the pace a bit and after a defeat to Yeovil at home, they will be like Leeds a wounded animal.
Two teams both coming into the match on the back of defeats is like a man being kicked in the groin. It hurts, your pissed off and you’re looking to extract revenge on whoever is in your way.
So don’t expect this match to be pretty. It’ll be scrappy, messy, and a fight. Whoever reacts best to that kick in the groin will come out on top. Apologies for the slightly unneccesary analogy, but it’s the best i could think of at the time.
Set pieces must be worked on by boss Simon Grayson as they were Leeds’ downfall against Millwall, and generally getting the defence a bit more solid. From hardly conceeding, we’re developing a strange habit of leaking goals. Maybe a coincidence, but unusually it’s since Naylor has come back in. Harsh, but it’s what has happened. Maybe brought back too soon after injury.
Also it’s since Higgs has been out of the team that we’ve leaked a frew more goals. But with on loan keeper Frank Fielding going back to Blackburn, it might mean that Higgs is nearing a return.
Leeds legend Eddie Gray commented on Yorkshire Radio that the central midfield didn’t get into the game. Howson and Doyle in the match i saw against Norwich recently were ineffective as well. It was a battle that we were winning earlier in the season and maybe fresh legs might be needed. Bringing in Kilkenny could be a key change. Always relaxed and assured on the ball, knows when to pass it and makes a sensible pass.
If Gradel is fit i’d be tempted to start him. We need to get at Bristol early on, get a couple of goals and if he isn’t that fit, then bring him off and keep the lead we have. For this game i feel we can’t be negative, we have to start bright and put them under pressure, they’ve been on a worse run than us. Especially at home.
So if we can shrug off Saturday’s disappointment and get at Rovers from the off, we can give them that extra kick in the groin and hopefully they’ll stay down this time. (I promise i’ll think of something better for next time).
Category: NewsBad memories revisited
By: Tim | 5 Comments
It’s the one match where everyone sees it and think more about off the pitch action than on. Leeds vs Millwall. At the new den.
Leeds haven’t done particularly well at Millwall, the latest defeat, of a long line, was in the first leg of the play off semi finals last season.
A Neil Harris goal sparked scenes of pandemonium behind Casper Ankergren’s goal, with some spilling onto the pitch and taunting the Danish goalkeeper. Accusations of objects being thrown at him were also made. Safe to say, Leeds are never made to feel welcome, and Millwall never like to be scared of their opponents. On the pitch or in the stands.
But even they must think about who they are facing tomorrow. Leeds are top of the table and unbeaten ( i know i keep saying it, but how often as a Leeds fan do i get to say that!) and after the amazing last minute winner against Norwich at Elland Road on Monday, it must give all at the club a boost.
But Leeds would to be foolish to think it’s a walkover. Millwall have always given a good account of themselves especially at the Den. Write them off at your peril. They haven’t lost and have only conceeded two goals.
Mr Millwall Neil Harris is on good form this season and is a dangerman. 9 goals to his name, a hat trick in the last match against Stockport as part of a 4-0 away win, he has probably been their most consistant performer.
As for Leeds though, 5 wins and one draw away from home means this could be a very tight game.
For Leeds, the defence needs to be on top of Harris, the return of Patrick Kisnorbo will be a huge boost in that sense.
Boss Simon Grayson will have to decide about Norwich MOM Max Gradel. After coming on with ten minutes to go, he ended up winning a beckham-esque man of the match award. Except he probably did deserve it. Is it better to start him and try and get him to change the whole game or use him as a super sub.
Gradel admitted himself that he isn’t fully match fit, so that might make the decision for the manager. But that won’t be a bad thing if it happens.
The same could be said for Sam Vokes, not doubt a quality striker and maybe might start to come into his own from tomorrow with Becchio still injured.
I do honestly fear about this game. I was the same against Noriwch for simple reason of form and confidence. Millwall haven’t been firing on all cylinders since their play off final defeat in May, and without Neil harris, the goals have been few and far between. But my fear stems simply from the venue.
it is an intimidating place and Millwall fans are rightly proud of this. Call them a ‘bogey’ team if you will but its never easy against Millwall. Without trying to sound crass, Leeds will have to be up for the fight.
Brains were needed against Norwich with their technical free flowing midfield. Millwall can play good football, but it’s more of a physical battle. The headband brothers of Maylor and Kisnorbo will be key men in this battle. Leaders from the back. If they can keep Leeds organised and fighting, the victory is there for the taking.
Leeds are back on top but you never wake a sleeping lion, and when you do for god sake don’t tease it and mess around, or it will bite. If Leeds wake the lions and make them angry, they’ve got to deal with them.
And in Neil Harris they have the bravest and scariest up front. Tame him, game won.
Category: NewsWhat a finale!
By: Tim | 3 Comments
Still hoarse and full of adrenalin, I can only describe the final few minutes of the pulsating match at Elland Road as crazy.
A 92nd minute winner from Jermaine Beckford greatfully received after a terrible goal kick from Norwich keeper Fraser Forster went straight to the deadly striker.
With the defence turning their backs on the kick, Beckford reacted first as good forwards do, charged towards the area holding off the last Norwich defender to finish past the unlucky Forster.
Unlucky because up until that point he hadn’t put a foot wrong after making some good saves earlier in the second half.
It gave the whites a 2-1 victory. Grant Holt levelled for Norwich on the half hour after Bradley Johnson opened the scoring with a header from a Snodgrass corner on 14 minutes for Leeds.
The match started as the whole night would continue to be. Which was unfortunately frustrating as the referee booked anything that moved.
Naylor the first on 56 seconds, who then went off for near 8 minutes to reappear as the new Kisnorbo with his own headband for a cut received in the same incident.
Higgs then made two saves while Leeds were down to ten men, one which he clawed away after almost letting it fall over the line from his initial save.
He then went off injured. Casper came on. Just don’t put any crosses in Norwich. Please. I asked nicely.
Norwich started brightly, with a fluid midfield switching from a 4-5-1 to 4-3-3 when attacking. Stroking the ball around with ease and seemingly finding a yellow shirt everytime. It was as much as i hate to say it, a joy to watch. But with this, it didn’t really create many chances.
And after failing to take the two earlier chances, they were made to pay. A snodgrass corner headed in at the far post by a leaping salmon disguised as Bradley Johnson.
But Norwich kept at their attacking passing style and made it tough. Tactically they were spot on. They nullified Snodgrass and Johnson on the wings in open play and in the middle gave Beckford and newly signed Vokes no space to run into.
And their deserved equaliser came ironically from a free kick they didn’t deserve 10 minutes before half time. But it was whipped in to the far post and this time the leaping salmon was beaten down low by Grant Holt for his 10th of the season.
At this point Leeds were just hanging on. Imagine putting a bucket on your head, being spun around 20 times and then being told to swat several very quick moving flies afterwards. It was kind of like that for Leeds. They couldn’t catch Norwich when they got the ball, rings were being run round them.
Grayson to his credit as he has done so many times, changed it around. Snodgrass and Johnson started to exploit Norwich’s lack of pace down the middle by coming inside and creating more opportunities. The full backs also came more into play because of it.
But still the frustration continued. It looked like being one of those nights.
Then two subs came on which changed the game. Tresor Kandol did get a league recall and another new acquisition, young Leicester winger Max Gradel signed on a one month loan. Kandol was asked to make a nuisance of himself and win headers. Check.
Gradel was also asked to be a nuisance and use his pace to exploit as many gaps as possible. Check. But with a bonus, he seemed to rejuvenate the entire team. The crowd were also sensing something from this kid. Two great passes inside 30 seconds had me calling for a permanent contract!
Leeds then also seemed to adapt to a 4-3-3 at times with Kandol and Gradel joining Beckford up front. Snodgrass and Vokes had made way for the subs.
And like Norwich the midfield became more fluid. Gradel, Kandol, and Johnson were making themselves felt by again getting down the middle. Exploiting the lack of pace, and with the full backs getting forward, Leeds were really getting a grip on the game and suddenly Norwich were hanging on.
Beckford then had two chances saved brilliantly by Forster, both one on ones that normally he would put away. Then Gradel picking up a Kandol flick on on the right crossed in low for Beckford, which was just too far in front of him and he couldn’t quite divert it in. That was on 90 minutes. Game Over.
Until….from the resulting goal kick Forster made a complete hash of a simple kick and Beckford did the rest. Cue scenes of utter delirium. Fans spilling onto the pitch, myself screaming with my dad and jumping around like a kangaroo on hot coals and Norwich players and manager sinking to the ground.
Leeds back on top of the league. Still unbeaten. Probably didn’t deserve it overall but if we can still scrape out wins against very good teams like this, then we can win the league. But if any team is going to challenge us, based on this performance, it’ll be Norwich. And good luck to them.
Category: NewsHere come the Canaries
By: Tim | Add Comments
After a much welcome break from league action, Norwich City make their way to Elland Road tomorrow night in what i think will be the toughest match of the season so far for Leeds.
Our growing injury list has somewhat slightly reduced thanks to the 2 week break, but two major players in Becchio and Snodgrass are still doubts ahead of this game. If both are missing it would be a huge blow.
Despite the growing line of players waiting for treatment outside the physio’s room, we are still undefeated which is an encouraging sign, but the last two games have produced draws against Carlisle and Charlton at home. One was more disappointing than the other. I’ll leave that up to you to decide.
One area affected has been the defence. Crowe, Bromby, Higgs, Parker and Marques have all had knocks. Unfortunately Parker looks like being out for some time after hip surgery.
Higgs though has been the biggest a loss, an assured figure in goal that has given fans a bit of confidence when a cross comes in and in all aspects of his game. Unfortunately Casper Ankergren (aka Sir flap-a-lot) hasn’t bred that confidence in the United faithful with his recent displays, but only two goals have been conceeded whilst he has been in between the sticks for the last three games.
And we still haven’t lost. What might be considered more of a worry is that we’ve only scored three goals in those three games, two were against Darlington in the JPT. The loss of Snodgrass has been blamed for this, but Leeds have more than enough talent to compensate overall. And in the early season players like Johnson and Howson were more effective than Snodgrass.
Heading into the Norwich game Leeds will have to be on top of their game at both ends. Ever since the disastrous start of THAT defeat against Colchester, Norwich took the U’s manager and said please do that for us. So far so good. Norwich have steamrollered up the league into 6th, scoring goals left right and any other direction you care to think.
14 goals in the last 6 games to be precise, and only conceeding 4. Thats the sort of form many expected of them pre-season. Away from home, City haven’t lost in their last 3 matches.
One thing this season has been built on for Leeds is their solid defence, and it’s going to get a tough workout tomorrow night. Whether it be Casper in goal or not, United must go into this game confident in their defence, showing the same grit and determination to win, be it at all costs. Because Norwich will be ready to pounce.
The Canaries have a pacy midfield that is very good on the counter attack. The key player leading this is Wes Hoolahan. Chipping in with five goals, he has also helped striker Grant Holt to get his 9 goals so far this campaign. Alot of the creativity comes from him, Leeds will need to keep him quiet.
At the back in recent games Norwich have been solid, with the re-emergance of Gary Doherty partnering Askou. But it seems Norwich fans reckon they are good in the air, but not good with pace against them. Beckford could be the man to exploit this. If Grella starts he could be useful as well. He might be a better player in this match compared to Kandol.
But as i said in a previous post, they are a tall, strong side and Leeds would do best keeping it on the floor for this game. Something Leeds can do and do well when they need to.
Bradley Johnson could be a key player if Snodgrass doesn’t make it. Johnson will come up against Otsemobor at right back. Johnson has been a goal scorer as well as creator for Leeds and if he comes out on top, combined with the pace of Leeds frontline led by Beckford, Norwich will have problems.
Looking at the injury list it’s hard to predict the team, but it has been mooted that Snodgrass and Crowe could make it. With that in mind i’d go with:
Ankergren
Crowe Kisnorbo Naylor Hughes
Snodgrass Doyle Howson Johnson
Beckford Grella
Subs: Higgs, Bromby, Michalik, Prutton, Kilkenny, Robinson, Kandol,
1st versus 6th, Sky cameras in attendance, two very in form teams who like the odd goal or two. It’ll be great for the neutral. I’m going, and i don’t think it’s going to be a relaxing evening! It’ll be very very close.
Category: NewsKandol giving food for thought…
By: Tim | 1 Comment
When Tresor Kandol joined Leeds United in January 2007 after a brief loan spell, it was to a mixed response from fans. The somersaulting Congolese striker was signed by Dennis Wise from League 2 Barnet as a bit of a unknown quantity.
But a brace against Cardiff at Ninian Park in the league cup put him on the radar and he was snapped up by Mr Wise, but whether or not the decision would be classed as that was always going to be a risk.
After some fleeting appearances in the championship relegation season, he wasn’t recevied very well overall by the United faithful. But at this point it was unfair to judge him as the side weren’t exactly overflowing with confidence, plus coming from League 2 and expecting to adjust instantly would be hard.
At the start of our first season in League one, Kandol came into his own linking well with Jermaine Beckford scoring 5 goals in the opening 7 games and earning a new long term contract. He went on to make 32 appearances scoring 11 goals, only 6 more for the rest of the season.
But the 6ft 1 striker did earn a call up for the first time to the Congo national side. Unfortunately with Wise’s departure, big Tres was frozen out under McAllister after the signing of Luciano Becchio.
He went on loan to Millwall and back to the championship with Charlton to try to help them avoid their impending doom. Didn’t happen, but it was like trying to stop dead a high speed cross country train with one of those rulers that can fold in half. It wasn’t going to happen.
Going from scoring in a scouse sh*t hole to couldn’t score in a brothel wasn’t exactly true though. He scored 8 goals in 16 appearances for Millwall followed by another 2 for Charlton which showed that he could still find the net.
It seemed this summer, with Simon Grayson now in charge, once more his chances would be limited and many Leeds fans myself included would think it was time for him to move on.
But Tres has kept his head down and scored quite a few goals in the reserves and has people suddenly thinking, what if?….
His reward was a start in the JPT against Darlington and duly scored. Now again retrospect is needed, Darlo are rock bottom of League 2. And were possibly the worst team I have ever seen at Elland Road. Ever.
The defence seemed to have been hypnotised by Moses to be convinced that a huge gap down the middle was the way to go.
But if your confidence is low, then scoring can be hard no matter what the opposition.
But he took the ball down well and powered home the shot from just inside the area. A great finish and he did show some good touches in the match linking well with Grella.
What if?….after going off at half time due to illness to be replaced by an uninspiring Enoch Showunmi, and seeing Davide Somma going off injured to top Becchio’s injury, it leaves Tres, Grella and Beckford. Could Tres deliever the goods? Could he be recalled?
What if?….could he start the next match against Norwich on Sky next Monday alongside Beckford? Will the old partnership strike up from the start of the 07/08 season, or would it end with the usual ironic cheers from Leeds fans everytime Kandol did something useful followed by being unceremoniously hauled off for Grella, or even Enoch.
One knows that if he doesn’t do anything classed as ‘useful’ by the fans exacting standards then it’ll be back to the reserves. It’s something that could be classed as a dilemma, but at the same time if he does either start or come on against Norwich, what have we got to lose?
If he does regain his form and uses his height effectively against a rejuvenated and tall Norwich side and contributes to a win, then bonus, lets keep using him.
If he doesn’t do well and goes from being 6ft 1 before he jumps to 5ft 3 when he does jump and does nothing, then at least he’s been given the chance his goalscoring explots deserve and we move on. We haven’t exactly done badly without him to start with.
But another two goals against the Hartlepool reserves last night shows a striker with possibly something to offer. It keeps people thinking. What if?….
Category: NewsSeason so far, so good
By: Tim | Add Comments
Looking back on the first 11 games of the league season, if it was offered to me, or any other Leeds fan, that we would be top by two points, with a game in hand and be the only undefeated team in the football league, who would say no?!
Following on from j’s last post as Leeds blogger, the semi final defeat to Millwall was a bitter disappointment. But maybe losing at the semi final stage was a blessing in disguise. Losing after a final can leave a bit of a hangover at times. But at the same time i think many were confident that we could come out of the Millwall defeat stronger than the last two play off defeats because of one man.
Simon Grayson has been a beacon of hope in what has been a dark period for Leeds. Taking us on a amazing run at the end of last season, his transformation of the team was simply amazing. Unable to lose at home, scoring for fun and getting better at the back. There was also a newly found determination, trying to get back a bit of passion for wearing the shirt.
But Grayson also knows what it takes to win promotion, he’s done it with Blackpool, and the mistake of thinking that having a big name as manager will get you out of League 1 is one is one we’ve been guilty of. But Grayson has an actual working experience of this division, and his astute summer signings shows he knows the league and what it takes to get out of it.
Paddy Kisnorbo has come in at the back and has been solid as a rock so far. A new Terry Butcher with his constant headband, he has shown a self belief in his performances, and of course some fantastic tackling. Throwing himself into everything and being part of a back four that has been very solid all season. For me he is the key signing.
Being so assured and confident in his performance is rubbing off on others. The defence has been worked on in the summer with the signings of Bromby and Crowe and has been a key part of our start to the season.
Another feature that grayson has brought in is the fluidity of the midfield. I confess i’ve only seen two games in the flesh plus the Liverpool game on sky, but the midfield is constantly moving and linking up well. Bradley Johnson has weighed in with 5 goals from midfield and is another player that has transformed since Grayson has come in, although he always has had the potential based on his loan spell with Brighton last season.
Snodgrass gets a call up for Scotland and unfortunately had to pull out but after a performance against Liverpool where he ‘had their left back on toast’ according to Grayson, his stock continues to rise.
Another key reason we have started well is the fact we only lost one major player in Delph. Beckford, Becchio and Snodgrass all stayed, plus players like Kisnorbo, Bromby, Crowe, Higgs and Doyle all joined to go with the likes of Howson, Johnson, Kilkenny, Naylor, Parker. It’s a strong squad.
I was going to say we have strength in depth and to a degree we do. But against Darlington (i lied earlier i’ve seen three games live) a lot of the fringe players were given a chance and some ‘played themselves out of the team’ according to Simon Grayson. The likes of Prutton, Robinson, Showunmi and Ankergren didn’t cover themselves in glory. And those are four names you expect to be solid players at this level. Robinson was in the League one team of the year before he joined, and at times has showed why, but he was decidely unfit when he joined and has never maintained a consistant level of performance.
For me this is a worry, against Charlton complaints rained in that with Snodgrass missing we lacked creativity. Something that Robinson could do, but maybe the fact he didn’t start is a sign of the managers faith in him.
But for me the most pleasing thing as i alluded to earlier is the work ethic and passion. The players really seem to be giving everything for the club and their gaffer. 1-0 down at Walsall with ten minutes to go and we went on to win 2-1. Normally our heads would drop and it would be game over. Not this season. It shows alot about Grayson to see the players give so much. Nothing is a lost cause.
With this, expectation soars and a 0-0 draw at home to a team in second was considered a disappointment. No way in a million years is it a disappointment in my eyes, but such are expectations after the start we’ve had. Maybe its a double edged sword. The fact that most seasons as of late a 0-0 draw at home against a second place team would’ve been a great result, but now its a disappointment, which shows that we have come on alot as of late.
The next thing is can we keep it going. As a Leeds fan you learn never to get optimistic…….but even i might start getting excited if we’re still in the top 2 by christmas.
Hello from the new LUFC blogger
By: Tim | 2 Comments
Hello everyone. I feel i should introduce myself. I’m Tim and i’m going to be the new Leeds United blogger for the offside.
I’m absolutely thrilled to be given the chance to write about a team that i’m so passionate about and i hope you enjoy reading everything i write to you all.
A bit about myself. I’m 23, i’m a trainee radio journalist, soon to be freelance in a couple of months. I’m from Keighley near Bradford and i’ve been a leeds supporter since i was 4 years old thanks to my dad. I had a season ticket for 5 years between 2002 and 2007 (Great years weren’t they!!) but had to give it up to pursue my dreams of journalism.
So throughout the ups and downs, i continue to be an ardent leeds fan and will always wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to all things LUFC for this blog.
I follow in such great footsteps from the last Leeds blogger and i hope i carry on the fine tradition.
Marching On Together!
Tim
P.S Sods law my first week as a lufc blogger and our game is postponed. But tomorrow i shall give my first thoughts on the season so far.
personnel changes coming to Leeds
By: j | Add Comments
After unceremoniously bowing out the the playoffs, the hearty cheer of Leeds storming towards automatic promotion next year was echoed throughout the Elland Road set. Unfortunately, as foretold in the earliest stages of the previous campaign, should Leeds not win promotion the task would be far more complicated in the upcoming season as a number of players would move on. While that comment was a morsel too quiet for anyone to hear, the warning shot across the bow is now loud and clear as the days of Jermaine Beckford playing for the Whites is numbered.
Choosing to not extend his contract which expires at the end of next season, the striker has effectively secured his fate and will be shopped around for the best price. Despite Ken Bates waiving Leeds colours in the twenty-five year-old strikers direction, this is not a matter of loyalty and certainly not the fault of Mr. Beckford . He has effectively done all that he can do in League One and if he is to play at a higher level he cannot afford to wait any longer. It is a sad fact but Leeds had its opportunity, he served the club well but they were unable to “move up” with him and it is simply the a course of competitive sport.
At this stage, Leeds should be shuffling its negotiating cards and try to attract the best possible offer as soon as possible. As of this date, they’ve done “well” by using the media to announce that they are willing to keep him for the upcoming campaign and receive nothing for him in next years signing rather than sell him cheaply now. While such a tactical plan if truthful would be pure madness, the general sentiment is that newly relegated sides Middlesbrough and Newcastle are top contenders for his services along with Coventry City and Queens Park Rangers who are desperate need of attacking prowess.
While this issue is a hotbed for Leeds supporters, it is one that should have been expected. The club did not press winning automatic promotion enough last year and will likely pay for it dearly with personnel changes. Along with Jermaine Beckford, Leeds will be facing a series of other losses including Fabian Delph, Robert Snodgrass, Ben Parker, Aidan White, Tom Elliott and Luciano Becchio.
After considerable thought and debate this will serve as my final post on the this blog. If you care to apply for this blog please contact Daryl with The Offside (click here) after reviewing the guidelines at www.theoffside.com/bloggers.
Category: News
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