Leeds Banter Archive July 21 2013

21 Jul 2013 21:05:49
Just listened to BMD post match interview and seems he thought it was worse than I did! Having gone to Walsall yesterday (and tweeted here and there throughout) here is my longer review (too long I know) with scores out of 10 for our team.
Kenny. Made some good saves and hard generally to score a keeper unless he had a shocker or amazing game. a lot better things to do with what small money we have, if any, than buy a new keeper. 6/10.
Warnock. part of the left side of defence which looked the leakier side all a la last couple of seasons. Didn't really contribute a lot and didn't look particularly rock solid at all. 4/10. Pearce. I feel sorry for Pearce as NW brought him in on the assumption we were going to replace our whole team then Bates of course had no more money and Pearce ended up legacy having tried hard. Also the word on the street is that he will probably be the one to sit it out if we get Mills etc, in. He is decent and made some good tackles both in the air and on the ground yesterday. However the problem is that left central looked more vulnerable yesterday than right. He missed some tackles. He also looks the least likely to be able to pass the ball as BMD wants and in fact looks panicked to hell when he gets the ball and either hoofs it anywhere or passes it back to PK. Ultimately good back up and part of our squad but I can see the need for a step up with someone else. 4/10. Lees. Better. Looked more solid in defence - although still by no means perfect and part of a defence which is still overall a bit leaky - but made some solid tackles and is only improving with the years. Also very dangerous going forward for a corner etc. Has to be part of our starting 11 but no room for complacency. 7/10. Peltier. Bit of an enigma here. Last year in the centre got a lot of stick (somewhat deservedly) but on the other hand was being played out of his natural position. Had a mixed defensive display yesterday but also has the captaincy to juggle with. Shot down the wing alot, which is great, or is it? We didn't really get anything from it and then it meant he was out of position alot. That said if Byram was in at right midfield Pelts would need to do that less. I think the jury is out here still but perhaps just a bit more encouraging here now. 6/10.
So onto the diamond in midfield. And the diamond itself in the context of who we are playing needs thinking about. Where there was a hole in our team yesterday, was. surprise, surprise, in the very centre of the pitch. With no Michael Brown (you may say thank god?) or Rodolph Austin, we had no hard tackler to stop opposition mischief coming at us. We can maybe get away with that if the four of them are all 9/10's or we pass it around like Pele, but then they aren't and we didn't. This formation will depend on who our starting 11 is and we need to be careful about this or we could get taken apart.
Green. Actually looked like he has got the passing thing better than anyone else and had a good solid game from the start. If he really keeps fit and ups his game even more could perhaps be part of the starting 11. But at this stage still no world beater. 6/10. Tonge. Is a good lower end Championship player who can do some brilliant things now and again, but over the space of a game ends up being more of a passenger, taking up one of the 11 shirts, and we just can't afford to have more than one or two of those in the starting 11 if we want to go up. 4/10. Murphy. I can see why we paid �1m for him. But on yesterday I can also see why he is perhaps not worth any more. Actually played more like Premier League 'style' (which is not the same thing as quality) than a League 1 style, in that he took a lot of time on the ball, was not panicked, picked out some good passes and placed the ball very well. There is definitely promise here. However what was lacking was work rate. Now he perhaps has not trained as hard pre season yet, but really needs to get more of a sweat up and get in the game more than yesterday. Looked a bit like he was conducting an orchestra at times rather than busting a gut, and at other times stood around admiring the view for long periods. 6/10 (and that's a point for potential added). McCormack. Now you won't like some this but I am going to say it anyway. Is touted as one of our 'stars', along with Sam and Tom, such as we have any, and certainly showed flashes at times of why there may be some PL interest in him. He looked fit too. However, and here's the thing, a lot of furious running around, but not always a great deal to show for it. The front of the diamond could be a good role for him, but yesterday, as I have seen before, this high work rate often simply ends with a tap to the side, to say Tonge perhaps - who is going to do less with it than Ros can himself - or even a toe back to someone behind him, say Pearce - and for what he is going to do with it m- see above. We need to get a lot more out of Ross (and unlike some we have, it is actually in him). He redeemed this critic in the last five minutes showing what he can really do. At least 2-3 runs into space at their defence, cutting them open and taking them on, which is what we need. If Ross does this for 90 minutes he is one of a select few who will take us up, but no one should simply expect to be in the starting 11 based on name alone. 6/10.
Attack. Smith. A bit too early days to say alot. New, young, and subbed as well. Looked fit. Actually looked more of a threat on the ground than the air. Needs a chance and a bit of time, but I am not sure that Smith and Hunt together are going to bag us more than a 10-15 goals if starting every week and these are more squad signings than Yeboah type finds. 6/10. Hunt. See for Smith. But didn't look as fit. And looked more like the older of the two. To be fair however he was apparently 50:50 on fitness. I can see him bagging a few but nothing really to write home about yesterday. 4/10.
Subs. Poleon. Here's why the above two don't worry me. From the moment he came on he looked like he was playing for England in the world cup final. Very hungry, very fast and simply looked their defenders in the whites of the eyes and took them on. Reminds me of Max Gradel. Clearly its early days and he will make some mistakes. But with another few outings like this he can start every week, for my money, and should play 90 every game if he improves. He could bang in a load of goals this year. 8/10. White. Again feel a bit sorry for Aidy White. He has never had a full time unbroken run with starts in one position regularly. Always in for periods, then no games for others, always sub, different positions and managers, etc. He maybe should move on. Think he would do well where he was guaranteed a start and we would probably wish we had not sold him. But yesterday a bit of deja vu really. He comes on and shows some speed and rouses the crowd, looks like we are now on the serious attack, but then next time he gets it trips over the ball or passes it to the other side. It sort of fizzles out quickly and five minutes later you have forgotten he is on the pitch. 4/10. I am not going to insult Pugh by grading him, considering he is brought on into central defence!, and was only on for 10. He is clearly not going to make the starting 11 as no one is really sure where to put him and we need to concentrate on that not on the bench. Varney. Business as usual here. Looked fit and was certainly up for it. No doubt that he is a striker that will worry some defences and he is a professional who will do well somewhere. But with us it has been, and continues to be, more on the roof than in the back of the net. Bench at best. 4/10.
In summary then we need: Byram to stay and be fit and play instwad of Tonge, new tricky fast winger say instead of Green but keep Green in the squad, Ross and Murphy to up their games - Polean to start? along with one of the others, and perhaps if we can do it Mills etc into centre left back. Coupled with the fact we have a good manager. We then have a fighting chance of going up. If none of that happens, indeed if most or all of it doesn't happen, then we need to be more concerned about the hap between us and third from bottom.

Leeds_Rich

22 Jul 2013 05:49:50
Dross McCormack will never take us up!

22 Jul 2013 05:53:57
Thanks for that! I was having trouble sleeping until I got 4/10 fot Pearce my only problem now is will I wake in time for bha game. zzzzzzz

21 Jul 2013 19:22:44
For me a new centre back has to be top of our list! Pearce is not good enough to play week in and out!

Yes we do need a winger or two however Byram, White and Diouf can play there and do a good job for us.

We must clear the likes of Brown, Pugh, Varney and Tonge but to be quite honest can anyone see any clubs that would want them!

Pub league football

Tonge is a good player so yh someone will want him and varney ain't the best but he gives his all and ain't many who can score headers like him, brown wnt b wanted, pugh will join a league 1 team probably

White cannot play on the wing in approximately every 5-6 games he will produce one pass or one shot that slightly resembles an 'end product'. I think he has potential at left back but nothing else.

21 Jul 2013 18:24:20
Can anyone tell me why ryan hall and rudy austin were not in squad for wallsall game. Also why do we continue playing cer tain players who clearly have no future at the club. Surely it would make more sense to test out the young players who are with time the future of our club.

Rudys burned out and needs a rest. Played one pre season game but needs more recovery time. Hall just had a baby and is with her and his wife

Players with no future according to you and clearly being given a chance under McD, as it doesn't look like we have money for a wholesale squad change

Crmd

Austin still injured and ryan hall's just become a father

"Rudys burned out and needs a rest"

Of course he is. not?

Why do we have players who can't devote themselves to the cause.

Harsh, maybe but these players should be playing for Leeds as a priority, not their country?

I agree with the first poster, clearly Michael Tonge is not good enough whoever the manager is, the only reason I think he would be is to put him in the shop window to try and get someone else to buy him, the same I am assuming with one or two others.

Rudy played a full season before joining Leeds so has hardly had a rest.
Give him a few weeks off to recover and he will give his all for Leeds.
you can't seriously expect any footballer to turn down the chance of playing for their country?
So many players being written off by fans already without being given a chance. We have a full season to look forward to and there are players in our team who have a point to prove under a new manager who plays a completely different style to last seasons.

21 Jul 2013 16:14:22
Ed is the site broke down because I'm having trouble the last few days loading the pages.

{Ed033's Note - I think if you try again and refresh the page, you can load all of the page now

Thanks ed for the help.

21 Jul 2013 15:09:52
It's only pre-season for crying out loud. McDermott's Reading didn't kick on until Christmas when he won the league. Plenty of time, have a bit of patience while he finds the right players to fit his system. it takes a while to coach the "Hoof" mentality out of players.

Spot on. BMD is coaching them off the " hoof & hope" football that Warlock gave us. No end product as yet but give it time. Walsall played with 2 pacy wingers: time after time they were in space with not a Leeds player in sight. Would love to see Leeds play again with wingers. Our current problem is that we're now a good passing time but now need to progress that to one that can move up the pitch with speed and hurt the opposition. Give it time : we have a thoroughbred manager who will bring success IN TIME.
Altrincham Andrew

21 Jul 2013 13:12:18
There's a lot of negativity around and maybe it's all a bit hasty. We still have byram and diouf to come back and with 1 or 2 signings we will have a good chance of a top 6 finish, so cheer up every1 and get behind Brian and the boys, MOT

Well said I for one am looking forward to this season even if it just means building for the future with the likes of poleon etc

U obviously did not go to wallsall mate? Sorry to be negative but yesterday gave me nothing to be positive about.

21 Jul 2013 13:04:47
Did you go to the game yesterday?

Very poor effort for so early in the season. no effort or energy. very depositing.

We need 2 wingers d to give us some width most urgently and also center half and striker

Yesterday was a relegation performance. investment on the pitch is required urgently

I know that " Red Bull " give you wings. but will they also give us 2 wingers?

Why are so many fans like you over reacting its pre season for god sake cannot wait for mcdermott and the lads to shut up all these moaners

After being outplayed by Walsalls youth team in the second half its hardly over reacting - some people seem to enjoy wearing blinkers

And some people are not happy unless they are moaning and whinging, with no positive contribution.

21 Jul 2013 10:39:50
As last season, the team lacks width and pace, there hasn't been any creative wing play since Gradel left, Byram is the only option that we have at the moment, and if he spends the full season running the full length of the pitch he'll be burnt out by mid season ( that's if he's still here). Was working yesterday so didn't listen to the Radio commentry did McDermott continue with the diamond shape formation because if so it doesn't seem to be working.

Its a god dam pre season game. the main aim ain't to win its to try different things!

21 Jul 2013 09:31:23
Just an observation but pre season is all about seeing who can play in what position, can we do something differently? can we change things about? because the result doesn't matter its almost like a training ground exercise under match conditions, I should imagine BM comments are almost a little tongue in cheek, BM could be very good at mind games, under promise over deliver, no one knows what the starting 11 is going to be, but I suggest there will be a great deal more tinkering with the squad until the first game of the ACTUAL season against Brighton. Last preseason we scored a lot of goals under NW which promised a great deal but delivered 15th. BM is far from stupid and I can't believe the season hasn't started yet and there are already some posters having a go at him, and we wonder why players don't want to come to this club like they used to.

Good post, I don't care what score the friendlies are. As long as there 100 percent v brighton. And will people stop with the mackay steven thing, BM has never even mentioned him, vinny.

Well said Philleeds, totally agree with your statement. let's all be patient and get behind the club.

Northumberland LUFC

21 Jul 2013 07:14:49
There's no doubt that we need RedBull. Brian is frustrated because he hasn't got the funds. Now if they are willing to pump in the money in exchange for sponsorship and a re-naming of the stadium then so be it. Move with the times. We've got the Etihad, Emirates, Reebok stadium. This is nothing different.

People say that RedBull will destroy the history of the club because they takeover and re-brand everything. So what? We've won nothing for 21 years! I just about remember 1992 but if RedBull came in and re-branded everything, my memories of the last 21 years wouldn't be wiped out! Football is not a game, it's a business but to us fans we'll always be Leeds United of Elland road even if we are re-branded Leeds United RedBulls from the RedBull arena.

Great post we have to accept we desperately need to invest in some quality, we have a good manager who is getting frustrated that he can't build his own team or offload the deadwood Colin landed us with. Trying to out pass everyone with the hoofers our previous manager left us with was always going to be difficult