The QPR game now becomes very important as a yardstick of how good or bad we are. Have to admit, despite getting two points in last two games, they were both shocking spectacles. Apart from Rpss's piece of genius, we barely managed a shot on target in both games, shades of second half of last season. Lets hope mcd has some gem lined up this week to wet our appetites
Selling Bechio has really cost us over the last 6 months! I am really struggling to see what Varney brings to this team apart from running around like a headless chicken. His crossing is terrible and he gives away cheap fouls which we really can't afford to do. We need a predator in the box who can stick the ball in the back of the net. One positive for me was Murphy. You can see he is up for the challenge and wants to prove himself at Leeds. We just need a few more like him.
Soo... McCormack's celebration... It was just a message to the board not to sell him? And we shouldn't read more into it? I was sat right by where he ran over to; he seemed more irate than happy. What did he say post match?
My two cents: The good: Pearce/Lee's: Both played very well, I'm assuming those who said they were poor were watching on TV, as they were comfortable through out the game, and dealt with most threats effectively. I can't believe these are the same two people from last year. R.Austin: A complete machine, his tackling and work rate was the most I think I have ever seen from a player. His passing ability is not great, but he is still very effective in what he does, a proper unit, and will be a great captain. Poleon/McCormack: Poleon is quick, and tries to get behind the defense constantly, he needs to be first team because he will get chances. McCormack is obviously the only true quality we have at the moment (whose fit) and our only true goal threat today. The bad: Peltier: His positioning was so bad today, he looks unfit and doesn't cover enough distance in a game, he is getting better, but having Byram back can't come soon enough. Varney: I still think he has something to offer for us, but what that is, I don't know. He might make a good cuppa... The ugly: He sure as hell ain't pretty. Overall: We should have won, it could of gone either way at some points but overall we played better than them. It's nothing to worry about though as we are playing relatively well so I'm staying optimistic for now.
Admittedly did only watch on tv but I can't agree with half of that. I thought Lees looked uncomfortable throughout, I do rate him but today he was average at best, if that. Peltier on the other hand was pretty decent, I felt. I do prefer Byram there but I thought he did a good job. Austin's passing is atrocious, when he and Green both play our pass completion percentage must drop to about 50%. Think it has to be one or the other, then use Tonge alongside Murphy. Poleon clearly has talent but his decision making is poor, I'd rather stick with Hunt and Varney if we're using McCormack in midfield.
Basically said he was happy to stay at Leeds when asked about his future. However, he added that wouldn't be up to him but the powers upstairs
Lees looked overwhelmed, I agree. Pearce was picking up the slack most of the game. We miss Byram, the threat going forward isn't the same from Peltier. If today taught us anything it's that selling McCormack would be a big mistake. Starting to see some of the flaws in Poleon's game that other people have noticed, although with raw talent like that and such a presence and threat up front he should still be getting plenty of game time with us. Austin was good, solid again. Green looked awful. Might have been distracted by the pain in his back, I don't know, but he definitely doesn't look as good as he did last season. Maybe it's just a case of he looked good because everyone else was so bad. Tonge is a much better player and should be getting the nod over Green for me, especially with Austin back in the side. Green's ability to pick out a pass is almost non-existent. Murphy looked hungry as usual. There's flaws to his game but he's still settling in and his raw talent is showing. Varney I thought was a threat, again. Despite only appearing to run around like a headless chicken, he does draw defenders about quite a bit and the nod down to McCormack was well controlled, when he could have taken it himself and run with it, or done a flick on forward. He gives us another dimension if nothing else in terms of goal threat. Smith looked non-existent again. I'm thinking he may be a little out of his depth and I'm waiting patiently for him to prove me wrong. Then again, he may shine when we have players in the team that can actually deliver a decent cross. Having Byram back may give us a better indicator of what Smith can do, and from the sounds of things it's all looking positive for Sam not needing an operation. We're awful defending set pieces. I don't feel anxious every time the opposition get forward any more, as I am quite confident our defence are organised and disciplined in open play. But my head is in my hands every time we give away a corner or a free kick in a dangerous area. I saw very little from Diouf today. He reads a game well and all that but... I just don't think he provides much of a threat. I'm not sure... I'd rather see him go than McCormack. This project is long term, I can't see the benefit of selling our prize asset in his prime and starting from scratch, but selling a player like Diouf who is aging but still has market value would make a lot more sense.
I'm in agreemet with you again Marko (!?!), but with one exception. I accept what you say about Varney, but I'm not convinced he should be playing for Leeds United. I'll leave it at that rather than my usual rant about him. I still wonder if Peltier should be playing at CB, having young Zac covering whilst Byram's out. Last season I would have said that Pelts should play CB instead of Pearce, but Pearce seems to have got his act together this season, & Lees still seems to be on holiday. Pearce/Pelts both at CB an option?
I was at the game and Lees was terrible. And that back pass?? I'm not going to say that he's not good enough or anything like that, all players have off days. It just highlights the need for competition in that position to freshen things up. He's young and having to play EVERY game. Pearce had a good game in my opinion. I thought Varney was average and I'm thinking why not just start Smith. At least we might get on the end of some crosses. Have McCormack behing and Hunt and Poleon either side.
I think he's fine as a stop gap. If we could get a decent amount of money for him and get some better replacements, fine, but there are players we should be getting rid of before Varney and there are worse players on the books. He can "do a job" so to speak. As for Zac Thompson at right back, he looks less assured in that position than Peltier and his end product is practically non-existent. Definitely not good enough, probably not going to make it as a Leeds player. It's been what... 2 seasons now? Probably play him in the cup as a way of putting him in the shop window for lower league clubs. Not overly impressed with him, and he appears to be somewhat of a loose cannon.
The problem with Smith is we have nobody who can deliver crosses good enough at the moment. I think Byram is our only player who can deliver decent crosses at the moment and he's still recovering. Hopefully he won't need surgery as I think having Peltier as an option for CB with Sam at RB makes is significantly stronger.
Just watched a delayed broadcast here. Quick thoughts: Green - awful! Just about every pass was poor, fell down repeatedly without being fouled. Offered very little. If injured (back?) leave him out to recover. Tonge deserves a run. McCormack -great individual effort for the goal, often looked dangerous. Peltier - caught out of position repeatedly, especially towards second half. Wasted a number of attacking opportunities with poor deliveries. Warnock - MOTM for me. Was everywhere, broke up attack after attack, won the ball and distributed it well, going forward on occasion too. CBs - simply too small against some very tall and muscular opponents. Murphy - lots of good ideas and attempts. Noit much good if continually intercepted. Austin - strong presence on the pitch, master stroke by BeeMacDee making him captain. Poleon - battler, gives it a full go and keeps asking good questions of the defence. May be a much more powerful weapon coming on around 60 minute mark. Smith - not much point on him being there without getting any service. Diouf - what is the point on bring him on at 85 minutes?
Peltier looked like he was in just about every position he shouldn't have been in!!! Looked like at some points he was trying to hard. McCormack was great. He looks like he seems to get the club. I hope he stays we need him! I love Rudy he always gets stuck in I love his attitude. Leeds did there usual today. Go down one goal and drop their heads then it went to pot. But came out fighting in the second half. Wasn't the best game I've seen but so good to see us passing the ball about and playing football this season. Ipswich next, should beat them but who knows in this league?? QPR will be the match that shows if we're capable of something big this season.
Quite apart from his goal, Ross exhibited a composure and ability on the ball that we simply lacked elsewhere on the pitch today, a bit like some of EHD's contributions last year - a cut above. This is what we need to foster, not sell. The Poleons of the squad will learn from rubbing shoulders with Ross, sadly if Diouf has to go and commands a fee now, rather him than Ross.
